MTV and Xzibit: Pimp my Wheelchair!

Darius Weems, a 15-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, had never left his hometown of Athens, Georgia. In the summer of 2005, he and a group of young college students traveled across the country in a wheelchair-accessible RV to test accessibility in America. Their ultimate goal was to reach Los Angeles and convince MTV's hit show, "Pimp My Ride," to customize Darius's wheelchair. Along the way they found joy, brotherhood, and the knowledge that life, even when imperfect, is always worth the ride.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/08/27/mtv-and-xzibit-pimp-my-wheelchair/

The MDA Telethon Raises Record $63.8 Million

Jerry Lewis celebrates a record $63.8 million in pledges and contributions to his 42nd annual MDA Labor Day Telethon. This year’s 21 ½-hour broadcast benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, originating from the South Coast Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, was carried by 190 stations across the country. Last year’s Telethon raised $61 million for MDA’s research and services programs. Ike Banoun and Andrew Yurcich were there via satellite promoting the Pimp My Wheelchair program with their new friend Layne.

Pimp My Wheelchair on KBIG 104.3 for the Charlie Tuna Tunathon

KBIG sponsored a benefit for the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles & Children's Miracle Network and Pimp My Wheelchair was invited. It was a monumental event for the foundation - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave away our Princess Chair to Vanessa Rodriguez.

Rock The Bells @ Coors Ampitheatre, Chula Vista

Pimp My Wheelchair was a guest of Rockstar Energy Drinks at the 2007 Rock the Bells music festival held at the Coors Amphitheater on the 12th of August. Performers included Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Immortal Technique, Living Legends and Jedi Mind Tricks. Check out our Events page for photos of the event!

E! Channel hosts party for "The Girls Next Door"

Pimp My Wheelchair was a featured sponsor at the party for the E! Channel's new show The Girls Next Door. Attendees included Jeremy Piven from HBO's "Entourage," and Rob Dyrdek from MTV's "Rob & Big."

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles endorses Pimp My Wheelchair

The Banoun Foundation and Pimp My Wheelchair are proud to announce their newest supporters. The Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, on August 7, 2007 proudly endorsed “PIMP MY WHEELCHAIR” and the program was officially launched as The Banoun Foundation donated the first of many Pimped out wheelchairs. The smiles and laughter that this wheelchair brought the staff at the hospital prompted Pimp My Wheelchair to design a program specifically for The Los Angeles Children’s Hospital which will coincide with the children’s fair put on by the great staff at the hospital.

Special thanks to Wendi Kellaris, Albert Garcia, Karen and DR Stein, we look forward to many future programs involving The Los Angeles Children’s Hospital!

The smiles this wheelchair will bring to the children at the hospital will be priceless!

NVE Clothing and Isabella Valentina Fashion Show at Cabana Club

"Pimp My Wheelchair," a Banoun foundation project, was one the sponsors of the NVE Clothing and Isabella Valentina Fashion Show at Cabana Club Hollywood, California, July 26, 2007. The fashion show was held at the Hollywood hot spot Cabana Club.

It was a full night of fashion from designers Isabella Valentina, NVE clothing and Diane’s swim wear. Some of the Celebs from music and film that attended were Greg Germann, Los Angeles Clippers player Paul Davis, Actor Rudy Youngblood, Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton, Director of “The Hills” Saran Barnun, Musician actor Johnnie Colter, Maggie Wagner, actor/writer Steve Wilder, Singer Ashlee, Actress Cassandra Hepburn, Actress Bridgetta Tomarchio and musician Curtis Murphy to name a few.

1st Annual Play-N-Skillz All-Star Weekend and Music Festival

Pimp My Wheelchair was the featured charity for this great event. It took place on Sunday, July 29th at the Escapade Outdoor in Dallas Texas. Featured artists included Play-N-Skillz, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Baby Bash, Nina Sky, Pitbull, Lil' Flip, and Tum Tum.

Scott Storch's Charity of Choice

Scott Storch hosted a Playboy issue release party / charity event Saturday night at Chakra. Red carpet crawlers include invited guests Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Lil' Kim, Diddy and Robin Thicke. A live performance by Storch and Playboy Playmate Tamara Sky were just some of the highlights. The cover charge of $40 went to benefiting, in part, the Pimp My Wheelchair charity, a program built by The Banoun Foundation to help "bring cheer and happiness to wheelchair-bound individuals everywhere."

The Banoun Foundation launched their newest project PIMP MY WHEELCHAIR at Scott Storch's Playboy august issue release party at Miami Club Chakra on July 21, 2007!

Pimp My Wheelchair was the official charity of the event, "It was a great launch" says PR Director for PIMP MY WHEELCHAIR Andrew J. Yurcich. "The party was
great for getting our cause off the ground and running. What better way to launch this project then at a Red carpet event in Miami Florida?"

This event received a lot of press due to the list of celebs that included Janet Jackson, Robin Thicke and Fat Joe, who performed with Scott. The host himself, Scott Storch, pulled up in his Bugatti Veyron with Playboy Playmate Tamara Sky and Melissa Marie. What better way to make an entrance?

We just want to thank all the people that made it possible, thanks Scott, Luke from Rockstar -Anexia A-list entertainment, Brandon pbe entertainment, Gina Torres and everybody at Chakra.