2013 AutoGlow Vive Detroit Celebrates Detroit History And Nets Record $250,000 For The Children's Center

-- The Children's Center AutoGlow Vive Detroit , presented by Ford Motor Company, held at Ford Field, was Detroit's exclusive afterglow event following the North American International Auto Show Charity Preview on January 18, 2013

-- This year's event exceeded previous records with more than $250,000 raised and 1,000 guests in attendance

DETROIT--Jan. 25, 2013: This year's sold out AutoGlow: Vive Detroit, presented by Ford Motor Company, featuring Parisian food, decor and entertainment, broke past fundraising records for The Children's Center.

Building upon more than 81 years of continuous support for The Children's Center, Ford Motor Company returned as the presenting sponsor of AutoGlow, with hosts Lisa & Bill Ford and Nicki & Alan Mulally. Ford Motor Company and members of the Ford family have supported The Children's Center and its mission since 1929.

With a sold out crowd of 1,000 guests in attendance, this year's event netted over $250,000 for The Children's Center. Funds raised from AutoGlow will support the Detroit-based not-for-profit organization and its programs to address the mental and physical health of children in need in Wayne County.

"We are truly grateful for the community's enthusiastic and generous support of AutoGlow," Lisa Ford, AutoGlow host, said. "This year, we are thrilled to report that generosity has exceeded our wildest expectations. In every category, from ticket sales to sponsorships to individual donations, we have increased funding over last year. This is tremendous news because it means The Children's Center can continue their vital programs which are critical to its ability to service the growing number of needy children and families in Detroit and Wayne County."

New this year was a raffle for two round-trip, First/Business Class tickets to Paris, France, courtesy of Delta Air Lines. The popular raffle served as an additional source of revenue.

Guests were greeted with "bon appetit", an array of delicious Parisian inspired food and unique decor replete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower, as well as seldom seen entertainment including aerial and Can Can dancers and a live band. At the end of the soiree, guests were able to wish "bon voyage" when the winning name was drawn for the trip to the City of Lights.

A 2013 Ford Fusion, a North American Car of the Year finalist, and a 2013 Ford C-MAX, a North American Truck/Utility of the Year finalist, were on display for the evening.