FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2006
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Public Relations Associate
860.545.9956 or pager 860.220.3569 

"CHILDREN’S AUTHOR MERCER MAYER ATTENDS CCMC AUXILIARY STORYBOOK AUCTION EVENT AT RENTSCHLER FIELD OCT. 21"

HARTFORD, Conn.—Mercer Mayer, author and illustrator of more than 300 children’s books, including the “Little Critter” and “Little Monster” series will participate in the annual CCMC Auxiliary Storybook Gala taking place Saturday, Oct 21 at the Rentschler Field Clubhouse in East Hartford. Mayer, a resident of Roxbury, will do book signings of six of his books at the event.

The Storybook Gala is the CCMC Auxiliary’s major fundraiser of the year for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The event, hosted by celebrity emcee Kevin Nathan of NBC30, starts at approximately 5:30 pm with a pre-event reception, and also includes a live and a silent auction, entertainment by “The Glamour Girls,” dancing, a buffet dinner, and a signature martini and bar. The night also will feature a fireworks spectacular to celebrate CCMC’s 10-year anniversary at 10 pm.

To purchase tickets for the 2006 Storybook Gala, please contact Gala co-chair, Lisa Benson at (860) 545-9967. For additional information on the Gala, please contact Kristin Beth Ferris at The Ferris Group at (860) 677-6864.

The CCMC Auxiliary does extraordinary work for patients and families at Connecticut Children’s. This year, the Auxiliary provided $50,000 in gifts to special programs, departmental grants and scholarships. The Auxiliary also made a third $20,000 payment toward its five-year pledge to the Make Room for Kids campaign. In addition to fundraising, the Auxiliary operates the Gift Shop, supports several major programs at CCMC and provides grants to dozens of departments in addition to participating in outreach projects throughout Hartford.

A special thanks to the Gala Sponsors including:
Gold Sponsor: Macy’s
Crystal Sponsors: The Barnes Group Foundation Inc, Mohegan Sun, New Country Motor Cars Mercedes Benz, Hartford; TD Banknorth and Northeast Utilities.
Silver Sponsors: Autorino Family LP; Danaher, Lagnese & Neal PC; The Hartford Courant, Koma Precision Inc, ProHealth Physicians and Travelers.
Bronze Sponsor: Gem Jewelry, Webster Financial and the Siepman Family.