Detroit NAIAS news 2009-12-31

One Night at NAIAS Benefits 12 Children's Charities for a Full Year

Detroit, MI - December 31, 2009 - The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will once again host the black-tie Charity Preview gala event on Friday, January 15 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Cobo Center, benefitting 12 children's charities of greater Metro Detroit. This annual fundraising event, one of the largest of its kind in the country, has raised more than $79 million since its inception in 1979, with over $35 million raised in the last six years alone.

"Every year we are so proud to host this event which has gained not only local but national recognition for the funds that it provides to these 12 deserving charities," said Doug Fox, chairman, 2010 NAIAS. "For the second year in a row we are facing a very tough economic year, particularly in our immediate community, and these charities need our help now more than ever. Their annual budgets are based largely on what we raise that one spectacular evening in January. At this time, it's crucial that we pull together as a community and industry to show our support to these charities that make such a difference in the lives of children in Detroit."

Tickets for 2010 are available for $250 per person ($240 is tax deductible) and can be purchased by visiting www.charitypreview.com or by calling 1-888-838-7500.

Benefitting charities include:

Barat Child and Family Services:
A Program of Matrix Human Services Offers a safe nurturing home for girls ages 12 -17 that are survivors of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment; Barat provides care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and focuses on emotional recovery, educational/vocational opportunities, life skills, mentoring and tutoring for successful adulthood.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Provides safe places (Clubs) where over 26,000 children participate in after-school activities. Programs aim to help young people stay in school, graduate, stay healthy and learn important life skills. Role models and mentors help children become all that they can be at The Positive Place for Kids!

Boys Hope Girls Hope Detroit
Helps children who are in need by providing long-term, value-centered, family-like homes and quality education through college.

The Children's Center
Healing the hearts and minds of over 5,000 local children and families annually dealing with issues such as mental illness, abuse and neglect, teen pregnancy, foster care and many more family challenges.

Children's Hospital of Michigan
The Children's Hospital of Michigan at the DMC exists to treat and improve the health and well-being of children and to advocate on their behalf. With approximately 300,000 patient visits annually, Children's is the largest and only freestanding hospital in the state dedicated exclusively to the treatment of children.

Children's Services of the Northeast Guidance Center Assistance League
Northeast Guidance Center (NEGC) was founded 46 years ago to address the lack of mental health services for children on Detroit's east side. NEGC provides quality mental health care and community-based services to over 2,000 children and their families.

Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund
Established in 1998 at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the fund makes grants to programs and activities that assist children and youth in the seven-county southeast Michigan region.

The Detroit Institute for Children
Since 1920, The DIC has been the leader in innovative treatment for any and all special needs children throughout Southeast Michigan, regardless of their ability to pay. The DIC provides outpatient and in-school medical and rehabilitative care to children with special needs through a variety of unique and innovative therapies including Botox treatments for spastic muscles, Activities of Daily Living Center and Multi-Sensory Gym.

Easter Seals - Michigan
Helping Michigan families through innovation and compassion. P.L.A.Y. Therapy (Play & Language for Autistic Youngsters). Therapeutic Riding. Speech & Occupational Therapy. Senior Outreach. These programs exist thanks to the generosity of ES-MI donors. Today, 95% of every dollar goes directly to those we serve in Michigan.

Judson Center
A nonprofit, human service agency that helps children and families improve their lives. Each year Judson Center provides over 400,000 services in 10 Michigan counties including adoption, foster care, autism, family preservation, mental health and respite services. Judson Center believes every child deserves a loving, stable home and that every family is entitled to support to manage challenges when life gets hard.

March of Dimes
Successfully fighting to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through community services, advocacy, research and education.

Think Detroit PAL
In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Think Detroit PAL builds character in young people annually through athletic, academic and leadership development programs. The organization serves 12,000 children annually, with the assistance of 1,500 volunteers, role models and mentors, who help kids learn the value of respect, responsibility, diversity, discipline, leadership and teamwork.

-source: naias