My job is to find kids who don’t have a large group of friends or family members to run with them, and join their group.   I’m also just supposed to go around and mingle in general.  I’m handed a shirt to put on that looks like all the other volunteer shirts except mine says “CELEBRITY-RACHAEL HUNTLEY” in bold letters across the back.  I feel like a big fraud because I’m not really a celebrity and nobody is going to know who I am.  What I do not know, however, is that all the children have been a given a book of all the celebrities in attendance, complete with bios.  So I’m actually asked for my autograph all morning...weird, but fun. 

I absolutely love running or walking with the kids.  The families have all made big signs supporting their children and the whole atmosphere is so positive.  There are prizes and ribbons and other side games going on to keep the children occupied when they’re not running.  My eyes well up quite a few times when I see families who have no children participating in the run...they’re each carrying a sign that says “In Memory of....”.  I think it is absolutely beautiful that these families still come out every year to support the children who are surviving.  I feel so honored that I was asked to participate in this event, and I hope I get asked back next year. 

Unfortunately, I have to leave early because my husband (Chris) and I have to catch a plane to Vegas.  We’re being flown out to attend Vegas Magazine’s anniversary party, which also happens to be kicking off the CineVegas Film Festival.  It’s being held at the Green Valley Ranch Resort...an absolutely gorgeous resort.  This is my first real taste of “celebrity status”.  We fly first class (it’s only a 45 minute flight, but what the heck) and there are limos to take us to and from the airport.  We share the limos with another of my publicist’s clients, Eddie Steeples, and his friend...both of whom are a blast.  I find out that Eddie grew up 20 minutes away from where I grew up in Houston...small world.  By the way, you can look for Eddie on NBC this fall as a cast member of the new sitcom “My Name is Earl”.

Chris and I check in and are informed that we will be staying in the “Tuscany Suite”.  Sounds good to me.  We go up to our suite and it is absolutely stunning.  Marble entryway, wet bar, living room, dining room, floor to ceiling windows, jacuzzi in the bathroom and flat screen plasma TVs everywhere.  It’s over 1500 square feet...my apartment isn’t even that big!  About twenty minutes after we get there, chocolate covered strawberries are delivered to our room.  Heavenly. 

It’s 4:00 pm, so I have about 4 hours before I need to head down to the red carpet for the party.  I’m exhausted, so I take a nap on the supremely comfortable bed while Chris checks out the pool.  At 8:00 one of the PR girls for the party knocks on my door to escort Chris and me to the party, and to take me through the red carpet since my own publicist couldn’t attend the party. 

The red carpet is actually quite fun and I get to meet the publisher of Vegas Magazine and do a brief interview with him.  The party is being held outside on the vast grounds that surround the resort’s three swimming pools.  Everything looks gorgeous and the weather is perfect.  Chris and I proceed to spend the evening dancing and meeting new people.  I talk a little with Robin Leach (the man who does “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”) and even end up in his online review of the event.  We also speak briefly to Dennis Hopper and Cuba Gooding, Jr.  Cuba is a riot and loves to dance...he doesn’t care if he’s dancing by himself, he just likes to move. 

Finally, the party is shut down around 2 am and we head back to our suite.  I can’t believe that I’m getting to enjoy all this just for co-starring in a blockbuster movie.  Chris and I spend the next day by the pool drinking mai tais and trying to believe that this is really all happening.