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Every celebrity seems to have a favorite cause (or ten) these days. You practically need a high-tech database—or at least a big Excel spreadsheet—to keep track. So I was pretty excited when I discovered a site specifically devoted to charity auctions with a celebrity or entertainment connection.
CharityBuzz is an online charity auction company specializing in one-of-a-kind and/or celebrity-related experiences. Most of the auctions involve TV, movie or music stars. And though it may cost you a pretty penny, CharityBuzz is a place where you can feel good about picking up a super-cool gift for that special girl or boy.
There's an auction where the winner gets to meet Selena Gomez at the concert of his or her choice. Other current items that would thrill kids or teens include the chance to be a ball boy (or girl) at a NY Knicks game, dinner with the cast of Glee, a personalized gift bag of goodies from Twilight's Rachelle Lefevre, and—for the aspiring pop music star—a 30-minute meeting where you can pitch your talents and perform three songs for music legend Clive Davis. Proceeds from the auctions go to do-gooders like UNICEF, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation and the Migdal Ohr orphanage in Israel.
There were even recent auctions for Jonas Brothers meet-and-greets and Teen Vogue tours, and the proceeds went to charities like Giant Steps School and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. (Personally, I'm deciding whether I want to stroll down Wisteria Lane during a visit to the set of Desperate Housewives or chat with Detective Benson while touring the set of Law & Order: SVU.)
I've been to my share of so-called "celebrity auctions" where the offerings amounted to a few 8x10's with a pre-printed autograph. So I was a bit skeptical when I heard about CharityBuzz. But I was pleasantly surprised.
It allows you to be charitable and star struck all at once. Even better: nobody can ever tease you about watching "mindless TV" again. Hey, it's research for your next charity cause!
