Press

Second Annual White Christmas Gala Benefiting Ryan House

PHOENIX, Arizona, July 28, 2009 – The second annual White Christmas Gala will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the legendary Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, starting with a reception at 5:30 pm in the Biltmore Grand Lobby and followed by dinner at 6:30 pm in the historic Gold Room.  The black-tie affair with a 1930’s and 40’s glamour theme will commemorate the musical classic “White Christmas” written by Irving Berlin at the Arizona Biltmore in 1940.

White Christmas began last year as the signature fundraising event for Ryan House, a non-profit founded in 2004, dedicated to providing essential respite and end-of-life care, free of charge, in a home-like setting for families of children with life-limiting conditions. Currently under construction, Ryan House will open to families in spring 2010.

Honorary Chairs for the White Christmas gala are Ina and Murray Manaster. “With the myriad of fundraisers one encounters each year, we seek those that are truly special.  While we continue to support the causes personally dear to each of us, every now and again, a cause and an event stand out catching our attention and imagination.  We are thrilled to support Ryan House and White Christmas,” said Ina Manaster. Joining the Manasters are Co-Chairs Judy Shannon and Janet Johnson.  “We are delighted to be a part of the second annual event in support of Ryan House,” said Janet Johnson.  “The community embraced Ryan House and the White Christmas Gala last December and we look forward to another elegant and nostalgic evening this year,” added Judy Shannon.

As guests of the resort did 80 years ago, White Christmas guests will dine in the historic Gold Room off the main lobby. Seating for the evening is limited to 300 guests making this an exclusive event. Guests may purchase individual seats for the charity event or one of the multi-level support packages for tables of 10.  Proceeds will provide financial support for the programs and services of Ryan House for the special children and families it serves. Due to limited seating individual reservations will be available following the table pre-reservation deadline of October 1, 2009.  For more details and reservations, please contact Ryan House at 602-200-0767 or whitechristmas@ryanhouse.org

Ryan House, currently under construction, will house an 11,000-square-foot pediatric unit with 8 bedrooms for children, three bedrooms for families, great room, kitchen, dining area and special areas to stimulate Ryan House guests – art therapy room, computer room, music room, hydrotherapy room, and specially designed fully-accessible playground area to name a few.  From diagnosis through end-of-life, Ryan House will provide a program of family-centered care including medical, psychological, social and spiritual support services and therapies, respite care, end-of-life care and bereavement care.  www.ryanhouse.org

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Media Contact: Heather Schader, White Christmas Publicity Chair, schaders@cox.net or 602-616-8336