James Naughton to Performs NMA Gala Tonight

James Naughton, two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award winning star of stage and screen, will lend his talents once again to the National Meningitis Association Give Kids a Shot! Gala 2012: A Benefit to Save Lives in the Fight Against Meningitis, a Vaccine-Preventable Disease. Honorary Chairs are  Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. and Sharon Loeb and Nick Springer; Gala Chairs are Lenore Cooney, Cooney/Waters Group and Gary Springer, Springer Associates PR ; Master of Ceremonies is EMMY Award winning actor Richard Thomas. Auction Chairs are Matt Klarberg and Errol Rappaport. 

2012 Honorees are Jeri Acosta and Jerri Greenwell who will receive the Moms on Meningitis Award and Sara Herbert-Galloway and Barry J. Klarberg; Monarch Wealth and Business Management who will receive NMA's Nancy Ford Springer Inspiration Award for their long standing support of NMA. Sanofi-Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi- Aventis Group, the largest company in the world devoted entirely to human vaccines will receive NMA’s Health Achievement Award. The event takes place today, April 23, 2012, at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South, New York 10019; Cocktails and Silent Auction 6:30pm followed by Dinner and the NMA Awards. This signature fundraising event will help NMA continue and expand its vital work in the fight against meningitis.

During the 1990s, there was a significant increase in the number of adolescents and young adults killed or disabled by meningococcal meningitis; young people who were seemingly healthy, vibrant and often athletic.  Most of the families were unaware of a vaccine that could have saved their children’s lives or anguish. The National Meningitis Association (NMA), a non-profit organization, was formed in 2002 by parents whose children were killed or disabled by meningitis. Since then, NMA has created educational programs that reach millions of people each year with information about available immunizations and disease symptoms and thoughtful, comprehensive support programs for families devastated by the ravages of the disease. 

Honorary Committee includes Michael Badalucco, Lynn Grossman and Bob Balaban, Steve Buscemi, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Judy and Rod Gilbert, Adam Graves

Amy Madigan and Ed Harris, Lainie Kazan, Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy, Mark Messier, Congressman Michael Michaud, Lauren and Dave Mirra, BMX Moto Cross Champion. James Naughton, Bart and Michelle Oates, Heather Randall, Susan Sarandon, Daisi Pollard Sepulveda, Mrs. World Ethnic International 2012, Joe Sirola, Charlie Sheen, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Liv Ullmann. Medical Committee includes Richard Besser, ABC News; Paul Offit M.D. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Nancy Snyderman, M.D.NBC News; Dr. Roger W. YurtChief of Burn Surgery, NY Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center 

Leadership Packages: Heroes for Tomorrow: Four Tables of Ten, Top VIP Seating and Listing in Scroll of Honor$100,000; Life Ambassadors: Three Tables of Ten, VIP Seating and Listing in Scroll of Honor  $75,000; Children’s Champions: Two Tables of Ten, VIP Seating and Listing in Scroll of Honor   $50,000; Guardians of Life: Table of Ten, VIP Seating and Listing in Scroll of Honor   $25,000; Patrons of Hope: Table of Ten and VIP Listing in Scroll of Honor   $15,000; Youth Benefactors: Table of Ten and Premier Listing in Scroll of Honor $10,000; Humanitarians for Health: 4 Tickets and Premier Listing in Scroll of Honor, $5,000;  Wellness Sponsors: 2 Tickets and Premier Listing in Scroll of Honor    $2,500; Ticket and Friend Listing in Scroll of Honor $1,000 and One Ticket,  $500.

For Leadership Packages, Sponsorships and tickets contact Susan Shattuck/ Laurie Krotman, Special Events Unlimited, 212-244-7333 or email gala@nmaus.org. For more information about NMA’s life-saving work please visit www.nmaus.org