Uma Thurman, Liv Tyler, Amy Ryan, Ken & Julie Burns, And Others to Attend “Room to Grow” Gala February 6th 2012

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  • Fundraiser to Support Development of Children Born Into Poverty
  • Best-selling Children’s Recording Artist Laurie Berkner Honored with Founder’s Award

Uma Thurman, Liv Tyler, Amy Ryan, Ken and Julie Burns, Thomas Campbell (Director, Metropolitan Museum of Art) and others will attend a fundraising gala on February 6 for “Room to Grow,” a non-profit that enriches the lives of babies born into poverty during their critical first three years of development. The gala will take place between 6 – 9 pm at the Mandarin Oriental (80 Columbus Circle) and will include a silent and a live auction.

Best-selling children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner will also attend and be honored with their Founder’s Award.

Auction items include dream vacations in Africa, Italy, Chicago and Jackson Hole; a package of three dinners at Danny Meyer’s restaurants with special guests filmmaker Ken Burns, food writer Gael Green and Metropolitan Museum of Art Director Thomas Campbell; and a fashion package that includes a private tour of Vogue’s Fashion Closet and a meet-and-greet with Anna Wintour, a private tour of the Met’s Costume Institute with curator Andrew Bolton, and front row seats at Prada’s Ready to Wear Show in Milan.

Founded by social worker Julie Burns, Room to Grow provides one-one-one parenting support and education combined with all the needed material items (books, toys, clothing, and gear) to create a safe and enriching home environment. Research shows that poverty has a profound and crippling impact on children, particularly young children. Children born into poverty are frequently delayed in their emotional, social, physical, and cognitive skills and are more likely to begin Kindergarten developmentally behind their peers.

Room to Grow currently provides support to 275 families (300 children) throughout New York City.

WHO: Uma Thurman, Liv Tyler, Amy Ryan, Ken and Julie Burns, Thomas Campbell, Director, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Laurie Berkner

WHAT: Gala to benefit Room to Grow

WHERE: Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle, 36th floor

WHEN: Monday February 6, press call 5:45pm – 7 pm

Contact: DKC Public Relations
Keesha Johnson/Brian Moriarty/Izzy Forman
212.685.4300