Hollywood Helps South Florida Children

Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteer committee member, Allison Hill, owner of Baby Alexandra children’s store in Palm Beach Gardens, partnered with Julie Barger, owner of Morfs Brand Clothing to create an innovative pre-gala event to benefit the South Florida Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation by enticing Hollywood moms and other celebrities to participate.

Allison Hill & Julie Barger went to Hollywood to ask celebrity moms to donate their personal clothing that would be transformed into new children’s outfits ranging in sizes from infant to 6X. The idea was simple, ask other moms to help with their name and clout to make this pre-gala online auction exciting and star-studded. The clothing will be auctioned online beginning January 14th. It serves as a pre-gala fundraising event leading up to the Bootlegger’s Ball on February 11, 2006 at the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach.

To date Courteney Cox Arquette, Katie Couric, Brooke Shields, Sharon Stone, Tea Leoni, Andie MacDowell and Wendie Mallick of “Just Shoot Me” fame have already sent clothing along with autographed photos and cards that will be enclosed with the items purchased online. Additionally, blockbuster star Leonardo DiCaprio and NASCAR legends Kyle Petty & Richard Petty have agreed to participate.

Each item of clothing will carry the name of the celebrity attached to the garment. Brooke Shields sent an apron with her name embroidered on it and Courteney Cox Arquette autographed the inside of one of the garments she sent along.

“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of these busy celebrities who will truly make a difference in the lives of these children & families living with life-threatening medical conditions. It was a designer’s dream to work with their gorgeous fabrics,” said Julie Barger, Morfs Owner & Designer.

“The popularity of these celebrities combined with the adorable outfits Julie designed should create a wonderful bidding war on the garments at auction. I’m confident we will raise enough money to grant many wishes,” said Allison Hill, Baby Alexandra owner.

To bid on the children’s wear items visit www.babyalexandra.com. Details on the auction will be located on the home page and notices will be sent to all babyalexandra.com registered users prior to the event with a link. The auction also guarantees 10% of the profits will aid children of the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast states.

Baby Alexandra is located at 4550 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Telephone 561-626-4466.

About uBid, Inc.
uBid operates an online marketplace located at www.ubid.com offering new, close-out, overstock and refurbished merchandise to both consumers and businesses through a trusted auction style and fixed price format. The company provides consumers the opportunity to bid on or buy a wide variety of popular, brand name products at significant discounts. uBid’s unique platform enables only certified suppliers and manufacturers a more efficient and economical channel for maximizing revenue of their surplus merchandise. uBid offers consumers a trusted buying environment, eliminating potential fraud by certifying all its merchants and processing 100% of all transactions between buyers and sellers. Founded in 1997, uBid’s predecessor completed an initial public offering in December 1998 and was subsequently acquired by CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI) in April 2000. In April 2003, uBid became a majority-owned subsidiary of the Petters Group Worldwide, LLC. In December, 2005 uBid completed a capital raise of $45 million and re-entered the public market via a merger with Cape Coastal Trading Corporation. Both CMGI and Petters Group Worldwide remain shareholders in the surviving public entity.

About Morfs
Morfs is a 5-year old business founded and based in Lynchburg, Virginia. Owner/designer Julie Barger’s creative eye unites dupioni silks, crushed velvets, tweeds, plaids and more with embroidered treasures and retro-inspired fabrics on a canvas of denim. The result is a unique piece of art that inspires even the smallest tot. Featured in the August 2003 issue of Earnshaws in its article, “Seven Companies with a Conscience,” Morfs is a label that is founded upon high standards of style, quality and commitment.

About Baby Alexandra
Baby Alexandra is an upscale children’s boutique located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Known for their superior commitment to service, customers love the exclusive, fashionable merchandise within a creative, inviting atmosphere. The product offering includes furniture, bedding, décor accessories, clothing, gifts and baby gear from renowned and emerging designers from around the world. Owner Allison Hill and her staff are well-known for designing the most dazzling nurseries & children’s rooms in Palm Beach.

CONTACT:
Anthony Priore
Chief Marketing Officer
Tel: 773-272- 4446
Fax: 773-272-4055
tpriore@ubid.com