There are some people in Hollywood that would do anything for kids, even go so far as to channel their inner carny. Hitch star Kevin James and his wife Steffiana took over the Santa Monica Pier Sunday afternoon in LA to host a day of sun-soaked fun for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The couple called upon some of their celebrity friends (including David Spade, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer and Tom Arnold) to lend a hand. SNL alum Maya Rudolph kept everyone laughing as she gladly stepped out of her element to work the Hot Shots basketball booth, and a slew of kids lined up simply to gawk at Mischa Barton who pulled off the near impossible by making her Ring Toss booth both fun and interesting. Rosario Dawson, who is quickly on her way to being canonized as Tonic’s first celebrity Saint, spent the entire afternoon posing for pictures, signing autographs, and kneeling down to address children in wheelchairs at their level.
The event was put together by James and his wife in the hopes that the kids, many of whom are facing life-threatening illnesses, could put their worries and fears aside, if only for an afternoon.
“It’s about giving the families a day to relax and have some fun,” James tells Tonic, “and see their kids just enjoying it with other kids, and just let them be kids. That’s all it is, really, to let the kids, and their families have a great day.”
And for James, it was enough to hear the afternoon air filled with children’s laughter, as he acknowledged that this was purely a labor of love, and not something that he would be recognized for. “It’s funny because a lot of the kids don’t know who I am,” he says, laughing. “I think we need Vanessa Hudgens here quick. Basically, they’re here to see Adam Sandler. If I can be a vessel to that, then I’m happy.” And Sandler did not disappoint, as the actor spent the afternoon surrounded by grateful parents, and awed children.
As the day wound down, Sandler sought out James and, pulling his friend and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry co-star in for a quick embrace, he echoed the sentiments of everyone on the pier by saying, “Good job, Buddy. Congratulations, you did a good thing today.”
Photo by PR Photo, photo by Heather Case.