Agency to auction celebrity handbags on eBay

Friends of Child Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that supports programs assisting sexually and severely physically abused children in Kane County, announced it has received donations from several Chicago radio personalities for its upcoming fundraiser, "Handbags Full of Hope."

Starting April 11 on eBay, Chicago radio listeners can bid on handbags donated by their favorite radio station personalities, including: Kathy Hart, "The Eric and Kathy Show" (MIX FM 101.9); Mel-T, "The Drex Morning Show" (Kiss FM 103.5); Melissa Foreman "Workday Mornings" (WLIT 93.9); Kathy O'Malley, "The Kathy and Judy Show" (WGN AM 720) and Julie Mann, "At Issue" (WBBM AM 780).

The online auction will run for two weeks on eBay, from April 11-24. Funds from the event will help Friends of Child Advocacy provide counseling, medical attention and other services to help sexually and severely physically abused children in Kane County. A 501(c) 3 organization, Friends of Child Advocacy is completely volunteer-based; all of the proceeds go directly to services for the children.

"April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the support we've received from these radio stations is truly commendable," stated Jenni Petty, the fundraiser's committee chairwoman. "Many of the DJ's are encouraging their fan base to bid on their bags, which is really going to help us raise funds for this great cause."

The auction will also feature celebrity donations from Tony Hawk, Danica Patrick, Supernanny Jo Frost, Charles Grodin, Greg Kinnear, Susan Sarandon and others. For a complete list of donations, photographs of the bags and details of the event, visit www.handbagsfullofhope.org.