Face Forward To Unmask New Campaign to Stop Domestic Violence at 5th Annual Gala; A Venetian Masquerade

Estelle to Perform, Hosted by Missi Pyles, Victor Ortiz Honored and Attended by Lana Parilla, Anne Heche and other Hollywood Celebs at Biltmore LA, Sept. 13th. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 05, 2014 - LOS ANGELES, CA - 501c3 Non-profit organization, Face Forward, will highlight the important global issue of domestic violence at its much-anticipated Fifth annual charity gala, A Venetian Masquerade, symbolizing both the need to unmask perpetrators of domestic violence and in alignment with the charity's purpose of providing reconstructive surgery to patients who suffered severe injury from domestic abuse and allow them to face forward to a new life and new beginning. The night will be about celebrating survivors and raising money to help more patients in 2015. During the event the new campaign for 2015 will also be revealed. Grammy award winning artist Estelle will perform for the elite crowd and Victor Ortiz will receive and honor for his charitable work.

Honorary Committee members for the 2014 gala include Tom Arnold & Bonnie Somerville (they both co-hosted in 2012), Sharon Stone, Jennifer Coolidge, Shaun Toub , and Theo James. Confirmed guests for the evening include: Lana Parilla (Once Upon a Time) Missi Pyle (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Artist), Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde), Bonnie Sommerville (Ugly Truth), Shaun Toub (Iron Man), Victor Ortiz (boxer and DWTS), Anne Heche, James Tupper, Erik Valdez (Graceland.). To purchase tickets please visit http://faceforward.nbblticketing.com/.

Face Forward Founder and CEO, Mrs. Deborah Alessi, founded Face Forward in 2008. Mrs. Alessi is a survivor of domestic violence and left her native country of Scotland to start anew and Face Forward is her way to help others get away from this increasing epidemic and help other survivors get a second chance. Mrs. Alessi founded Face Forward with her husband and renowned facial reconstructive surgeon Dr. David Alessi M.D.

Mrs. Alessi said, "When we started, it was a small gathering and I had no idea what I was doing, only that I was extremely passionate about this cause. Initially we had about 100 people attend the first one, then we did a few events at stores and I took very small steps. Now we have grown to this amazing event and this year we are expecting 400 guests. Although this is not a glamorous cause, I make sure to produce an event where the supporters enjoy themselves and celebrate their ability to help change lives. We want to make sure our supporters come back for more and continue to support this extremely important global cause!"

David Alessi added, "Deborah and I are humbled by the continued and growing support for our annual philanthropic event. Our wish is to draw attention to the atrocity of the worldwide problem of domestic violence and abuse. Face Forward's annual fundraising efforts enable us to help more and more victims in their journey to achieve both physical and emotional healing and recovery."

The star-studded red carpet event will consist of a stunning cocktail reception in the famed Tea Room of the Los Angeles Biltmore and a seated dinner in the Crystal ballroom. The event will host a silent auction and live auction with a live musical performance by Grammy Award Winning artist Estelle (American Boy). The black tie event will have music and dancing into the wee hours creating a celebration of life for the survivors and patients.

Confirmed sponsors of the upcoming event include Etihad which is the 2014 Gala Sponsor who has graciously donated two Roundtrip Business Class Flatbed Tickets from Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi and one other destination on the Etihad network also includes Shangri-La Abu Dhabi 3 night stay, and Jumeirah at Etihad Towers 3 night stay.

Face Forward's title sponsor, Turkish Airlines in combination with TravelStyle have donated an amazing TURKEY IN STYLE - by Travel in Style® and Turkish Airlines. A custom-tailored, 7-day Turkey trip awaits the two of you, with roundtrip business class flights on Turkish Airlines between Los Angeles and Istanbul. Your tour, brought to you by Turkey's most acclaimed luxury travel experts at STYLE®, takes you on a magical introductory private tour to this beautiful country with five days in Istanbul and two days in Izmir. Discover the lavish lifestyles of Ottoman Sultans; meet important artists getting to know contemporary Istanbul from their perspective; indulge in the best of Turkish cuisine and wines with personal recommendations and pairings by top chefs; have the experts teach you the tricks of the Ottoman cuisine that makes up this third-most influential cuisine of the world. Explore some of the best preserved ruins of the Aegean coastline in exclusive company of the excavation teams' head archaeologists while enjoying the luxury of the Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus and Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet in Istanbul and Swissotel Grand Efes in Izmir.

Additional auction items include donated items from Michael Bolton, Imagine Dragons, and in luxury items such as Five night stay at the exclusive Shangri-La Maldives, 2 tickets to Andrea Bocelli concert in Las Vegas as well as meet and greet and hotel accommodations.

About Etihad Airways:
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 108 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 102 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 210 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising its equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com.

About Turkish Airlines:
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 256 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 260 destinations worldwide with 217 international and 43 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2014, Turkish Airlines was chosen "Europe's Best Airline" for the fourth and "Best Airline in Southern Europe" for the sixth consecutive time. Having won in 2010 the world's "Best Economy Catering Service" and in 2013 the world's "Best Business Catering Service" awards, Turkish Airlines was this year awarded the world's "Best Business Catering Service" and "Best Business Class Lounge Dining" prizes in the Skytrax survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on the following website: www.turkishairlines.com

ABOUT TRAVELSTYLE:
TravelStyle, the bespoke Istanbul based travel company, has been set up in 1999 as a boutique division of STYLE® by Shirin Bebe Schade, one of the city's most prominent insiders with exceptional connections, offering one-of-a- kind experiences through meticulously designed personalized itineraries to a very discerning clientele. TravelStyle's motto being ''nothing is impossible'', the company refuses to have a website since its establishment and only operates through word of mouth and referrals to safeguard its level of personal touch and high quality standards. Top agencies throughout the United States along with celebrities and the rich & famous constitute the building block of the company's clientele. September 2014 marks TravelStyle's 15th successful year for providing unforgettable experiences which create the magic that compels the guests to return over and over again.

About Face Forward:
Face Forward founder and CEO Mrs. Deborah Alessi founded Face Forward in 2007. Mrs. Alessi is a survivor of domestic violence and a true advocate of this worthy cause. To help other survivors get a second chance at life, Mrs. Alessi recruited her husband and renowned facial reconstructive surgeon Dr. David Alessi M.D. The couple work constantly to help victim 'face forward' to the rest of their lives. Face Forward is a 501© non-profit organization. Since its creation Face Forward has worked with other advocates around the nation to identify victims of domestic violence who are working towards recovery, yet carry the physical evidence of past abuse. Face Forward does more than just provide pro bono reconstructive surgery to adults and children who have suffered from traumatic and physical abuse; they also create a welcoming and safe environment for the victims to start a new life and reclaim their confidence. With domestic violence occurring every 15 seconds in the United States, Face Forward Foundation strives to alleviate the internal and external scars of victims and those affected. Ninety percent of all rape and abuse cases lead to physical disfigurement and Face Forward provides treatment to victims who are not able to afford medical assistance.

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