Superstar Queen Latifah to Help Honor Top Philanthropists at Annual Touching a Life Gala

Superstar Queen Latifah to Help Honor Top Philanthropists at Annual Touching a Life Gala

Behind the Bench (The National NBA Wives Association) will honor Elaine Wynn, Cookie Johnson and Dikembe Mutombo at exclusive event during the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend

NEW YORK, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, February 16, 2007, Behind the Bench, (The National Basketball Wives Association), with the gracious support of CoverGirl(R) Queen Collection and Ciroc(R) vodka, will host their annual fundraising gala, Touching a Life, during the 2007 NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Music and film megastar Queen Latifah, will host this year's celebration honoring philanthropists Cookie Johnson of the Magic Johnson Foundation, NBA veteran Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets and Elaine Wynn of Wynn Resorts and the Stephen A. Wynn and Elaine P. Wynn Foundation.

"It's exciting to be able to come back to my hometown and be a part of such a wonderful event that will be hosted by the amazing Queen Latifah," says event chair, Tracy Wilson Mourning. "Behind the Bench is a great group of women who have made their own indelible marks in society, outside of their husbands, and I'm proud to be a part of this life-changing organization. I'm also thrilled that we are able to honor such dynamic people this year. We all know about the awesomeness of Elaine Wynn and what she has done for the Las Vegas community. And what can I say about Cookie Johnson? She's always been a great example for me of how to stay strong. And Dikembe ... he's like a brother to me, so bright and brilliant. I truly admire him and all that he and his foundation have done. Each of our honorees has been endowed with so many special gifts and I am so happy to be a part of honoring each of them."

The spectacular evening will feature a dinner reception, highlighted by Ciroc vodka cocktails served in champagne flutes, and the sounds of the world renowned DJ Irie, along with the presentation of the awards to Johnson, Mutombo and Wynn. A live auction and the Spring 2007 Designer Preview presented by Neiman Marcus fashion show, with hair designs by the world famous Shirley Gordon: Strands Hair Studio, will follow. R&B sensation, Robin Thicke will cap off the night's festivities with what's sure to be an unforgettable performance.

Each year, the Touching a Life Gala benefits various charitable organizations. This year's beneficiaries are Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars and Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada. After-School All- Stars is a national charity, founded by Elaine Wynn and Arnold Schwarzenegger, which provides comprehensive after school programs and summer camps for at risk middle school children. Communities in Schools is a community based organization that helps connect schools and students with much needed resources, with the focus of helping children stay in school and prepare for adulthood.

Since its inception, The Touching a Life Gala has honored legendary entertainers and athletes such as Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Dorothy Height, Alonzo Mourning and Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child. Held in the host city of the NBA All Star Game, Touching a Life hosts some of the biggest figures in sports, entertainment and society every year.

Tickets to the event can be purchased for $1000 each or for $1750 per pair and tables for 10 guests are available at $25,000. More information on tickets and/or sponsorship opportunities can be obtained by calling (917) 923-0205 or (917) 363-4363 or by emailing talg2007@aol.com.

Source: Behind the Bench

CONTACT: MEDIA INQUIRIES/EVENT COVERAGE: Lori McNeil, Lori@w-wpr.com, or
Aliya Crawford, Aliya@w-wpr.com, both of W&W Public Relations, Inc.,
+1-732-469-5955

-------
Profile: intent