Hallmark Cards, Inc. and actress Alison Sweeney (“Days of our Lives,” “The Biggest Loser”) recently hosted the Celebri-Tree Holiday Open House to support Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.
During the event at Sweeney’s Hollywood home, celebrity guests and their families personalized such items as Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, Recordable Cards, DVD Greetings and Hallmark’s new Recordable Storybook “The Night Before Christmas.” A selection of those personalized items are now available for purchase — just in time for Christmas — online at www.clothesoffourback.org; all proceeds will go directly to Feeding America. The online auction ends Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. CST.
“As a member of the Entertainment Council of Feeding America, I’m passionate about finding unique ways to help raise awareness and support for their cause. The opportunity to host this event with Hallmark couldn’t have been more perfect,” Sweeney said. “Anyone can join America’s fight against hunger by bidding on their favorite celebrity’s personalized holiday items from Hallmark.”
The Celebri-Tree Holiday Open House was a star-studded, family-friendly event on Saturday, Nov. 14. Celebrity guests included: Denise Richards, Lisa Rinna, Samantha Harris (“Dancing with the Stars”), Galen Gering (Rafe, “Days of our Lives”), Greg Vaughan (former Lucky, “General Hospital”), Nancy O'Dell (“Access Hollywood”), country artist Seven Williams (Whiskey Falls) and his wife, McKenzie Westmore (former Sheridan, “Passions”), Ali Vincent (season 5 winner of “The Biggest Loser”), and Jerry Penacoli (“Extra”). Although they couldn’t attend the event in person, other stars personalized items for the auction as well, including Clothes Off Our Back founder Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”), actors Cameron Mathison (Ryan, “All My Children”) and Austin Peck (former Brad, “As the World Turns”) and award-winning actress Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”; “The West Wing”). In addition, Sweeney took several of the Recordable Storybooks to the set of “Days of Our Lives” for the entire cast to sign.
“Hallmark wants to help fill the holidays with meaning by providing unique and personal ways to connect with loved ones,” said Deidre Mize, National Campaign Manager at Hallmark. “Through Hallmark’s Celebri-Tree Holiday Auction, not only will we help connect fans with their favorite celebrities through personalized holiday products, but we’ll also be generating much-needed awareness and support for the critical need of hunger relief in America, especially this time of the year.”
“We are so grateful to Alison Sweeney and Hallmark for their commitment and dedication to helping the 49 million Americans at risk of hunger this holiday season,” said Paula Greear, Feeding America Spokesperson.
Click here to view the items and make a bid.
