Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor George Clooney during the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 5, 2006.
© Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
March 22, 2006 - This year's Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner,
George Clooney (
"Syriana"), could be starting a new trend. Clooney donated his Academy Awards Gift Bag to the United Way in support of their hurricane recovery efforts. The coveted bags are loaded with high-price items and Clooney's is sure to raise lots of money for the United Way.
The outspoken actor/producer/director is a member of the United Way's Board of Trustees. The gift bag will be auctioned off with the proceeds earmarked for that non-profit organization's Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund.
In a statement issued by the United Way, President and CEO of United Way of America Brian A Gallagher said, "George has been a generous supporter of United Way with both his talents, ideas and resources. And he is very concerned - as are we at United Way - that those in the Gulf Coast area are not forgotten. There is a long road ahead and much work to be done to rebuild the lives and communities throughout that area and we greatly appreciate George's leadership and generosity in keeping their needs in the forefront."
Clooney's donated goodie bag contains:
A hand-written note from George Clooney, thanking the highest bidder for his/her donation
Dooney and Bourke Croco Wheel Travel Bag designed exclusively for
Academy Award gift bag recipients
Frette cashmere leather trimmed travel blanket
Kay Unger vintage silk kimono
Tara cultured Tahitian pearl necklace
A two-night culinary escape at the luxurious Bernardus Lodge in Carmel, CA
A six-night stay in a luxurious suite at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts vacation package at one of three
destinations. Choose from spectacular mountain properties in Whistler or the Canadian Rockies, or opt for a sun soaked getaway at Mexico's hottest new destination, the Riviera Maya.
$500 Gift Certificate for Kol Bath & Body products by KolDesign, NYC
$500 Gift Certificate from SignatureDays.com, offering over 1,500
unique gift experiences, ranging from spine-tingling adventures to
belly dancing & gourmet cooking
60 GB Video iPod
JBL On Stage II(TM) loudspeaker dock for iPod
harman/kardon(R) drive+play iPod car integration system
Digital Lifestyles iPod cover
BlackBerry 8700c
Walk Styles Dash Track
Firefly mobile phone for mobile kids
Canon DC10 camcorder
Elph PowerShot SD30 camera
Selphy compact photo printer
Vonage broadband phone system
Two bottles of Manni olive oil
A bottle of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle champagne
Box of Moonstruck Chocolates
Box of Terry's Toffee
A bottle of Sterling Vineyards wine
A copy of "A Fine Romance" by president of MGM Darcie Denket
A Wellness Retreat for two at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in
Paradise Valley, AZ, that includes 3 nights/4 days lodging; dinner for
two; two 90-minute spa treatments; a private guided Fitness Hike and
complimentary fitness classes such as Yoga, Pilates, Cycling, and Belly
Dancing.
The auction began at midnight EST March 22 and will run through March 28, 2006 at 11:59pm EST at www.unitedway.org.
Edited on March 29th - The winner bid was $45,100.00. United Way reports the bidding was so hot and heavy during the final minutes that the auction was extended in five minute increments until no more bids were received.
Source: United Way
