MASK PRESS RELEASE

From:  Michelle Cardini (michelle@maskmatters.org)

Date:  September 3, 2013

Announcing the  

5th ANNUAL MASKer AIDE GALA

Saturday October 5th, 2013 

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Five years. Five years of engaging, five years of educating, five years of empowering families with the tools and resources they need to improve the lives of their children. As MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) reaches this milestone, we invite you to celebrate with us at our annual MASKer Aide Gala, an evening filled with dinner, dancing, and entertainment on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort.

As part of the evening's festivities, MASK will honor moms, dads and organizations that exemplify the same spirit and mission of MASK.   

The 2013 MASK awards will be presented to the following:

"Dad Dialed In" Award - Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton;  

"Engagement" award - Tina Greggo, Greggo Photography;

"Educational" Award - Rancho Solano Preparatory Academy; and 

"Empowerment" Award - will be announced at the Gala    

"The 2013 MASK award recipients are so deserving," said MASK Founder Kimberly Cabral. "Without their support, and the support of many others, MASK could not continue to engage, educate, and empower through our magazine, and our awareness and outreach programs."   

MASK extends sincere gratitude to the Sponsors behind the 2013 MASKer Aide Gala:

Premier Sponsor:  SuperShuttle/zTrip

As the largest transportation services company in the nation, SuperShuttle provides door-to-door airports service to more than 8 million passengers each year. The company also offers ExecuCar, a personal sedan service, and zTrip, a smartphone app that allows customers to book ground transportation in nearly 50 cities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Executive Vice President of Operations, Dave Bird, says "There are so many challenges in being a parent today. My wife and I find the sheer volume of exposure to media ridiculously tricky to manage, particularly online social connectivity. It's hard to keep up, which stresses the importance of being connected."   

Bird believes that connectivity is a building block that ultimately shapes young people's interests and decision making. And while family connectivity is important, so, too is the connection businesses and organizations have with the community. "MASK's mission makes parents aware of issues and helps us get through them," he said. "This sort of guidance will have a long-lasting and positive effect on our community. The partnership SuperShuttle, ExecuCar and zTrip has with MASK is important because the company can provide transportation services in everyday or challenging situations. In addition, parents can use z Trip as a safe driving alternative or for their kids as an easy exit strategy."      

SuperShuttle, ExecuCar and zTrip provide instant, quality transportation alternatives for today's busy families and they allow parents to model responsible drinking. MASK is thrilled to have their generous support for this year's MASKer Aide Gala.    

Mardi Gras Sponsor:

Orthopaedic Specialists of Central Arizona

Dr. Bertrand Kaper is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip, knee and shoulder surgery. Having performed more than 5,000 surgeries in his career, Dr. Kaper is dedicated to the care and health of his patients - both at his Scottsdale practice and in countries where access to healthcare is limited and challenging.  

Dr. Kaper is an ardent supporter of MASK and believes in the organization's mission of providing valuable resources to parents of school-age children. "The more dedicated resources we have at our disposal, the better job we can do as parents," he says.  

Moretta Sponsor: Right Toyota

When it comes to business, Right Toyota is dedicated to providing the highest quality service to customers all over the Valley. But the family-owned and operated dealership is also dedicated to supporting their community and the families that live in it. 

"We work very closely with local charities that share our mission of community compassion and giving. Even the best parent needs to get advice from somewhere and MASK has become a great learning tool,"  says general manager Zachary Ivanhoe. "Right Toyota is proud to support a magazine that we would feel comfortable being on the coffee table of every family in our community."

Thank you to the 2013 Spoonsors.  

Community is the foundation of the MASK mission. Bringing like-minded organizations and individuals together will allow MASK to empower more families in the process. 

For more information about MASK or to purchase tickets to the MASKer Aide Gala, please visit maskmatters.org.

CONTACT

Michelle Cardini

Co-Founder/Marketing Director

E-mail:  michelle@maskmatters.org 

Phone: 480-502-5337