Jacksonville, FL April 28, 2008 – Deliver the Dream, a not-for-profit retreat program serving Jacksonville families facing serious illness or crisis, will host its annual Jeans & Dreams Gala on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 6:00 pm at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets are currently available at $200 per person and all net proceeds will benefit Deliver the Dream’s unique family retreat program. 

Event Chairs, Bob and Lindsay Helms and Ron and Hilah Autrey, welcome the Jacksonville community to celebrate this exciting evening of formal denim, dining, dancing, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment.  The evening will kick-off with a cocktail reception and silent auction.  Emceed by the voice of the Jacksonville Jaguars Brian Sexton and First Coast News anchor Angela Spears, the program with begin with Dinner at 7:30 p.m., followed by a live auction, dancing, and entertainment .

This year’s gala features comedian and musician Gary Mule Deer, who has made more than 350 TV appearances, including many on the Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.  Currently one of the most played comedians on the Clean Comedy Channels of Sirius and XM Satellite Radio, Mule Deer is an equally great country singer. Throughout the evening, guests will dance to the sounds of The Murray Goff Connection. A local favorite of Jacksonville, the band has opened for such diverse acts as The Four Tops, Fleetwood Mac, and Shenandoah.  

“Deliver the Dream’s ability to help Jacksonville families living with a serious illness or crisis is undeniably dependant upon the generous support of the community members caring for one another,” said Pat Moran, founder of Deliver the Dream.  “I have incredible admiration for the Helms’ and Autrey’s, who are giving back in a big way by leading the charge and co-chairing our event.  Their efforts set the example for others to follow.  This year’s sponsorships and donations from Jacksonville corporations and organizations represent the tremendous giving heart that this city possesses.  My ultimate dream of creating a program to help families find strength to stay together in times of crisis has resonated with the Jacksonville community and for that…I am very thankful.”

This year’s sponsors include:  co-presenting sponsors Invision Industries Inc. and Southern Manufacturing and Upholstery; platinum Enkei Florida, Inc./Jaguar Trading International, Inc.; gold Auto Carrier Express, Inc.; silver Wachovia Bank, N.A., Dalton Agency, The Hartley Press; bronze Access Limited, Inc., Centurion Auto Transport, CSX Corporation, The Florida Times-Union, The Gator Bowl Association, Haskell, Jacksonville Jaguars, LTD., Miller Electric Company, PGA TOUR, Rink Design Partnership Inc. and St. Vincent's Healthcare Foundation.

Proceeds from the Jeans & Dreams Gala will be used for retreats for local Jacksonville families who are referred by Deliver the Dream’s Jacksonville non-profit partners, including American Cancer Society, Brooks Rehabilitation of Jacksonville, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (North Florida Chapter), Nemours Children’s Clinic, St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

For more information aboutDeliver the Dream, please visit  www.deliverthedream.org.