An Elephant-Sized Charity

Would your kid love an elephant signed by his or her favorite celebrity? Don't worry, they're not real elephants, but they are real celebrities.

Time is almost up to bid on one of Project Zambi's toy elephants -- the auction ends on Thursday, Oct. 15. With so many celebrities involved, it's hard not to find one you like. For example, the unlikely duo of Barbara Walters and Denzel Washington signed for Save Africa's Children. Cute couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel scribbled their J's for African Children's Choir. Alicia Keys and Brooke Shields joined up for Keep a Child Alive. George Clooney created the sexiest toy elephant alive for Global Action for Children. There's also Scarlett Johansson for The Global Fund, Jessica Simpson for Operation Smile and Leonardo DiCaprio for SOS Children's Villages, among others.

Family Health International actually had several celebs sign elephants for their organization, including Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Klum and Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Before you get too excited, Swift and Joe Jonas did not sign the same elephant, though if they had, every parent with a tween daughter would have his or her arm nearly twisted off by now.

Al Siemens, the CEO of FHI, remarked "Family Health International is deeply grateful to these celebrities for lending their names to help address one of the world's most serious problems. Their support raises awareness of the crisis and brings real help to children orphaned by AIDS in Africa -- not just help to survive but to thrive."

Well said.