AAYTE NAMES CO-CHAIRS FOR “BREAKING BARRIERS,” 25 TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA ON APRIL 25, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Nov. 6, 2007 – Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education (AAYTE) today announced that Tom and Mary Caraccioli and Jim Fernberger and his wife, Mary Walto, will serve as co-chairpersons for “Breaking Barriers,” the theme for the 25 th annual Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Gala Benefit, to be held on Friday, April 25, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, 4842 Ridge Ave. in East Falls.

The co-chairs will oversee all aspects of the fund raising event, which many considered to be one of the city's best-attended and most effective fundraising charity events of the year. The evening's activities include a reception, dinner, a silent auction with exceptional items and a live auction with celebrity auctioneers, featuring many one-of-a-kind items. Unlike other Galas, attendees are encouraged to attend in casual or tennis attire.

“I know that Tom and Mary and Jim and Mary will pull out all of the stops to make this year's silver anniversary Gala Benefit one of the most entertaining and memorable in the history of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education,” said Jerry L. Johnson, Board Chairman.

Last year, about 1,000 people, including national and local tennis and sports legends, media celebrities, business and civic leaders, and other regional supporters of the organization, raised $1.1 million to support a host of tennis instruction, academic tutoring and Life Skills programs that Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education provides for more than 10,500 boys and girls from the Philadelphia Region throughout the year.

“We are actively attracting a broad spectrum of volunteers from throughout the Philadelphia Region to play important roles in making ‘Breaking Barriers' an overwhelming success in support of our AAYTE children,” Mary Caraccioli said on behalf of the co-chairs. People interested in volunteering should call AAYTE at 215-487-9555.

Mary Caraccioli is an Emmy Award-winning host and executive producer of “Money Matters Today” on CN8-TV, the Comcast Network, and a member of the AAYTE Board of Directors. Tom Caraccioli, founder and president of Lions Roar, LLC, a public relations firm with clients in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, has been an active volunteer for Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education for five years.

Jim Fernberger, a member of the AAYTE Board of Directors, is Senior Vice President – Investments for Merrill Lynch in Jenkintown. Jim and his wife, Mary Walto, have been active for some time in tennis and tennis events. They live in Wyncote, PA.

Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education ( www.ashetennis.org ) is a national model for imaginative, public youth tennis and educational enrichment programs. AAYTE's principal sponsor is Advanta. Additional support comes from foundations, corporate, public and private resources.