Contact:

Chris Burns
Chairman, Annual Gourmet Dinner and Auction
New Canaan Exchange Club Benefit for Child Abuse Prevention
New Canaan Exchange Club
(203) 966-1401

Wendy Van Parys
Wendy Van Parys Marketing Communications
(203) 966-7453

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The New Canaan Exchange Club Announces November 4 Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction
Funds Support the Parenting Skills Center and Prevention of Child Abuse
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New Canaan, CT -- (October 5, 2006) -- The New Canaan Exchange Club, a civic organization, will hold its annual Gourmet Dinner and Auction at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at the Country Club of New Canaan. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Parenting Skills Center, a Stamford-based organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, and other education and awareness and child abuse prevention programs. (exchangeclubparentingskillscenter.com)

Generous underwriting support and direct grants to date have come from entities such as General Electric, PepsiCo, Ann Taylor, Oak Hill Capital, Bank of America, Morton's and other anonymous donors.

The event features a champagne reception and gourmet dinner under the direction of the Country Club's Executive Chef, John Byrne; entertainment by concert pianist Patti Preiss; a silent auction; and a live auction of luxury items, vacation homes and adventures. Christine Downing is this year's auctioneer.

Chef Byrne, Executive Chef of the New Canaan Country Club, is a classically trained chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Joining Chef Byrne will be Exchange Club Sommelier Richard Kruth, who will give brief descriptions between courses of each of the selected wines, which have been donated by Exchange Club collectors, enthusiasts, vintners and vendors from their private cellars or inventories.

Ms. Preiss, a classically-trained pianist known for her work in contemporary jazz, is equally proficient in classical, pop and musical theater styles. She has appeared at New York's Carnegie Recital Hall and at jazz festivals in the Netherlands, Norway and in Cannes, France, and recorded with legendary folk artist Arlo Guthrie. She is noted as an "emerging contemporary performer" in Linda Dahl's book, "Stormy Weather," and is cited in "Who's Who of American Women" and "Who's Who in Entertainment."

The Parenting Skills Center, a Stamford-based organization supported by area Exchange Clubs, strives to prevent child abuse through bi-lingual counseling and teaching programs which are designed to help both parents and children in a five-town region build safe and supportive family relationships. Its Parent Aide program assists families with children who are victims of or at risk of witnessing substance abuse, domestic violence, serious non-accidental physical injury, physical neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse by their parent or guardian. As with many Connecticut social service agencies, state funding has been significantly reduced for this agency, necessitating a heavier reliance on benefactors such as the Exchange Club.

Chris Burns of New Canaan is benefit chairman. Committee members include Brandon Blaylock, underwriters; David Tucker and Richard Kruth, dinner and wine; Kevin Hansley, auction items; Brian Lee, production; Patricia Hedlund, decorations and reception; and Jack Devlin, finance. Mike Allocca is president of the New Canaan Exchange Club this year.

Tickets, at $150 per person, can by purchased through Mr. Burns at 203-966-1401, or any club member.

The New Canaan Exchange Club is a civic organization working to improve its local community through programs that support Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and the Prevention of Child Abuse. Fund-raising activities are conducted through the Exchange Club of New Canaan Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Exchange Club Foundation has undertaken fund raising events for over 50 years on behalf of local community outreach organizations and child abuse prevention programs.

For more information about the Exchange Club of New Canaan, visit its Web site at www.newcanaanexchangeclub.com. For more information about the Parenting Skills Center call (203) 327-9419.
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