Thousands Of New Yorkers To Hit The Streets And Shop At Miracle On Madison Avenue Charity Shopping Event

November 8, 2001

Emme And Other Celebrities To Cut The Ribbon At Kick-Off Ceremony

Contact:
Ellen Lubell 212-949-4938
Allison Mitchall 917-286-1548

WHEN:
Sunday, December 2, 2001
Ribbon Cutting: 12 noon at corner of Madison Avenue and 69th Street

Event: 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Madison Avenue, from 57th to 86th Streets

WHAT:
The 15th Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue shopping event combines two of the season's most traditional impulses - shopping and giving - to benefit city children. On Miracle Sunday, Madison Avenue will fill with tens of thousands of shoppers as they flood over 160 participating stores, restaurants and galleries along the city's most distinguished shopping address.

Participating stores - including Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Hermés, Crate & Barrel and Giorgio Armani - will donate 20% of the day's sales to benefit The Children's Aid Society's (CAS) health services for children. CAS is one of the city's largest and oldest child welfare and education agencies.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the avenue will be filled with fun and entertainment including the CAS Children's Chorus, strolling carolers, holiday giveaways, fine foods and more.

Highlights for 2001 Miracle on Madison Avenue:

• The Symbols of the Season Auction, chaired by Donna Karan, will feature custom-designed items by Madison Avenue merchants that are symbolic of the holiday season, including Christmas trees, menorahs, angels and gingerbread houses. The designs will be displayed in stores before the event and auctioned on Miracle Sunday.
• Stockings of Cheer: Fashion design professionals and students created stockings that were sent to celebrities from film, TV, music and sports. Celebrities, such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Oprah Winfrey, added their personal touches -- videos, tickets and fanciful design details. The one-of-a-kind designs will be displayed and raffled at Miracle.
• Condé Nast Publications has designed Madison-a-la-Card, a pocket size shopping, hotel and dining guide highlighting the season's hottest trends and gift ideas. This guide will be distributed to 200,000 New York City residents to highlight Madison Avenue throughout the holiday season

  WHO:
  Miracle on Madison Avenue was created by Martha Dupee and Noonie Marx, co-founders of the Madison Avenue Fund for Children, the organization that created the event in 1987 and has sponsored it each year. Since 1987, Miracle on Madison Avenue has raised over $5 million for charity. For inquiries, the public should call (212) 949-4945.