Spend time with Billy Crystal, visit the wonderful city of Johannesburg, spend 7 nights in a Villa at Seven Canyons in Arizona, and win front row seats as the Yankees play the Red Sox on July 4th… Going once, going twice, sold—for a worthy cause. Jim Cramer, from TheStreet.com and Mad Money, wants you to raise your paddle (or click your mouse) to raise extra money for charity.

Each week, Jim Cramer handpicks the hottest high-profile items on the charity auction block and lists them here on Cramer's Charity Picks. He gives you the 411 on the goods so you can get in on the bidding action at silent and live (also known as “outloud”) charity auctions. Oftentimes, these phone and email bids may be placed in advance of the event. As a frequent amateur auctioneer, Cramer welcomes these kinds of bids and eagerly pursues them as a way to use the power of the internet to raise more money for charity.

Make your next big ticket purchase a donation for charity. Be sure to check back on MainStreet often to see more hot items up for bid.

If your charity is having an auction please contact us and we will be happy to list your items.

Charity begins on MainStreet.

June 10: “7 night stay in a villa at Seven Canyons” for The Riverside Park Fund
Broadway, TV, and film star Brian Stokes Mitchell will be performing the guests during “A Cabaret Evening In Riverside Park.” Cocktails, dinner, and a private auction are held to help raise money for Riverside Park during the 11th annual benefit fundraiser. One of the hot items that you can bid on is a 7 night stay in a villa at Seven Canyons, a gorgeous resort in Sedona, Arizona. More items are available to bid online and during the event itself.
Location/Time: 6/10/08 6:30 p.m. West 79th Street Boat Basin Café, NYC.
Opening Bid: $1,000
To Bid Online: Click Here. Online bidding will end June 19th.
Tickets: There are various levels starting with Oak Tree: $300 up to Sycamore Circle Tape: $1000, which includes first-tier stage side seating for dinner and the performance for 10 people.
For More Information: Please contact Sabrina at sabrina@riversideparkfund.org.
Proceeds Benefit: The Riverside Park Fund that strives to preserve the parks well being, historic nature, and help maintain the park with all of its physical needs.


June 16: “Name A Character In Anna Quindlen’s Next Book” for The Barnard College Scholarship Program
For the third year in a row, Barnard College alum Anna Quindlen offers the opportunity to big on the opportunaity to name a character in her forthcoming book. Note that Quindlen’s last book—with a character named by a past winner—went number one on the bestseller list. This item is just one of many fabulous ones being offered during the live auction—there’s a silent auction, too!—at the “Barnard: A Night On The Town” gala event.
DATE/LOCATION: 6/16/08 6:00 p.m. Pier Sixty At Chelsea Piers, NYC
TICKETS: Individual Tickets start at $250. Levels range up to Platinum for $100,000, which includes support tuition, room and board to two students for one year and 2 VIP tables for 10.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO INQUIRE ABOUT BIDDING: Contact barnardgala@gmail.com, 646-414-7262. Please visit the Barnard website.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Barnard College Scholarship Progam. More than half of Barnard’s students are recipients of financial aid. Your support allows us to educate strong, capable, confident women who make a real differentce in the world.

June 16: “Two Front Row Seats To The Yankees /Red Sox game on July 4th” for The Jorge Posada Foundation
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will be the Master of Ceremonies during the 7th Annual Heroes of Hope Gala honoring George Steinbrenner III. During this event Kat de Luna will perform to entertain the guests while they browse the items up for auction. Our favorite is two front row seats to the Yankees /Red Sox game on July 4th. Another highlight of the event will be the auction where you can bid to win an experience with Billy Crystal. What better way to celebrate Independence Day then watching a baseball game of these two rivals?
DATE/LOCATION: 6/16/08 6:30 p.m. The event will take place The Pierre located in New York.
For More Information: Please contact 646-264-2764 or visit the Jorge Posada Charity website and ChariytBuzz
Proceeds Benefit: Families with children affected by Craniosynostosis, a birth defect that causes abnormally shaped skulls.

