Have You Ever Played Dominoes For Charity Wearing A Fur Coat?
 Friday, February 22nd, 2008

The always beautiful, almost stoic Charlize Theron at
last night's Hollywood Domino event.


A cheerful Kate Hudson in silky ivory.


Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Rumer Willis...wait a minute.
Is Demi's coat real fur?!?!


Images via CelebUtopia

A bevy of generous beauties turned out for the first ever "Hollywood Domino Tournament," in which Swiss watch brand de GRISOGONO kindly offered a $50,000 custom watch for the charity of the winner in the tricky tile game.  Why are Swiss companies so cool?  I wish the weather there wasn't, or I'd vacation in Switzerland in a heartbeat after saving for five years.  Moving on, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek (who was just at Global Green USA's pledge - the woman is a good-cause machine!), Charlize Theron, Kate Hudson, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Olivier Martinez were some of the stars that attended the fundraiser last night.

The proceeds went to the Art of Elysium, a nonprofit organization over a decade old that encourages fellow artists to participate in children's charities, as well as holds workshops in acting, art, comedy, and more that give sick kids the love of crafts.  Kind of like

So my issue is this:  it's a black tie event.  Fur used to be classy - okay.  But did Demi Moore really need to throw that Daniel Boone number over that exquisite gown?  She may as well have pulled a Kate Bosworth .  Tacky, tacky, and more tacky.  Especially for a charity event.  Where was Pamela Anderson when we needed her?

Back to the charity - we love Art of Elysium.  Though this event was very tuxedo-y, 88% of their funds raised go to the programs for kids; and they raise a heck of a lot of funds.  It's a more Hollywood version of Rosie's For All Kids Foundation.  Either one is great in our eyes, helping our future generations develop artistically and embrace creativity early!

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5 Great Places To Go To Help Out Less Fortunate Kids:
1)  Learn more about who The Art Of Elysium is, their supporters, programs, events, and how you can help fund arts for children with serious medical conditions, at TheArtOfElysium.org.

2)  To learn ways to help thousands of children born into poverty nationwide through grants, initiatives, construction of centers and programs, and high-quality education for low-income children visit ForAllKids.org.

3)  To help provide artistic enrichment for children through dance instruction, music, drama, and professional theater for those who cannot afford private lessons, visit RosieBroadwayKids.org.

4)  The wonderful Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish to a child with a life-threatening medical condition every 40 minutes.  To read heartwarming wish stories, read news and events, refer a child, or learn how you can help, visit Wish.org.

5)  To find other types of charities you can trust, visit the independent and interactive charity evaluator site CharityNavigator.org.