Taylor Swift, Bill Clinton, Mary J. Blige to participate in Kennedy gala auction

Monday December 3, 2012 12:50 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Newsday.com composite | Taylor Swift, Bill Clinton and Mary J. Blige all contributed to the Kennedy gala fundraiser, which takes place Dec. 3. (Dec. 3, 2012)

Taylor Swift is not only scheduled to appear as a guest of honor at tonight's sold-out Robert F. Kennedy Gala to raise money for human rights programs, but she also has donated a signed "baby guitar" to the cause's auction.

Yes, Swift dated and split with Conor Kennedy, a Bedford-raised nephew of Kerry Kennedy, who's president of the RFK Center and supervisor of tonight's event. But on Friday, Kerry Kennedy raved about Swift's charitable initiatives to Newsday Westchester while explaining why she's worthy of the organization's RIpple of Hope Award.

One of the ways Swift is continuing to give back is by donating a signed, miniature guitar to the RFK Center auction. But that's not the only item on the list with a Hudson Valley connection. In fact, there are more than a dozen auction items that will be up for bid through Dec. 11, including the following:

- A baby guitar signed by Swift

-A guitar signed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose bassist, Flea, spent part of his childhood in Rye

-Tickets to see a speech by President Bill Clinton, and a subsequent photo opportunity with the Chappaqua resident

-Tickets to see Yonkers native Mary J. Blige in concert and an opportunity to meet her afterward

-Tickets to see "Nice Work if You Can Get it," starring northern Westchester County resident Kelli O'Hara, and an opportunity to meet Matthew Broderick backstage

- Tickets to "The O'Reilly Factor" and an opportunity to meet Bill O'Reilly, who attended Marist College

- Tickets to "Today" and an opportunity to meet co-host Matt Lauer, who grew up in Westchester County

- Tickets to "The Anarchist" and an opportunity to meet Patti LuPone and Irvington resident Debra Winger backstage after the show

- Access to a 12-person executive suite for a Madison Square Garden concert by Phish, whose frontman, Trey Anastasio, has called Rockland home

- A 12-course dinner for four at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills

- A day of falconing with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and lunch with Kerry Kennedy in Bedford

- Dinner in Baltimore with Bedford resident and actor Chazz Palminteri

- Lunch with actor Henry Winkler, who spent summers in Mahopac, and a collection of his signed books

Kerry Kennedy told Newsday Westchester she doesn't think it's a coincidence that so many Hudson Valley celebrities donated to the cause.

"The Hudson Valley is an extraordinary place," she said. "There's a great sense of community there, and a commitment to making our community better."

Which auction item would you most like to win? Vote in Newsday Westchester's poll and leave a comment below.

Tags: Bedford , Taylor Swift , Mount Kisco , Conor Kennedy , Kerry Kennedy , music , TV , movies , Westchester