Mike Williams
Public Relations, VP
Motor Creative
949.218.2500
Autumn Strier
Miracles for Kids
714.730.3040
For Immediate Release
MIRACLES IN MANHATTAN RAISES NEARLY $700,000 FOR FAMILIES IN NEED WHO HAVE KIDS WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES AT CHOC CHILDREN’S
Miracles for Kids’ annual gala at St. Regis Monarch Beach hosts more than 570 OC notables who come up big for families in crisis.
TUSTIN, CALIF. (October 4, 2011) – Miracles for Kids, a non-profit organization based in Tustin, CA, announced today its 11th annual gala held on October 1 raised nearly $700,000 to fund the organization’s programs that provide aid to hundreds of low-income families with critically ill children throughout Southern California. Miracles for Kids currently operates at CHOC Children's, as well as supports cutting-edge research through the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.
More than 570 of Orange County’s most notable people attended the popular annual Night of Miracles, themed this year as “Miracles in Manhattan”, a night out in the Big Apple with the lights, the music, and the magic that are quintessential Manhattan. The gala featured a cocktail reception, fabulous New York style cuisine, silent and live auctions, as well as a lively Fund-a-Family fundraiser and live entertainment provided by Jennifer Keith and the Royal Crown Revue, Hollywood’s award winning 8-piece jazz ensemble.
“Miracles in Manhattan has been another great success for all of us who are so involved and invested in the remarkable things this organization is accomplishing,” said Miracles for Kids founder and board chairman, Curtis Green, Jr. “It’s truly overwhelming to see such an outpouring of generosity, which helps so many families in crisis who have children with life-threatening illnesses.”
The most thrilling moment of the evening was the Fund-a-Family fundraiser, when hundreds of bidders raised their bid cards as Nye called out levels of funding from $100 to $50,000 - raising more than $195,000 in 10 minutes for the Fund-a-Family Program - which directly funds the Miracles for Kids Grant Program, the heart and soul of the organization.
Always an enthusiastic auctioneer, Jim Nye led a live auction that showcased lavish jewelry, stunning couture fashions and luxury getaway offerings:
-- A weeklong escape to Casa Todo Bien in Punta Mita, Mexico - a new spectacular gated estate home with a fully staffed beachfront property featuring luxurious accommodations for up to 17 guests - went for $18,000.
-- Another stellar package that went quickly included two tickets to the 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, including two VIP guest tickets with admission to the exclusive after-party, round-trip airfare for two, a two-night stay at the luxurious St. Regis New York on Fifth Avenue, and car service to and from the Runway Show.
