Yard sale at Americana at Brand has a celebrity twist

If Teri Hatcher could snag a few items from her own celebrity yard sale, they would include a cashmere sweater from Ellen DeGeneres’ closet and a pair of “really sexy” high heels from “Modern Family” star Julie Bowen.

“Hollywood is definitely a generous community,” the “Desperate Housewives” actress said of the stars — from Al Pacino to Gwen Stefani — who donated to her Juvenile Arthritis Assn. fundraiser at the Americana at Brand Saturday. “And everybody likes a yard sale.”

PHOTOS: Yard sale at Americana at Brand hosted by Teri Hatcher

While shoppers could bid on a signed portrait of Jason Alexander in his underpants in a cracked frame or peruse booths selling cupcakes and designer clothes, there were no old lampshades or hand-me-down dishware. At a similar event last year, Hatcher raised roughly $50,000 for the charity, which she said is in need of publicity and donations.

“That’s why I’m doing this,” she said, “to bring it out of obscurity because it’s not obscure.” Hatcher noted that most people associate arthritis with the elderly, but 300,000 children in the U.S. suffer from the disease, which can cause stiff joints and altered bone growth.

Some with juvenile arthritis can’t play soccer or hold a pencil and must get painful shots, Hatcher said.

Fans flocked to Hatcher, who was wearing a short white and brown sundress and khaki booties, asking for photographs. While there were many who wanted her to sign photos of her and her “Desperate Housewives” co-stars, she had a strong contingent of “Lois & Clark” fans bidding for her attention, too. One of the first items to be snatched up was a package of swag from the 1990s TV show about a young Superman, including a large poster of her as love interest Lois Lane with co-star Dean Cain.

Other items up for grabs included a Lakers sneaker signed by Pau Gasol, a bright yellow Hobo clutch signed by Eva Mendes and a Jimmy Kimmel headshot that he signed under the greeting, “Good Times.”

Hatcher was inspired to support the Juvenile Arthritis Assn. after meeting a child who suffered from it a few years ago at a triathlon for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The girl’s father had written Hatcher a touching letter, which made her want to meet the family. Doing so prompted her to get more involved in raising money for the auto-immune disease.

“I knew we needed to take this on,” Hatcher said. “It’s a really horrible disease.”

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