June 19: “Four Dugout Tickets To A Yankees Game Of Your Choice” for The Children’s Hearing Institute
These front row prize tickets are among the items being silent auctioned off at the “Martini Under the Stars” evening event for young professionals.
Date/Location: 6/19/08 6:00 p.m. Time Warner Center, 51st Floor Terrace, NYC.
TICKETS: Individual tickets are $125 in advance, $!50 at the door..
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO INQUIRE ABOUT BIDDING: Contact Melissa Willis at mwillis@nyee.edu, 646-438-7858. Please visit the website.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: The Institute’s campaign to support educational programs, treatment, and clinical research at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary’s Cochlear Implant/Hearing & Learning Center.


And Don’t Forget These Great Items We Mentioned Last Time:

June 14: “Golf With NFL Stars” For City of Dallas Municipal Animal Shelter and Metroplex Animal Coalition
Bid on a golf outing with Preston Pearson and Ed "Too Tall" Jones at a prestigious golf club in Dallas and an autographed authentic Dallas Cowboy football signed by 25 players including the Landry Era at Paws in the City’s Top Hat & Tails benefit. This fundraising gala will welcome 700-1,000 Dallasites to live, silent and online auctions, a sit down dinner, dancing, cocktails and spectacular star-studded show and celebrity dance contest. Hosted by Dallas Cowboy legend Preston Pearson, the event will pair local celebrities with Arthur Murray dance instructors. Dance performances will be judged by technical and celebrity judges, including NFL running back Tony Dorsett and health and fitness expert Larry Nort.
DATE/LOCATION: 6/14/08 6:30 p.m., The Garden Court at the Hotel Intercontinental, Dallas, T.X.
TICKETS: Individual tickets $100, tables $1,250, sponsorship $500.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit or contact info@pawsinthecity.org.
The online auction begins June 1.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Paws in the City’s animal rescue foster program for the City of Dallas Municipal Animal Shelter and Metroplex Animal Coalition’s free spay/neuter program for low income families.

June 21: “A Pronghorn Club Vacation” For Group For The East End
Win first-class round-trip airfare to the exclusive Pronghorn Club in Bend, Oregon to stay in a private residence club and golf the Nicklaus course. Bid on this exclusive package and more at the Group for the East End’s 21st Annual Environment benefit. Held on the grounds of the breathtaking Wolffer Estate Vineyard in the heart of the Hamptons, the Summer Solstice Celebration features cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner, dancing and a spectacular live auction.
DATE/LOCATION: 06/21/08 6:30 p.m., Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack, NY.
TICKETS: Individual tickets $450-$1,250, Tables $5,000-$50,000.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit here or contact jessicas@eventassociatesinc.com.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Group for the East End, a not-for-profit environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the environment, rural character and quality of life across the East End through public advocacy and public education.


June 25: “Tony Soprano Wardrobe” for The Wounded Warrior Project
Actor James Gandolfini is selling 25 complete outfits from the award-winning HBO series—all in the name of charity. Highlights among the Tony Soprano wardrobe recall the character’s most recognizable styles, as demonstrated by the short sleeve button down blue shirt worn in the opening credits of every show (estimate: $2,000-3,000) and a tan cotton bathrobe with lavender trim and an embroidered letter ‘S’ on the breast pocket, which was worn in the pilot episode when Tony is fetching the morning paper and feeding ducks in the pool (estimate: $1,000-1,500). Gandolfini's wardrobe, many with the original production tags attached, is expected to bring a total of $24,700 to $36,500. The auctioneer says some of the costumes could go for as little as $500. The sale is part of the Pop Culture auction which includes items from Hollywood, NASA, rock ’n’ roll, and American history. The Tony Soprano clothes only make up 25 of the more than 300+ lots for sale (but the money for the Wounded Warrior Project only comes from the Tony Soprano clothes).
DATE/LOCATION: 06/25/08, 10:00 a.m., Christie’s 20 Rockefeller Galleries, NYC.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Christies
If you can’t make it in person note that you must register in advance—by June 23—to bid online. (Bidding is live, even for online.) You can also bid via phone or by absentee bid. To do any of those please contact Christie’s bid department, 212-636-2437. To view the lots online, click here, or for a catalogue call 1-800-395-6300. You can see them person at Christie’s starting June 20 at 12:00 p.m.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: The Wounded Warrior Project, a Florida-based group which assists severely wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.


