Sponsorship Opportunities
Event Highlights
Hosted on World Mental Health Day
Thursday, October 10, 2024
The Westin South Coast Plaza
686 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Shape the future of youth mental wellness
Join the second annual CHOC Let's Talk as we address the current mental health crisis that has profoundly impacted our community's youth, parents and caregivers. As mental health disorders affect children across the U.S., CHOC invites you to unite with our community on World Mental Health Day to raise life-giving funds, build awareness and provide education on pediatric health and wellness.
Questions can be directed to [email protected]
Featured Guest Speaker
HENRY WINKLER
Emmy Award-Winning Actor, Author, Director & Producer
For 50 years, Henry Winkler's humorous stories and life lessons have inspired and entertained audiences during his storied career as a speaker, actor, producer, director and bestselling author.
Growing up with learning difficulties from undiagnosed dyslexia, Winkler's life changed forever after a 1973 audition in Los Angeles, when the Yale School of Drama graduate was cast as Arthur Fonzarelli in the television series "Happy Days." Receiving two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations for his iconic turn as "The Fonz," he earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After "Happy Days," Winkler's acting options became limited by typecasting, leading him to consider his mental health and career in a new light: he became an award-winning director and producer in TV and film-and a bestselling author of 39 children's novels with his creative partner, Lin Oliver.
His autobiography, "Being Henry…The Fonz and Beyond," was published last October. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks and was a Goodreads Choice Awards winner for Best Humor book.
His first book, "Niagara Falls or Does It? Hank Zipzer the World's Greatest Under-Achiever," became a New York Times bestseller. The book was inspired by Winkler's struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges and became so popular, it grew into a series of 28 novels. All the books are available in bookstores and online across the United States and have been published around the world in nine languages, with more than seven million copies sold.
Henry co-starred as acting teacher Gene Cousineau on the hit HBO dark comedy, "Barry." In 2018, he won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role on the series. He was nominated again for an Emmy in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Henry has also won two Television Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and SAG Award. The series ended in 2023.
Throughout Winkler's professional career, he has always believed in helping others-especially children. His passion for supporting others is the result of his lifetime struggle with dyslexia, and he has worked tirelessly to inform and encourage families and educators about learning challenges.
Among other distinctions, Winkler has served as a featured speaker at WE Day celebrations to promote education and service for students, the first National Honorary Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the National Chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign. For his work, he has received multiple humanitarian accolades from prestigious organizations including the United Nations, B'nai B'rith, the French government and AARP.
Of all the titles he has received, the ones he relishes most are husband, father and grandfather. Winkler and his wife, Stacey, have three children- Jed, Zoe and Max-and six grandchildren.
