"La Russa and his wife, Elaine, have been advocating for animals since starting the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in 1991. A disagreement with that group's management led to his severing ties with ARF in 2023, after which the nonprofit rebranded itself as Joybound People & Pets. Unlike ARF, the La Russa family's new endeavor will act as a support system for existing animal rescue organizations."
"The list of musicians, sports figures and other celebrities planned to attend the gala is impressive. Billy Bob Thornton, Dave Stewart and Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows have all committed. Thornton is set to perform with his rock band, The Boxmasters, which he founded in 2007 with Grammy Award-winning recording engineer J.D. Andrew."
"The event is to also feature performances by Doobie Brothers saxophonist Marc Russo and Santana percussionist Karl Perazzo's All-Star Band and Comedy Central's Sarah Tiana. Several military guests have also been invited to the event, and La Russa plans to host an A's Hall of Fame Panel with a tribute to Rickey Henderson by former Athletics players Jose Canseco, Dennis Eckersley and Dave Stewart. The big surprise of the evening is the payoff for a bet Stewart made with La Russa several years ago at spring training. "I told him at the time, 'I'm going to hold you to it,'" says La Russa. "The All Star Band is going to start, and then Stewart comes out, and he's going to be doing two Chris Stapleton songs. He really can sing.""
Tony La Russa and his family launched La Russa Rescue Champions to support existing animal rescue organizations by funding grassroots groups. The nonprofit diverges from the prior Animal Rescue Foundation model by providing grants rather than running its own programs. A 2023 dispute led to a separation from ARF, which rebranded as Joybound People & Pets. The first major fundraiser is scheduled for Jan. 25 at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts. The gala will feature high-profile musicians, comedians, military guests, an A's Hall of Fame panel and a tribute to Rickey Henderson.
Read at The Mercury News
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