Hallmark and Actress Alison Sweeney Host Celebri-Tree Holiday Auction Benefiting Feeding America

KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwire - November 30, 2009) - Hallmark Cards, Inc. and actress Alison Sweeney ("Days of our Lives," "The Biggest Loser") recently hosted the Celebri-Tree Holiday Open House to support Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. During the event at Sweeney's Hollywood home, celebrity guests and their families personalized such items as Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, Recordable Cards, DVD Greetings and Hallmark's new Recordable Storybook "The Night Before Christmas." A selection of those personalized items are now available for purchase -- just in time for Christmas -- online at www.clothesoffourback.org; all proceeds will go directly to Feeding America. The online auction ends Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

"As a member of the Entertainment Council of Feeding America, I'm passionate about finding unique ways to help raise awareness and support for their cause. The opportunity to host this event with Hallmark couldn't have been more perfect," Sweeney said. "Anyone can join America's fight against hunger by bidding on their favorite celebrity's personalized holiday items from Hallmark."

The Celebri-Tree Holiday Open House was a star-studded, family-friendly event on Saturday, Nov. 14. Celebrity guests included: Denise Richards, Lisa Rinna, Samantha Harris ("Dancing with the Stars"), Galen Gering (Rafe, "Days of our Lives"), Greg Vaughan (former Lucky, "General Hospital") Nancy O'Dell ("Access Hollywood"), country artist Seven Williams (Whiskey Falls) and his wife, McKenzie Westmore (former Sheridan, "Passions"), Ali Vincent (season 5 winner of "The Biggest Loser"), and Jerry Penacoli ("Extra"). Although they couldn't attend the event in person, other stars personalized items for the auction as well, including Clothes Off Our Back founder Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle"), actors Cameron Mathison (Ryan, "All My Children") and Austin Peck (former Brad, "As the World Turns") and award-winning actress Marlee Matlin ("Children of a Lesser God"; "The West Wing"). In addition, Sweeney took several of the Recordable Storybooks to the set of "Days of Our Lives" for the entire cast to sign.

"My favorite Hallmark product is the new Recordable Storybook, which allows a parent or grandparent to read to a child even when they can't be there in person. So now, when I'm traveling for work, I can still read my children Ben and Megan a bedtime story. It's something I know they'll enjoy for years to come," Sweeney said.

Other Hallmark products in the auction include Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, Recordable Cards, DVD Greetings and Digital Scrapbooks -- all personalized by celebrities. Starting bids for the auction items range from $10 for celebrity-personalized Recordable Cards to $50 for celebrity-personalized Recordable Storybooks. Items will be awarded to the highest bidder at the end of the auction at 7 p.m. CST, Dec. 15, 2009. Visit www.clothesoffourback.org for more information.

"Hallmark wants to help fill the holidays with meaning by providing unique and personal ways to connect with loved ones," said Deidre Mize, National Campaign Manager at Hallmark. "Through Hallmark's Celebri-Tree Holiday Auction, not only will we help connect fans with their favorite celebrities through personalized holiday products, but we'll also be generating much-needed awareness and support for the critical need of hunger relief in America, especially this time of the year."

"We are so grateful to Alison Sweeney and Hallmark for their commitment and dedication to helping the 49 million Americans at risk of hunger this holiday season," said Paula Greear, Feeding America Spokesperson.

About Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what's in their hearts and spend time together -- a privilege few other companies in the world enjoy. Hallmark greeting cards and other products are found in more than 41,000 retail outlets in the United States, including the network of flagship Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. The brand also reaches people online at Hallmark.com, via cell phone at Hallmark Mobile Greetings and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and cable's top-rated Hallmark Channel. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. This privately held company is based in Kansas City, Mo. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com for more details.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About Clothes Off Our Back

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle"; "Raising the Bar") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing"; "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends, have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. For more information and to bid, log onto www.clothesoffourback.org.

Contact Information: Contacts: Deidre Mize Hallmark Cards, Inc. (816) 274-5768 Angie Read Fleishman-Hillard, Inc. (816) 512-2322 http://newsroom.hallmark.com Follow us on Twitter: @HallmarkPR