Fantasia to Perform at American Red Cross 125th Anniversary Gala

Fantasia to Perform at American Red Cross 125th Anniversary Gala

WASHINGTON, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- J Records, award-winning and multi- platinum recording artist and 2004 American Idol winner, Fantasia, will perform at the American Red Cross 125th Anniversary Gala being held Thursday, May 11, 2006 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The 125th Anniversary Gala is a grand tribute to the organization, their employees and volunteers, and their partners, for their countless sacrifices and dedication to assuring that the Red Cross will always be there in our time of need.

Fantasia will kick-off the evening by performing the National Anthem for an audience that will include Jimmy Smits, who is serving as Master of Ceremonies, Jane Seymour, who will highlight the historical significance of the American Red Cross, and more than 1,300 Governors, Members of Congress, Corporate Executives, Philanthropists, Washington dignitaries, and Red Cross leaders and friends.

Fantasia will also perform her critically acclaimed debut single, "I Believe" which made her the first artist in the history of Billboard's Hot 100 Chart to debut at #1 with her first solo record. Since the release of her debut album, FREE YOURSELF, she has received 20 award nominations including 4 Grammy nominations as well as recognition from the American Music Awards, BET, Vibe, Teen Choice, Soul Train, NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train "Lady of Soul," and the Billboard Awards. With incredible radio, sales and critical acclaim, Fantasia has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting new artists in music. She is currently in the studio recording her sophomore album to be released later this year.

American Idol has partnered with the American Red Cross by donating a portion of their profits on American Idol single CD's and digital downloads. RCA and 19 Entertainment donated to the American Red Cross $.50 for every CD sold and $.21 for every digital download sold.

In 2003, the finalists' version of "God Bless the U.S.A.," ultimately raised $155,000 for Red Cross programs and services, while their version of Burt Bacharach's 1967 classic, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," raised a total of $30,000 for the American Red Cross International Response Fund. In 2004, the finalists released "When You Tell Me That You Love Me", bringing the total revenue raised to more than $250,000.

The American Red Cross 125th Anniversary Gala will be an inspirational evening honoring the invaluable service the American Red Cross has provided over the past 125 years.

Target is the Presenting Sponsor of the American Red Cross' 125th Anniversary Gala. Target has a long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross on disaster relief, most recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As part of the relief effort, Target donated $1.5 million to the Red Cross, with $500,000 going for immediate relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, and an additional $1 million for ongoing disaster relief and preparedness. In addition to cash contributions, Target offered much-needed real estate in Louisiana to the Red Cross for a central command center supporting the most heavily impacted areas of the storm. Target also partners with the Red Cross on a First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Starter Kit, with $10 from the sale of each kit going back to the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross mobilizes people to help their neighbors during emergencies, across the street, across the country, and across the world. Each year, victims of over 70,000 disasters turn to the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross for assistance.

Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities, and the world. Nearly four million people give blood, the gift of life, through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. To achieve its mission, the Red Cross, a non-government agency, relies on the public's generous donations of time, money, and blood.

Source: American Red Cross

CONTACT: Kristi Hellmuth, +1-703-339-0098, for American Red Cross; or
Kara Bunte of American Red Cross, +1-202-303-4479

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