Artists Create "Bids-4-Kids" on eBay to Benefit Hole in the Wall Camps

New Haven, CT, July 06, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Art often imitates life.  This July, however, hundreds of self-representing artists from across the United States and Canada will use art to help enhance the lives of hundreds of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

From July 15-25, 2005, independent artists with original works listed within eBay's Self-Representing Artists category (http://art.ebay.com) will join together and participate in an effort called Bids-4-Kids.  The benefit will raise funds to support  the Hole in the Wall Camps (HITWC). (www.holeinthewallcamps.org) HITWC are year-round camps for children with serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions.  Each time a participating artist sells a piece during the benefit, proceeds from the sale - ranging from 10 to 100 percent - will be donated to HITWC's art programs.

Bids-4-Kids was conceived by a group of successful artists - many of whom are eBay PowerSellers - who want to showcase original art on eBay, while contributing to a charitable cause.  Because many artists who sell works on eBay have close ties with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, interest in participating in this grassroots fundraising effort was immediate and immense.  Within 48 hours of the program's announcement through message board posts, nearly 250 artists joined the effort.  Today, more than 500 have volunteered to participate in the benefit.

"Participating in this charity auction is a fabulous opportunity to meet new friends, share my art and help bring joy to the lives of these children." said Marge Litvinskas, Committee for Bids-4-Kids member.

HITWC is the dream of actor Paul Newman, who founded the first camp in Ashford Ct in 1988. To date, nearly 100,000 children worldwide have attended Hole in the Wall Camps and programs free of charge in California, Connecticut, New York, Florida, North Carolina, France, England, Ireland, Israel (opening in 2006), and programs in Africa.

HITWC's mission is to provide a community that fosters camaraderie, joy and a renewed sense of being for children with serious illnesses. HITWC provide magical camp experiences for children with conditions such as cancer, hemophilia, Crohn's & Colitis, sickle cell anemia and HIV/AIDS.  Each camp has a state-of-the-art medical facility that allows children to "kickback, relax, raise a little hell and just be kids," to quote our founder, without compromising any of their medical needs.  

In addition to arts and crafts, children at HITWC participate in swimming, horseback riding, ropes courses, theater, outdoor camping, fishing and skiing (NY).

"This grassroots effort is an incredible display of generosity.  We're fortunate to welcome new supporters to our Camp family," said Stocky Clark, Executive Director of HITWC.

The self-representing art community is a fast growing segment within eBay. Thousands of artists list and sell original artwork on the site. eBay will also be making donations to the HITWC benefit through eBay Gving Works (http://givingworks.ebay.com) the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay.  For each artist who donates 100 percent of their final sale price on a successful listing to HITWC, eBay will donate the Insertion and Final Value fees associated with that listing to the charity.  For more information on the auction, visit (http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/bids-4-kids)

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