Paul Wesley, known best for his work on The Vampire Diaries, spoke at a benefit for the Humane Society of the United States on Saturday.
Wesley walked the red carpet with Phoebe Tonkin at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, according to Just Jared. He gave a speech at 60th Anniversary Gala celebration.
According to Variety, the actor told the audience, “I think it’s really important for me to say with confidence that, based on the interactions that I’ve had with Vampire Diaries fans all over the world, young people today are comprised of an incredible morally grounded generation. When presented with logic and with facts, they want to do the right thing.”
The Humane Society of the United States provides direct care when animals are in crisis. Wesley said that he has used social media to educate millions of people about the problems with factory farming. In factory farming, large numbers of animals are raised in confinement. The Humane Society of the United States uses some of its charitable donations to support Farm Animal Protection.
Wesley was honored with the Humane Generation Award. He says that he is on a television show that has a “massive youth following.” He said the Humane Generation Award is representative of the younger generation who are trying to take a positive step to change the future. Other honored participants at the Gala included James Cromwell, Gov. Jerry Brown, and Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, who directed the documentary, Blackfish.
Celebrities who also attended the special event include Scandal actress Bellamy Young. Singer-songwriter Sia performed at the Gala.