Washington, DC (November 17, 2006).  The Fairfield County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated recently honored Patti LaBelle for her focus on health issues and her musical accomplishments.  Ms. LaBelle serves as the spokeswoman for the National Medical Association and the American Diabetes Association. A diabetic herself, she has been proactive in fighting the debilitating disease that claimed the lives of her mother and close friend, Luther Vandross. "I want to increase awareness of this terrible disease and help people understand that you can lead a productive life by managing your diabetes before it manages you," says Patti.

This tribute to Ms. LaBelle was presented at a sold-out gala fundraising affair at the Greenwich Hyatt Regency Hotel on November 11^th -- representing the second event for the benefit of the chapter’s health education campaign – “Your Link to Health.”    The highly successful benefit raised over $200,000 and The Links, Inc. awarded $15,000 checks (each) to the Southwestern Connecticut Urban League and the George Washington Carver Center.

The Eastern Region Area Director of The Links, Incorporated, Joyce Lowe, said, “This Chapter continues to raise the bar in community involvement and fundraising for their many public service projects”.    In her remarks to the audience, Fairfield County Links Chapter President, Deborah Elam, stated, “Our focus is matching community needs with corporate sponsors to support our community programs. Our support is not only financial but personal as we average over 1,500 community service hours each year. I am thrilled to work with such a great group of dedicated women.”

Charles Shepard, former President & CEO, Urban League of Southwestern Connecticut; Dana Davis Mitchell, Vice President, Fairfield County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated;  Valarie Shultz-Wilson, President & CEO, Urban League of Southwestern Connecticut;  Novelette Peterkin Campbell, Executive Director, The George Washington Carver Community Center; Diana Napier, President of the Board of Directors of The George Washington Carver Community Center; and Deborah Elam, President, Fairfield County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Photo Tag – (Links)

Shuana Tucker Simms, Chair, Links to Success: Children Achieving Excellence; Deborah Elam,  President of  the Fairfield County Chapter, The Links, Inc.;  Bernicestine Bailey, Eastern Area Technology Chair, The Links, Inc.; Ms. Patti LaBelle,  Joyce Lowe, Eastern Area Director of The Links, Inc.: Tonya Redding-Dennis and Carole Hall,  Co-chairs of  Fairfield County Chapter, The Links, Inc.,  Fundraising Gala.