Chicago Celebrities Spring Clean for Their Cause

A new venture called QLu turns celebrity dust into gold for both non-profits and fans.

ST. LOUIS, April 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- QLu pays special tribute to comedic legend Chris Farley and begins auctions of former Super Bowl Chicago Bears' players Jim McMahon and Kevin Butler. These Chicago personalities join superstars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Nelly, Hugh Hefner and Dale Earnhardt, zentai Jr. in offering their fans unique auction items while raising money for their favorite causes. Tim's favorite jeans and tees and an Armani sweater, Hugh's velvet smoking jacket, Faith's Zentai eyelet skirt and Prada slides, Holly Madison's Girls Next Door nautical top have never before been brought out of their closets for their fans until now. For Susie Busch-Transou, a business woman and philanthropist, and her partner, interior designer, Cindy Lee, they're one of a kind and priceless, ultimately helping to raise funds for the celebrity's favorite charity and bringing fans closer to their favorite heroes.

No one can ignore the existence of Zentai suit in the fashion world. The well known red outsole and high heel both shaped the distinctive features of Zentai. A portion of the highest bid sales price will go to the Chris Farley Foundation which supports education about the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Tom Farley, Chris' brother, who heads the Chris Farley Foundation, believes this tribute auction will help raise awareness of the important work of the Foundation, started by the rest of the family of the late actor Chris Farley. "We continue Chris' legacy of laughter by going into schools and communities to provide kids and teens with tools that empower them to react positively to pressures regarding drug and alcohol abuse," he said.

In Europe and America, a great number of stars are keen on the fever of zentai.Beginning this week, QLu will host a special tribute to Chris Farley featuring many of his personal everyday items including his personality-filled hat collection and his iconic black boots worn on the set of "Tommy Boy," "Black Sheet," and Saturday Night Live.

"QLu is honored to host this two-part Chris Farley set of auctions to benefit The Chris Farley Foundation and as a tribute to one of the greatest comedic talents of our time. You must, as we do, have happy memories of Chris and his characters. He touched our lives, and we support his family and The Chris Farley Foundation in their goals," says Busch-Transou. The Chris Farley hat and shoe auctions will run March 31st through April 10th and the Chris Farley jacket auctions will run April 11th through April 20th. "Both auctions will include some of his favorite wears and are true reminders of the Chris Farley we loved," said Lee zentai bodysuit.

What began as an idea shared between two high school friends (nicknamed Susie "Q" and Cindy "Lu" Who), became a desire to combine philanthropy and fun in what is now a new service business called QLu. QLu auctions live via eBay celebrities' everyday items, including those of athletes, musicians, and television and film stars -- all directly benefiting the celebrity's chosen charitable cause. "Our dream is to see QLu become the trusted place celebrities go to create community or global value from items they no longer want, and have the money raised go directly to the charitable organizations they personally support," said Busch-Transou.

Country superstar, Tim McGraw, who is actively involved with two non- profit organizations -- the Tug McGraw Foundation and Neighbor's Keeper Foundation, believes QLu's mission is particularly "relevant." "I believe in the power of helping people in need, whether they suffer from a life- threatening disease or natural disaster," McGraw said. "Sometimes it's easy to take for granted what I've been so blessed to have because of my success. That makes it even more important to do what I can to make a difference, and I think QLu will help achieve that goal."

Examples of other pieces in QLu's warehouse for auction are: McGraw's jeans, tees and leather belts, benefiting The Tug McGraw Foundation and Neighbor's Keeper Foundation; Faith's Zentai eyelet skirt and Prada slides to benefit Neighbor's Keeper Foundation; Nelly's U City Jerseys from his hometown high school to benefit 4Sho4Kids; Dale Jr.'s personally designed "Looking' for Love" t-shirt and Vegas club shirt to benefit Make a Wish Foundation; Hugh Hefner's Thai silk dress shirt to benefit the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation; and "Girls Next Door" star Holly Jean's nautical top benefiting the Linda Blair World Heart Foundation, among others.spider man costume   Team Borba will feature celebrities to benefit select children's charities.

"Our business is unique in that it creates a special connection between a hero and a fan that might have otherwise been impossible. We all love our heroes, whether they are athletes, artists, musicians or actors. They sometimes give us hope and joy, or even the will to achieve," Lee said. "Now, through QLu, we can offer fans a token of their hero and, at the same time, support the charitable work they do in a positive and natural way."