RICHMOND, CA February 12, 2004--In what has become a final plea to the community to help save their financially challenged program, Maya's Music Therapy Fund (MMTF), a non-profit organization operating out of Richmond, CA, announced today that it is holding a Silent Auction at the Oakland Marriott City Center hotel from 7:00-10:00 PM on Saturday, February 28, 2004. The Silent Auction is a last-ditch effort to encourage community support for an innovative program in danger of closing its doors due to lack of funding.

MMTF's Silent Auction will feature numerous donated items up for auction, including a B&B getaway to Mendocino; Napa Wine Train ride/dinner; handblown glass objects; local theatre tickets; artwork by Bay Area artists; and more. Entrance is $50.00 per person, half of which is tax-deductible. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served and a classical violinist will entertain. For tickets or more information please call 925-377-1895, or visit www.mayasmusic.org.

The MMTF Silent Auction is generously sponsored in part by El Cerrito Honda; Mowat, Mackie & Anderson public accountants; the Barbara Anderson Gallery & Framing; Fensalden B&B; Half Price Books; Pineapple Creative communications firm; and numerous Bay Area artists.

All proceeds from this event will benefit MMTF's music therapy program, which is dedicated to using music as a means to improve the quality of life for developmentally and physically disabled people. Through music, MMTF's participants increase their physical capabilities and acquire practical social skills, which ultimately improves their self-esteem and confidence. Over the past fifteen years, MMTF has grown to provide services for more than double the original number of participants.

According to MMTF's Executive Director, Michael Steinbaugh, "The demand for MMTF's unique services has increased each year to the point that there is now a waiting list of disabled people who want to participate in our program." Steinbaugh added, "Without donations from the community to help meet the ever-increasing demand for music therapy, I regretfully foresee that our program will have to shut down soon."

MMTF operates its music therapy program out of the Disabled People's Recreation Center (DPRC) in Richmond, CA. Founded in 1989, MMTF is named for Maya Cooper, a disabled child, now-deceased, who responded tremendously to music while attending the DPRC. Today, a loving tribute to Maya is found on a wall in MMTF's music room at DPRC, an ever-present reminder to the program's disabled participants of what her legacy means to them.

The public is invited to show their support by attending MMTF's Silent Auction from 7:00-10:00 PM at A.J. Topper's restaurant atop the Oakland Marriott City Center hotel (1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA) on Saturday, February 28, 2004. The partially tax-deductible $50.00 per person ticket price and/or donations benefiting program participants can be made out to: MMTF, c/o 1330 Rimer Drive, Moraga, CA, 94556. For more information about MMTF, please call 925-377-1895 or visit our website at www.mayasmusic.org.




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