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Charity - Celebrities` Items on Online Auctions

Warren E. Buffett, the famous billionaire, has donated his 2001 Lincoln Town Car for an eBay auction in an attempt to raise money for a youth organization his family has long championed, Girls Inc.

He said: "I don`t want to sound like a used-car salesman, but this car is a real cream puff. You just have to get behind the wheel of this vehicle." Items owned by celebrities have been sold by charities for a long time now, but eBay and the Internet have pumped new life into this fund-raising technique, significantly increasing returns.

Last year, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle autographed by guests on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" raised $760,095 for the American Red Cross to help it serve victims of the Asian tsunami, setting a record on eBay. In 2002, Tiger Woods auctioned off a round of golf with himself for four people and raised $425,000 for his foundation, which supports programs that serve underprivileged children. Buffet said he didn`t used the car much, so it is in a great condition.