Canon raises funds for missing, exploited children

Canon USA had its annual Customer Appreciation and Celebrity Golf Tournament Jan. 8 and 9 to benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The red carpet reception Jan. 8 at Bellagio’s Grand Ballroom opened with entertainment celebrities announced by Jaki Baskow, event producer and celebrity star broker.

This year’s event featured special guests John Walsh, co-founder of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and host of the long-running “America’s Most Wanted” TV show, and Joe Adachi, president and CEO of Canon USA, as well as Richard Burgi, Patrick Warburton, Chris McDonald, Rogers Clemens and Randall Cunningham.

Other entertainment and sports celebrities included Kurt Bevacqua, Bill Engvall, Robert Hays, Kevin Sorbo, Joe Regalbuto, Rollie Fingers, Paula Trickey, Vida Blue, Tommy John, Chris Rich, Nat Moore, Adrian Zmed and Murray Sawchuck.

Additional entertainers in attendance were The World Famous Ink Spots, The Platters featuring the Legendary Monroe Powell, and cast members from “Thunder From Down Under,” “Rock of Ages” and “Fantasy Girls.”

In all, 1,100 invited guests attended the party.

John Arnos, representing Canon USA, introduced the event’s master of ceremonies, actor Richard Burgi, and Walsh.

Arnos spoke about Canon’s technologies and products that protect children. The Canon4Kids program, a partnership between Canon USA and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, donates thousands of digital cameras, fax machines, printers and scanners to help law enforcement agencies and the center quickly disseminate photos and information about missing children.

During the dinner, Burgi introduced 88 celebrities onstage as guests dined on seafood, beef tenderloin, chicken and a medley of desserts, among other dishes.

More guests attending were former Gov. Bob Miller, Lori Jackson, Barbara Lee and Bruce Woollen, Leslie and Gary Rankin, Nancy Fowler and Brett Savage, Dave McKelvey, Edelyne Castillo, Beverly and Mark Richards, Bob Cummings, Trish Williamson, Clinton Ford Billups Jr., Cliff Kreps, Patricia Deal, Steve Hagelin, Jo Ann Zornow, Patty and Richard Wright, Joy Figer, Sheila Arnos, Chadwick Johnson, John Memmiti, and Michael and Charlotte Meagher.

Christian Kolberg conducted the live auction for resort vacations around the world and luxury box tickets for popular sporting events. Wes Quade and his band provided the evening’s entertainment.

The golf tournament and the evening’s event raised more than $438,000, which will benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s mission of bringing missing children home.