NEW YORK, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 750 industry leaders came out to support Kids In Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers' annual fundraising gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Wednesday night, surpassing both the attendance and fundraising targets and bringing in a total of $1.15 million. At a time where many charitable events have fallen short of fundraising goals, industry leaders persevered and recognized the outstanding philanthropic efforts of this year's honorees: John Daly, President ofTrade Finance, CIT Group, received the Fashion Has a Heart Award; Gary Simmons, CEO of Gerber Childrenswear LLC, a leading maker of infant and toddler apparel and related products, received the K.I.D.S. Lifetime Achievement Award; Andrew Hall, President and CEO of Stage Stores, a national department store chain, was honored with the Retailer Award; and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, was honored with the Humanitarian Award.

"Apparel and home furnishing companies have been extraordinarily generous in their donations, even in the face of this economic climate. The humanitarian need to help out those less fortunate is the driving force behind Fashion Delivers' commitment and is clearly represented by the charitable efforts of our donors," said Fashion Delivers Board Chairman Allan Ellinger.

The financial and retail industries have dealt with endless blows of depressing news this year, but the mood at the gala offered some much needed relief to the guests. Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys New York, was engaging and witty as the event's host, delighting guests with his endless humour and insights on the fashion industry. Abby Cadabby, the energetic and enthusiastic fairy-in-training from Sesame Street, also provided some light hearted moments during the evening's program. She surprised guests, adding some fun to Sesame Workshop President and CEO Gary E. Knell's award acceptance.

"Our organization's mission is to help families in need meet the challenges they face every day, and the money raised at this event supports our ability to fulfill that mission," said K.I.D.S. Board Chairman Peter Rosenthal. "This event is testimony to the strong sense of corporate social responsibility that defines the industries attending the gala. We are deeply grateful to them."

K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers help fight the consequences of poverty by giving lives new hope, stronger self-esteem and a brighter future. The two charities solicit excess new merchandise from industries that make and market children's, adult and home furnishings products. Approximately $62 million of donated goods are distributed annually through a network of more than 1,000 community charities serving the poor and disadvantaged throughout the U.S. Working together, K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers help more than 4 million children, their families and other individuals in need each year. The relationship provides donor companies with a meaningful way of giving back to society through excess products or clothing. By securing donations of both child and adult products, whole families in economic distress can be better served.

K.I.D.S. is a twenty-four year old charity of leading retailers, manufacturers, and licensors of children's and youth products committed to helping improve the lives of children and their families who are ill, living in poverty, or are the victims of natural disasters. Fashion Delivers is a four year old nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide products from all parts of the fashion and related industries to victims of natural disasters and those in need. Fashion Delivers and K.I.D.S. work with a network of local agencies to distribute products quickly and directly to recipients. For more information about the K.I.D.S., visit http://www.KIDSdonations.org; more information about Fashion Delivers is online at http://www.FashionDelivers.org.