Lane, Mitchell, Neuwirth Set for H.E.L.P. Fundraiser, 6/22

The Gross Family Foundation, in association with Condé Nast Media Group, will unveil a new initiative, "The Year of the Child," which will bring H.E.L.P (Health, Education, Love, Progress) to many children's lives at "The H.E.L.P Fundraiser" on Thursday, June 22 at Cipriani's on 42nd Street (110 West 42nd Street).

Three distinguished organizations that benefit children will be honored at the fundraiser: Big Apple Circus Clown CareSM, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The City Parks Foundation. In 2006, The Gross Family Foundation will make grants in excess of $500,000 to these and other organizations that provide services or support in the areas of children's health, education, love and progress.

Hosted by Tony Award-winner Nathan Lane (upcoming Butley, The Odd Couple, The Producers), the evening will include performances by Tony Award-winners Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago, Sweet Charity) and Brian Stokes Mitchell (Man of La Mancha, Kiss Me, Kate, Ragtime). In addition, stilt walkers, jugglers, silk artists and Grandma the Clown (Barry Lubin, an inductee of the International Clown Hall of Fame) will be among a few of the Big Apple Circus artists who will perform during cocktails.

There will also be a silent auction boasting experiential packages each worth, in excess of $1000, from several Condé Nast titles including Vogue, Traveler, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and W, among others, as well as City Parks Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Big Apple Circus.

Awards will be accepted by:

* Chris Wearing, managing partner Accenture New York, on behalf of the Big Apple Circus Clown CareSM
* Nathan Lane and Tom Viola, executive director, on behalf of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
* Adrian Benepe, commissioner, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and David Rivel, executive director City Parks Foundation, on behalf of City Parks Foundation

Etai and Ronnie Gross of the Gross Family Foundation and Mr. Richard D. Beckman, president of Condé Nast Media Group, are the chairs for the H.E.L.P. dinner.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $100 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses.

Tickets that include a VIP experience are available for a table of ten, and a single seat at $25,000 and $2,500 respectively. Tickets without a VIP experience are available at $10,000 for a table of ten and $1,000 for a single seat. These tickets are available through the Condé Nast Media Group at 212.286.8321. Visit www.BroadwayCares.org for more information.