New York City, New York – The distinguished Vital Link Awards celebrate outstanding service of individuals and organizations that have spoken out publicly about domestic violence prevention. “The remarkable dedication and commitment from the individuals and companies being honored tonight to change attitudes about domestic violence are inspiring examples of leadership,” said Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. FOX & Friends morning anchor Gretchen Carlson will be the Master of Ceremonies for the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s 2008 Vital Link Awards at Cipriani 23 on Fifth Avenue.
Since taking its first call in 1996, the Hotline has become the vital link to safety, responding to more than 2 million calls from women, men and families in crisis. October is also National Domestic Violence Awareness month.
The distinguished Vital Link Awards event features a cocktail reception beginning at 6:00 pm. The honorees will be available for interviews during the red carpet pre-event from 6:00-6:45 (Cipriani 23 on Fifth Avenue) and the program starts at 7 followed by dinner.
The 2008 event will honor Verizon, Seventeen Magazine, MySpace, S. Epatha Merkerson, who won an Emmy for her role as Lt. Anita Van Buren on NBC’s Law & Order, actor, author and former Miami Dolphin, Victor Rivas Rivers and Linda Fairstein, a New York Times bestselling crime novelist who also served 25 years as the bureau chief of the famed Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit of the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
The 2008 Vital Link Awards will be an inspired evening of celebration promoting healthy and respectful relationships.