PHOENIX (April 18, 2001)–An audience of 560 gathered Thursday, April 12 to honor two internationally renowned humanitarians–Kathie Lee Gifford and Waris Dirie–for their efforts to end the suffering of children. The tribute took place at the Childhelp USA Spring Fashion Show, held at the Phoenician Resort and Golf Club, 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale. The event was sponsored by Nordstrom. The fund-raiser netted $85,000, which will benefit Childhelp’s Merv Griffin Village of Arizona, a residential treatment facility for severely abused children to be built near Wickenburg.

(L-R) Childhelp's Heart of Compassion Awardee Kathie Lee Gifford and international fashion model and Childhelp Guardian Angel Awardee Waris Dirie.

Singer, actress and television personality Kathie Lee Gifford received Childhelp’s Hearts of Compassion Award for her numerous efforts that have helped children. International fashion model Waris Dirie (pronounced WAH-riss DEER-ee) was honored with Childhelp’s Guardian Angel Award. Both women gave heart-felt acceptance speeches, which enthralled the audience.

KNXV TV 15 News Anchor Robin Sewell served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. She was joined onstage by Arizona Secretary of State Betsey Bayless and Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano, who spoke about child abuse in Arizona. The event was sponsored by the Greater Phoenix Chapter of Childhelp USA. Louise Marques was the event chair.

 Gifford has actively supported Childhelp USA for many years, serving as a Celebrity Ambassador for the Scottsdale-based national charity. Royalties from her book "Christmas with Kathie Lee" were donated to Childhelp USA, as are a portion of the proceeds from her popular Natural Advantageä line of skin care products. She also donated $50,000 to the April 12^th event’s $85,000 net proceeds, and challenged members of the local community to match her gift.

Gifford devotes much of her time to Variety Club International’s "The Children’s Charity" and the Association to Benefit Children, which spawned the Cody Foundation. The Association supports Cody House and Cassidy’s Place, which provide shelter and care to

HIV-positive and crack-addicted children. Gifford has also lobbied for the eradication of inhumane working conditions of garment workers throughout the world, and has been appointed to the Apparel Industry Partnership White House Task Force.

In addition to her career as a fashion model, African-born Waris Dirie is also a United Nations Population Fund Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which maims an estimated two million girls annually. Many die from complications resulting from the procedure, or suffer a lifetime of physical and mental anguish. Dirie’s book "Desert Flower" chronicles her own experience with FGM and her amazing flight, on foot, from the deserts of Somalia to the runways of the world’s top fashion centers.

Approximately 50 people, including the event’s major sponsors and their guests, also enjoyed a Wednesday evening, April 11 private reception attended by honorees Gifford and Dirie. The VIP party was held in the Paradise Valley home of Childhelp Co-founders Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara, and Sara’s husband Dr. Bob Sigholtz.

Founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp USA is one of the largest and oldest national nonprofit organizations dedicated to the treatment, prevention and research of child abuse and neglect.