SAVE-THE-DATE

Eddie Guardado Foundation to Host Inaugural

OC Suitcase Soirée Benefiting Children with Autism

WHO: Former MLB All-Star Pitcher Eddie Guardado, along with his wife Lisa Guardado,

will host the OC Suitcase Soirée to benefit children with autism.

WHAT: The OC Suitcase Soirée invites guests to arrive, bags packed, in anticipation of winning one of the three grand prize travel packages, which departs directly from the event by private plane or limousine for a weekend getaway in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara or Los Angeles. Guests at the fundraising event will be entertained by live music, participate in silent and live auctions, and dine on an array of cuisine from top Orange County restaurants, while enjoying wine tasting and specialty drinks provided by Young's Market.

100% of event net proceeds will benefit the Eddie Guardado Foundation, which supports the direct service program of ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!). ACT Today! is a national non-profit providing care and treatment to children with autism and support and assistance to families who do not have the means to provide the necessary treatment, therapy and tools for their children impacted by autism.

WHERE: Lyon Air Museum, 19300 Ike Jones Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92707

WHEN: Friday, September 20, 2013, 7 to 11 p.m.

TICKET INFO: www.ocsuitcasesoiree.org or 714-442-3535

About The Eddie Guardado Foundation:

Major League All-Star Pitcher, Eddie Guardado and his wife Lisa established The Eddie Guardado Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2008 after their youngest child, Ava, was diagnosed with autism. Lisa and Eddie understand the emotional and financial hardships families impacted with autism experience and founded the Eddie Guardado Foundation to help other families receive access to therapy and treatments that they could not otherwise afford.

In January 2011, The Eddie Guardado Foundation joined forces with ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), as both non-profits share the mission of providing awareness of and access to effective therapies for children with autism. Since their partnership began, the Eddie Guardado Foundation has enabled ACT Today! to provide an additional 100 grants to help children with autism achieve their highest potential. The organizations continue to collaborate together with Eddie and Lisa serving on the ACT Today! board. www.eddieguardadofoundation.org

EDDIE GUARDADO’S STARS & STRIKES ANNUAL CELEBRITY BOWLING TOURNAMENT

PRESENTED BY THE EDDIE GUARDADO FOUNDATION HELD JANUARY 27 RAISES $170,000

Over 30 Celebrities Helped Stars and Strikes Raise Funds

To Provide Grants and Financial Assistance to Families Impacted With Autism

TUSTIN, CA – January 30, 2013 – The lanes were rockin’ as the All-Stars of sports and entertainment rolled in at Eddie Guardado’s Stars & Strikes, the annual celebrity bowling tournament and fundraiser presented by The Eddie Guardado Foundation in conjunction with ACT Today!, (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) held Sunday, January 27 at Bowlmor Lanes at The District in Tustin (2405 Park Avenue, Tustin, CA). This year’s Stars & Strikes raised approximately $170,000.

Whether it was MLB Pitcher LaTroy Hawkins donning Olympic Swimmer Katilin Sandeno’s multiple gold-medals, MMA’s Jake Ellenberger trading high fives with MLB’s Jerred Weaver, or MLB’s Michael Young and Vernon Wells arriving at the event together ready to bowl strikes, bowlers from ages 6 to 60+ enjoyed the fun, casual event, getting pictures and autographs from all of their sports heroes.

The evening raised more money for the foundation than ever before, due to the sponsors, silent auction and the live auction, which was a huge hit thanks to several items including an Albert Pujols signed bat and a spontaneous addition of two lunch dates for four with actor, Noah Munck (iCarly). In addition to the monies raised, attendees also purchased 24 iPads during the “Fund an iPad” portion of the auction, which will be placed directly into the hands of children with autism as part of their therapy.

“Once again, we are in awe of the generosity of our friends, neighbors, and corporate community sponsors, who came out to Stars & Strikes to assist us in aiding the growing number of families impacted by autism,” says Eddie Guardado. “The energy and love in the room was palpable and as a result we were able to surpass our fundraising goal, which is more than we could have hoped for this year.”

(The Guardado Family - Niko, Ava, Lisa, Jacob and Eddie)

Sold out a month before with 350+ people in attendance, there were over 30 celebrities, athletes, actors and actresses, who each lead a team of guest bowlers. While everyone was bowling, attendees also enjoyed the Stars & Strikes Photo Booth, Bowlmor’s arcade, classic bowling alley fare and music provided by DJ Krispy.

This year’s list of celebrity All-Stars included:

· “Everyday Eddie” Guardado, 2-Time All-Star Pitcher
· Michael Young, 7-Time All-Star, Philadelphia Phillies
· Adrian Beltre, 3-Time All-Star, Texas Rangers
· Jered Weaver, 3 Time All-Star, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
· Garret Anderson, 3-Time MLB All-Star
· LaTroy Hawkins, MLB Pitcher
· Scott Feldman, Chicago Cubs
· Vernon Wells, 3-Time All-Star, Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim
· Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks, 2-Time All-Star
· Shawn Green, 2-Time MLB All Star
· Carlos Fisher, Oakland Athletics
· Derek Holland, Texas Rangers
· Matt Treanor, MLB Player
· Stan Frazier, Drummer – Sugar Ray
· Noah Munck, Actor, “iCarly”
· Sasha Pieterse, actress “Pretty Little Liars”
· Annie Mumolo, actress, “This is 40,” Writer, “Bridesmaids
· Lisa Foxx, On-Air Radio Personality, 104.3 MYFM
· Denny Hocking, Retired MLB Player
· Adam Melhuse, Retired MLB Player
· Gary Pettis, Texas Rangers Coach, 5-Time Gold Glove
· Jamie Moyer, All-Star Pitcher
· Kaitlin Sandeno, Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming
· Jake Ellenberger, UFC Welterweight Title Contender
· Mark Munoz, UFC Middleweight Title Contender
· Jacque Jones, Retired MLB Player
· Scott Ullger, Minnesota Twins Coach
· Derek Deese, Retired NFL Player
· Kyle Negrete, USC Trojans Punter
· Erin Murphy, Actress
· Musetta Vander, Actress

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest numbers, 1 in 88 children in America is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), making ASD more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, pediatric cancer and childhood AIDS combined. The net proceeds generated by this star-studded event will be used to provide direct support and assistance to families who do not have the means to provide the necessary treatment, therapy and tools for their children impacted by autism.

VIEW ADDITIONAL EVENT PHOTOS -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomediaco/sets/72157632632291373/

About The Eddie Guardado Foundation:

About Eddie Guardado:

Eddie Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado played with the Minnesota Twins (1993–2003, 2008), where his durable arm earned him the nickname “Everyday Eddie,” the Seattle Mariners (2004–2006), Cincinnati Reds (2006–2007), and the Texas Rangers (Two separate stints in 2008 and 2009). Over Eddie's career, he appeared in 908 games. Only 21 other pitchers have appeared in more games. www.eddieguardado18.com

About ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!):

ACT Today! is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families to help their help children with autism achieve their full potential. In 2010, ACT Today! launched ACT Today! for Military Families, the first national program to address the unique needs of the 1 in 88 military families impacted by autism. www.act-today.org

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