Local Melbourne Beach Woman to Appear on MONTEL for Making a Difference in the Community

Local Melbourne Beach Woman to Appear on MONTEL for Making a Difference in the Community

National Specialty Apparel Retailer Honors Melbourne Beach's Kristen Malfara with a $20,000 Charitable Grant on MONTEL Airing February 22nd

MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Charming Shoppes, Inc., a leading multi-channel specialty apparel retailer and parent company of Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes, and Petite Sophisticate, is proud to honor Kristen Malfara of Melbourne Beach, Florida for her efforts in serving her community. Ms. Malfara is one of five finalists who are eligible to receive a $20,000 charitable grant to be used towards her organization, The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project, from Charming Shoppes' Voices. One voice can lead to a chorus for change.(R) Campaign. Ms. Malfara will also receive a "Dream Come True" vacation for four to Walt Disney World(R) Resort during the Year of a Million Dreams celebration. Finalists will be featured on MONTEL on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 during the one-hour Voices Winner's Finale.

"When I was notified by Charming Shoppes that I was one of the finalists for the Voices Campaign, I just about fell on the floor!" exclaimed Malfara. "It was an overwhelming feeling and I burst into tears because I worked so hard for the past six years to raise $30,000 for The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project. To say that I am honored and thrilled would be the biggest understatement, that's for sure."

Voices is an annual campaign sponsored by Charming Shoppes that honors women across America for their passion, leadership and achievements as everyday women who raise their voice to create positive change. Malfara was selected from thousands of women from across the country who were nominated with essays describing the difference they have made in their communities. This year's nominations recognized women championing causes from natural disaster relief and medical research, to working with seniors and disabled persons.

In honor of her son who was diagnosed with Leukodystrophy, Kristen Malfara created The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project, Making Opportunities Reality Granting Assistance Nationwide (www.TheMorganProject.org). The organization was designed to help other parents with special-needs and chronically ill children. Her mission is to provide support to parents/caregivers and act as a reference source for information, financial resources, used equipment exchanges, research and clinical studies, and support groups. During the past three years, Ms. Malfara's efforts have raised over $30,000 for family support programs.

"We are honored to recognize women such as Kristen Malfara, who demonstrate their abilities and capacity to give back to their communities for the better," says Dorrit Bern, CEO of Charming Shoppes, Inc. "Ms. Malfara serves as an inspiration to women across the country by showing them that one voice can make a difference."

Melbourne Beach viewers can tune in to MONTEL on WRBW, on February 22nd at 2pm to watch the Voices Winner's Finale.

Charming Shoppes, Inc. is a leading multi-channel specialty apparel retailer.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes, and Petite Sophisticate,

provide plus-size and petite women with the latest in apparel, accessories,

shoes and intimate apparel. For more information about Voices, visit

www.charmingshoppes.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Charming Shoppes, Inc.

CONTACT: Kim Hong, Publicist, Charming Shoppes, Inc., +1-212-279-2183

Web site:

http://www.charmingshoppes.com/
http://www.themorganproject.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Please contact Kim Hong at kim.hong@charming.com for Hi-Res photo of Kristen Malfara

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