http://u.dailynews.com/go...ssip03.asp

By News Wire Services

Add Jimmy Smits, Patti LaBelle and Destiny's Child to the list of stars who've committed to Sheila E.'s An Evening with Angels: A Celebrity Event to Raise Funds for Abused & Abandoned Children, taking place tonight at Burbank's Center Staging Studio.

"It's been so overwhelming . . . I've been crying on and off because of the response," says the renowned percussionist.

The project is an extremely poignant labor of love for her because of the abuse she suffered as a child.

"I was raped at the age of 5," she says. "It took me a long time to even talk about it. As time went on, and God revealed to me why I was the way I was, I figured out it all stemmed from having had my childhood taken away from me. Music was my way of getting through it."

Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Lil' Angel Bunny Foundation, the nonprofit organization Sheila founded with the aim of building a center that will bring music, education, counseling and other services to disadvantaged children.

Sheryl Crow, Yolanda Adams, Coolio, Sheila and the Escovedo family will also be doing their thing at An Evening of Angels, being hosted by Everybody Loves Raymond's Alex Meneses.

[Thanks to NPGen2002 for also sending this in -Ben]

Thats wild, I didn't know Sheila E was raped as a child. I love me some Sheila.

On another note Coolio should be left out of the event cause that fool be stealing chicken out of Popeye's a 3 piece dinner to be exact. I know first hand about that.

what's one common thread many of Prince's former associates have? Love of God. Blessed be them all
peace^

its sad that 2 kids should suffer traumatic childhoods and yet that should result in those 2 people turning to music and producing 2 truly talented musicians in Prince and Sheila E ,some good came out of the bad I guess...

I read this story yesterday. What a wonderful organization.
Sheila you must have a heart of gold...Thank you for thinking beyond yourself.

goldnigga2000 said:

nice to see ya back.

"I was raped at the age of 5,"
Oh my, I diden´t knew that.

.
[This message was edited Fri Apr 19 8:09:59 PDT 2002 by luvy]

Sheila has always been my favorite Prince protege.
I've always thought that they should have stayed together.

Hello Goldnigga
I know we had some discussions in the past, but it´s good to see you back. I just hope all the old orgers come back too.
Peace
Gustavo

Just thought i would let everyone know that Wendy and Lisa were also on hand to give Sheila support. Sheila is a truely dedicated person and believes in helping kids in need! www.lilangelbunny.com

Dedication is the key to fulfilling a dream... We would like to thank the officers and Board members whom with their efforts have made our dream come alive.

OFFICERS
Lynn Mabry Co-Chair
Paul Glass CFO
Doris Hostetler Secretary


FOUNDING DONORS

Oprah Winfrey
Tom Hanks
Rita Wilson
Prince
Johnny Caswell
Dr. Beverly Crawford
Ben Corsetti, Sr.



Big hearts in the entertainment industry. Thank you Sheila and all the rest for helping our children become survivors instead of victims.

Much Love to all

people who know heaven support heavenly causes
much love 2 all

Wow, how sad:( It truly is a sad and deplorable world we live in.

Smooches;)

great to know some people are doing things to help others, God knows this world needs all the help it can get....

blessings, kim--

yes,it is truly a sad world we live in,when poor innocent children lose their childhood to these sick individuals who go after them.god bless you sheila,you've done alot for the good of society.Revolution,i agree with you,sheila is also my favorite protogee and i would have liked to see her stay with prince,too.