The Bluebird Canyon disaster was personal for the cast.
Cast members Stephen Colletti and Dieter Schmitz were right in the
midst of the tragedy, since their families both live in the area.
"They got evacuated and came to my house," Conrad said.
During the event, Schmitz, Colletti and Phillips showed a
documentary they had made of the landslide aftermath. Poignant
interviews with the families and footage of the ravaging damage
brought tears to everyone's eyes.
Landslide victims were invited to the event at no charge.
After the documentary, Pearson-Schneider asked the families to
come up on stage.
"Fight the Slide concept is not a one time issue; it's not going
to make everything better," Phillips said. "We need to continue to
fight this together."
Adam DiVello, development executive and co-executive producer for
the show, flew in from New York City for the event. He said he wishes
he lived in Laguna Beach.
DiVello said it was the cast's idea to have a benefit for the
landslide victims.
"The kids came to us -- Stephen, Dieter and Trey; they were
affected by this immensely," DiVello said. "It's rare that a group of
kids this young would get so involved and take on something like
this. I feel fortunate I got to know these kids."
DiVello said helping the landslide victims needs to continue; he
hopes the MTV benefit serves as an motivator.
"I hope the community continues to keep them in mind," DiVello
said.
Fellow co-executive producer Kathryn Takis was equally impressed
by the cast's efforts.
"The kids' heart and soul are in this community; as soon as the
landslide happened, they wanted to do something," Takis said.
"They're devoted to the community.... This is their doing; we just
guided them. All of them should feel so proud."
She said Laguna Beach is synonymous with community.
"All of us walk away with Laguna Beach's sense of community, how
generous everyone is -- and the kids are a reflection of that," Takis
said. "I feel really honored to work with them; it's really a joy.
That's a lot to say about 14- to 18-year-olds."
Cast members Alex Murrel's and Talan Torriero's bands were part of
the entertainment, along with Just Jinger, the Jamie Paxton Band and
Listen Band.
Pearson-Schneider was also an integral part of the event, giving a
moving speech and even participating in the fashion show, which was a
huge hit and the highlight of the evening.
"Four thousand five hundred dollars will go to the Laguna Relief
and Resource Center and the rest will go to the Adopt a Landslide
Family campaign," Pearson-Schneider said.
Pearson-Schneider thinks that MTV airing a segment of the benefit
is invaluable to the landslide cause.
"The cast is going to be creating a pitch to the viewers to send
money to the Adopt a Landslide Family campaign at the end of the
show," the mayor said. "It's a huge opportunity -- they will be able
to raise a lot of money."
MTV is also adding information on the show's website for
donations.
The show will likely air in September, according to MTV.
