The Best Bette for a Greener New York

She sings, she acts, she dances, but long ago she established herself as much more than just a mere triple-threat on Broadway and in Hollywood. With comedic timing that often has Bob Hope laughing in his grave, Bette Midler also makes headlines in her work as an environmental philanthropist. She caught the eye of many green New Yorkers this November when she was spotted getting down and dirty near Yankee Stadium planting a garden, as well as her 250,000^th tree in the city, all for the charity she started, New York Restoration Project in 1995, way back when, before it was even cool for celebrities to have PR campaigns based around giving back. Her goal is to plant one million trees, though not necessarily of the apple variety, in New York City by the year 2017.

In her latest venture to achieve that goal she is using the power of her fame to wrangle in other big names to donate to her cause in an auction hosted on CharityFolks.com. Always dreamed of snuggling up back stage with the Full House hunk? No problemo. John Stamos, complete with his full head of hair, can be yours behind the curtain at Bye Bye Birdie, along with two VIP tickets to the show for a mere $1,500. Feel like battling it out with the king of rage? John McEnroe is participating, offering a private tennis lesson for $2,750. Other big namers who are expected to up the ante on the current bid prices include Cher, Steve Winwood, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd and an offering from our own Haute Living cover profile, Sir Richard Branson.

Via Luxist