Chico's FAS, Inc. Supports Shelter Luncheon,
Helping Mend Broken Hearts

Naples, FL – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is pleased to announce Chico's FAS, Inc. as the Title Sponsor of nonprofit organization's 2007 Mending Broken Hearts with Hope Luncheon, taking place on Friday, February 9, at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, and featuring former international news correspondent and Court TV News Anchor Ashleigh Banfield.

"Last year we were all moved deeply as Chico's CEO Scott Edmonds shared his family's personal experience with intimate partner abuse and how that has translated into a corporate philosophy and business practice that empowers women," details Shelter CEO Kathy Herrmann Catino. "We're thrilled to have Chico's join us once again as Title Sponsor of our signature luncheon event.

Collection boxes placed at local businesses provide a convenient means for busy Neapolitans to recycle cell phones and chargers. The majority of phones recycled are reprogrammed and given to women and children who are in danger, allowing them to make emergency 911 calls only. The Shelter also works with partners that properly recycle collected phones and, in return, make a cash contribution to the organization.

The 2007 Mending Broken Hearts with Hope Luncheon, presented by the Guild of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, takes place at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, and begins at 11:15 a.m. with a reception and silent auction. This year's featured speaker is Emmy recognized correspondent and current co-host of Banfield & Ford: Courtside (Court TV News) Ashleigh Banfield.

Known as 'the girl in the glasses', Banfield is perhaps most noted for her live coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, as well as follow-up stories that took her to Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, England, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

"Chico's Charities is honored and privileged to be the Title Sponsor for the 2007 Mending Broken Hearts with Hope Luncheon," explains Chico's Director, Corporate Relations Cole Peacock. "The Shelter for Abused Women & Children does a phenomenal job of empowering and encouraging women. We are very proud to be partners with the Shelter."

Chico's FAS, Inc. is a specialty retailer of private label, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items. The Company operates 847 women's specialty stores, including stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico operating under the Chico's, White House | Black Market, Soma by Chico's and Fitigues names. The Company owns 525 Chico's front-line stores, 32 Chico's outlet stores, 224 White House | Black Market front-line stores, 12 White House | Black Market outlet stores, 31 Soma by Chico's stores, 9 Fitigues front-line stores and 1 Fitigues outlet store; franchisees own and operate 13 Chico's stores. To learn more about Chico's FAS, Inc., please visit www.chicos.com.

Tickets for the 7th annual Mending Broken Hearts with Hope Luncheon are $250 per person; $1,000 Patron; $3,500 Table Patron. Raffle tickets are $35 each, or four for $100. Sponsorship opportunities are available. To participate in this event, please call 239-775-3862.

* Banfield & Ford: Courtside airs weekdays from 1-3 p.m. ET on Court TV News, Comcast Channel 40 (65/21)

For more information about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Options Thrift Shop, as well as programs and services, please call 239-775-3862, or visit the Shelter’s website at www.naplesshelter.org.

Media Contacts:
Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211
Tracy Southers, tracy@wordplayinc.com, 239-936-1903