NAIAS 2006 Charity Preview Celebrates 30 Years of Supporting Detroit's Children's Charities
North American International Auto Show provides essential financial support
DETROIT, Dec. 5 -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2006 Charity Preview marks a special anniversary: 30 years of providing essential financial support to metro Detroit's children's charities. Collectively, these charities provide metro Detroit children and their families with health care, improved quality of life and opportunities to learn vital life skills.
"Many of the charities we support rely on funding from the NAIAS Charity Preview for 50 percent of their respective operating budgets," said Richard Genthe, senior co-chairman of NAIAS 2006. "This is a responsibility we take seriously at the NAIAS, so we're pleased to announce that ticket sales for the 30th NAIAS Charity Preview are ahead of last year's pace."
The NAIAS Charity Preview is one of the top single-night fundraising events in the nation, raising over $7 million in 2005 for children's charities. In the last five years alone, the NAIAS Charity Preview has raised over $32 million. Since its inception in 1976, the star-studded event has raised more than $58 million. Ninety-two percent of the cost of each Charity Preview ticket is delivered in donations to the benefiting children's charities.
Beneficiaries of the 2006 Charity Preview include: Barat Child and Family Services; Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope-Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center; Children's Homes of Judson Center; Children's Services of Northeast Guidance Center Assistance League; The Detroit Institute for Children; Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL); Easter Seal Society of Southeastern Michigan, Inc.; March of Dimes; and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan.
The idea for a Charity Preview came to then Detroit Auto Show Committee chairman Douglas Dalgleish, Sr. (Dalgleish Cadillac), and his committee partner, the late Jerry Bielfield (Jerry Bielfield Ford), in 1969, when they were looking for a way to entertain auto executives and their spouses who had traveled to Detroit for the Detroit Auto Show, as it was originally called. Dalgleish's early vision to host a Charity Preview event benefiting local children's charities became an annual event beginning in 1976, and has been held every year since then. It has grown exponentially to become the must- attend charity event in the region, and one of the nation's top single-night fund-raising events. But, as Genthe would say, it's really about the kids.
The 2006 Charity Preview to NAIAS will be held on Friday, January 13 at Cobo Center, Detroit. For ticket information, contact the Charity Preview ticket office at 1-888-838-7500.
NAIAS 2006 Official Dates
Press Preview Days will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, through Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 13, 2006. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 14, through Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006.
The North American International Auto Show Rod Alberts - Executive Director
Entering its 18th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris- based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/ . Don't Miss It for the World!
