PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 23, 2014) -  No More Tears, Inc. will be the beneficiary of the Silent Auction at the VC Taskforce 2014 Innovation Catalyst Award Gala, to be held November 13 at the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club. Founded by Bollywood actress Somy Ali, No More Tears is a not-for-profit organization that provides individualized assistance to human trafficking and domestic violence victims. Somy Ali, who will be at the Gala to raise awareness and garner support for the mission, will also receive an award for her outstanding contribution to the cause of abused women and children. 

Each year, the Innovation Catalyst Award (ICA) honoree selects the charity to be the recipient of a portion of the proceeds from the Silent Auction. This year's ICA honoree is TiE, The Indus Entrepreneurs. 

"We wanted to use this ceremony to draw attention to a cause that is very close to our heart and one often swept under the rug by our society as a whole. We picked Somy Ali as a recipient of this award for her unflinching, extreme dedication to the cause of serving women and children of domestic abuse," said Monika Raj, member of the ICA Gala Committee and TiE spokesperson. "Over the years, in her personal and professional capacity, I have seen Somy extend herself in a way impossible for most people. Her organization, home and heart is always open to helping anyone in need."

Somy Ali witnessed many injustices and violence growing up in Pakistan and during her teenage years while working as an actress in India. After finishing her education Somy registered No More Tears in 2006 to help victims of abuse that were brought to the U.S. from various countries around the world.

No More Tears expanded its mission in January of 2014 to work with children who have special needs that have come to the U.S. seeking medical treatment. No More Tears assists these families in obtaining visas, doing job searches, applying for food stamps, getting medical assistance for their children, enrolling in physical therapy classes, and many other services.

Other programs that have been implemented in 2014 include The No More Tears Scholarship Fund to help persons with a commitment to social justice obtain post-secondary education, Eye Surgeries for Children in Pakistan, assisting local police departments with the rescue of Human Trafficking victims, and taking a stand for LGBT rights.

In addition to numerous "one-of-a-kind experiences" and other items, this year's Silent Auction will feature 10 "priceless" items -- from silver jewelry to artwork made by victims saved by No More Tears.

Tickets for the 2014 ICA Gala are $250 per person or $450 for two tickets and include fine wines, exquisite hors d'oeuvres and dinner. Sponsorships are available at $25,000 (Chairman), $15,000 (Executive), $10,000 (Director), and from $7,500 to $4,000 (Tables).

Advance reservations are required. For information about the gala or a sponsorship, contact June Riley at june@vctaskforce.com. Gala tickets can be purchased on the website here.

About the Innovation Catalyst Award

VC Taskforce established the ICA in 2009 with the purpose of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions made by visionary leaders in the investment community. In 2013, VC Taskforce honored legendary female venture capitalist Ann Winblad, founding partner and managing director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners. The 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 honorees were the Draper Family, Reid Hoffman, Richard "Dick" Kramlich and Franklin "Pitch" Johnson, respectively.

About VC Taskforce

"Enhancing collaboration in the venture community"

Founded in 2001, VC Taskforce is an organization that provides forums for real-time information exchange and dialogue through a series of networking events, panels, keynote discussions, workshops and roundtable meetings conducted by investors and business and industry experts that support venture capitalists, institutional investors, angels, companies looking for funding and venture-backed company executives in managing their businesses for maximum success. Visionary thinking, uncensored questions and opinionated discussions around pressing issues that face members are hallmarks of events. Today, more than 17,000 members and participants have been actively involved in VC Taskforce. www.vctaskforce.com.