**MEDIA ADVISORY**

ATLANTA NON-PROFIT SET TO HOST GLOBAL FUNDRAISER, AID WILL GO TO HAITI AND OTHER 3^rd WORLD COUNTRIES

Childspring International’s March 20^th Gala at the Georgia Aquarium Will Raise Awareness and Funding for World Youth in Need of Extensive Medical Treatment

ATLANTA, February 4, 2010 – As the nation continues to lend its support to the victims of January’s heart-wrenching earthquake in Haiti, Atlanta-based Childspring International will be seeking additional support at their 2^nd Annual Childspring Gala March 20^th at the Georgia Aquarium.

Long-time supporters and new philanthropists will gather to raise awareness and fund adolescent medical treatment in Haiti, and around the world.

Much of Childspring International’s fundraising goes to children in Haiti.  Their team was in the country at the time of the earthquake, visiting many of the children who have had surgery in the U.S. and assessing their progress in school.  Since the tragedy, a Childspring Board member has traveled back to Haiti to help with recovery and rebuilding.  Childspring has sent four planes to La Gonave with medical supplies and needed food so far, assisted in sending medical supplies with a group of doctors from Atlanta, and continues to receive donations for Haiti Relief.

“With the support of the local community, Childspring continues to be able to help children who are most in need,” Childspring International Executive Director Rose Emily Bermudez said. “My goal is to say ‘yes’ to every child who needs our help, and we see the Gala as a way of reaching more children.”

Omid and Jennifer Doost, of Canton, have been a host family for Childspring International for almost four years. Currently the Doost household includes 17-year-old Viorica, from Moldova, who is in America for facial reconstructive surgery. Their experience began as a way to teach their children to look beyond race, religion, nationality and gender.

To date, their three children, ages seventeen to six, have welcomed eight children into their home. “They are learning about suffering, poverty and going without, which are valuable life lessons. They realize a privileged lifestyle is not something to take for granted,” Ms. Doost said.

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The Doost family will be attending the gala, which is expected to bring out four to five hundred attendees. Additional event details can be found below.

WHO: Childspring International is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit based in Atlanta committed to treating the “whole child,” and works to heal the children it treats physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  The organization finds children in dire need of medical and nutritional treatment around the world and brings them to the United States, where they stay with local host families and are treated by local doctors and surgeons who donate their expertise and time, while hospitals donate equipment and resources.  Through volunteer Host Families, each child has a loving home environment while he or she is receiving medical treatments, effectively giving each a surrogate mom or dad and siblings. Aspiring to “Heal the Whole Child,” each child returns home with restored confidence and an educational scholarship.

To date, Childspring has received more than $30 million in in-kind donations. In 2008, the nonprofit was able to serve 198 children from 38 countries, and in 2009 streamlined the process to help 120 through surgery and over 900 children through our preventive care program with the same amount of money. For more information: www.childspringintl.org.

WHAT: 2nd Black-Tie International Gala at the Georgia Aquarium – raising awareness and funds for children across the globe in need of extensive medical treatments and educational programs.

WHEN: Saturday March 20, 2010 from 7 p.m. to midnight

WHERE: Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St, Atlanta, GA 30313

(404) 581-4000

B-ROLL/PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: In addition to a 20-piece band and special guest performances, the highlight of the evening will be interacting with Childspring’s children. Attendees can expect a world-class dining experience after perusing a wonderful silent auction. All of the proceeds from event will help to fund the 2010 medical projects. The Gala plans to honor a handful of selfless givers by giving awards in honor of the late Dr. Mark Silverman, the late Dr. Angel Lopez, Dr. George B. Wirth and Dr. David Watson.

COST: Tickets are priced at $150 per person, or a discounted table price (seats 10) at $1,350 if purchased by February 14^th. Ticket prices increase to $175 per person after that date.For more information on tickets and corporate sponsorships, or to get involved, visit www.childspringintl.org or call 404-228-7733.

Contact:  Rose Emily Bermudez, (404) 228-7733 or reb@childspringintl.org.