eBay Canada Combines Heart-Pounding Adventure and Heart-Warming Causes with “Thrillanthropy”

Research finds that a new generation of contributors will give bigger to experience more

Toronto, August 30, 2007 – A new generation of thrill-seeking Canadians wishing to support worthy causes will soon experience an exciting new charity program on eBay's global marketplace.

Beginning September 2, 2007, eBay users can experience "thrillanthropy" – the giddy excitement created by doing good – by bidding on once-in-a-lifetime experiences through Auctions for Action, a month-long program that combines the thrill of winning with the act of giving, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going towards charities and non-profit organizations across Canada.

A recent Leger Marketing / eBay Canada poll shows that Canadians aged 18 to 34 are more likely to increase their charitable donations by up to 74 per cent if they are able to participate in an exciting or unique experience. With Auctions for Action, eBay Canada will reach them and all other Canadians by offering a host of exhilarating experiences.

"eBay understands the importance of raising awareness and creating unique opportunities for Canadian charities to raise funds," says Jordan Banks, managing director of eBay Canada. "We created Auctions for Action to reach eBay users who are looking for a new and exciting way to support causes close to their hearts. We combined the unique 'thrill of the auction' with doing meaningful work, and created thrillanthropy – a total win for both contributor and cause."

Some highlights from Auctions for Action packages:

An opportunity to be the guest of Joel Cohen, a writer of The Simpsons, at a table reading of The Simpsons in Hollywood, California
Participating in a rare naming ceremony with a Masai tribal chief in Africa
A brand new Volvo C30 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden to collect it
A trip to Paris and entrance to the Nina Ricci show, including an haute-couture wardrobe chosen by designer Olivier Theyskens
Unforgettable encounters with some of North America's leading sports stars
A new 350 Yamaha ATV
A private concert and dinner for 10 prepared by Jann Arden

"A challenge of fundraising is keeping things fresh and exciting for both current and new contributors," says Teresa Vasilopoulos, president of the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation. "eBay has dreamed up a unique way of combining incredible experiences with the act of giving, bringing a whole new generation of 'thrillanthropists' to Canadian charities. We are very excited to be a part of this initiative."

Charitable organizations benefiting from Auctions for Action:

Toronto East General Hospital (auctions start September 2)
CANFAR (Auctions start September 5)
HBC Foundation (Auctions start September 8)
Gilda’s Club (Auction starts September 11)
Engineers Without Borders (Auctions start September 14)
Baycrest (Auctions start September 17)
Ducks Unlimited (Auctions start September 20)
Children’s Miracle Network (Auctions start September 23)
York University Foundation (Auctions start September 26)
Look Good Feel Better (Auctions start September 20)
Free the Children (Auction starts October 2)

As of September 2nd, Canadians can visit www.ebay.ca/auctionsforaction to view the full list of participating charities and register to bid on the exciting array of auction packages.

* Leger Marketing Research August 2007. This national sample of 1,502 Canadians, 18 years or older, is accurate within +/-2.5 percentage points.

About Auctions for Action
Auctions for Action is a month-long charity program developed by eBay Canada that combines the goodness of giving with the thrill of the auction. Throughout September, visitors can experience the exhilaration of "thrillanthropy" – the giddy excitement created by doing good – bybidding on once-in-a-lifetime experiences and eclectic prizes with all proceeds going to not-for-profit organizations. eBay is underwriting the cost of the program. Since 2000, more than $110 million US has been raised for charity from listings sold on eBay worldwide.

About eBay Canada
eBay is the World's Online MarketplaceTM. Founded in 1995, eBay created a powerful platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and businesses. eBay enables trade on a local, national, and international basis with customized sites in markets around the world. Through an array of services, such as its payment solution provider PayPal, eBay is enabling global e-commerce for an ever-growing online community. In Canada, eBay was visited by more than 11 million Canadians in July 2007. (ComScore Media Metrix, July 2007).

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Media Contacts:
Tonisha Robinson
Environics Communications
416-969-2759
trobinson@environicspr.com

Erin Sufrin
eBay Canada
416-969-2291
esufrin@ebay.ca

Auctions for Action Charities and Auction Listings:

Toronto East General Hospital Foundation

The Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) Foundation supports Toronto East General Hospital in providing the best possible patient care to the over half a million people it serves. Auction packages include a day with Nick Kypreos, attending a Toronto Maple Leafs practice and NHL game; a trip to attend The Late Show with David Letterman in New York; a behind-the-scenes Toronto Argonauts experience, including tickets to a home game, the Vanier Cup and the Grey Cup; a VIP evening at a Leafs Game with Darryl Sittler; tickets and backstage passes to “We Will Rock You”; and suits for life from Korry’s Clothier in Toronto.

Baycrest

Baycrest raises funds for research to help those suffering from memory loss caused by crippling brain disorders such as Alzheimer's, stroke and depression. Auction packages include lunch for two with several hockey greats, including Guy Lafleur and Wendel Clark; an all-inclusive trip to the Dominican Republic with NHL all-stars; and tickets to Baycrest's sold-out Pro-Am hockey tournament.

CANFAR

CANFAR's mission is to raise awareness to generate funds for research into HIV and AIDS. Auction packages include a series of personalized celebrity iPod Nanos, including Hayden Christensen, Edward Norton, and Sandra Oh; a Krups Deluxe Package; and a role on Douglas Coupland's new CBC television show.

Children's Miracle Network

Children's Miracle network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids by raising funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America. Auction packages includes exclusive meet and greets and the opportunity to play a game with NFL star Steve Young, NHL star Eric Lindros, or the PGA's VIP player.

Ducks Unlimited

A non-profit organization committed to conserving Canada's wetlands, Ducks Unlimited auction packages include a brand new 350 Yamaha ATV outdoorsman and hockey jackets signed by NHL greats Guy Lafleur, Darryl Sittler and Bobby Hull.

Engineers without Borders

Engineers without Borders empowers communities in Canada and throughout Africa to make meaningful and effective contributions to human development. Auction packages include all-expense paid trips to Toronto or Calgary to play VIP games with Johnny Bower and Larry Robinson.

Free the Children

Free the Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education. Auction packages include a trip to Kenya for a rare naming ceremony with a Masai tribal chief and an opportunity to help build a primary school for the children of the community.

Gilda's Club

Gilda's Club provides a meeting place where people living with cancer and their families can join together to receive social and emotional support, as well as supplement their treatment of choice. Auction package is a private concert and dinner made for 10 people by Canadian singer Jann Arden.

HBC Foundation

The HBC Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians through programs that reflect our distinct values. Auction packages include a Think Pink Room in support of breast cancer research; a golf package with accommodation at the Deltas and full rounds at 18 of the Club Link courses; and an Olympic Jacket autographed by winter 2006 Olympians.

Look Good Feel Better

LGFB is the only cancer charity dedicated to empowering women to manage the effects that cancer and its treatment have on their appearance. Auction packages include a trip to Sweden and European tour in a brand new Volvo C30; a personalized Danier Leather packaged designed by you with help from celebrity designer Lynn Spence; and a trip to Paris to attend the Nina Ricci fashion show, with $6000 in clothes from her exclusive boutique, hand-picked by designer Olivier Theyskens.

York University Foundation

The York University Foundation is aiming to raise $200 million to provide fundraising leadership, support and accountability for the university. Auction package is a trip to Los Angeles as the guest of Joel Cohen, a writer of The Simpsons, for for a table reading of The Simpsons.