CHRIS ROCK HOSTS UNICEF FUNDRAISER: Djimon Hounsou, Alicia Keys Madonna among guests at benefit

   The stars were out in force Wednesday night helping to raise $3.7 million for the UNICEF and two other organizations in its effort to help impoverished and sick children around the world.
   Chris Rock served as host of a $2,500-a-plate dinner and live auction held on the U.N.’s north lawn in New York. Rihanna, Timbaland and Alicia Keys performed at the red carpet event, which included such stars as Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Amy Adams, Brooke Shields, Salma Hayek, Djimon Hounsou, Dita Von Teese and UNICEF Ambassadors Tea Leoni and Lucy Liu.
   During the auction, guest Tom Cruise bid $100,000 for a sports package that included the privilege of hanging out at Yankee Stadium with Alex Rodriguez and a private hour playing soccer with David Beckham. But the actor was ultimately outbid by someone who offered $350,000.     
    A trip to Paris with a tour of a vineyard and lunch with Francois-Henri Pinault and Hayek went for $120,000. The most expensive sale was a $600,000 winning bid to tour with Madonna and take a dance class with her and Gwyneth Paltrow.     
    Gucci funded costs for the event and tied it in with tomorrow’s opening of its Manhattan flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

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