Larry King, Donny and Marie Osmond, and Leeza Gibbons Join Paul Mitchell The School Danbury - Connecticut to Raise Funds and Awareness

Online, April 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Over 10,000 Future Professionals joined Winn Claybaugh and co-hosts Robert Cromeans and Stephanie Kocielski for nationwide conference calls to launch the Paul Mitchell Schools' 2010 FUNraising Campaign. Special guests Leeza Gibbons, Larry King, Donny and Marie Osmond, John Paul DeJoria, and Angus Mitchell introduced this year's supported organizations, which include the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, Food 4 Africa, and the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation.

Each year, Paul Mitchell Future Professionals spend the months of February through April raising money and awareness for charitable causes close to their hearts. The schools' efforts over the last six years raised nearly $3.4 million via cut-a-thons, charitable fashion shows, and a host of other hands-on, grassroots "FUNraisers." This year, the network's goal is $1.2 million.
As in past years, the top 20 FUNraising schools will win an artist or educator in their school for a day. This year, the top 10 Future Professionals who raise the most money in pledges and donations will be flown to Southern California to attend the Magic of Memories Dinner.

For some, this year's campaign really hits close to home. "My husband Randy and I are so excited about partnering with Donny and Marie Osmond for the FUNraising campaign," said Sharida Burkholder, owner/director of Paul Mitchell The School - Indianapolis. "Our first baby girl was born with a rare birth defect and flown to a Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Randy and I give yearly to this wonderful organization that gave us the opportunity to spend at least three days with
Danielle before she passed away. We can't wait to support this cause that is dear to our hearts."
"Life's tough, and a lot of people go through really difficult times and challenges," Marie Osmond said on the call. "When you are in service to somebody else, when you get out of your own sorrow and help somebody else, there is nothing that makes you feel better."

About Paul Mitchell Schools:

At Paul Mitchell Schools, our teaching style is unique. We believe that education is an adventure and that the learning experience needs to be fun. When visitors tour a Paul Mitchell School, they notice something different-a positive learning environment everywhere they look. The culture within every Paul Mitchell School campus inspires confidence and success. Each school is a learning community that provides future professionals with the opportunities to develop essential skills while exploring their talents, passion, and creativity. Paul Mitchell School instructors-we them call them "learning leaders"-are trained to draw out the artist in every student and prepare them to compete in the real world. Rather than concentrate only on the basic training needed to pass state licensing board exams, Paul Mitchell Schools provide a well-rounded lifestyle education. Our experienced staff members are specially trained to help future professionals explore all of their creative and professional possibilities.

Through our annual three-month fundraising campaign, Paul Mitchell Schools have raised and donated millions of dollars in support of many charitable causes. We've built two homes with Habitat for Humanity, fed thousands of African orphans, and supported the victims of AIDS, breast cancer, homelessness, abuse, and hundreds of other causes.

About the Supported Organizations:

THE LARRY KING CARDIAC FOUNDATION provides funding for lifesaving treatment for individuals who, due to limited means or no insurance, would otherwise be unable to receive the treatment and care they so desperately need.

THE LEEZA GIBBONS MEMORY FOUNDATION educates, empowers, and energizes caregivers impacted by chronic illness by creating unique programming, providing universal access to resources, and fostering evidence-based behavioral research to elevate the national consciousness of caregiving. Leeza's Place is the signature program of the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.

CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK creates miracles by funding medical care, research, and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year. Countless individuals, organizations, and media partners unite with the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities.

FOOD 4 AFRICA strives to supply at least one vitamin- and mineral-enriched meal each day to the children of South Africa, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic has left countless numbers of orphaned children and more than a million preschool children do not receive sufficient food.

THE ANDREW GOMEZ DREAM FOUNDATION helps disadvantaged or hard-hit cosmetologists and cosmetology-related enterprises. Funds have provided educational opportunities, hurricane relief, and support in the fights against breast cancer, domestic violence, and other destroyers of self-esteem.

For more information, contact Paul Mitchell The School Danbury - Connecticut at http://school.paulmitchell.edu/danbury-ct/ or find your local school at http://www.paulmitchell.edu