Cleveland Hospital Fundraiser to Feature TV Stars Kathy Garver and Paul Petersen

Classic TV stars Kathy Garver ("Family Affair") and Paul Petersen ("The Donna Reed Show") are among special guests scheduled to appear at a 1960s-themed holiday fundraiser for UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland on Sunday, December 14.

"I'm Wishing For a Cleveland Christmas: A Retro 60's Holiday Extravaganza" will feature a performance by the retro girl-group, The PopTarts, one of Cleveland's most popular bands. The PopTarts' album "A Toasty Christmas" has been getting attention, with two of its songs, "Christmas Gift" and "Favorite Time of Year," being heard in the Lifetime movie "Love at the Christmas Table."

"What's better than celebrating Cleveland in the 1960s?" said PopTarts founder and singer Julie Matthews, who helped to organize the fundraiser. "Anyone who lived in Cleveland back then remembers the Higbee's department store Christmas display and Halle's Santa Claus and, of course, Mr. Jinngeling, who will make an appearance at our event!"

Higbee's, which is no longer in business, was made nationally famous in the classic movie "A Christmas Story," which was filmed in Cleveland, and for which Matthews was the casting director. Through the years, she has helped to organize fundraisers that have brought in over $4 million for Children's Miracle Network hospitals across the country.

"Since we are celebrating the 60s, it made sense to include Kathy Garver and Paul Petersen," Matthews said.

Petersen co-starred as "Jeff Stone" on "The Donna Reed Show" in the 1950s, and went on to become a recording artist in the 1960s. His hits included "She Can't Find Her Keys," "Amy," "Lollipops and Roses," "My Dad," "Chained" and "A Little Bit for Sandy."

Garver played "Cissy" on "Family Affair" on CBS from 1966-71, and guest starred on other series throughout the 1960s and 70s. She recently completed the feature length comedy "Mom, Murder and Me" and she is preparing to shoot the movie "Sold," to be directed by Joel Zwick ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding"). Currently, she is shooting the film "The Lovaganza Convoy," produced by Jean-Francois Gagnon and written and directed by Geneviève Gagnon.

"I will be singing carols with The PopTarts and reciting 'The Night Before Christmas,'" Garver said. "One of the 'Family Affair' episodes was called 'Christmas Came a Little Early.' I can't wait to help Christmas come early to Cleveland!"

UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, a nationally recognized leader in medical research and education. The Children's Hospital a 244-bed, full-service children's hospital and academic medical center, and is consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation.

"I'm Wishing for a Cleveland Christmas: A Retro 60's Holiday Extravaganza" will take place on Sunday, December 14, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. (concert at 2:00 p.m.), at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Tickets are $35 and can be reserved by visiting www.the-poptarts.com.

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