Charity Auction to Sell James Bond Memorabilia

According to Christie’s auctioneers, the most coveted attraction at an upcoming charity auction is the Aston Martin V12 DBS coupe used in the ‘Quantum of Solace’ James Bond film.

The invite-only auction, which will take place on October 5th, will benefit a British children’s charity called Barnardo’s amongst others. The 2008 Aston Martin is expected to sell for at least $160,000. Several other ‘Quantum of Solace’ items will also be available, including a pair of sunglasses worn by Daniel Craig in the movie, special editions of the Bond books by Ian Fleming, an Omega ‘Planet Ocean’ watch from ‘Skyfall’ and a blue swimsuit worn by Craig in ‘Casino Royale.’

Numerous items were donated by EON Productions, as well as Timothy Dalton, Aston Martin and Ian Fleming’s family. Another auction will be held online from September 28th through October 8th, according to Christie’s. Proceeds will support UNICEF.

Additional items from the online auction include a silk dress worn by Halle Berry in ‘Die Another Die’, a clapperboard and director’s chair from ‘Golden Eye’, a belt worn by Christopher Lee in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ and many others.

Win a Dinner with Ian Somerhalder

Some lucky person is soon going to be lunching with actor Ian Somerhalder. He just closed an auction as part of the charity appeal he’s created for his animal sanctuary. As part of his Ian Somerhalder Foundation, the rescue center helps abused animals, works on environmental issues and more.

As it describes at the website for the Ian Somerhalder Foundation,

“The global problems and challenges we are facing are infinitely interconnected and co-dependent, therefore our solutions and actions must be enacted in an interconnected manner. There are numerous causes, many campaigns and organizations aiming to encourage change, which includes ending deforestation, planting trees, eliminating pesticides and healing our planet. How many of these organizations or campaigns team up to become a united spirit of change?”

The auction at CharityBuzz.com ran until July 18th. Now, some lucky person will be able to have lunch in Atlanta, Georgia with the Vampire Diaries heart-throb.

As Somerhalder explained his motivation for the project, “There are too many animals that are abused, mistreated, and abandoned. They’ve been ostracised, they have behavioural issues, and they’re starving. It’s just unbelievable what we’ve done to the animals, and I think that’s why this is so important. I appreciate you and your generosity. I will try not to bore you to tears…”

“If we can give animals a home, we can also take the youth of our country and our world – kids who have behavioral issues, bullying other kids, and halting the progression of those around them – and bring them together to learn compassion from one another. If you have compassion for an animal, then you’ll ultimately have compassion for another human being.”

Redlands Symphony Dancing with the Stars Gala Raises $40,000 for Charity

The 27th annual Redlands Symphony Dancing with the Stars gala just drew to a close, with over 400 supporters participating in the charity auctions and numerous other activities. Organizers have shared that the event raised around $40, 000, which will be used to support the Redlands Symphony Orchestra’s music education programs, as well as the regular season.

“Music changes lives,” explained Paul V. Ideker, President and CEO of Redlands Symphony. “We put on professional concerts for kids to teach them all about music.”

He continued, “We have paid for school buses to bring in students to teach them about the beauty of music. Seeing children that respond to a full orchestra playing classical music is breathtaking.”

The gala, held this past Saturday night, began with two auctions; one silent and one live. A charity dinner and a ballroom dance contest were also highlights of the evening, both supporting the charity as well.

The auctions include items ranging from tires to restaurant gift cards, beauty and spa treatments and tickets to various events. There was a stay at the Mauna Kea Hotel in Hawaii; a trip to New York for two, including flights, hotel stays and several meals; a first class rail trip through Italy and tickets to a David Letterman show.

Dr. Jim Bennett, Cheryl Evans, Fire Chief Jeff Frzier, Kathy T. Maiberger, Shelli Stockton and Erik Laudenslager were all present at the Dancing with the Stars gala, much to their fans’ delight. The contestants’ families and friends all voted in the competition, donating one dollar per vote.

“In the last three years we’ve collected over $150,000 for the symphony’s causes,” Ideker revealed. “That’s just from the $1 votes.”

“It was a profitable night for music, kids and the Redlands Symphony,” said Dave VanLannen, a supporter. “It’s all about the kids.”

Charlize Theron Donates Gowns to Children Charity

Celebrities are teaming up once again to support children and the battle against AIDS in Africa.

One of the top participants, Charlize Theron, happens to have founded the benefitting organization, called the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Program, or CTAOP.

Theron will be donating some of her most expensive and sought-after gowns to an auction supporting the cause. The auction will take place via Charity Buzz, and the South African beauty will contribute dresses including the black Versace worn at the Spike Video Game Awards, as well as the purple Lanvin gown Theron wore at the Cannes Film Festival.

Other celebrity items to be included in the auction are a personal tour of Jay Leno’s car collection, as well as four tickets to a live “The Tonight Show” performance. There will be a Sixers jersey signed by Allen Iverson, and a raised organic bed by GreenTree Landscaping.

Since its inception, CTAOP has helped provide more than 50,000 children with education and health support.