(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 12, 2001 ) Billy Crystal, Cindy Crawford, Alex Rodriguez, Vivica A. Fox, Martin Scorsese, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jason Sehorn, Angie Harmon and LL Cool J are some of the celebrities who have joined the list of top stars who have contributed handmade, patriotic items and artwork to "Helping Hands II: Handmade in America," an online celebrity auction designed to benefit the September 11th relief efforts and to raise awareness of online giving opportunities during the holiday season. This initiative is kicking off with a special sneak peak at the artwork December 12 at the Folk Art Museum in New York City. "Helping Hands II: Handmade in America" is sponsored by AOL Time Warner, the world's first Internet-powered media and communications company and its subsidiary, America Online, Inc.

More than 40 celebrities have donated handmade crafts and objects reflecting their interpretation of the American spirit, which will be featured as of today, December 12th, in a special holiday catalog on Shop@AOL, the Company's popular online shopping destination, and offered for auction through eBay, the world's online marketplace. Throughout the holiday season, new works will debut in the catalog at AOL Keyword: Handmade in America or at http://www.aol.com/shopping, allowing fans to bid on and buy art work from their favorite celebrities.

These new stars join the ranks of dozens of other celebrity participants -- such as Britney Spears, Michael Douglas, Dan Marino, Heidi Klum, Mark Wahlberg, James Gandolfini, Halle Berry, Marcia Gay Harden, Muhammad Ali, Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette - who have also contributed items to the auction. The latest celebrity handicrafts that will be offered for auction include:

A set of blue handprints with a message of "Peace" in multicolored beads by Cindy Crawford.
A painting of Mike Wazowski from the movie Monsters, Inc. by Billy Crystal
Martin Scorsese and his 2-year-old daughter, Francesca, send a message of peace with a picture of a dove.
A signed bat used in a post-season game against the Yankees by heavy hitter Alex Rodriguez.
Tod Williams and Billy Tsien, the Architects of the Museum of Folk Art, create a silver sculpture "spill" from the casting of the facade of their latest work.
The celebrities taking place in this year's auction have also included personal quotes detailing the inspiration behind their pieces as well as the meaning they hope their craft imparts. Some of these inspirational notes include:
"Love, beauty and hope for America were our inspiration."
-- David and Courtney Arquette, on their Candlelight Tribute painting.
"After actually seeing the disaster area, I could truly appreciate the brave men and women who had to go through such an event - as well as the tireless volunteers! Their bravery and hard work inspired my piece."
-- Jessica Biel, star of 7th Heaven, on her Collage of Ground Zero photographs.
"The inspiration for my piece was remembering the important things - a night with friends, laughing, cutting up magazines to make something pretty together."
--Sopranos star Edie Falco on her colorful collage bursting with bubbles and light.
"In the aftermath of the September 11th attack, the heroism, faith and goodness that defined New York City's people inspired me. Then, across the nation and around the world, as help poured in, my belief in the basic goodness and love inherent in humanity was confirmed. I wanted to acknowledge this human spirit."
--Oscar-winner, Marcia Gay Harden on her sterling silver charm bracelet filled with the people and landmarks of New York City.
"My inspiration came from my son Michael with the hope of a bright future in a great city."
--James Gandolfini of The Sopranos on his Spirit of New York "Apple" painting.
The "Helping Hands II" online catalog will also offer convenient links to NetworkforGood.org, a comprehensive new online ePhilanthropy portal created to make it easier for people to donate, volunteer and speak out on the issues they care about while helping charities strengthen their connections with a broader audience. This easy-to-use, one-stop online resource offers visitors the opportunity to make donations to over 850,000 nonprofits across the U.S., including the September 11th charities, to learn about volunteer opportunities in their own communities or to find a way to speak out on the issues that they care about the most.
About AOL Time Warner

AOL Time Warner (NYSE: AOL) is the world's first Internet-powered media and communications company, whose industry-leading businesses include interactive services, cable systems, publishing, music, TV networks and film and entertainment.

About America Online, Inc. America Online, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

Editor's Note: JPEGs of artwork and a complete list of participating celebrities are available upon request.

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Produced for AOL Time Warner

Contact: Suzy Berkowitz
America Online
212-484-7228

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