Tiki Barber is "rushing" to Times Square to rock out for a great cause! On May 10 the broadcaster, author and former New York Giant will make a special appearance at Hard Rock Cafe New York as the host of Tiki Rocks the Square for Children's Miracle Network. The V.I.P. charity event will benefit Children's Miracle Network, an organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals throughout North America. The evening's festivities will be kicked off with the reading of an official proclamation from the New York City Mayor's Office, declaring May 10th "Children's Miracle Network Day." The exclusive event will feature an acoustic set from Tiki's friend Jon Bon Jovi. To pre-order Bon Jovi's new CD, Lost Highway, due in stores June 19th, fans can go to www.bonjovi.com.

"I'm thrilled to be able to show my support for Children's Miracle Network and help raise much-needed funds for such a great cause," said Tiki Barber. "These children have had a tremendous impact on me, and it's a great feeling knowing that I can help make a difference in their lives as well. I'd also like to personally thank my good friend Jon Bon Jovi for his support and helping to make this year's event a tremendous success!"

Emerging artist Jon McLaughlin will open the show that evening. His new single "Beautiful Disaster" is featured in the upcoming movie Georgia Rule.

Fans have the opportunity to bid on two tickets to the V.I.P.-only event through www.hardrock.com. Tickets include the chance to party with Tiki and friends at the ultra-exclusive, V.I.P. charity bash, co-sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe New York, Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Inc. and U.S. News & World Report. Two sets of exclusive V.I.P. tickets will also be auctioned off through Jack-FM (www.ilikejack.com) and 95.5 WPLJ-FM (www.wplj.com). In addition, a limited number of tickets will be available to the general public, with all proceeds from the auctions and ticket sales benefiting Children's Miracle Network.

The evening's events will also include a silent auction of a very special item: a Fender guitar, autographed by all members of Bon Jovi. Monies raised through this auction will also benefit Children's Miracle Network.

Six years ago, Tiki Barber volunteered to be part of a televised fundraising effort for children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network, and met Jade Alston, a lively girl suffering from brittle bone syndrome, a condition that makes bones highly susceptible to fracture. This life-long syndrome has kept Jade confined to a wheelchair, but it has never slowed her down. With the help of extensive treatment and therapy from Children's Specialized Hospital, a Mountainside, New Jersey-based pediatric rehabilitation center affiliated with Children's Miracle Network, Jade has strengthened her bones enough to be able to ride in a car, go to Giants games and even attend her prom (with an assist from Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, who sent her there in style). Jade just graduated with honors from her New Jersey high school, and is now attending college in Baltimore, Maryland. Jade's determination inspired Tiki at that fundraiser in 2001 and their chance meeting has made a difference, not only in Tiki's life, but also in the lives of thousands of children aided by his efforts for Children's Miracle Network.

Locally, Children's Miracle Network, Metro New York is dedicated to providing outstanding medical care to the millions of kids in the Metro New York area. Funds raised by Children's Miracle Network benefit over 420,000 kids each year at these five children's hospitals:

• The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (New Jersey)
• The Children's Hospital at Montefiore (New York City)
• Children's Specialized Hospital (New Jersey)
• Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center (Hudson Valley)
• Schneider Children's Hospital of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (Long Island)