Kim Kardashian addresses eBay auction donation controversy
Kim Kardashian has fired back at critics who mocked her decision to hand over just 10 per cent of the profits from recent online charity auctions to the typhoon recovery effort in the Philippines, insisting it's not the only donation she has made.
Kanye West's reality TV star fiancee regularly sells off items of clothing and fan memorabilia on eBay.com, and she recently announced that money raised from several lots will partially benefit the victims of the devastating storms which lashed the Philippines on 8 November (13), leaving more than 5,900 people dead and hundreds missing.
However, the figure prompted some bloggers to attack millionaire
Kardashian for giving such a small share of her profits to typhoon
aid efforts.
The new mom has now spoken out to address the criticism in a post
on her official website, claiming she doesn't make much from the
eBay auctions after all the costs are taken care of.
She writes, "For people to attack me for giving 10 (per cent) of my
eBay auction sales to the people of the Philippines, that hurts. I
do eBay auctions monthly and change the charity or church from time
to time. I give 10 (per cent) of all my earnings to charities, not
just these eBay auctions. This month it's for the people of the
Philippines, last month was Life Change Community Church.
"In regards to these eBay auctions, when the eBay numbers get
broken down, the auction management agency that posts for me gets a
percentage for all of their hard work, then eBay listing fees, end
of auction fees, eBay Store fees, Paypal fees, etc., all add up to
about half of the sale. Then I give 10 (per cent) to a charity.
"Truth is how the (number) is broken down, is neither here nor
there. The people of the Philippines need all of our help, no
matter how big or small... Giving comes from the heart. We all need
to be reminded of this as we celebrate the holiday season this
year."
Kardashian isn't the only celebrity to raise money for the people
of the Philippines - Justin Bieber staged a surprise performance
for Typhoon Haiyan victims in the country on Tuesday (10Dec13),
while Victoria and David Beckham raised thousands for the Red Cross
relief effort by selling off designer goods and other items last
month (Nov13). Rihanna has also donated money to the effort.