On Saturday evening, June 15, the Downtime Cocktails team was honored to be part of the 12th Annual Ed Asner & Friends Celebrity Poker Night, which was held at NBC's Radford Studios in Studio City, CA.

The star-studded event raised money for the Ed Asner Family Center, which provides services and support for families and individuals with special needs. Among its many services, TEAFC offers mental health counseling along with expressive arts classes and career programs. A newly launched Adult Program provides classes and support that includes The Dating Spectrum, Sex Education, and Relationship/Couples Coaching.

TEAFC was founded by Matthew Asner and his wife Navah in 2012. Matthew is the son of legendary television actor Ed Asner, who was best known as Lou Grant on the acclaimed “Mary Tyler Moore Show," which ran on CBS for seven seasons (1970-1977) and won an astonishing total of 29 Emmys. Matthew and wife Navah were inspired to create the organization due to their deep personal experience with individuals that have special needs. They have six children, three of which are on the spectrum.

The event on Saturday night featured two Batch 22 specialty cocktails—The Lou Grant (celery soda and Batch 22) and The Royal Flush (Batch 22 with Amaro, Orange Bitters, and San Pellegrino Blood Orange soda) and offered us a great opportunity to pour tastes for a host of Hollywood celebs, industry insiders and influencers, and just plain spirits lovers. It's always satisfying when we can combine a chance to support a great cause with a chance to have a truly fun time.

For more information on their wonderful work or to make a donation, visit the Ed Asner Family Center.