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PHOENIX, June 16, 2010 – Free Arts of Arizona’s annual spring fundraiser Lunch at the Movies presented by Paradise Bakery & Café, attracted over 400 people and raised more than $80,000.

The Hollywood-esque event -- which premiered Every Child Matters and Unleashing Creativity, inspiring short films by local artists Phyllis Lane and Alejandra Nash -- was held on May 19 at Harkins Scottsdale 101 in the Cine Capri to benefit a non-profit that provides creative arts programming for at-risk children.

Paradise Bakery, an Arizona-based company, supported this year’s event by providing monetary donations, promotional efforts and freshly made lunches for all the guests. Paradise Bakery also contributes annually to Free Arts of Arizona through the popular “Cookie for a Kid” program, a percentage of its water bottle sales and in-kind donations.

“Raising awareness of Free Arts Arizona and the work it does to help children in need is a critical part of our mission,” said Paradise Bakery & Café President David Birzon. “Through our support of Free Arts of Arizona, we can hopefully bring some comfort and smiles to the most vulnerable part of the community -- our children.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with this year’s fundraiser and the monies raised.” said Free Arts of Arizona Executive Director Barbara Fenster, “Both the event attendees and our corporate sponsors came together to make this a phenomenal event. The continued support of Paradise Bakery & Café helps us brighten the lives and futures of the children we serve and made this year’s fundraiser a success.”

About Paradise Bakery & Café
Paradise Bakery & Café, a pioneer of the fast-casual, bakery/café segment, was founded in 1976 in Long Beach, California. The company has been headquartered in Scottsdale since 1988. It is renowned for its fresh menu and cookies. Paradise Bakery & Café operates 75 cafés in 10 states, including 35 in Arizona. Outside its home state, Paradise operates stores in California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. For more information visit: www.paradisebakery.com.

About Free Arts of Arizona
Free Arts of Arizona, founded in 1993, is the only nonprofit organization in Maricopa County that brings therapeutic, creative arts programming to abused, neglected and at-risk children. Free Arts specifically targets the healing effects of the arts to children ages 3 to 21 that live in over 30 partner non-profit organizations with 110 sites (residential treatment centers, group homes and crisis shelters). Free Arts offers four programs to over 5,500 children each year. For more information: www.freeartsaz.org.

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CONTACT: David Cooper, Barclay Communications
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