Alijandra Jackson, Member of The Famous Jackson Family Dresses up Manhattan For Children in Need

A member of the family Jackson family helps children in need by creating a special dress for the shelter

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 5, 2006 -- Los Angeles-based fashion designer, Alejandra Jackson, member of the famous Jackson family has contributed an original couture dress from her Shelter International LLC collection to be auctioned at a benefit for the Pajama Program, a New York City-based 501 © 3 not-for-profit organization that provides warm pajamas and books to needy children who are waiting to be adopted.

The auction will be part of a high-profile society luncheon at the famed Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on May 5. Singer Patty LaBelle will be honored at the sold-out gala. Past Pajama Program honorees include Meredith Veiera, NBC’s newly appointed “Today Show” co-anchor; actress Kitty Carlisle Hart, Katherine Dwyer, former Revlon President and founder of skinklinik; CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien, and liqueur heir Tony Cointreau who spent 12 years with Mother Teresa caring for young men dying from AIDS in New York City, as well as orphans and handicapped children in Calcutta.

According to Pajama Program Founder, Genevieve Piturro, “The children we help may never have had a mother or father to tuck them in and read them a bedtime story. They have been abandoned and deprived of love, and basics like books and pajamas.” Adds co-founder Alice Pagano, “Our mission is to provide a loving environment for children who have lived through a great deal of hurt in their young lives and to give them hope for a better tomorrow.” The Pajama Program identifies key institutions in the U.S. and other countries where children who are waiting to be adopted are living in shelters, and foster homes.

Alejandra’s contribution … an off the shoulder chocolate brown macramÈ dress … is made of delicate silk ribbon and handcrafted by women from the indigenous U’wa tribe of Columbia and will be one of a number of items to be auctioned to raise money for the charity. It took more than 15 days for the Columbian women to make this dress, which is called “Dignity”, in honor of these peaceful and proud people.

Celebrities who wear Ms. Jackson’s couture designs include Tyra Banks, Serena Williams, Rosario Dawson, Vivica Fox, Janet Jackson, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, and Paula Abdul. Alejandra’s creations have been featured on “America’s Next Top Model” and “Entertainment Tonight”, and have graced the pages of international publications including People, Ocean Drive, Latina Magazine, New York Post, and Beverly Hills Post.

Alejandra’s company, Shelter International, LLC. is co-owned with her brother Franklin Martinez and her mother Marina Rodriguez and is located in Columbia. Dedicated to giving back, the company donates 10% of all proceeds to global charities, specifically children’s projects. Currently, Shelter International is building a school for the native children of La Guajira, South America.

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