Children’s Charity Partners with Clothes Off Our Back on Celebrity Online Auction

April 23, 2010 - PRLog -- (LOS ANGELES, CA)— Hillsides, a Los Angeles children’s charity, partners with Clothes Off Our Back on Foster Soles, an online auction of celebrity autographed shoes and photographs. Held during Foster Care Awareness Month in May, the online auction raises awareness of foster care statistics and issues affecting children and youth in the system.
"Our goal from the start has been to raise funds for a variety of causes," said Michel Schneider, Executive Director Clothes Off Our Back.  "It's our pleasure to host Hillsides' auction and bring their event to our supporters."
The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, www.clothesoffourback.org, hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle," "Raising the Bar") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends, the charity has helped improve the lives of children across the globe.
Celebrities taking off their soles to bring awareness of foster care children in America include: Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Kimmel, Elton John and his band, Billy Joel, Larry King, Ryan Seacrest, USA Network’s cast of “Burn Notice:” Jeffrey Donovan, Bruce Campbell, Gabrielle Anwar, and Coby Bell, Billy Zane, Dave Koz, Jack Johnson, Jamie Kennedy, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Drew Pinsky, “Dancing with the Stars” performers, Wayne Newton, Adam Sandler, Florence Henderson, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, and many more.
“This event is a great opportunity to reach out to the entertainment industry and let them know that there is a way they can help many vulnerable children and families in crisis during tough times in their lives,” said Joseph M. Costa, the charity’s chief executive officer. “Hillsides Foster Soles will enable Hillsides to offer children in need the extras they deserve during their residence at our 17-acre campus while educating the community about foster care issues.”
With more than 500,000 children in foster care and nearly 30,000 children in Los Angeles receiving child welfare services, Hillsides Foster Soles takes steps to lighten the load of children living at the Los Angeles children’s charity that serves foster care children and vulnerable youth.
The Los Angeles kickoff event to launch the auction will be hosted, once again, by Bar Celona in Pasadena on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Online auction runs May 4th through May 20th. Any one can bid for the shoes at www.clothesoffourback.org/hillsidesfostersoles.
Guests who bid on May 4 will get a chance to vie for celebrity shoes with online visitors until the auction’s closing date, May 20. The event is open to the public. Admission is $25 if tickets are purchased online at www.Hillsides.org or $35 at the door. Bar Celona is located at 46 E. Colorado Blvd in Old Town Pasadena.
Hillsides Foster Soles 2009 was awarded national winner of the PR News Non-Profit PR Awards in “Event PR,” a finalist in “PR on a Shoestring,” and Best of Pasadena, from Pasadena Magazine.
To learn more about the foster care children’s charity or “Foster Soles,” visit www.Hillsides.org or call Carrie Espinoza at 323-255-9005.

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Pasadena charity founded in 1913, Hillsides creates safe places for children in foster care living in its residential and community treatment centers preventing the cycle of abuse for children at risk and their families. Visit www.hillsides.org