OXFAM

Colin Firth has urged more celebrities to use their fame to highlight good causes.

The actor has been involved with making the documentary "In Prison All My Life" to highlight the plight of prisoners on death row in the United States.

He says, "Fame hasn't got much use to anybody really except for getting upgraded for tables in restaurants and things. I just think you can have a profile and you can also use it as a tool. "One is increasingly aware that there are too many people trying to get heard in the world, and there are all too many people who are heard too easily who have got absolutely nothing to say.

And if you can try to be a vessel for them, then I don't see what's wrong with that really."

Oxfam International is an international confederation, comprised of 12 independent non-government organizations dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world. Mission is a just world without poverty and their goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives.

"It's an amazing organization," said actress Felicity Huffman at a recent Beverly Hills benefit for Oxfam. "It's been going on for 35 years. Oxfam America not only fights hunger, poverty and social injustice, but they refuse to take any money from the government, which means they are free agents, and they can (assess) situation needs -- not what is prescribed by the government."

"Oxfam America Unwrapped is something you do online," she added. "They have great Christmas cards and great presents and you can support the organization and also get your Christmas shopping done."

Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver is also a strong Oxfam supporter who recently appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" bearing the gift of a live, fully-grown camel for Ellen.

"Why give a revolting sweater to your mum or your dad this holiday season, when you can give them a camel; a lovely, hissing, biting, spitting camel; that will do wonderful stuff, for sub-Saharan Africa mostly."

"I suppose what attracts me to Oxfam is that I trust them," said British actor Colin Firth. "I have been helping [Oxfam out a little bit for about five or six years now. Oxfam is a household name in England. You grow up with Oxfam. It's a very, very big fixture in life. Basically, they're not a charity in the conventional sense of the word; this is not just about raising money and throwing it at problems. It's about actually trying to raise the awareness that we are very much connected with some of the stuff that goes on currently in far-away places."

"I'm very excited about Oxfam America Unwrapped," said actress Kristin Davis who recently toured South Africa with Oxfam. "It's what I've asked for, for Christmas. I've told everyone I know about it, and I think it's a great program. There are water jugs in the online catalog for $18, which seems to us like 'Oh, who would want to send a water jug' but this actually makes a huge difference in these people's lives…it's shocking but it's true."

The 36 gifts from Oxfam's online catalog are symbolic and gift prices reflect a suggested, tax-deductible donation to Oxfam America's work. Rather than a specific item, gift recipients receive a colorful gift card that illustrates the purchase made in his/her name, with a personalized message.