Rev Your Engines, Hot Cars For A Cause

NEW YORK, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 1, 2010, the East Side House Settlement will host the 11th Annual Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center.  This high-octane event offers guests a chance to view the entire auto show before it officially opens to the public, including access to the hottest cars and trucks, brand new '10 & '11 production models, and exciting concept vehicles.  One of the biggest charity events of the year, all proceeds from the evening benefit East Side House Settlement (www.eastsidehouse.org) a leading social services agency that serves young people and families in the South Bronx.

THE CELEBRATION

The Gala Preview includes cocktails, a private dinner for benefactors, and a silent and live auction, plus "Fully Loaded" - a rare collection of NYC's most exclusive, privately-owned, customized cars and new 2010 automobiles and motorcycles that will be unveiled and on display for one night only.  The event is chaired by Philip L. Yang and Joan P. Young and the benefit committee is chaired by Kipton Cronkite, Fe Fendi, and Paige Ethington Hardy.  The media sponsor is New York magazine.  Over 1,300 guests from the worlds of Wall Street, fashion, arts, sports, and Society are expected to attend this glittering and fuel-injected evening.

THE CARS

The evening's highlight will be the preview of the new Aston Martin Rapide.  The most elegant four-door sports car in the world, the Rapide is one of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2010.  During the dinner, there will be a live auction of an exclusive Aston Martin Rapide driving package. The complete auction package will include an excursion for two at the Aston Martin driving school in Detroit, Michigan, for a full-day, one-on-one driving lesson, as well as a one-week loan of the Aston Martin Rapide; a first opportunity to get behind the wheel of the car before sales begin late in the summer 2010.  This unique package is offered by Aston Martin North America in conjunction with their official New York dealer partners, Miller Motor Cars and Aston Martin Long Island.

The "Fully Loaded" exhibition is curated by Manhattan Motorcars, Wheel Concepts, DUBS and Confederate Motors.  It will showcase an exhilarating collection of cars and motorcycles with incredible custom and factory upgraded interiors and exteriors, upgrades, revised engines, custom leathers and paints, and custom-built wheels, including: a custom 2010 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupe; 2009 Ferrari 599gtb; 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3 Diesel; 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel; the brand new 2010 Spyker C8 Spyder; 2010 Bentley Supersports; Porsche Carrera GT; Lamborghini Super Voloce; and handcrafted motorcycles. 

THE CAUSE

The Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show is a critical source of funding for East Side House Settlement, as approximately half of ESH's funding comes from private philanthropy.  With the unwavering support from The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association and The New York International Automobile Show, ESH has been able to establish and fund a highly successful college preparation program, which is crucial in promoting education and employment for the residents of Mott Haven in the South Bronx.

"We are excited to partner with some of New York's most influential leaders in the auto industry," said John Sanchez, Executive Director, East Side House Settlement. "Proceeds raised from the gala will be essential toward benefitting the motivated students that we serve and in continuing our efforts to create opportunities for the people of the South Bronx."

"This is a very exciting year for the Auto Show, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Greater New York Automobiles Association, and our eleven year partnership with East Side House," said Candida Romanelli, Director, New York International Auto Show. "It is so important that we, as an industry, continue our efforts toward helping young people attain their goals through education and employment."

Over the past four years, 220 students have been accepted to college and over 100 have received scholarship assistance as a result of this event.

Gala Preview Event Details:

    
    
    What:           East Side House Settlement Gala Preview of the 2010 New 
                     York International Auto Show
    
    Media Sponsor:  New York magazine
    
    When:           April 1, 2010
                    Cocktails: 6pm – 9pm, Benefactor Dinner: 8:30pm
    
    Where:          The Jacob Javits Center, 11th Avenue at 35th Street
    
    Information:    www.galapreview.org

ABOUT ESH

East Side House Settlement is a high quality social services agency.  East Side House serves the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, within the poorest Congressional district in the United States, only six miles from midtown Manhattan. All the proceeds from this event go directly to East Side House to fund expansion of a state-of-the- art computer technology center, which brings the information super highway to the South Bronx -- crucial to education and employment -- and a highly successful college preparation program with a 95% success rate in a neighborhood with a high school dropout rate that exceeds 50%. This program is the model for a new neighborhood college preparatory high school, sponsored by East Side House, which serves 350 youngsters and opened in September 2002.

ABOUT the 2010 New York International Auto Show

Showcasing the latest motor trends, the 2010 New York International Auto Show will reveal an expansive collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world's automakers will feature some of the hottest cars and trucks ever seen all under one roof. This includes more sneak peeks, more brand new 2010 and 2011 production models and more concept vehicles than ever before. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

SOURCE New York International Auto Show