June 30: “Foursomes at Exclusive Westchester Golf Clubs” For The New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation
Tee off at the 24th Annual Arthritis Foundation Golf Classic at the prestigious Whippoorwill Club and bid on golf vacations and packages for novices and pros alike. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by a brunch at 10:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner, an awards reception, and auction.
DATE/LOCATION: 6/30/08 10 a.m. Whippoorwill Club, Armonk, N.Y.
TICKETS: Individual $700, $125 for awards/dinner reception only.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit here, contact 212-984-8709 or arudden@arthritis.org.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: The New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation which seeks to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis throughout the five boroughs and surrounding counties, supports arthritis research and provides professional and public educational opportunities about arthritis.

Auctions Passed:

June 5: “Create A Positive Change In Africa (And Catch The World Cup!)” for The African Leadership Foundation
Are you interested in creating positive change in Africa? Would you
like to visit Africa? The African Leadership Foundation is auctioning a
fantastic package: two 2 roundtrip ticket to Johannesburg, including a
two night stay at the Dean of the African Leadership Academy’s home,
tickets to the first African Leadership Academy graduation, and 2
tickets to the 2010 World Cup Match. This is a not to miss item that is
only available through the African Leadership Foundation.
Location/Time: The event will take place New York’s Prince George Ballroom and begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Each ticket is $100. Included in each ticket are
complimentary drinks and light appetizers and the opportunity to meet 2
students from the African Leadership Academy.
For More Information: Contact Julie Unger at 650-400-9524. Please visit the African Leadership Foundation website
Proceeds Benefit: The African Leadership Academy, an
organization that hopes to create lasting peace in Africa by creating
future African leaders.

June 6: “South American Adventure” For Alzheimer's Association and the HBA Building Fund
Enjoy three nights at the four-star Hyatt resort in San Paulo, Brazil.
Then head to Mendoza, Argentina to spend three nights at The Park Hyatt
Hotel Casino & Spa,ranked by Travel+Leisure as one of the Top 500
Hotels in the World. Finally, head to Chile and spent three nights at
the five-star Grand Hyatt Santiago, a distinguished member of Conde
Nast's 2007 Gold List. Round-trip airfare from the U.S. and between Sao
Paulo and Mendoza, and Mendoza to Santiago is also included.
ESTIMATED VALUE: $15,376
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bid here. PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Cedar Rapids Home Builders Association, in order to support the Alzheimer's Association and the HBA Building Fund.

June 7: “Charity Art Auction at Deshuk Rivers Arts in Bridgehampton”
for The Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Auctioneer Allan Newman will lead bidders through a remarkable line-up
of works by over 40 local Hamptons artists. The highlight will be the
photograph “Members Of The Seattle Tubing Society In Full Float,” taken
in 1953, which is one of the last signed pieces by the late Burt Glinn,
a photographer who has captured the likes of Fidel Castro, JFK, Marilyn
Monroe, Andy Warhol, and Sammy Davis Jr. Glinn is known for his
signature fingerprint which is on this item, too! There are only fifty
copies of this black & white photograph. The evening, put on by Vox
Hamptons magazine, will begin with previews and a cocktail reception,
followed by the live auction.
OPENING BID: $3,500.
DATE/LOCATION: 6/7/08 Previews begin at 6 p.m. and the live
auction will begin at 8 p.m. The event will take place at Deshuk Rivers
Arts, 141 Maple Avenue, Bridgehampton, N.Y.
TICKETS: Free.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO INQUIRE ABOUT BIDDING: Contact Dana Zimmerman, dzimmerman@voxhamptons.com, 631-267-5400.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: The Cody Center for Autism and Development
Disabilities at Long Island’s Stony Brook University. Founded in 2001,
the mission of the Center is to promote excellence in clinical
treatment, research, community service and educational programs
benefiting children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related
developmental disabilities