The Survivor Foundation and the Knowles Family Give Hope to Couple Affected by Hurricane Ike
by Donating House of Deréon Media Center and Securing Services for Their Wedding

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Survivor Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Beyoncé, Tina and Mathew Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Solange Knowles, has stepped in to assist a couple devastated by the effects of Hurricane Ike. Two wedding facilities in the Houston area went bankrupt after the Hurricane Ike and left thousands of brides and grooms with nowhere to have their wedding. Due to the collapse of the Tuscan Villa venue, the couple, Nathan Rhodes and Ronda Lotter, were faced with having to cancel their wedding and the loss of thousands of dollars from deposits. The Survivor Foundation has donated the House of Deréon Media Center for Ronda and Nathan’s wedding and reception, which will be the first wedding ever held there.

“The Survivor Foundation was created to help individuals rise above devastating circumstances and natural disasters such as Hurricane Ike. When we saw this story we knew we could help this couple in their moment of crisis to still have their dream wedding,” said Tina Knowles, President and Director of the Survivor Foundation. Over the past few years, the Survivor Foundation has donated over two and a half million dollars just in the Houston area alone. Initiatives with The Knowles-Rowland Center, Temenos Place Apartments, St. John’s Church, Houston Habitat for Humanity, the Beyoncé World Tour Food Drives, Music World Cares, and Katrina Relief are just a few of the community efforts of the foundation with Beyoncé being the major contributor.

WHO: The Survivor Foundation, The Knowles Family, Wedding Party, Family and Friends of Nathan Rhodes and Ronda Lotter

WHAT: Wedding for Nathan Rhodes and Ronda Lotter

WHERE: House of Deréon Media Center at 2204 Hadley Street in Houston, TX.

WHEN: Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:30pm – 1:30am

In addition, the Survivor Foundation with the assistance of wedding consultant Gay Nowlin of Brides Houston (www.Brides.com) has located other companies who have also generously donated their services to help make this day special for the bride and groom. These vendors include:

Wedding Coordinator - For Your Memories – Summer Hutchens – www.summerforyourmemories.com

Linen/Décor: Elegant Beginnings, Jill Videl – www.elegantbeginningsinc.com

Catering: Bailey Conner Catering – Veronika Levine – www.baileyconnercatering.com; Beverages: Capital Beverage, Ceci Krammer – www.houstonbeverage.com

Videographer: Imagine Videos – Rolando Guajardo – www.imaginevideos.com

Alexander Wedding Films – Alex White – www.alexanderweddingfilms.com

Limo: Avanti Transportation, Michael – www.avantilimos.com

Make up: Kristi Gomez – Make Up Artist, Rice Village

More donations are needed to help pay for the remaining expenses; those interested in donating please contact The Survivor Foundation at (713) 289-5710.

Ronda and Nathan met October 6, 2005, at a karaoke event. Nathan was so smitten with Ronda he tried to impress her by singing “Piano Man” and it must have worked because they have been together ever since, and despite the setback from Hurricane Ike, with the help of a lot of caring and generous supporters, they are able to go forward with their dream wedding on October 10, 2008 at the House of Deréon!

www.rondaandnathan.com

About House of Deréon Media Center

Owned and operated by Music World Entertainment, House of Deréon Media Center (HODMC), a beautiful state of the art media and conference center, is one of the best kept secrets in Houston’s Midtown area. The eclectic special events venue is located in the magnificent art deco building, located at 2204 Crawford Street, four (4) blocks from The Toyota Center. HODMC is located inside the headquarters for the worldwide operation of Music World Entertainment (MWE), the management company of global phenomenon Destiny's Child (Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams), the highest selling girl group in the history of pop music.

While The House of Deréon Media Center has hosted dinners for Fortune 500 Companies and performances by Grammy award winning superstars, like Beyoncé, John Legend, Destiny's Child, and other artists like Lyfe Jennings and Estelle, it is also a spectacular setting for weddings, fundraisers, parties, conferences and other private events. HODMC is a 4,300 square foot venue, which can host intimate parties or festive outdoor events. It is a state of the art venue with premium lighting and sound system, plasma screens, VIP area, stage, and much more. For more information, please view www.houseofdereonmediacenter.com, and for corporate rental rates and availability, contact Director Natalie Jones, (Tel. 713-289-5710) natalie.jones@musicworldent.com

ABOUT THE SURVIVOR FOUNDATION:

The Survivor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization designed to assist persons displaced whose lives have been affected by disasters, natural or otherwise. The Survivor Foundation, a family charity supported by Beyoncé, Mathew and Tina Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Solange Knowles, also helps people in need, providing assistance to children and to those suffering from AIDS and homelessness.

To learn more, please visit www.thesurvivorfoundation.com.