WE Day celebrates children who make a difference

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Roaring cheers filled the Forum in Inglewood on Thursday as thousands of California children kicked off "WE Day."

The WE school program encourages children to create social change at home and around the world.

Those in attendance were treated to appearances and performances by speakers and A-list celebrities such as Selena Gomez.

This was Gomez's fourth time taking the stage at WE Day.

"When you're here and you're looking at these kids, you're kind of like what are we doing every day?" These kids are changing the world," Gomez said.

Rico Rodriguez of ABC's Modern Family and his sister Raini Rodriguez served as repeat hosts.

"So excited to be here, the energy is infectious," Rico Rodriguez said.

"We love WE Day, it's all about kids changing the world," Raini Rodriguez said.

WE Day co-founder Craig Kielburger said tickets to the star-studded event can't be bought.

"You have to earn your ticket through service, so all these young people helped at least one local cause, one global cause, so over a thousand charities," Kielburger said.

If you didn't get to participate in the event Thursday, you'll be able to catch all the highlights during a special broadcast on ABC in August.