Karen Mason, Doreen Montalvo and More Set for Cabaret Cares Gala, 5/19

Help Is On The Way Today, a 501c3 non-profit that assists children and youth living with HIV/AIDS, is announcing their annual Gala on May 19^th at the Laurie Beechman Theater. In addition, founder Joseph Macchia is announcing a name change to the charity's Lifetime Achievement Award.

"It is with a bittersweet pleasure that we've renamed the Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of the late Ruth Kurtzman," says Macchia. "Ruth was a true lady and a kind and caring person who was a tireless supporter of the Cabaret Cares series, as well Help Is On The Way Today, MAC and Broadway Cares. She is someone I will never forget and her kind heart will live on in everyone she touched. I'm very happy to announce the 2013 Cabaret Cares Ruth Kurtzman Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Peter Leavy. Like Ruth, Peter is a true champion of the community, the publisher of Cabaret Scenes magazine - the world's only magazine dedicated to the art form - and a generous supporter of Cabaret Cares and its mission."

"I am further pleased to announce the 2013 Spirit Award Winner is cabaret performer, Tom Gamblin," continues Macchia. "Tom is always there for the children we serve and never says no to donating his time and talent."

2012 honorees were media personality Valerie Smaldone who received the Spirit Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, entertainer Marilyn Maye.

The May 19^th Gala will include a cocktail hour from 5pm-6pm with unlimited wine, beer, soda and special Gala cocktails, followed by a buffet dinner and dessert, a live auction with glamorous fashion, entertainment and travel items, and a show featuring Eric Michael Gillett, Stacy Sullivan, Gretchen Reinhagen, Alison Nusbaum, and more performers to be announced. Jay Rogers and Carolyn Montgomery will Co-Host.

Since its founding in 2005, Help Is On The Way Today has raised over $74,000 and assisted over 600 children with immediate needs requests coming from hospitals and institutions all over the Metropolitan area including Harlem Hospital and Montefiore. Macchia raises the money largely through monthly cabaret benefits and an annual Gala with volunteer performers from the New York Cabaret and Broadway communities.

Past Galas and monthly events have featured the casts of Giant, and In The Heights, Marilyn Maye, Lauren Fox, Stacy Sullivan, Susan Winter, Robert Creighton, Sidney Myer, Barbara Fasano, and Eric Michael Gillett, to name just a few.

WHAT: Help Is On The Way Today Annual Gala
WHEN: May 19, 2013
WHERE: Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC 10036
COST: $125.00
HOW: Tickets may be purchased by calling: 718-672-6714