A Wave Of Charity Auctions Hit The Web

The surf’s up for those interested in celebrity internet auctions this week, with three major auctions being run for good causes.

First up is a selection of exclusive tickets to the fifth annual Kokua Festival to be held in Honolulu on April 19. The sold-out concert will feature performances by Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews, and proceeds will go to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation – an organization founded by Johnson and his wife, Kim, that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii. The funds raised from the Kokua Festival will be used to further support school recycling on Oahu and sponsor field trips to provide students with opportunities and experiences that will enhance their appreciation of the environment.

The two pairs of tickets are available through the Dave Matthews Band website for another four days. Other acts expected to appear at the gig include Tim Reynolds, Paula Fuga, and Brushfire Record’s latest signing, Mason Jennings.

Another auction budding bidders must be quick to get to is raising money for Sense, the UK’s largest organization for children and adults who are both deaf and blind.

The auction features a selection of clothing donated by some of Britain’s biggest stars, including Ewan McGregor, Shirley Bassey, Helen Mirren, and Harry Potter stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. There is also a Versace jacket signed by Kevin Spacey up for grabs, as well as a bra signed by former Page 3 girl Samantha Fox.

“When Sense asked me to give them the clothes of my back – I was only too happy to hand over my bra,” said Fox. “These clothes are a charity auction with a difference. All the money raised from the celebrity items in store will raise vital funds for deafblind people, helping them to lead independent lives.”

Sense was founded in 1955, and is passionate about changing the lives of those affected by deafblindness and advocating for them to be accepted into the community. The auction can be accessed through eBay Giving Works, but the opportunity ends in the next few days.

Finally today, fans of the FX Network’s hit series The Riches will be excited to hear that season two of the show begins on March 18. But what may excite them even more is the new auction being run in conjunction with the premiere.

As well as a selection of awesome items up for auction – including lunch and a photo opportunity with The Riches star Minnie Driver, authentic props from the set, tickets to FX premieres, and a swag of autographed posters, DVDs, and scripts – the big drawcard is the chance to win $100,000 just by bidding.

“On The Riches it is all about the big score, but this show has heart,” said Stephanie Gibbons of the FX Network. “With this auction we’re able to tie in both themes, giving someone the chance to get the win money while making a difference. We couldn’t be more excited to work with eBay and see this auction come to fruition.”

All of the proceeds will go to Oxfam America, and the auction can be accessed through eBay. Bidding opens on March 13 and runs until March 23.