A Cause For Attention
Jail cells, frocks and nun capes? World Tour memorabilia hits home for local charities.
The costume changes, backup dancers and flashy lights have become an expected piece of the show that is Gwen Stefani. But two Orange County charities that look out for kids are feeling the glow post-tour.
At the wrap-up of her recent World Tour, the pale (once?) punk princess donated everything from set pieces to belt buckles to be auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Orangewood Children's Foundation and Children's Hospital of Orange County.
Two waves of auction materials featured Gwen’s costumes and the costumes of her harajuku girls and b-boys. Specified by song, the ska look from “Don’t Get it Twisted” could be acquired in several forms, along with jailhouse wear from “The Sweet Escape” - although without another winning bid for the jail cell itself, the clothes are missing just a little bit of stage glitter. Still, it’s all about spreading the wealth, and in this instance, Stefani has chosen two very deserving recipients.
www.orangewoodfoundation.orgThe Orangewood Children’s Foundation is a voice for the victims of child abuse, neglect and abandonment. At it’s beginning, the foundation raised the funds necessary to build what is known as the Orangewood Children’s Home, donating it back to the County on its completion. Located in the city of Orange, California, the home is Orange County's only emergency shelter for neglected and sexually, physically or emotionally abused children. The home provides refuge each year for about 2700 children who have been removed from their caretakers by police officers or child protective services workers and placed into protective custody.
With a mission to eliminate abuse and neglect in their area, the foundation promotes services that “encourage strong, healthy families and supportive communities.” Beyond shelter, the foundation’s focus is on the ongoing needs of children in the foster care system, providing support for activities, scholarships and other programs that battle the cycle of abuse.
The second charity chosen by Stefani is the award winning Children’s Hospital of Orange County, or <www.choc.org. The regional health system includes a main hospital facility, a hospital-within-a-hospital (CHOC at Mission), and five community clinics, plus over 100 additional programs and services. With admissions growing, CHOC and CHOC at Mission combine rank as the 16th busiest children’s hospital in the country.In the year 2005, over 200,000 children came through the doors for inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits - regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
Perhaps most notable is CHOC’s focus on family-centered care, “involving each patient and his or her parents or caregivers in all aspects of treatment and recovery… empowering families by involving them in decision-making processes while respecting their values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.”
Gwen Stefani’s video for “Wind it Up” has “G’s” everywhere – and the “G”key print costumes and autographed belt buckles on auction went for upwards of a G apiece. Bigger items, like a 12’ X 12’ light up “G” and a Swarovski crystal-covered romper were destined to bring in buyers as well, although I’m still trying to picture what adult sized “creepers” look like. Did Gwen Stefani really wear what I think she did?
Posted by Leen Morrissey on Apr 08, 2008 @ 12:00 am