2002 Benefit Gala

On September 18, 2002, Adopt-A-Minefield hosted its second annual Benefit Gala, “Open Hearts. Clear Mines,” at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.  Goodwill Ambassadors, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney, hosted an evening of music and inspiration for nearly 900 supporters, including Rob Reiner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Pierce Brosnan.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus enjoying the show at the 2002 AAM Gala.

During the evening, AAM was proud to honor three outstanding humanitarian activists - Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, as well as Jerry White and Ken Rutherford, co-founders of the Landmine Survivors Network.

The vegetarian dinner was followed by musical performances by McCartney, Brian Wilson and Stephen Stills.  Wilson and his band brought the house alive with Beach Boys favorites like “Surfer Girl” and “Good Vibrations”.  Jay Leno conducted a live auction of signed art prints by Paul McCartney and Stephen Stills debuted the unplugged version of his song, “Find the Cost of Freedom (Buried in the Ground)” written especially for AAM and the mine action community.  McCartney performed last and kept the house on its feet.  The evening was brought to a momentous close with the stirring duet of McCartney and Wilson singing “Let it Be.”