Posted: July 16, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
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Paula Abdul, the national spokeswoman for PAWS, will donate funds to that group as well as Guide Dogs of America and the Petco Foundation. |
"American Idol" judge
Paula Abdul is conducting an online auction of thousands of her articles of designer clothing to benefit the American Humane Association’s Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) program, Guide Dogs of America and the Petco Foundation. Launched June 29, the auction is being conducted in cooperation with Auction Cause, a business that helps raise money for various causes using eBay.
Abdul is the national spokesperson for the PAWS program, which works with domestic violence shelters to allow women to take their pets with them to the shelters to keep them safe as they make a major life change.
“The PAWS program is a critical way of providing a transition for abused women and children into a safer and better life,” Abdul said in a press release. “I feel privileged to be involved with this extremely important and necessary program.”
The Petco Foundation promotes a wide variety of educational and charitable activities nationwide by partnering with approximately 5,700 local animal welfare organizations.
The auction includes items designed by Dolce and Gabbana, Pucci, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood and Zac Posen, among others. Some are brand new; others were worn at red-carpet events, on "American Idol" or at other public appearances. Each item won in the auction will come with a thank-you letter hand signed by Abdul.
“These clothes have been a joy to wear, but it’s an even greater joy to pass them on and help a great cause at the same time,” Abdul said.
The auction will be ongoing at Abdul’s eBay store for the next few months, with new items added regularly. Abdul will be donating 10 percent of the proceeds from the auction to PAWS and will make donations to the other two charities privately.