Rosie Event

12/09/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

At the For All Kids Foundation White Rose Gala in New York City on Tuesday night, press shy Rosie O'Donnell was uncharacteristically open with the shutterbugs there to cover the benefit event. "To all the photographers, I encourage you to take as many pictures as you can and sell them wherever you'd like," O'Donnell said at a Times Square hotel for the benefit reception. "We want the word to get out about this organization." O'Donnell started the All Kids Foundation in 1997 and proudly announced that it has already raised $33 million to benefit underprivileged kids. Celebrities in attendance to support the charity included Kathie Lee Gifford, Michael Jordan, Julia Roberts, Katie Couric and Linda Ellerbee. "Anything I can do to help kids, I'm there," Ellerbee told PEOPLE. At the event, Ellerbee showed off her trimmed down figure and pointed out Rosie's. "Rosie and I are losing weight together," she said.