Kids rush to Russell Simmons' hot holiday bash

Jamie Hector, Danny Simmons, Teyana Taylor, Dawn Richard, Russell Simmons, Darrelle Revis

A hot Union Square club decked out in a winter wonderland theme, ice cream, candy and treats, as far as the eye can see, and a constant celebrity show, raffling off amazing prizes like a MacBook, X Box 360, and basketball tickets. Sound like a dream come true holiday party? Well last week the dream became a reality for the 500 plus at risk youth, all who have one thing in common. They all benefit from the amazing arts programs of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, such as Afrikan Poetry, Bed-Stuy Regeneration, Ballet Hispanico, Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, and Children’s Pressline.

Their 9th annual holiday party was attended by stunning celebs like Dawn Richard, Jim Jones, Lil Mama, Darrelle Revis, Jamie Hector, and more. Teyana Taylor, event came out to the event for the first in her night of birthday celebrations.

Rush founders, brothers Danny and Russell Simmons told us they spend so much of their time helping out young people today because they were given opportunities when they were kids. “My father used to work in an orphanage out in Queens,” says Danny, “and we used to have programs there, and he would make sure I was there at all of them. And I used to hang out with him and go to work with him, so part of our philanthropic stuff really came from our folks just teaching us to give back to the community.”

“I look back now and I find that I was helped a lot more than I even realized,” Russell tells CGG. “I’ve found also that the help is great, but the greatest thing is the gift. Then you’re helping someone else and you see their result. It’s everything. It’s the reason we’re here. And you come to realize that as you get older. You’re born to just wake up and give, wake up and give; but sometimes as we get a little older, we lose. And we wake up and we just want to get. That promotes sadness.”

That’s a feeling many people might find in this economy. “So we have to remind them that giving is a source of getting,” says Russell. “We’ve got to teach them that and show them that the little gifts that they give; the response is that they feel better, and that’s what they’re searching for.”

For the event, the brothers really just hoped the kids had an amazingly fun time. From the looks on their faces throughout the event, mission accomplished.