Binki Shapiro's Crafts For A Cause Celebrity Auction A Sweeping Success

Online, April 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Just two months ago, Los Angeles's Binki Shapiro, a multi-instrumentalist and singer in pop band Little Joy, posted the first item on her Crafts For A Cause blog - a pair of autographed ballet slippers worn by Natalie Portman while filming the upcoming Darren Aronofsky film, "Black Swan." And the donations kept pouring in. Musician Devandra Banhart says, "I gave to various organizations after the earthquake struck, but still felt i needed to do something more personal than putting money in a paypal account. Around this time, Binki began gathering the phalanx of artists that made up Crafts for a Cause."

Moved by her sister's personal stories of volunteering in Port-Au-Prince immediately after the earthquake struck in January, Binki built the auction around a heartfelt responsibility to help on a larger scale than she could accomplish alone. Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes explains, "...she obviously cares deeply about the cause. We were really happy to contribute to the greater whole that she's responsible for. Not in a self-righteous way, but in a "why would we say no" way."

Others joined in to create an impressive list of contributors including Drew Barrymore, Milla Jovovich, The Strokes, Cat Power, Bright Eyes, Ed Droste, Christina Aguilera, Tegan and Sara, the cast of Parks and Recreation, Spike Jonze, Maroon 5, Jenny Lewis, Rodarte, No Doubt, Mark Ronson, Norah Jones and many more.

The auction's proceeds, totaling $39,481.00, have gone to Academy Award winning director Paul Haggis's foundation Artists For Peace and Justice. "Binki saw the tragedy in Haiti and didn't just feel sorrow or pity or send a few bucks, she did something. She created Crafts For A Cause without consulting us or anyone else...and raised a bunch of money to help our work of building schools and feeding children in the slums," says Mr. Haggis, "she is the kind of person I want to be when I grow up."

Binki is busily shipping the winning bidders their very special items and still reeling from two months of what turned into a major fundraiser. Like all the artists involved, Shirley Manson of Garbage was honored and eager to participate in Binki's effort : "This auction shows just how much one person can do to help others by simply deciding to take action. I admire Binki's stance and am grateful for her efforts as will, I am sure, the people of Haiti who continue to need our help in rebuilding their lives."

Binki plans to keep Crafts For A Cause active, already working on an April event - a New York art show with musician Adam Green (details soon to be released).