Brad Pitt’s Foundation is Raising Funds on eBay to Build Houses in New Orleans

NEW YORK—Dozens of modern, energy-efficient homes are being constructed throughout the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. The sustainable designs are the work of the Make it Right Foundation, the organization founded by Brad Pitt to help rebuild the community and provide affordable, safe housing to working families that lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.

To help raise funds to continue construction, the foundation is holding a celebrity auction on eBay which is already underway and ends on Feb. 15. A pop-up gallery at the Chelsea Market is exhibiting many of the items up for bid through Monday. The unique experiences and one-of-a-kind celebrity donations will appeal to music and sports fans, foodies, movie buffs and the fashion crowd.

The auction features 38 lots. Selected items include: Red carpet gowns worn by Charlize Theron and Paula Patton; Kanye West’s iPod loaded with his favorite music; Dinner for eight at Mario Batali’s Del Posto restaurant; “ER” scrubs signed by George Clooney and the show’s original cast; Scripts signed by Blake Lively (“Gossip Girl”), John Stewart (“The Daily Show”) and Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson (“We Bought a Zoo”); a day at the office with fashion stylist Rachel Zoe; guitars signed by Katy Perry and Bruno Mars; Ryan Gosling’s signed satin jacket from the movie “Drive”; tickets to a Coldplay concert; Sarah Jessica Parker’s shoes; and the chance to meet Chris Paul and attend a L.A. Clippers and Hornets basketball game in New Orleans.

So far, the opportunity for four people to meet Alec Baldwin on the set of “30 Rock” and watch a taping of the show has attracted the highest bid.

The proceeds benefit the Make it Right Foundation, which is also working with communities in other parts of the country to provide affordable, energy-efficient homes for seniors, low-income families and disabled veterans.

The Chelsea Market pop-up gallery is open from Feb. 9 to 12, and the Ebay auction runs from Feb. 8-15, 2012.

All photos by Arts Observer


From left, Paula Patton’s Carolina Herrera dress worn to the 2010 Oscars where her film “Precious” was nominated and the Bottega Veneta gown Charlize Theron wore to the 2005 Toronto Film Festival where her film “North Country” premiered (detail shown at top of page).


A pre-release private screening for 20 people of “Breaking Dawn Part II,” part of the Twilight movie series is up for auction.


The “Breaking Dawn Part II” private screening will be held in New York or Los Angeles on Nov. 15, 2012, and includes an introduction by a cast member.


Kanye West’s iPod loaded with his favorite music and engraved with a personal message to the winning bidder.


From left, Ryan Gosling’s signed satin jacket from the movie “Drive” and Sarah Jessica Parker’s shoes.


Sarah Jessica Parker donated and signed her Versace sandals and Miu Miu pumps.


A chance to meet Chris Paul and attend a L.A. Clippers and Hornets basketball game in New Orleans is up for bid.


Visitors can bid on items at bank of Apple computers in the pop-up gallery.


From left, an acoustic Baby Taylor guitar signed by Katy Perry and a Fender Stratocaster guitar autographed by Bruno Mars.


Detail of a Fender Stratocaster guitar is autographed by Bruno Mars.

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