Giving the Clothes Off Our Backs

What could be more philanthropic than giving someone the clothes off your back? Well, I'm not actually suggesting you do this. But some celebrities are doing just that for charity.

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire and autographed memorabilia which are auctioned to the public with proceeds benefiting children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. Over 500 celebrities and 200 designers have participated in Clothes Off Our Back auctions since its inception in 2002, helping raise nearly $3 million for various children's charities.

You should definitely check out Clothes Off Our Back's current auctions which end on March 11, 2009 (5pm PST). You could own the Tadashi Shoji gown that Carrie Underwood ("American Idol") wore during her televised performance at the Conde Nast Media Group Presents 2007 Movie Rocks. The floor-length black/nude evening gown with silk georgette tiered bodice and hand stitched tull on lace skirt (size 2) is quite the old Hollywood glamorous stunner. But if you're not planning to attend a ball or walk down a red carpet anytime soon, you could also own one of many less formal and party perfect little black dresses donated by celebrities like Julianne Moore's YSL wrap-styled, multi-tiered, short-sleeve dress with a plunging neckline (size 4) or Sharon Stone's Fendi knee-length, sheer, sleeveless dress (size 6). Opening bid for dresses are $100 with a reserve bid requirement.

My only disappointment is that most of us are not all size 6 or under like these celebrities. But don't fret. There are other interesting one-size fits all products for auction; for example, an autographed bottle of wine from the Little Black Dress wines collection, signed by Gavin Rossdale or Ne-Yo has current high bids of $100 and $50.

Proceeds from auctions held between June 2008 and May 2009 will benefit Feeding America (formerly named America's Second Harvest - the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization), The Art of Elysium (which enriches the lives of artist and critically ill children), H.E.L.P. Malawi (spreading hope, education, love and protection to the children in Malawi) and Hope North (helps displaced children in Uganda find a new home: education, recreation, vocational training and communal living).

I just learned about Hope North. In northern Uganda, tens of thousands of children have been abducted to serve as soldiers in a brutal civil war. Okello Sam, the founder of Hope North, is a well-known Ugandan dance and theater artist whose family was directly affected by the war. He and his brother Godfrey were abducted, and Godfrey was eventually killed by rebels. The war has made orphans and refugees of many others, with 1.6 million Ugandans forced into overcrowded camps. Doctors Without Borders named the conflict in northern Uganda one of the top ten most underreported humanitarian tragedies. Hope North’s 40-acre campus was created to give education, vocational training, community and hope to some of these young victims, while preserving their Acholi heritage.

Whether your motivated as a celebrity fan, coveting a new-to-you designer little black dress, or compelled to help one of these great children's charities... you can just simply make a bid at Clothes Off Our Back and satisfy all three!