D.E.F. kicks off first major fund-raiser

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D.E.F. kicks off first major fund-raiser

November 11, 2008

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New York—The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F) held its first major fund-raiser in Dallas last week, raising more than $320,000 for an educational program in South Africa.

The event, dubbed "Dallas Rocks 2008," featured celebrity participation from D.E.F. co-founder Russell Simmons, the Dallas Cowboys' Emmitt Smith and his wife, Pat Smith, basketball star Magic Johnson and the Dallas Cowboys' Terrell Owens. In addition, former NFL star Ray Crockett and Olympic track star Michael Johnson were among the celebrity attendees.

Net proceeds from the event will go to the Community and Individual Development Association (CIDA City Campus) in Johannesburg, South Africa. CIDA is the only free college in South Africa, and the educational model is based upon the idea that students do everything for the school but teach and then take what they learn back to their communities.

"We are thrilled with the outcome of the Dallas Rocks event and grateful to the Dallas community for opening its heart to D.E.F. and its mission," Simmons said in a media release. "In these tough economic times, it was a blessing for our young charity to raise a substantial amount of money to support D.E.F.'s beneficiary, the CIDA City Campus.

In addition to a live auction, which featured packages such as an African safari and dinner with Magic Johnson and his personal Lakers tickets, Simmons presented Johnson with the Humanitarian Empowerment Award for his tireless work in preventing HIV/AIDS. He also presented Eva Longoria Parker, who accepted via videotaped message, with the Lonestar Empowerment Award for her work with special needs children and adults.

Next up for the D.E.F. is the Diamonds Give 2008 Greenhouse New York event, to be held on Nov. 19 at the Greenhouse nightclub in New York City. A new ambassador program for the D.E.F., titled "Africa's Angels," will launch at the event. Ambassadors will be selected for their compassion and commitment to the D.E.F.'s mission.

Those interested in either the Dallas Rocks or Diamonds Give 2008 Greenhouse New York event can participate from their own homes. Both events are part of an umbrella online charity auction, Diamonds Give 2008, which will continue through Dec. 2.

Bidders can visit Charitybuzz.com for a chance to take home diamond jewelry, travel packages and much more.

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