M a g a z i n e Celebrity Hats of

Online Auction Feb. 7-14 Will Benefit Hurricane Relief Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2006 CONTACT: Kelli Bozeman, Editor Digital images available (601) 982-8418 ext. 81, [email protected]

Mississippi Magazine will sponsor a special eBay auction of celebrity-autographed baseball caps Feb. 7-14 to support the state’s Hurricane Katrina recovery and rebuilding efforts. More than 25 well-known actors, musicians, authors, politicians, athletes, and other famous figures from Mississippi, Hollywood, Nashville, and beyond have offered their support to the cause by signing their names on Mississippi Magazine’s exclusive “Hats of Hope.” Among the celebrities whose hats will be available in the auction are George Clooney, James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, LeAnn Rimes, Sela Ward, Rush Limbaugh, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Allison, Laurie Smith, Kathy Ireland, Debbie Allen, Marilu Henner, Gary Collins, Mary Ann Mobley, Deidre Hall, Peter Reckell, Greg Iles, Edsel Ford II, and Steve Azar. Also up for bid will be caps signed by several local, state, and national government leaders, including Governor ; U.S. Senators and Thad Cochran; U.S. Representatives , Chip Pickering, Gene Taylor, and ; and Jackson Mayor Frank Melton; as well as former Mississippi First Lady . Each khaki-colored cap features an embroidered red heart and black Mississippi logo. “The rich culture of the Gulf Coast is such an essential part of what gives our state its unique identity,” said Kelli Bozeman, Mississippi Magazine editor. “We’re truly grateful to the celebrities who have partnered with us for this auc- tion in an effort to help speed the healing process for all of our neighbors on the Coast.” All proceeds from the auction sales will benefit the Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund, a non-profit organization established by Governor Haley Barbour to serve as the state’s central clearinghouse for supporting the hundreds of thou- sands of Mississippians who are recovering from and rebuilding after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The auction will take place on eBay (www.eBay.com) starting on Feb. 7 and ending on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. To find and bid on the “Hats of Hope,” eBay visitors should type “Mississippi Magazine” into the eBay search field. For more details on the auction, see the January/February issue of Mississippi Magazine, available on newsstands now, or visit the Mississippi Magazine Web site at www.mississippimagazine.com. For information on other hurricane-relief benefit products, including non-autographed “Hats of Hope” and “The Promise of Hope” poster, call 1 (800) 844-8418. To learn more about the Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund or to make a direct donation, call 1 (866) 230-8903 or see www.mississippirecovery.com. Mississippi Magazine is available at newsstands or by subscription at a rate of $20 per year. For more information, call (601) 982-8418 or (800) 844-8418 or visit www.mississippimagazine.com.

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