PRESS RELEASE

Dallas - September 27, 2010 - Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas (CCCS of Greater Dallas), a non-profit provider of credit and housing counseling and financial education, announces its first annual Purses with a Purpose fundraising event from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Samuel Lynne Galleries, located at 1105 Dragon Street in Dallas.

"Good Morning America" Consumer Correspondent Elisabeth Leamy will serve as the guest speaker for the evening, with WFAA's Gloria Campos as honorary chair and mistress of ceremonies. Event proceeds will support financial literacy programs for low- to moderate-income women, such as those in shelters and job reentry programs, who have limited access to resources.

Leamy released her second book, "SAVE BIG: Cut Your Top 5 Costs and Save Thousands" earlier this year, which shows readers how to save thousands of dollars at a time on their house, car, credit, groceries and healthcare. In addition to serving as consumer correspondent for ABC's "Good Morning America," Elisabeth Leamy also reports for "World News" and "Nightline," and writes a weekly column for ABCNews.com. Since joining "Good Morning America" in 2005, Leamy has investigated a wide range of topics for the morning program and is known for her dedication to educating consumers. Leamy has received 13 Emmy Awards and four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. Her first book, "The Savvy Consumer," was published in 2004.

"I'm happy to support CCCS of Greater Dallas," Leamy said. "As I confess in my book, I used to have credit card debt myself, so I know the value CCCS provides with a caring, competent team that gets people's finances back on track. The work they do is so important - especially now - and I'm delighted to play a part in helping CCCS of Greater Dallas assist women striving for financial independence."

Additionally, Leamy will join consumer finance experts Alfreda Norman, community affairs officer for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Pamela Yip, finance writer for the Dallas Morning News; and Todd Mark, vice president of education for CCCS of Greater Dallas, for a financial education panel from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 27. The discussion is open to the public and will be held in The Oak Corner Room at the Center for Community Cooperation, located at 2900 Live Oak Street in Dallas. Topics will include the importance of financial literacy and helping consumers survive the recession. Leamy will sign books at the fundraising and financial panel events.

"We are excited to invite the community to play a part in the role of increasing financial literacy among women," said Todd Mark, vice president of education for CCCS of Greater Dallas. "With help from Elisabeth and the local financial experts, we can share our agency's mission and educate the public on the need for increased financial literacy in our own backyard."

For information on Purses with a Purpose event sponsorship and attendance, contact Sharon King, CCCS of Greater Dallas vice president of development, at 214-540-6813 or sking@cccs.net, or visit www.cccs.net/education/pwap.asp.

About Elisabeth Leamy/SAVE BIG
Leamy appears on "Good Morning America" several times a week, digging up new ways to save money, alerting people to dangerous products and giving a heads up about scams and rip-offs. Leamy also reports for "World News" "Nightline" and "20/20" and writes a weekly column for ABCNews.com. Leamy has received 13 Emmy Awards and four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. SAVE BIG is her second book. To read free sample chapters and tap into free savings resources, please visit www.elisabethleamy.com.

About CCCS of Greater Dallas
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, Inc. is a nonprofit, community based credit counseling and debt management service. Established in 1974, CCCS of Greater Dallas and its affiliate offices provide financial education and counseling to consumers in-person, by phone, or Internet at more than 20 locations in four states. CCCS of Greater Dallas is a HUD-approved housing counseling multi-state organization and serves as one of seven counseling agencies supporting the 888-995-HOPE Hotline. The agency is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation's largest and longest serving national non-profit credit counseling network. To learn more about CCCS of Greater Dallas' free seminars or the agency's services www.cccs.net.