Apparently, “Conservationists at the International Bird Rescue Research Center and the Marine Mammal Center love Dawn^® because it helps them save wildlife by safely, gently removing oil from animals’ delicate feathers and skin. Since rescuers discovered the benefits of Dawn over 30 years ago, they’ve used thousands of donated bottles of dish soap in oil spill cleanups.”

I was actually going to post about Dawn’s new ad campaign, which I saw yesterday, showing anonymous hands washing oil-soaked otters and penguins with Dawn washing liquid. They must have found the cutest animals on the PLANET, definitely babies, since against my better nature I kinda did want to buy some specially-marked Dawn to support the International Bird Rescue Research Center and Marine Mammal Center who will be splitting the proceeds from this campaign.

Dawn is also running an “Everyday Wildlife Champion” sweepstakes, the prizes of which include $3,000 which can be used toward a trip to California where you can meet animal rescuers at the International Bird Rescue Research Center or the Marine Mammal Center and $1,000 which can be used toward an annual membership to your local zoo, a subscription to their favorite nature magazine and wildlife books and DVDs. But entering the sweepstakes requires no environmental thought, it turns out, only the input of your contact details and your response to survey questions about how important the mildness of soap is to you and how often you workout.

At the end of the day, Dawn is a Procter & Gamble product. And despite the fact that they were recently awarded the “Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for Designing Greener Chemicals”,  we’re still not happy about animal-friendly stars plugging P&G products. In Driver’s corner, however, is her past commitment to the Marine Mammal Center as well as Oceana, Surfrider, and her work in a seal protection PSA for the Humane Society.

Does P&G really think that it can sell itself as “saving wildlife” when the world knows they test on animals?

Annie Lennox

Here at Ecorazzi we give major props to celebs who work with Oxfam, including famous faces such as Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Kristin Davis, and Bill Nighy.  Earlier in the year we even had the chance to sit down with long-time Oxfam Ambassador, and new mother, Minnie Driver who explained to us just why she loves working with the organization so much.

I did a little research and was overwhelmed by the fact that more than 25 million people have died from AIDS since the disease first emerged in 1981, and 33 million people today are living with HIV. Furthermore, ninety percent of those infected live in poor countries and only three million individuals, or less than a third of those in need, have access to precious antiretroviral drugs.

To find out how you can get involved visit OxfamAmerica.org!

 - Minnie Driver discussing her pregnancy-induced “green” cravings. 

via: thisishullandeastriding.co.uk

Minnie Driver was out and about in Malibu on Saturday and made a stop at a Natural Food’s store with eco-bag in tow. The actress recently announced that she’s eating for two — so healthy food is on the agenda for at least the next five months. Ecorazzi’s Parrish recently had the opportunity to sit with Minnie and talk about her work with Oxfam International. You can scoop up that story here.

In perhaps the strangest contest news ever, FX is teaming up with eBay to launch The Riches Charity Auction, which runs from March 12-23. The winning package includes $100,000 and an opportunity to meet movie/pop star Minnie Driver. Now if you’ll remember, I had the chance to sit down with Minnie a few weeks ago, and you have my word that this chick is awesome!

The strange thing about the contest is that you’re bidding money to win money. I’ll say it again: you’re bidding money to win money. In fact, this is the first time in eBay’s history that visitors are able to do this.

All the proceeds from the winning bid (but not the 100,000 dollars FX is dishing out) will be donated to Oxfam America-a charity that Driver actively supports. Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice…and we here at Ecorazzi think they’re just swell!

Stephanie Gibbons, FX Executive Vice President of Marketing & On-Air Promotions, explains her rather backwards auction this way, “On The Riches it is all about the big score, but this show has heart. With this auction we’re able to tie in both themes, giving someone the chance to get the win money while making a difference. We couldn’t be more excited to work with eBay and see this auction come to fruition.”

This is cool, but wouldn’t it be cooler if the winner donated the $100,000 back to Oxfam? If you want to meet Minnie (I mean who doesn’t) and have a chance to win some cool loot, visit The Riches Charity Auction page and place your damn bet! Word to the wise: Minnie is taller than you think, so make sure you wear high shoes on your date!

