Making Magic: Announcing the Kick-Off of Marrakech's Annual Gala & Auction

Gala Proceeds to Support Housing, Employment and the Marrakech Heritage Fund as well as Programs Run by Marrakech that are Underfunded

WOODBRIDGE, CT - Marrakech Inc., a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of educational, employment and housing programs and services to children and adults throughout Connecticut, will host its 5th Annual Fall Benefit Gala and Auction at the Woodbridge Country Club in Woodbridge, Connecticut at 6:00pm on Saturday, November 12, 2005.

Titled Marrakech Magic, this black-tie optional event will feature a cocktail reception and dinner including a live and silent auction. With the goal of raising much needed funding to support its programs, proceeds from the Gala will go towards furthering support of the Marrakech Heritage Fund.

"This year's Gala is even more compelling than before, because auction items are available for people to preview and bid for online in advance of the Gala," stated Marrakech Executive Director, Frank McCarthy. "This is a feature that our patrons have requested in the past and we hope that the online bidding will help drive excitement for the gala as this is one of our key fundraising vehicles."

The Gala will feature a live and silent auction of various items which can currently be previewed and bid on online at www.marrakechgala.cmarket.com

The online auction will run through November 8th and close at 6:00 pm (EST). All of the items in the online auction will be going into the live and silent auction at the Gala for final bidding.

Gala auction items include a one-week stay in a three bedroom cabin in the beautiful Litchfield Hills, a hot air balloon ride, gourmet cooking lessons by a local chef, a Foxwoods Resort overnight stay, NYC Opera tickets, and a winter getaway to Mohonk Mountain House in New York's Hudson Valley. Additional auction items include an assortment of signed musical and sports memorabilia, Yankee tickets, jewelry and a selection of artwork by artist J. Alison.

In addition to the auction, Marrakech raffle tickets are available online for purchase at www.marrakechinc.org. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each and winners will be chosen during the Gala. First prize is a Holland America cruise for two to selected destinations; 2nd prize is a 17"LCD Flat Panel TV; 3rd prize is a Webber Gas Grill, 4th Prize is an Apple iPod, 5th Prize is an Apple iPOD Mini; and 6th Prize is an Apple iPod Shuffle.

Over 200 guests, including the title sponsor Citizen's Bank, as well as executives from Oxford Health and Anthem Blue Cross are expected to attend. This year's honorary Gala chair Rich Barry, President of Citizens Bank of Connecticut, said, "It is an honor for Citizen's Bank to be associated with Marrakech and the important work that they do for the local community. The Gala is a wonderful way for people to come together and enjoy a fantastic evening while supporting an important cause-bettering the lives of those in need."

About the Gala:

The Marrakech Magic Gala will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2005 at the Woodbridge Country Club at 50 Woodfield Road, Woodbridge. The evening will begin at 6:00pm with a preview party for sponsors, benefactors and patrons, followed by cocktail reception at 7:00pm and dinner at 8:00pm. WTNH-TV weatherman Matt Scott will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets for the Gala are $150.00 per person. All guests will be able to enjoy a martini bar hosted by Grey Goose.

Patron tickets are available for $200.00 per person and patron tickets include admission to a preview party for sponsors, benefactors and patrons, beginning at 6:00 pm with a performance by world renowned magician Jim Sisti.

To purchase Gala tickets or for further information, please contact Lois Taylor or Lindsay Foster at 203- 389-2970, ext. 1030 or 1060.

For media passes and interviews, please contact Nicky McHugh at 203-787-9905

About Marrakech:

Marrakech, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of human services to children & adults throughout Connecticut. Founded in 1971, Marrakech established the first halfway house in Connecticut for women with mental retardation. They have continued developing programs and services which are located throughout the State of Connecticut encompassing support to people with a wide range of disabilities, families with complex needs, youth who are at risk, and people without disabilities who are economically disadvantaged.