The PACER Center's 35th annual benefit was filled with laughs and inspirational stories.

Comedian and former "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno entertained an estimated 2,000 people at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Emcees were WCCO-TV anchors Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello.

Bloomington-based nonprofit PACER, founded in 1977 to help parents whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities, fielded more than 45,000 requests for assistance throughout the country in the past year.