IT’S HATS “ON”—AND THEN “OFF” TO THE HAVEN “DAY AT THE RACES” AS COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND GUESTS PREP “DERBY-STYLE” AT PRE-EVENT HATS ETCETERA, INC. FUNDRAISER

Custom Hat Designer Carina Gatto, Owner of Hats Etcetera, Inc.
Extends 20% Donation of Hat Sales Until April 1, 2010 As Others Prep For Win, Place, Show

BOCA RATON, FL (January 25, 2010)--Derby chic will be the style at The Haven’s second annual “Day at the Races” on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Gulfstream Park Race Track in Hallandale. Event co-chairs Lynda Levitsky and Marge Vukovich, committee members and their guests were fitted by internationally renowned custom hat designer Carina Gatto at her Boca Raton-based Hats Etcetera, Inc. workshop and showroom. Dozens of women attended — coming from Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale — to select their perfect “topper” for the upcoming event. Gatto donated 20% of all hat sales to The Haven, a group home for foster youth ages 9-17 who have been removed from abusive and neglectful homes and placed in protective care by the state of Florida.

As an avid supporter of The Haven, Gatto is extending the 20% donation from all hats sold thru April 1, 2010, to The Haven “Day at the Races” event attendees at her salon located at 6455 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton. For store hours, contact Hats Etcetera, Inc. at 561-997-7900.

To be held Sunday, April 11, 2010, early in the Kentucky Derby season, The Haven’s 2nd Annual “Day at the Races” will combine great food (an elaborate lunch at Christine Lee’s), socializing, and live horse racing action for a great cause at Gulfstream Park Race Track in Hallandale. With ladies donning the most interesting, elegant Derby hats, drawing supporters from Palm Beach to Miami, the afternoon will recognize Honorary Co-Chairs Lisa and Derek Vander Ploeg as longtime supporters and benefactors of The Haven. The Vander Ploeg’s have both contributed significantly to the renovation and restoration of The Haven’s recent Cottage project, with Derek and his Boca Raton-based architecture and design firm, Vander Ploeg & Associates, guiding and advising on the master planning efforts of The Haven.

Home to 36 boys, The Haven provides programs designed to foster the development of each young man’s self-esteem and independence. In a safe, loving and stable environment, the young men are taught the skills necessary for them to become self-sufficient and proud adults. The Haven, a 501(c)(3), is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), and recently received its fifth-consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a national charity watchdog group.

To order tickets or become a sponsor of The Haven’s “Day at the Races” call (561) 483-0962 or visit www.haven4kids.org.