Scarlett Johansson Quits Role as Oxfam Ambassador

Scarlett Johansson has quit her role as an ambassador for Oxfam.

The 29-year-old actress - who has been working with Oxfam since 2007 - has stepped away from actively supporting the charity which opposes all trade from Israeli settlements due to a "fundamental difference of opinion."

Scarlett's move comes after she received criticism for her support of SodaStream - a home soda maker - which has a factory in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. "Scarlett Johansson has respectfully decided to end her ambassador role with Oxfam after eight years. She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam," a statement released stated.

Oxfam wishes the brunette beauty luck with future endeavors but accepts their different stance meant they were "incompatible." The charity said, "While Oxfam respects the independence of our ambassadors, Ms. Johansson's role promoting the company SodaStream is incompatible with her role as an Oxfam Global Ambassador. Oxfam believes that businesses, such as SodaStream, that operate in settlements further the ongoing poverty and denial of rights of the Palestinian communities that we work to support. Oxfam is opposed to all trade from Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law."

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2010 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway: Alpaca from the Oxfam Collection

We've been listing a bunch of gadgets and toys in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, but we've heard it said many times that the holidays have become, like, "so commercial." Hey, we aren't ones to turn a shiny new gadget away, but we also understand that sometimes it's better to help those who are in serious need. That said, we wanted to point you to Oxfam America. The company allows you to gift a tangible charitable gift to a family in need, as their goal is to help put an end to poverty and injustice. We're talking about real animals here. You can donate a dozen baby chicks, a goat (or a full tribe of goats!), sheep, cows, honey bees, and more. Heck, you can even donate manure. We wanted to help get the word out, and to do so, we're gonna give away an alpaca.

Alpacas are doe-eyed with cashmere-soft fur and flourish at altitudes well over 10,000 feet. Because few other animals are as hardy, these camelids are vital to Andean communities. Your gift of an alpaca meadow ensures plenty of nutrient-rich grass to help herds weather tough winters. And that means a lot to families who rely on these critters.

Yeah, we also like them because they look absolutely ridiculous...and seriously, who gives away an alpaca? We do. The winner will receive a code that they can redeem on the Oxfam website, allowing them to donate an alpaca for free to a family in need. If you win, you can even gift that code to someone else, we just want it to be put to good use.

Here’s how to enter:

• Follow the Gear Live Twitter account
• On Twitter, post this tweet about our contest: “Hey @gearlive hook me up with that ridiculous alpaca! http://gear.lv/e-alpaca” (Click here to tweet this now)

That’s it! Remember, you’ve gotta have a Twitter account (they're free), and you’ve gotta be following the Gear Live Twitter account so that we can send you a DM if you’re the winner. This one is only open to residents of the US. We will be announcing a winner on December 10, so you’ve got the rest of this week to qualify.

Click to continue reading 2010 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway: Alpaca from the Oxfam Collection

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Carey Mulligan Donates BAFTA Dress to Oxfam

She’s as sweet in person as she is on screen! Carey Mulligan has donated her BAFTAs dress to charity.

The 24 year-old actress wore the black and white Vionnet gown to the prestigious ceremony in February - where she was named Best Actress for her role in An Education - but has now given it to Oxfam, to help raise money for the charity’s women’s projects.

“I’m honored to be able to donate my BAFTA dress to support Oxfam’s work helping women living in extreme poverty across the world.”

The dress will be displayed in a temporary Oxfam shop in the basement of London department store Selfridges for a week from Friday, and will be auctioned off with a starting price of $65. Shoppers at the pop-up store will be helped by a group of high-profile women headed by singer Annie Lennox. Funds raised from the sale of the dress will go to Oxfam’s women’s projects across the world including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo, West Africa and South Africa. The projects help support and protect vulnerable women by campaigning against violence, giving them the chance of an education and helping in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

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Scarlett Johansson Auctions Iron Man Premiere Tickets

Scarlett Johansson is using her celebrity status and Oxfam ambassador title to help out a lucky fan.

Beginning today, Iron Man enthusiasts can place bids on two tickets for next May’s premiere. The package would a “glam session” at Christophe and a meeting with Johansson at the red carpet event. Other collectibles being offered by the actress include signed photos, albums and director’s chair.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit Oxfam America, a relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice internationally. Bidding will end on September 24.

Additional charity items up for grabs include a meeting with actor Colin Firth at A Christmas Carol‘s London premiere and a lunch with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Iron Man 2 will debut for everyone on May 7, 2010.

Read More | People

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