The Vera Wang bordeaux silk taffeta gown worn to the Oscars this year by actress Keira Knightley, ("Pride and Prejudice,") and donated to Oxfam, is currently being auctioned on eBay but only through noon ET on Monday, May 1. All proceeds will support Oxfam's life-saving work in East Africa
The dress, which has been on exhibit in New York City at the Vera Wang flagship store on Madison Avenue since April 19, will be on view until the end of the auction on May 1.
"This is such an amazing dress and I am really pleased to be able to donate it to Oxfam," said Knightley. "I have seen the TV reports on the horrendous drought in East Africa and I know how desperate things have become, so I am happy to be able to do something to help."
"Keira represents the essence of youth, intelligence and beauty -- she is a young woman with a conscience. I am thrilled this gown can support such an important cause," says Vera Wang.
The dress will be online for bidding beginning at 12 Noon (ET) on April 21, and ending at 12 Noon (ET) on May 1. All proceeds will go to Oxfam's East Africa Food crisis appeal. With $10,000, Oxfam could provide food for 500 children for 30 days. To bid for a piece of Oscar fashion history, see: www.OscarDress4Oxfam.org.
"Millions of people across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania are at risk of starvation in one of the harshest droughts the region has ever faced," said Paul Smith-Lomas, Oxfam's director for East Africa.
"Young children are those most at risk, and there are already reports of child deaths as a result of malnutrition. Oxfam is helping over 500,000 people - carrying out food distributions, providing water, and offering livelihoods support.
"Donations like this will help to fund this vital work. We hope the public will get behind this auction so that it is a great success."
People can also support Oxfam's work by donating online at www.oxfamamerica.org.
About Oxfam:
Oxfam America is a non-profit organization that works to end global poverty through saving lives, strengthening communities, and campaigning for change.
For more information, visit: www.oxfamamerica.org.
About Oxfam's programs in East Africa:
In Ethiopia, Oxfam is distributing water and food for both herders and livestock in Borena zone and Somali region, while also paying herders to improve ponds and other water-collection systems.
In Kenya, Oxfam has been responding to the crisis for many months, providing extra food, water, and cash to more than 250,000 people in the worst-affected areas of Turkana and Wajir.
In Somalia, Oxfam is trucking water to communities in the southern districts and repairing boreholes to keep them functioning until the rainy season begins.
In Tanzania, Oxfam is distributing seed to 20,000 households and is planning to deliver food, veterinary services, and an expanded school feeding program.