Dinner Date with Gwenyth Paltrow: a steep price, but a good cause

Actress Gwenyth Paltrow has signed on to be auctionedoff to raise money for victims of hurricane Sandy, as part of the Council ofFashion Designers of America and Vogue’s new initiative, Fashion for SandyRelief.

A slew of Hollywood movers and shakers are offering up theirtalents and mere presence for this charitable cause. Well-to-do bidders will beopening their checkbooks for the chance to dine with Paltrow and world-renownedchef Mario Batali, sit front row at a fashion show alongside Vogueeditor-in-chief Anna Wintour, or get a private lesson from supermodel CocoRocha.

Many celebrities have pitched in and made generous contributions to relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the Eastern seaboard of the United States at theend of last month. Notably, Lady Gaga donated one million dollars to victims. Collectively,the rich and famous (and apparently charitable) have donated more than $23 million dollars.