First Lady of Joffrey Ballet and Creator of the Peace One Earth Medallion to be Honored in Chicago for Helping Vets

Chicago, IL, September 11, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Patricia Kennedy, founder of www.StepUp4Vets.org, a 501(c)3 charity committed to rehabilitate returning Veterans and their families. Ms. Kennedy will be bestowed a lifetime achievement honor on September 13th in Chicago for her over 20 years of philanthropic service in dance and now for the urgent call to action supporting our returning troops as they reclaim and readjust to their civilian lives. She will join the ranks of Italian aristocracy as Ms. Kennedy will be awarded the title, "Dame of Merit with Star" in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George (a royal order under the House of Bourbon Two-Sicilies) The ceremony will be conducted by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George I, Archbishop of Chicago at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. Several Royals are expected to attend including their Highnesses Prince Carlos and Princess Camilla.

Recently, Kennedy decided to take her passion and expertise in philanthropy and fundraising to helping the cause of Veterans, founding Step Up 4 Vets (www.stepup4vets.org), with proceeds going to assist Veterans as they transition to civilian life. As a secondary means of fundraising, this year, Kennedy unveiled the Peace One Earth Medallion at a gala in Beverly Hills, with Wayne Newton receiving the first one on behalf of his work with the USO. The public can now buy similar Medallions, which Patricia herself designed, at www.peaceoneearth.com, with proceeds going to Step Up 4 Vets.

Patricia Kennedy is known as "The First Lady of the Joffrey Ballet," having raised millions of dollars to support one of the world's great ballet companies. Patricia is credited with saving the Joffrey, having produced with Joffrey co founder and Artistic Director Gerald Arpino, along with rock icon Prince, the landmark ballet "Billboards," in 1993. "Billboards" is considered to be the most successful ballet in recent times, and featured original music by Prince.

For more information on Patricia Kennedy, Step Up 4 Vets and the Peace One Earth Medallion, please contact Bernstein Entertainment @ 310-915-0404 or email dbernsteinpr@aol.com.

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