BARBARA BUSH HONORED BY WORLDS OLDEST CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Holds First Annual Gala Benefit

The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC), the worlds oldest child protection agency, is honoring Barbara Bush at its first annual gala Thursday, October 10, 7PM at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street at the Hudson River, NYC. The evening will celebrate the Societys 127 years of protecting children and strengthening families in New York City and raise money for its many programs.

The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC), the worlds oldest child protection agency, is honoring Barbara Bush at its first annual gala Thursday, October 10, 7PM at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street at the Hudson River, NYC. . The evening will celebrate the Societys 127 years of protecting children and strengthening families in New York City and raise money for its many programs.

Barbara Bush is well known for her commitment to childrens issues and to education, especially childrens education," explained Mary L. Pulido, the Societys Executive Director. Our Board of Directors unanimously selected Mrs. Bush to be the first recipient of our annual 'Strength of Our Society award. She embodies what we try to do for children and their families."

The NYSPCC also will honor Elbridge T. Gerry, Jr., the Societys past President, for his many years of service as an advocate for children. Mr. Gerry, a partner at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., is the great-grandson of a founder of the NYSPCC, also named Elbridge T. Gerry.

Ebby Gerry has been crucial to the remarkable work of the Society for more than 40 years," said David R. Stack, the President of the Board of the NYPSCC. He has been a member of the Board since 1959 and served as President from 1972 until earlier this year, when I came into the office. Fortunately, he has agreed to remain on the Board so that all of us can continue to draw on his great experience and wisdom."

I am doubly honored," said Mrs. Bush, first, to receive an award from such a wonderful, supportive organization and, second, to share the stage with a man as committed and as generous as Ebby Gerry. I commend the Society for its excellent work, and I thank the Board and staff for this award."

During the evening, the Society will hold a silent auction of favorite childrens books, selected and autographed by celebrities from various fields, including Muhammad Ali, Liz Smith, Glenn Close, Governor Pataki, Bill Cosby, Cindy Crawford, Djimon Hounsou, Diane Sawyer, Heath Ledger, Leonardo DiCaprio, Oscar de la Renta, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer and Al Roker. Mrs. Bush also has contributed a signed copy of her autobiography for the auction.

The Society expects to raise close to half-a-million dollars between the gala and the silent auction, according to Ms. Pulido, the Executive Director. All of the money we raise will be put into our general fund so that we can continue our work with children and their families, she said.

The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has made a real difference in the lives of New York Citys most vulnerable children. Founded in 1875, the Society was the first agency in the world to rescue children from abuse and neglect. It has been the model for similar societies across the United States and around the world. Today, the Society provides child abuse prevention, legal services, education, crisis counseling and family support programs to help parents provide loving and safe homes. The Society assists more than a thousand families every year.