Annual Beamer Awards – Jan. 30, 2016

Honors Susan Ford Bales

Site Staff Social Scene

 

The fourth annual Beamer Awards Gala "Beamer Lights Up the Night" honored Susan Ford Bales with the 4th Beamer Award.

Daughter of Betty and President Gerald Ford, Bales was elected to the Betty Ford Center board in 1992. She worked side by side with her mother on projects at the Center including medical student training, the Center’s unique children’s program, and special programs for women with addictive disease.

She succeeded her mother as Chairman of the Board from 2005 to 2010. In attendance to honor their mother were daughters Heather Devers and Tyne Berlanga of Texas and son Matthew Bales of Oklahoma. All funds raised support The Children’s Program offered at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage and at Betty Ford Foundation locations in Aurora, Colo., and Irving, Texas.

“Our children’s program is unique in educating children about alcoholism. Getting them early is so important, and I’m so pleased we have this unique program,” Susan Ford Bales says.

Beamer is the animated bulb boy who faces challenges due to addiction in his family in four books, each containing three chapters where Beamer’s feelings open up discussions on the sensitive topic of addiction. The new interactive website reinforces what children learn, and is a way for children to stay connected to Beamer after they complete the program. Special mention was made of Beamer’s “godmother,” Lois Horvitz in memoriam.

Madeline Redstone and Jan Salta chaired the evening. Debbie Green produced the event that featured emcee Patrick Evans and Emmy nominee Howie Mandel, whose stand-up comedy and improvisation made the evening one of the seasons best. Platinum sponsors were Horvitz Family, Madeline Redstone, Jan Salta, Almine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, and Bank of the West BNP Parisbas Family Wealth Advisors.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Betty Ford Center
39000 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
866-831-5700
www.hazeldenbettyford.org

Photography by Lani Garfield