Oxfam has just teamed up with eBay to help raise money for their world wide poverty relief effort by offering four charity auctions (each lasting 10 days) to get some one on one time with a few famous Oxfam Ambassadors. First up is chance to win a date with Colin Firth and attend a screening of his new movie, Mamma Mia.

The Colin Firth package (not to be confused with Colin Firth’s package) will include two VIP tickets to the world premiere of Mamma Mia, an invite to the after party, and of course chauffer service for the evening. Other upcoming celebrity auctions include: tickets to the New York premiere of The Sex and the City Movie and a chance to be Scarlett Johansson’s guest at the June premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You.

So take out a loan, borrow from your parents, or just rob a bank, and hightail it over to eBay to win a date with Colin and help out a super great charity. Oh and if you loose the Colin Firth bid, I highly recommend coming over to my auction where I too will be offering one lucky lady a date with me to attend: Parrish Sits On His Couch With Potato Chips and Cheap Wine While Watching Reruns of VH1’s Best Week Ever. Good luck bidders!

First off, let me say that before this event I wasn’t a fan or foe of The Body Shop. Quite honestly, it was only about a year ago (with my ex-gf’s relentless persistence) that I started washing my face with anything more than a plain old bar of soap. Today, I am gushing…practically falling on the floor with excitement over The Body Shop’s incredible line of products and even more incredible commitment to establishing global fair trade. These guys are the real deal!!

Not only can The Body Shop be proud to celebrate 21 years of paying their suppliers fair wages, but also for taking it a step further by helping to set up schools, health care and various other public programs in the indigent communities that support them. Graham Clewer, Head of Ethical Trade for The Body Shop told me, “It’s all about letting these people make choices in life. We’re gonna pay them what their due, but we’re also gonna help them develop in their community as well. It’s little small things about how you can do business differently. Anita Roddick (the late founder) used to call it, ‘doing business as unusual’ and 21 years later we’re still doing it, it’s bigger than ever, and it’s just the most fabulous thing to be involved with.”

Later in the evening we were treated to a short program with speakers like Cecilia Appianim (a Chanaian Community Trade supplier), a guest speaker from the UN, and last but not least, actress and Oxfam representative, Minnie Driver.

It’s important to note that I have a thing for British chicks, and even more of a thing for famous British chicks, and even more of a thing for famous British chicks that want to save the world. Well, Minnie is all three. Before I left the party, I had the opportunity to sit down with the star for a little one on one. What Minnie doesn’t know (well she does now…hi Minnie) is that this was my very first celebrity interview EVER and I was a total nervous wreck. Whether she could tell or not, Minnie was warm, gracious and intelligent and made me feel uber comfortable.

Click more below to continue reading the interview

Regarding her long relationship with Oxfam she said, “I just love them. I know this charity. I know they are consciences people who are intent on getting rid of poverty. And the people that I’ve met and worked with over the years are just exceptional human beings and they really do affect change.”

I asked her what in the world made her so darn charitable and she said, “ I like really seeing what you can do on a local level, which is why programs like the Body Shop Community Trade are so important. For me it isn’t just about being a celebrity-it’s about how do you directly affect change? How do you actually go and get your hands dirty? It doesn’t matter how small, if one person benefits then it was well worth it.”

Minnie is quite “green” and admitted, “I’ve off-set my car, because I was stuck in a lease I couldn’t get out of, so I’ve offset it by buying trees…which anyone can do.” She then recommended we all go to Global Green and buy trees that can offset “well just about everything.” With that, her “people” ushered us out and we made small talk in the elevator as my great evening came to a close.

As Ecorazzi readers, I know that you all care about the future of our world and the development of our society. And hopefully, apart from my occasional misspellings and lackluster understanding of English grammar, you believe me enough when I tell you to walk, run or bike to The Body Shop and buy your skin products from a company that you can really feel proud to support. To learn more about everything The Body Shop does, check out their website. Also, because Minnie was a gem I want to promote her new album, Seastories, which I will be buying right after this post.

My personal thanks to The Body Shop, Minnie Driver, and David Abrams from Cohn and Wolfe for making this whole evening possible. YOU GUYS FRIGIN ROCK!!!!