Childhelp(R) to Host National Day of Hope Legislative Luncheon in Washington, D.C.

Event Will Honor Marie Gray, Founder of St. John Knits and Politicians for Support

PHOENIX -- Continuing its tradition of recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Childhelp[R], a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children, will host the Childhelp National Day of Hope[R] Luncheon April 18 at the U.S. Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C. The luncheon will start at noon.

The Childhelp National Day of Hope Luncheon provides the opportunity for members of Congress to meet with Childhelp founders and Nobel Peace Prize nominees Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, as well as other prominent activists to discuss and develop legislation on how to better help victims of child abuse and neglect with a focus on prevention, intervention and treatment.

Childhelp celebrity ambassadors in attendance at the luncheon will be actress Cheryl Ladd, television personality Kathie Lee Gifford and singer Ralna English.

ABC News anchor Rebecca Cooper will be this year's emcee.

The honoree of the 2007 Day of Hope Award will be Marie Gray, co-founder of St. John Knits, Inc., for her tireless dedication and support of child abuse prevention.

This year's Childhelp National Day of Hope Luncheon honorary committee co-chairs include Sen. and Mrs. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. and Mrs. Trent Lott (R-MS), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. and Mrs. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. and Mrs. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC).

April 4th is the Childhelp National Day of Hope[R] and Childhelp[R] asks that people all across the country reserve time to say a prayer and observe a moment of silence for the four children who die every day from abuse and neglect in their own homes. In honor and memory of the four children who die each day, Childhelp has selected a four-wick candle as the symbol of the Childhelp National Day of Hope that can be ordered at www.childhelp.org for a $10 donation.

The Childhelp[R] National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD[R] is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada, the Hotline receives 200,000 calls each year and is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who can provide assistance in 140 languages. The Hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources.

For more information about the Childhelp National Day of Hope or other Childhelp programs and services, visit www.childhelp.org.

ABOUT ST JOHN:

Founded in 1962 by Marie and Robert Gray, St. John has expanded beyond its origin of a small family operation to the global American luxury brand known today. The company, headquartered in Irvine, California, now employs approximately 4,000 people and operates dozens of offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. Its six distinct fashion collections are sold by top specialty stores in 28 countries and 28 company-owned retail boutiques throughout the United States and Canada. St. John is today as it has always been, a carefully managed company, maintaining consistency of product through the administration of all stages throughout the design and manufacturing process.

MEDIA NOTE: Celebrity ambassadors, founders of Childhelp and Congressional honorary luncheon co-chairs are available for interviews the morning of April 18 and prior to and after the luncheon. Please call Megan Rose at 602-690-0801 to schedule an interview.