Jericho, NY (February 7, 2013) — She astounded millions across the nation with her voice and poise. Now, 13-year-old singing sensation and television reality show star Carly Rose Sonenclar will be the special guest at the 10th annual Kids Party for a Cure benefiting the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI).
The family-oriented event has become an Island institution and will be held at Dave & Buster’s at the Mall at The Source, 1504 Old Country Road in Westbury, on Sunday, March 10. The party will feature the newest video games and other fun activities for kids of all ages along with exciting sweepstakes and a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items bound to keep the adults interested too. The festivities will kick off at 1 p.m. and run until 4 p.m.
Last year’s event set records for attendance with the help of “Wizards of Waverly Place” television star Jake T. Austin. This year the excitement generated by celebrity guests continues with Carly Rose Sonenclar’s presence on the heels of her
awe-inspiring national television performances.
“Anything I can do to help kids I will. That’s why I chose to be involved with the Kids Party for A Cure and the Diabetes Research Institute,” said Carly Rose who will be at the event and who will be meeting with eligible sponsors. “So many kids and young people have contacted me since I made my television debut and I’ve come to understand how important it is to get involved. Being able to support the DRI in its effort to find a cure for diabetes is special to me because it gives me an opportunity to help kids my age.”
“Given Carly’s wonderful performances, and the type of person we have come to know her to be, we couldn’t be more excited to have her at the Kids Party for a Cure,” said Honorary Chairperson René Checchia, who is being joined in directing the event with co-chairs Frankie Lam and Sheri Donaldson. “It’s so important to have young people like Carly Rose step forward in the spotlight to put a sense of urgency on the need to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. We are extremely appreciative of her participation and support.”
Kids Party for a Cure will keep children and parents alike smiling from ear-to-ear, with fun activities such as video and arcade games, inflatables, bowling, pool tables and more, plus an array of food and beverages to please all palates. Guests will also be able to purchase sweepstakes tickets and bid on exciting items at the silent auction. Goody bags will be provided to kids on their way out the door.
Sponsors include March Madness Sponsors Dr. Mitchell & Walter Rubenstein & Family, Super Shot Sponsors The Donaldson Organization, The Frisoni Family and The Lostritto Family and Cyclone Sponsors Rene & Larry Mandel. Additional sponsors include JLJ Enterprises, Inc. The Silverman Family and Warwick Hotel New York City.
Those interested in attending Kids Party for a Cure can purchase tickets at a variety of different levels. Adult tickets are $100 each, kids run $50 each and a family pass (2 adults/2 children) is $275. Other sponsorships can be viewed online at DiabetesResearch.org/Kids-Party-for-a-Cure. Children under 2 are free and all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
About the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation
The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. From innovations in islet isolation and transplant procedures to advances in cell biology and immunology, the DRI is now harnessing the power of emerging technologies to develop new cell-based therapies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes who are looking to the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure. For more information, call 800-321-3437 or visit DiabetesResearch.org.
About Carly Rose Sonenclar
Carly Rose Sonenclar, age 13, started singing at the age of two, and has not stopped since. She began her professional career in 2006 in The Night of the Hunter, in which she played the lead role of Pearl.
Carly made her Broadway debut at the age of 7 in Les Miserables as Young Cosette and understudying Gavroche. In 2009-2010, Carly appeared in the national tour of Little House on the Prairie The Musical with Melissa Gilbert, originating the principal role of Carrie.
In 2011, Carly originated the principal role of Chloe (Alice’s daughter) in Wonderland on Broadway. In this role she garnered great reviews, including one by The New York Times critic Charles Isherwood, who described her as a good actress and an “almost preternaturally skilled singer.” She is also a featured soloist on the cast CD produced by Sony Masterworks and was named the 2011 Best Young Performer by broadwayworld.com.
Carly made her television debut as Gilda Flip in season three of The Electric Company, currently airing on PBS. Big screen credits include Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and The Nanny Diaries.
Vocal appearances include singing the National Anthem for the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, the New York Mets at Citi Field, the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden and being selected to sing at the US Open Tennis Tournament. In addition, she has twice performed at Birdland, the legendary New York City jazz club, and was honored to be chosen a winner of the Jazz Forum Arts’ first annual Vocal Jazz Competition.
In December, 2012, Carly became the runner-up on the second season of the American version of the X Factor, and videos of her performances on the show have garnered in excess of 100 million views.
Carly is in the eighth grade in Westchester, NY, loves to play softball and bake, and adores her older brother, Russell, a college sophomore.