‘RHONY’ Star Dorinda Medley Co-Hosts Holiday Charity Event In The Fight Against Human Trafficking

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York star Dorinda Medley co-hosted a holiday party with Celebrity Page TV at Bagatelle, a restaurant in New York City, which honored celebrities giving back.

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The event featured a silent auction in support of the two-year-old, anti-trafficking non-profit Beauty for Freedom, in which 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the organization. Auction items included packages from Philippe Chow, Damiani NY, Lela Rose, Dr. Mike Apa, Violet Grey, Charlotte Tilbury, Pierre Michel Salon, Lulu Frost, Carole Radziwill, ABC’s The View, ABC’s Live with Kelly Ripa, Victorine Essences, artist Tim Okamura, The Ocean Club, kWIT Jewelry, Tracie Martyn, Madame Paulette, Bistro Chat Noir, Too Faced Cosmetics, Tom Ford Cosmetics, Sonja Morgan New York, Sisley Skincare, and Dorinda Medley herself.

“I’m so proud to be here. It’s a great cause to raise money for,” Dorinda told her guests, before noting that she owed quite a lot to her “partner” John Mahdessian in helping to organize the event. “I couldn’t have done it without him, really.”

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Beauty for Freedom founders Amer Nassar, MD, Nancy Qsorio-Batista, and Ford Model Monica Watkins, describe the non-profit as an “innovative, sustainable platform” that provides the industries of “beauty, entertainment and fashion with a means to raise awareness, accountability, and financial contributions for charitable foundations and non-profits who fight human trafficking globally through public campaigns, workshops, and fundraising events.”

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH), 5,357 calls have been made in New York alone since 2007, resulting in 1,521 cases and 1,744 victims. So far, 262 human trafficking cases have been reported in New York this year; 194 were reported as sex trafficking cases.

The NHTH lists the following as potential indicators in most trafficking cases:

• Unable to come and go from work or home as he or she wishes
• Works excessively long or unusual hours
• Exhibits anxious or fearful behavior
• Lacks medical care and/or is denied medical services from employer
• Avoids eye contact
• Appears malnourished
• Lacks control of his/her money, including financial records and bank accounts

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“There is nothing worse than a young woman or girl being ripped from her family and ‘sold’ into human slavery ending her quality of life,” Dorinda told Celebrity Page TV. “We must end this globally and I hope my small amount of notoriety can help end this huge epidemic.”

Celebrity Page TV filmed the event as a part of its “Giving Issue,” in which 12 of the most giving celebrities are honored. According to a press release, the segment will include interviews with celebrities Dorinda Medley, Carole Radziwill, Richard Kind, 8ky of LMFAO, and others, on the importance of giving back, their favorite charities, and ways viewers can donate.

Dorinda was named as one of the show’s most giving celebrities of the year and will be featured on the December cover of Celebrity Page magazine.

Among glasses of LaCroix sparkling water and bottles of Blanc de Bleu provided by Bronco Wine Company, guests were greeted with holiday-themed hors d’oeuvres, pastries, and festive music. Deep Eddy Vodka also had a hand in sponsoring the bar, serving attendees with unique, holiday-themed cocktails including: Dorinda’s Dirty (Martini), made with classic Deep Eddy Vodka dirty martini, a touch of vermouth olive essence and olives; the Classic “Snow Cold” Martini, consisting of classic Deep Eddy Vodka, a touch of vermouth, olives or a twist; a Christmas Cranberry Cosmo, made with Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka, a splash of Cointreau, cranberry juice, and a lime; the Merry Cranberry Spritzer, made with Deep Eddy Vodka, Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka, pineapple juice, and a splash of lime topped with sparkling Santa’s Fizz; and finally, the Santa’s Fizz, chilled sparkling Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka floater.

[Featured Image by Rob Rich/Society Allure]