Miracle on Madison Avenue Kicks Off the Season of Shopping for a Good Cause

November 17, 2006

Contact:
Ellen Lubell, The Children’s Aid Society, (w) 212-949-4938, (c) 917-854-6864
Emily Crossan, The Children’s Aid Society, (w) 917-286-1548, (c) 201-344-5742
Elaine Everhart, The Bank of New York, (w) 212-635-1579

Tamara Tunie of Law & Order: SVU and As the World Turns and The Loston Harris Trio to Join Festivities on Madison

NEW YORK, November 2006 – On Sunday, December 3rd, New Yorkers will shop with their hearts to benefit New York children in need of health services.

December 3rd is the 20th annual Miracle on Madison Avenue, the huge charity shopping event that kicks off the holiday season each year and brings together leading luxury retailers, restaurants and galleries on the Avenue.

From noon to 5:00 p.m., over 100 participating Madison Avenue establishments will donate 20 percent of the day’s sales to The Children’s Aid Society’s health care programs. Madison Avenue will be closed to traffic from 68th to 72nd Streets, the only day of the year that the Avenue is closed. Specialty tents will line the Avenue instead of cars.

For the third year in a row, The Bank of New York is the event’s presenting sponsor and Gotham Magazine is the media sponsor. The Madison Avenue BID (Business Improvement District) has been a long-time supporter of Miracle on Madison Avenue, a New York tradition.

Special guest Tamara Tunie, who portrays Medical Examiner Melinda Warner on the hit NBC series Law & Order: SVU and District Attorney Jessica Griffin on the long-running daytime series As the World Turns, will be on hand to kick off Miracle on Madison Avenue at noon. Ms. Tunie, a member of the Miracle Honorary Committee, is a strong supporter of children and The Children’s Aid Society and is also the chairperson for Figure Skating in Harlem, an arts and education program for girls.

Tunie says, “I was thrilled when The Children’s Aid Society asked me to participate in Miracle on Madison Avenue. Living in Harlem, I am very familiar with Children’s Aid and the services it offers the community, as well as other communities across the city. I’m looking forward to helping raise much-needed funds for children’s health care programs on Miracle Sunday.”

Other members of the Miracle on Madison Avenue Honorary Committee include Dan Bakkedahl, Tony Danza, Edie Falco, Debi Mazar, Diane Neal, Kelly Ripa, Susan Sarandon, and Robert Verdi. Actress Debi Mazar says, “As a native New Yorker and a mother, I am pleased to champion The Children’s Aid Society and the assistance it provides to the city’s children. Every purchase made at Miracle on Madison Avenue makes a difference in the lives of children in need of health care services. I hope that New Yorkers will join me in supporting Miracle on Madison Avenue on December 3rd!”

Jazz vocalist/pianist Loston Harris and his Trio will bring their smooth stylings to the Avenue for a performance at 2:30 p.m. Harris and his Trio appear regularly at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle. Wynton Marsalis, the Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, says of Harris, “Loston plays with a lot of fire and intelligence.”

A new Kids’ Entertainment Tent will be set up at 68th Street. Designed with the youngest shoppers in mind, the tent will feature face painting, photos with Santa and children’s entertainment.

The Carlyle Restaurant at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has been a long-term supporter of Miracle on Madison Avenue. This year, Executive Chef Jimmy Sakatos will prepare some specialties for shoppers who buy a “taste” in The Children’s Aid Society Hospitality Tent at 69th Street. The Hospitality Tent will also sell A Little Star holiday cards featuring artwork by young artists in Children’s Aid Society programs.

For shoppers seeking some pampering, The Clarins Skin Spa Tent Presented by The Bank of New York at 72nd Street will provide an oasis on the Avenue. Clarins Skin Spa treatments are performed with Clarins exclusive 100 percent plant-based products.

Miracle on Madison Avenue was created in 1987 by Martha Dupee and Noonie Marx, co-founders of the Madison Avenue Fund for Children. Since its inception, Miracle on Madison Avenue has raised nearly $6.3 million for charity.