‘OWN A PIECE’ OF BRITNEY SPEARS,HEIDI KLUM, DONALD TRUMP, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, JESSICA ALBA, PATRICK DEMPSEY AND MORE!

T.J. Maxx and Autism Speaks host online auction of decorated puzzles during National Autism Awareness Month

New York- One-of-a-kind, unique artwork by The Donald, Patrick ‘Dr. McDreamy’ Dempsey and more. Everyone’s favorite celebrities from Susan Sarandon and Scarlett Johansson to Jessica Biel have lent their artistic talents to raise awareness and funding for autism by decorating and autographing puzzles for an online auction to support the cause! Autism Speaks and national off-price retailer, T.J. Maxx, have teamed up for National Autism Awareness month to host an in-store donation program and an online auction of these celebrity designed and autographed puzzles. The auction will occur from Monday, April 24th- Wednesday, May 3rd at www.charityfolks.com.

The auction invites the public to help T.J. Maxx and Autism Speak raise money for the cause by bidding on these exclusively designed puzzles. Puzzles up for auction include designs by:


• Britney Spears
• Heidi Klum
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Jimmy Fallon
• Donald Trump
• Patrick Dempsey
• Susan Sarandon
• Scarlett Johannson
• Jessica Alba
• Jessica Biel
• Ryan Seacrest
• Rachael Ray
• Cindy Crawford
• Stacy Keibler (Dancing with the Stars)

• Jenny McCarthy
• Molly Sims
• Drew Lachey
• Eric McCormack
• Jill Hennessy
• Chris Noth
• James Gandalfini
• Ben Agosto, Olympic Silver Medalist, Ice Dancing
• Johnny Weir, U.S. Figure Skating Champion
• Evan Lysacek, U.S. Men’s Figure Skating
• Ann Curry, The Today Show
• Cast members from The Apprentice
Puzzles can be viewed and bid on by logging onto tjmaxx.com or charityfolks.com.

"We couldn't ask for a better and more committed partner than TJ Maxx as we work together to increase awareness about autism and raise funds for critical scientific research," said Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks. "Autism, itself, is a puzzle and we are determined to find the missing pieces — the answers that will lead us to better treatments, the cause of autism, and a cure."

“We are so excited to be able to raise additional funds for autism awareness and prevention through this incredible online auction,” said Laura McDowell, T.J. Maxx spokesperson. “Lucky bidders will not only be shopping to help the autism cause, but they’ll also enjoy one-of-a-kind artwork from their favorite celebrities!”

Autism Speaks and T.J. Maxx will also host in-store donation program starting April 9th through April 29th. Anyone can stop by a local TJ Maxx store and donate $1 to Autism Speaks. 100% of the donation will go back to the organization to help fund awareness and prevention programs. All puzzles for the auction were generously donated by Melissa & Doug (Lights, Camera, Interaction!), and CharityFolks.com is donating all proceeds raised directly to Autism Speaks.
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About T.J. Maxx
T.J. Maxx is a Massachusetts-based off-price retailer with over 800 stores in 48 states. The store offers amazing savings every day on brand name and designer fashions for the entire family and home. You can also find an incredible, ever-changing assortment of accessories; including jewelry, ladies shoes, handbags, belts and luggage. With new merchandise arriving every week to each store, it’s a whole new store every time you shop!

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is committed to aggressively funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism. It is devoted to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society, and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of the disorder. Autism Speaks was co-founded by Suzanne and Bob Wright in February, 2005 in response to the diagnosis of their grandson. Bob Wright is Chairman and CEO of NBC Universal and is Vice Chair of General Electric. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit its web site at www.autismspeaks.org.

About Charity Folks
Charity Folks (www.charityfolks.com) is the leading online charity auction venue. Inspired by the belief that there’s nothing more important than the work nonprofits are doing to improve people’s lives, we strive to provide innovative ePhilanthropy solutions that help raise the money & awareness needed for nonprofits to accomplish their mission. Our venue has helped nonprofits revitalize donor bases, renew community support, broadcast their cause and raise millions of dollars, while offering “donors” a new way to help them.
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