Plantinum Selling Recording Artist Sophie B Hawkins Holds Benefit Concert for Operation Smile

October 21, 2010

Plantinum selling recording artist Sophie B Hawkins rocked Old Greenwich, CT, on October 2 at the home of Mat and Lisa Lori for a special benefit concert for Operation Smile. Lisa Lori's public relations firm which is based in Greenwich, represents the Grammy nominated Ms. Hawkins and the Lori family, which includes three boys -- Zachary, Luke and Griffin -- have a very personal connection to Operation Smile.

Over the past two years, their sons Zachary and Luke who have facial paralysis have undergone muscle transplant surgery to enable them to smile. The October 2nd evening raised more $65,000 for Operation Smile.

"It was our pleasure to support Operation Smile and the vital work they provide for families around the world," said Mat and Lisa Lori. "We know first hand the transformative nature of a smile and it was an incredible opportunity for us to host this benefit for them."

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, Operation Smile provides free surgeries for children around the world suffering from facial deformities including cleft lips and cleft palates, healing their smiles and transforming their lives. The need for cleft care is urgent. Every three minutes, it is estimated that a child somewhere in the world is born with a cleft condition. For updates on Operation Smile's global efforts, visit the daily blogs on www.operationsmile.org, follow @operationsmile on Twitter, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/operationsmile.

More than 130 guests enjoyed drinks and desserts under the stars while Sophie B Hawkins performed some of her best selling songs including As I Lay Me Down (the longest running single in Billboard history) and Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover. Ms. Hawkins also performed some of her songs from her upcoming new album Dream Street and Chance which will be released later this year. The event came at the end of an exciting week for Ms. Hawkins who was in NYC collaborating with her manager Gigi Gaston on a new musical with Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth.

"It was an honor for me to perform for Operation Smile and to join the entire Lori Family in celebration," said Sophie B Hawkins.

Allison Williams, recent Yale graduate and daughter of New Canaan residents Brian and Jane Williams, opened the show for Ms. Hawkins. Among the notable attendees: Annbeth Magee Lattimer, sister of Operation Smile Founder Dr. Bill Magee, Lauri Catena, Fox & Friends co-anchor Alisyn Camerota; NBC's Kate Snow and 107.1 The Peak in Westchester radio host Chris Bro; handbag designer and QVC star Kathy Van Zeeland and Sony exec Pete Cosenza.  A highlight of the show was Zachary and Luke Lori joining Ms. Hawkins on stage and playing percussion while she performed.

Sponsors for the evening included: Hyatt Hotel Greenwich, W. J. Deutsch & Sons (who donated all of the wine for the evening), Serendipity Magazine, Sweet Lisa's, Susan Monahan and Tamara Palumbo (hair and make-up) and York & Chapel (graphic design).

For more information about Sophie B Hawkins, visit her website.

About Operation Smile
About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org) Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children's medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile has treated more than 160,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in more than 60 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.

About Lisa Lori Communications
Lisa Lori Communications is an award winning public relations company specializing in publicity, special events and integrated marketing communications programs.   Founded in 1999, the company's clients include a variety luxury, arts, non-profit, wine and retail companies and organizations.  For more information on LLC, please visit www.lisalori.com> or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @lisaloricomm.