Ryan Shaw to Perform at Project Sunshine's 11th Annual Benefit, 4/29

Project Sunshine, a New York City-based charity, celebrates "Project Sunshine Month" in April by raising awareness and support for the organization through a series of events and programs. Project Sunshine also recognizes its volunteers during Project Sunshine Week, April 22 through April 29, 2014, an annual week of service that will culminate with Project Sunshine's Eleventh Annual Benefit Celebration to be held on Tuesday, April 29th at the Waldorf Astoria.

"Project Sunshine Month celebrates the thousands of trained volunteers, sponsors and community members who dedicate their time and talent to children facing medical challenges," said Beatrice Kernan, Executive Director, Project Sunshine. "Throughout the month of April, we recognize and honor the tireless efforts of these compassionate individuals who strive to bring sunshine into the lives of these children and their families."

For more than a decade, Project Sunshine has been bringing its own form of light to the city that never sleeps. During this special month, both national and local businesses will band together to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Born out of the vision of one college student, Project Sunshine has grown into a global network of volunteers who bring free educational, recreational and social programs to children and families in hospitals.

On Tuesday, April 29th, Project Sunshine will host its Eleventh Annual Benefit Celebration, "Sunshine at Night" at the Waldorf Astoria. The event will honor Bernard M. Rosof, MD, MACP, CEO, Quality in Healthcare Advisory Group, LLC and Co-Chair, National Quality Partnership, National Quality Forum (NQF). Abigail Breslin will receive the Project Sunshine Ambassador Award, and UnitedHealth Group will receive the Project Sunshine Award for Corporate Philanthropic Leadership. Maurice DuBois of WCBS-TV will be the Master of Ceremony for the evening. The night will also include celebrity appearances on the Project Sunshine "Yellow Carpet," including Sports Illustrated models, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, sports celebrities, and a special musical performance by Ryan Shaw, currently starring as Stevie Wonder in Motown The Musical.

The city will show its support for Project Sunshine with proclamations from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declaring April 22 - April 29, 2014 as Project Sunshine Week. In addition, Project Sunshine banners will be displayed along Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan, in front of the Waldorf Astoria. The Empire State Building will be lit yellow in honor of Project Sunshine Week.

In celebration of 2014 Project Sunshine Month in April: Helen Ficalora designed a 14k gold Sunshine Charm ($295), exclusively for Project Sunshine, which sells in her New York City, Bridgehampton, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas and Palm Beach stores, www.helenficalora.com, with 25% of proceeds going to the organization during Project Sunshine Month and throughout the year. Ficalora has also launched a sterling silver Sunshine Charm ($95), with 100% of the proceeds benefitting Project Sunshine throughout the year, available at www.projectsunshine.org.

About Project Sunshine: Project Sunshine is a nonprofit organization that empowers a dynamic and dedicated corps of over 15,000 volunteers to bring programming - recreational (arts), educational (tutoring and mentoring) and social service (HIV and nutritional counseling) - to over 100,000 children facing medical challenges and their families in 175 major cities across the United States and in four international locations: Canada, China, Israel and Kenya. Project Sunshine is dedicated to bringing a ray of hope to these hospitalized children. Project Sunshine Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness and support for the organization through a series of events and programs. For more information and ways you can get involved, visit www.projectsunshine.org.