Jaci and Morris L. Reid to Host Third Annual VH1 Save The Music Benefit

Jaci and Morris L. Reid to Host Third Annual VH1 Save The Music Benefit

Crest Whitestrips Presents: MUSIC OF LOVE A White Hot Benefit for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation

Benefit to Feature Special Live Performance by Toni Braxton

NEW YORK, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning R&B songstress Toni Braxton will be the special performer at the 3rd Annual VH1 Save The Music celebrity fundraiser being hosted by VH1 Save The Music Foundation board member Morris L. Reid, and his wife, Jaci on Friday, July 29th.

The highly-anticipated summer party, Crest Whitestrips Presents: Music of Love, A White Hot Benefit for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, will be held at the Reid's East Hampton Estate.

"Music and the arts are often the first programs eliminated when public school education budget cuts are made," said Reid, managing director of Westin Rinehart, a New York and Washington D.C.-based strategic communications and marketing firm. "My wife and I believe that the teaching of musical arts and theory is mandatory for a well-balanced education. VH1 Save The Music ensures that music stays in the schools, improving the lives of our students, and helping them look forward to a successful future."

"VH1 Save The Music is so thankful to Morris and Jaci for inviting us into their home for the 3rd Annual VH1 Save The Music benefit," said Paul Cothran, executive director, VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "Each year more and more public school students are afforded the benefits of music education because of the ongoing commitment of people like Morris and Jaci, and events such as this one."

The cocktail event begins at 6:30 p.m. with an intimate performance by Braxton, who will sing several of her greatest hits as well as selected songs from her highly anticipated new album. The event will also include a live auction of several items including a Pamela Hanson photograph, a Vespa motorized scooter, MAC gift boxes, spa packages, and selected jewelry from London Jewelers and Meyers Watches.

This year's title sponsor is Crest Whitestrips; other sponsors include Westin Rinehart, Grey Goose, Hamptons Magazine, Blue Star Jets, London Jewelers, MAC, Blue & Cream, Cain at Cabana (which will host the after party), and Iceberg Water.

The annual gala has raised more than $50,000 the past two years. Celebrities and entertainers that have attended include: R&B singer Ashanti, music and fashion impresarios Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, NBA star Jalen Rose, the B-52's Fred Schneider, singer and musician Darius Rucker, Lizzie Grubman, Christina Norman, president of MTV, and John Sykes of MTV Networks. This year the foundation is aiming to raise more than $100,000 in charitable donations.

Members of this year's host committee include: Dennis Basso and Michael Cominotto, Jason and Haley Binn, Raymond Chambers, Paul Cothran, Donny Deutsch, Star Jones and Al Reynolds, Libby Langdon, Wynton Marsalis, Christina Norman, Saundra Parks, Ronald Perelman, Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, John Sykes, Charlie Walk, Anna Anismova, H. Tony Berger, Jeffrey Goldstein, Lizzie Grubman, Mike Heller, Charlotte Ronson and Scott Sartiano.

About VH1 Save The Music

Since VH1 Save The Music was created in 1997, nearly $30 million worth of new musical instruments have been donated to 1,200 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children. VH1 Save The Music's many honors include the Governors' Award (a special Emmy Award), the George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast and cable excellence, and many Beacon Awards. The national sponsor of VH1 Save The Music is Procter & Gamble.

About Crest Whitestrips

The first-ever Crest White Hot Summer Series connects consumers to the "hot" products to have, people to know and places to be for the summer of 2005. Through sponsorships of some of the summer's hottest events, Crest is providing you with what you need to make this summer full of fun and beautiful smiles. Brought to you by the White Hot experts at Crest Whitestrips, Crest Vivid White, Crest Whitening Expressions, and Scope-make your summer White Hot today with smiles that sizzle. For more information, visit http://www.crest.com/.

Tickets for the benefit are $250. To purchase tickets please call Jennifer Dunn at VH1 at (212) 846-7882 or via email Jennifer.Dunn@vh1staff.com.

Source: Westin Rinehart

CONTACT: Elizabeth Rosenthal, +1-212-333-7728, ext. 105, or erosenthal@susanblondinc.com, for Westin Rinehart

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