GOLDSPOT Goldspot will be playing at UCLA’s Children’s
Walk for Life to benefit the building of the Mattel Children’s
Hospital.
By Ruvin Spivak
Daily Bruin Contributor
UCLA’s Bruin Plaza will turn into a track to raise money
for the third annual Children’s Walk for Life Sunday. The
event was created to benefit the Mattel Children’s Hospital
at UCLA, located on Westwood Boulevard and set for completion by
2004.
“It’s a great cause,” said Kim Treebs, event
coordinator and fourth-year mechanical engineer student. “My
staff and I have visited the old hospital and seen the plans for
the new one. The Mattel Children’s Hospital will be one of
the top facilities in the nation for curing childhood
diseases.”
Kim and her team of UCLA students have enlisted celebrities and
community members from the Los Angeles area to attempt to raise at
least $30,000 for the hospital. Among these celebrities will be
hosts Ryan Seacrest and Lisa Foxx of STAR 98.7 FM. Joining them
will be Wade Robson, choreographer for *NSYNC and Britney Spears.
Also joining the Children’s Walk will be Mattel’s own
real-life Barbie, and the characters from The Wizard of Oz who
represent knowledge, compassion and courage.
Registration for the event starts at 7:45 a.m. and the five
kilometer walk is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., after a skit from
Dorothy, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion and The Scarecrow.
As the charity walk nears its end, Goldspot, a local unsigned
Los Angeles band, will play a set of new material. The band has
received a lot of attention for its fusion of U2-like rock with the
mellow style of other Brit rockers such as Coldplay and The
Doves.
“I’m not ashamed to be reminded of U2. The front
man, Bono, stands for so much good in the world,” said
Siddhartha, the band’s lead singer. “He’s met
with our world’s leaders to help third world nations.
Recently, he even met with President Bush to help develop a budget
for AIDS relief in Africa.”
With a worldwide estimate of 1,600 children infected with HIV
each day, Goldspot’s participation in the Walk For Life
suggests a validity in their high profile comparisons to one of
music’s greatest social activists. Their support will help
the Mattel Children’s Hospital become a leader in HIV and
cancer treatment for children.
“Musicians are already made into icons,” said
bassist Chris Lee. “We think it’s important to show
that we are aware of our ability to do what’s right. It sets
a good example. The Mattel Children’s Hospital’s
efforts are rooted in a desire to provide children with access to
health care. Playing our music for this event is our mode of
supporting this cause.”
EVENT: Supporters interested in donating to the
Mattel Children’s Hospital can visit Goldspot’s Web
site, www.goldspot.net where
there is a link to the charity event.