FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2001, 10:35 p.m. Barnes Place Announces Evening to "Sparkle" BARNES PLACE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) - At a time when our nation is remembering again the strength and power of community, the Social Secretary is proud to announce the Ninth Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Caned Food Drive, "Sparkle", Saturday, December 1. A cocktail hour begins at 7:05 p.m. with the lighting promptly at 8:05 p.m. As with past years, guests are asked to bring canned goods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The Holiday Lighting Ceremony is a low-budget display of holiday lights and sounds. Stripped of all Christian symbols and material pretensions and coordinated with a charity food drive, the Lighting Ceremony is an illuminating reminder of true holiday spirit--the season of giving. "People always ask, 'Where's the tree?' But you don't need a tree to give yourself to the ones you love and your community," said Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State. "In the past few months, we've seen the human spirit sparkle as communities have come together to assist complete strangers," State said, sounding like a People Magazine article. "The Holiday Lighting Ceremony has always been about remembering there is more to life than our hectic pace. In the aftermath of the nation's tragedy, people all over the country have been reflecting on what's important. We will happily open our home again this year to welcome all those in our lives for an evening where we can come together, gather around the video fireplace in each room, be with each other, and help those less fortunate in our own community through the canned food drive. In short, we think it's an evening that will truly sparkle." "The Ceremony is often the first holiday party people go to for the season," said Director of Catering and Guest Relations Anthony Dornacher. "We like to start the season off right and the Ceremony is a great way." Dornacher hopes each guest will embrace the canned food drive and bring at least $10 worth of packaged goods for the Community Food Bank. "It's a small price to pay for an evening that means so much," added Dornacher. Over the years, over two tons of food and more than $500 have been collected through the Ceremony for the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB). The ACFB gets food out to people who need it by distributing millions of pounds every year to non-profit agencies assisting hungry people in metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Food collected during food drives as well as donations from manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, caterers, and individuals is sorted and packed for distribution by staff and volunteers. The Food Bank provides an alternative to waste, by reclaiming, safely sorting and distributing a variety of food products. For more information on the Atlanta Community Food Bank, visit their web site at http://www.acfb.org. For more information on the Holiday Lighting Ceremony or to R.S.V.P., direct your browser to the new Barnes Place.com at http://www.barnesplace.com/events/hlc2001/ --END--