Bear To Make A Difference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2008

Contact:
Matthew Matassa
Matthew Shepard Foundation
Communications Director
303.830.7400 x14 or 303.588.2872
Matassa@MatthewShepard.org

MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES AN AGGRESSIVE ANTI-HATE CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE 7TH ANNUAL BEAR TO MAKE A DIFFERENCETM GALA

One Million People To Be Engaged In The Mission To “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance”

DENVER, CO In observance of the 10 years since the death of Matthew Shepard, the Matthew Shepard Foundation announced today that they plan to launch an aggressive anti-hate campaign aimed at engaging the general public in the mission to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance. Judy Shepard will unveil the new campaign during the 7th Annual Bear to Make a Difference Gala, which will take place on Saturday, March 29 in Denver, CO.

“In the past ten years since my son’s death, I have spoken to over one million people who are searching for a way to help us in our mission to Erase Hate. We developed this campaign with that goal in mind and are eager to provide individuals with the tools and resources needed to amplify their voice and begin to turn the tide on hate in America.” Said Judy Shepard, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Each year, the Foundation honors outstanding individuals or organizations with the coveted “Making a Difference Award”. This year’s honoree is John Amaechi, former NBA player and youth advocate. The Foundation also honors its important partners through its “Essential Piece” awards. This years awardees are Purple Crayons Interactive, designers of the Foundation’s signature program, MatthewsPlace.com; and Dennis Dougherty, long time Foundation supporter and friend.

Bear to Make a Difference will be hosted by Mike Nelson of Denver’s ABC 7News and will include a large silent auction, remarks by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Judy Shepard, and a live auction of teddy bears signed by celebrities such as Dolly Parton, Better Midler, Ellen DeGeneres, Liza Minnelli, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Last year’s “Making A Difference Award” was presented to one of the countries most prominent LGBT leaders, Elizabeth Birch, while LightSource Creative Inc. and Greg Miraglia, longtime supporters and friends of Foundation received “Essential Piece” awards. The Seventh Annual Bear to Make a DifferenceTM Gala Dinner & Celebrity Teddy Bear Auction will be held that the Westin Tabor Center in Downtown Denver. The silent auction and pre-reception will start at 5:30 pm. The dinner & program will begin at 7:00 pm.

Current sponsors for the event are: Platinum Sponsora: Coors Brewing Company, LightSource Creative Communications, Love and Pride, and Purple Crayons Interactive * Gold Sponsor: H.W. Home, and ROI Solutions * Silver Sponsors: Human Rights Campaign * Bronze Sponsors: CHM2Hill, Great-West Retirement Services, Julius & Simpson, L.L.P, and Out Front Colorado.

For tickets, please visit www.MatthewShepard.org/BearToMakeADifference or call 1-877-519-7904.

The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.

History of the Bear to Make a DifferenceTM Gala Dinner & Celebrity Teddy Bear Auction: In February of 2002 a group of passionate individuals put together an idea for a silent auction of teddy bears that would benefit the Foundation. Many local Denver notables designed and dressed teddy bears and held a silent auction that raised just over five-thousand dollars for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Six years later, the event has become the largest annual fundraiser for the organization and has turned into a national event featuring celebrity teddy bears from all avenues of entertainment.

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