Hands Across Ourselves

By Melissa August, Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Tam Gray, Ellin Martens, Michele Orecklin, Desa Philadelphia, Julie Rawe and Chris Taylor

SELF-A-THON Raising money is a competitive sport. The following people have demonstrated industry and ingenuity to increase the coffers of a needy cause: themselves.

The McCaughey Septuplets

Needs money for: Diapers

Soliciting it through: Sweet Dreams, an album of lullabies

What you might get: The chance to hear the McCaughey parents and Kathie Lee Gifford sing

Will it help anyone else? Yes, some proceeds will help other multiple-birth families

Linda Tripp

[Needs money for:] Legal bills

[Soliciting it through:] A website and newspaper ads

[What you might get:] The chance to help Tripp defend herself against "the Clinton machine"

[Will it help anyone else?] Yes, it will encourage other Clinton whistle blowers

Gary Coleman

[Needs money for:] Rent

[Soliciting it through:] A "Web-a-Thon" and auction of memorabilia

[What you might get:] The chance to win Coleman as your "personal shopping elf"

[Will it help anyone else?] Not really