Steve Guttenberg is one of the world’s most beloved film stars, having appeared in blockbuster hits, including “Three Men and a Baby,” “Police Academy” and “Cocoon,” among many others.
Guttenberg also is an entertainer deeply passionate about helping the less fortunate. A devoted animal lover, Guttenberg is teaming with his friend, Russell Hartstein, founder and CEO of the South Florida dog training company, Fun Paw Care. (Hartstein is a world renowned authority on dog training and behavior modification.) They will take part in events to build awareness of how service dogs can benefit the disabled and will promote the adoption of shelter dogs to function as service dogs.
“I am excited about partnering with Russ to advance the understanding of service animals,” Guttenberg said. “Russ is the guru of dog training and obedience in South Florida and he and I share a commitment to improving our society and giving our energies to those who are need of a boost to get ahead.”
For this reason, Guttenberg volunteered his services to come to Miami Beach October 17- 19 to take part in a series of events to increase the visibility of two exemplary local charities: Ability Explosion which supports people with disabilities and The Sabrina Cohen Foundation, dedicated to providing a better quality of life for those with paralysis.
Guttenberg and Hartstein will work with “Ability Explosion” to stage simulated participatory events designed to help community leaders understand firsthand of what it is like to live with a disability. “Ability Explosion” also sponsors similar events such as Lights Out Miami Beach, a dining in the dark experience and wheelchair basketball.
They also will help The Sabrina Cohen Foundation raise awareness of its Disability Access Beach and spinal cord research programs. An estimated 12,000 spinal cord injuries occur each year in the US, typically leaving the injured victim confined to a wheelchair.
“I am privileged to play a role in contributing to the success of these events,” Guttenberg said. The comedic actor is no stranger to roles, having starred in more than 40 movies. In addition to many acclaimed stage appearances, Guttenberg’s smash-hit movies have generated more than $1 billion in worldwide box office. He garnered excellent reviews for his film, “Affluenza,” and he is now at work on “Lavalantula,” a SYFY channel creature feature about giant spiders attacking L.A.
Guttenberg’s knack for comedy is readily apparent in two books he authored: his hilarious memoir, “The Guttenberg Bible,” and his recently published children’s book, “The Kids from D.I.S.C.O.,” about four average kids who become a funky superhero team led by their groovy uncle, Disco Man, and his pet Cockatoo.
In addition to being an actor and author, Guttenberg is a noted director. He is involved in many charitable causes. They include Guttenhouse, an apartment complex in south Los Angeles which he founded to house and mentor young people no longer in foster care status.
Guttenberg spearheaded Sight for Students, a $7 million program to provide glasses for 50,000 underprivileged visually-challenged children. He was lauded by the Red Cross for his work with hurricane victims.
EVENT(S) DETAILS
A gather in the Miami Beach commission chambers on Friday morning October 17th, 2014 at 9:00am. There will be a brief introduction and then the participants will be assigned a specific disability and then escorted back to their offices to execute a few simple tasks for approximately 2 hours.
City Commission Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida.
To further awareness, a “Biz-Ability” Luncheon in cooperation with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is being planned to take place at the Botanical Gardens. This event features a sit-down lunch, a noted speaker and awards presented to several businesses, organizations and individuals in the community who have been instrumental in creating awareness in the world about people living with disabilities and providing opportunities and access where there was none before through workplace employment and consumer access.
On Sunday, October 19th at 12:30 PM just prior to the Fly Wheel spin for charity, there will be homeless and service dogs presented by Fun Paw Care in association with Miami Dade Animal Services at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, located just steps from Fly Wheel.
