Runaas Resources Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Local Celebrity Hosts First Houston Concert to Benefit Victims of Sexual Assault

All net proceeds from the concert to support the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization

Spring, TX – July 29, 2008 – Jennifer Grassman, local celebrity and recording artist, will host the city’s first RAINN Over Houston Benefit Concert, to help support the efforts of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).  The fundraising concert will take place at the Meridian in Houston in June of 2009.

“It is a tragedy that has tainted the lives of many of us,” says Grassman. “I myself am an abuse survivor.  My best friend is a rape survivor.  We are not alone.”  Every two minutes someone in the United States is sexually assaulted and 60% of those cases go unreported to the police, according to RAINN, the country’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. 

Grassman, a resident of Spring, is hosting the event to raise awareness and educate the public on how to reduce the risks of assault for themselves and their loved ones.  She will perform during the concert, which will feature speakers and other notable Houston personalities, such as Ernie Manouse, show host of PBS’ Inner Views. 

The financial goal of the event is to raise at least $30,000 with 100% of net proceeds to be donated to RAINN.  Grassman is also dedicating her third album to the organization and contributing a portion of the sale proceeds to their cause.

Tickets will go on sale early next year.  Several sponsorship packages are available for local benefactors to consider.  For more information on the concert or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jennifer Grassman Music at jennifergrassmanmusic@comcast.net or 281-573-0610. 

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Jennifer Grassman is a singer, composer and recording artist.  Her songs are inspired by her desire to console and reassure listeners who are suffering and to inspire meaningful thought and great expectations. She is currently on tour in Texas.  To learn more, please visit www.myspace.com/JenniferGrassman or www.myspace.com/rainnoverhouston.

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) which has helped over 1.2 million people since its inception in 1994.  RAINN recently launched the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (www.rainn.org), the country’s first secure web-based hotline, which provides a safe, secure and anonymous place for victims to get help online.  RAINN also helps to educate over 130 million college students each year about sexual assault, and leads national efforts to improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. 

Jon Taylor, Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of St. Thomas, commented on the recent Houston Chronicle article by Kim Jackson

Blog site

http://ustpolisci.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/coming-soon-the-city-of-spring-klein/#comment-366

Houston Chronicle Article

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/spring/news/5891195.html

Spring, Texas – July 7, 2008 – The Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) announced today that Larry Joe Doherty, best known for his service on the bench of television’s highly rated courtroom series, Texas Justice, and Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District, and his wife, Joanne, will be special guests at the Chamber’s First Annual Christmas in July Banquet and Auction on Friday, July 25, 2008 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

Doherty will speak on the importance of a cohesive community through strong economic support of local business and will also participate in handing out membership plaques to the Chamber’s new membership.

To be held at the Augusta Pines Savannahs in Spring, Texas, the banquet will have all the ambience and air of Christmas, complete with dinner, dancing, holiday decor and live music.

The live auction will feature valuable sports and music collectibles, and special packages such as a Napa Valley Wine Tour and Nascar Racing at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. “The evening promises to be fun and memorable.  This is a great opportunity to get unique Christmas gifts for the person who has everything,” says Elle Carnes, Banquet Chair. 

In its first year the Chamber hopes to increase awareness about the Chamber, boost its current membership by 20%, and raise $5,000 for its startup year.

Tickets are on sale now at $50 for chamber members and $55 for non-members. SKCC is soliciting donations for door prizes and auction items, as well as underwriters and advertisers for the event program.  If you would like to contribute or attend the auction, please visit us online at www.springkleinchamber.org or contact Elle Carnes, Banquet Chair, via email info@springkleinchamber.org or phone at (281) 912-1107.

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The Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to being the primary resource for area economic development, business expansion and overall quality of life in Spring-Klein. For more information, visit www.springkleinchamber.org.

Contact:

Candace Runaas

Runaas Resources Public Relations

281-257-4431

www.RunaasResources.com