BENEFIT AND SILENT AUCTION TO SUPPORT DISASTER RELIEF FUND

New Yorkers and Artists of Stage and Screen Unite for Songs for Hope

NEW YORK (PRWEB November 7, 2003 - Songs for Hope, a benefit performance and silent auction, created in response to the devastation caused by October's firestorms in Southern California, to be held in New York City.

The event, which benefits the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, will be held at Branch, located at 226 E. 54th St. (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), November 18, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, to raise money for the families and communities hardest hit. Susaye Greene, co-creator of Songs for Hope, and former member of Motown's Supremes, is among the scheduled performers.

Greene, a native of New York and graduate of the High School of the Performing Arts, immortalized in the movie "Fame", returned to promote her latest CD and Christmas EP.

She began planning the event and organizing a committee in less than a week and has received a tremendous outpouring of support and assistance from New Yorkers.

"Like many artists and celebrities I have been blessed to have lived in both New York and Southern California, and having such a love for both really inspired me to give something back to the place I now call home," said Greene.

"When the terrorist attacks happened in New York on September 11 many Californians -- and of course people from all over the world -- wanted to help. Hundreds of firefighters from all over the country came to New York to help, and this is our way of returning the sentiment."

More than 2,600 homes and 750,000 acres of land have been destroyed by the fires in Southern California and 20 people have lost their lives; including one firefighter. Since the fires began, thousands have poured into homeless and emergency shelters.

"As individuals we sometimes believe it's hard to make a difference," says Merrie L. Davis, President and Publisher, IN New York Magazine. "But when we unite with others sharing the same passions, we can accomplish anything."

Produced by Dollface Records, in association with IN New York Magazine, Songs for Hope will feature a silent auction with memorabilia donated by various recording artists and celebrities of stage and screen, as well as sports teams.

As ferocious firestorms burn in California, the American Red Cross is meeting the emergency needs of the evacuees. Funding from the Disaster Relief Fund makes our current California relief operation possible.

Please help victims of the California wildfires and the people affected by thousands of disasters across the U.S. each year by donating to the Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance. With the Disaster Relief Fund depleted, we need your support now, more than ever. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free thanks to the generosity of people like you.

The minimum donation for entry in $50, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the silent auction will be contributed to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. To reserve tickets, please contact 917-256-2304.

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