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

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

National Specialty Apparel Retailer Honors Niskayuna's Linda Rozell-Shannon with a $20,000 Charitable Grant on MONTEL Airing February 22nd

NISKAYUNA, N.Y., 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 Linda Rozell-Shannon of Niskayuna, New York for her efforts in serving her community. Ms. Rozell-Shannon is one of five finalists who are eligible to receive a $20,000 charitable grant to be used towards her organization, The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF), from Charming Shoppes' Voices. One voice can lead to a chorus for change.(R) Campaign. Ms. Rozell- Shannon will also receive a "Dream Come True" vacation for four 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.

"I'm still in shock and can't believe it's true," said Rozell-Shannon. "I feel like I'm being inducted into some kind of Hall of Fame established by Charming Shoppes. It still hasn't completely sunk in yet, but it's an honor to be recognized by both, MONTEL and Charming Shoppes."

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. Rozell-Shannon 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.

Linda Rozell-Shannon started VBF 12 years ago after her daughter was diagnosed with a vascular tumor and realizing that there were no standards of care for vascular tumors and birthmarks. She decided to set up the VBF to assist families in finding appropriate medical treatment, and through her organization, Ms. Rozell-Shannon has successfully set up clinics across the nation and circulates numerous education publications. VBF has grown into an international foundation that has networked over 250,000 people into proper treatment. The organization is referred to as the leading not for profit in the world for children and adults affected by hemangiomas, port wine stains, and other vascular birthmarks.

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

Niskayuna viewers can tune in to MONTEL on WXXA, on February 22nd at 11am 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/

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

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