NJN Public Television & Radio
Annual Gala is Uniquely New Jersey
The Westminster Hotel in Livingston
Monday, May 24, 2004 , 6 pm

STATEWIDE – The 11th NJN Foundation Gala will be held on Monday, May 24, 2004 , at The Westminster Hotel in Livingston with a reception at 6 pm followed by the dinner and program at 7 pm . The annual Gala is the major fundraising event of the NJN Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the state’s television and radio network. Funds from the Gala support award-winning original programs, including NJN News, Images/Imagenes, Another View, On the Record and Reporters Roundtable. In addition, Gala proceeds support NJN’s family literacy programs.

Dr. Henry A. McKinnell, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Pfizer Inc, is serving as NJN Gala Dinner Chair. “We extend our thanks to Dr. McKinnell for his leadership and also to a growing circle of generous friends who recognize that NJN is Uniquely New Jersey. With funds raised from the annual event, NJN is able to serve more children and adults with quality programs about and for New Jersey . NJN is able to reach thousands of children and adults in homes, schools and workplaces with programs and services that inform, teach and inspire,” said Elizabeth Christopherson, NJN’s Executive Director.

The NJN Gala honors individuals and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the quality of life for New Jersey residents in education, the arts, the environment, the community and so much more. The NJN Partnership Award recognizes Patricia E. Ryan, President, Women’s Board of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Arthur R. Ryan, Chairman and CEO, Prudential Financial, Inc. Noted authors Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark will receive the NJN Literacy Award. The NJNChairman’s Award will go to Kurt T. Borowsky, Chairman, Van Beuren Management, Inc., and to Douglas S. Eakeley, Esq., Partner, Lowenstein Sandler PC.

Following last year’s success, NJN will conduct a second Gala Celebrity Bookshelf Auction, an online auction of more than 100 books donated and autographed by celebrities, including Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Yogi Berra, Rosanne Cash, Derek Jeter, Mario Cuomo, Emeril Lagasse, Elmore Leonard, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Rice, Brooke Shields, Jimmy Smits and Twyla Tharp. The autographed books are available for bidding online on NJN’s web site from May 1 through May 24 until 9 p.m. , the evening of the Gala.

Celebrity Bookshelf Auction Co-Chairs Ronnie Goldberg and Cheryl Hersh have developed the three-week online auction to raise funds for NJN’s literacy outreach programs that connect quality television programming with reading and activities that support learning. NJN distributes award-winning books to the children involved in the literacy programs. More information about the auction and the list of books and celebrities can be found on NJN’s web site at www.njn.net.