The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation will throw its "A Magical Evening" in New York on Nov. 24, and once again the former "Superman" star will perform a bit of magic onstage, reports PEOPLE.

Last year, he impressed observers -- and made headlines -- by moving his index finger, a feat few thought he could ever have accomplished since being thrown from a horse and paralyzed from the neck down in 1995.

This year, Reeve will speak for the first time in front of a crowd without any assistance from his ventilator. Thanks to experimental surgery he underwent in February -- which placed electrodes in his diaphragm muscles to stimulate "natural" exhalation -- Reeve is now spending an average of 15 to 18 hours a day breathing entirely on his own.

His progress has come as a direct result of the kind of radical research supported by the CRPF, and it's why Reeve tells PEOPLE he's hoping to raise more than $2 million at this year's gala -- equal to or greater than what was raised last year when the event was bolstered by a special celebration of Reeve's 50th birthday.

"We're already closing in on similar numbers," says Reeve. "The final push is this week, and a lot of people make up their minds (to give) at the last minute. But we're doing well, and I hope that on that evening that the silent auction will put it over the top."

Among the items up for grabs at the gala's auction: a 15-day Australian trip; a Driver's Dream Trip to Las Vegas (complete with an exotic car around town), lessons in a Formula One race car; a day on the set with Ray Romano and the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond"; and a round of golf with LPGA Pro Karrie Webb at the Mar-a-Lago course in Palm Beach.

Guests expected to attend include John Lithgow, Al Roker, Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols, among others. Tickets are also available to the public. For details, see the Web site christopherreeve.org.