Stars donate to Costa Mesa charity

COSTA MESA — A local charity netted big donations in honor of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, including a gown worn at the 2011 Country Music Awards and sneakers signed by a member of the Lakers.

The EXTRA Luxury Lounge, a retreat for celebrities during awards shows and festivals, selected Costa Mesa nonprofit Working Wardrobes as this year’s charitable organization to be featured in the Lounge, according to a Working Wardrobes press release.

The Working Wardrobes donation booth was set up from Feb. 24-27 in the Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.

Donations from the event will go to fund Working Wardrobes’ many programs, which aid men, women and teens with career, life skills and self-esteem workshops.

“These amazing and greatly appreciated celebrity donations will help us provide life-changing career development and wardrobe services throughout the year,” Jerri Rosen, founder and CEO of Working Wardrobes, said in a prepared statement. “We are so thankful to be a part of the EXTRA Luxury Lounge and the focus of its charitable component this year. Our programs would not be possible without the support of our generous donors.”

Among just a few of the big names who donated items over the weekend were recent Grammy winner and country music singer Miranda Lambert, who donated a dress designed by Sherri Hill and two other gowns, Lakers player Ron Artest, who donated a signed pair of Nike sneakers, and TV star Neil Patrick Harris, who donated a suit, according to information from Allison Hata, Working Wardrobes spokeswoman.

Other contributions came from celebrities such as Ciara, Michael Cudlitz, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jillian Michaels, Kellan Lutz, Rachel Bilson, Tom Arnold and more.