Debbie Gibson auctions dress to help kids

Debbie Gibson is a look-on-the-bright-side kinda woman.

The Merrick native is auctioning off the electric blue Bebe dress she was wearing when she was fired from this season's "Celebrity Apprentice" to raise money for her Gibson Girl Foundation, which sends underprivileged kids to arts-oriented summer camps.

"I think it's great to be able to take a dress that was part of something so kitschy dramatic and use it to help kids who want to go to summer camp," said Gibson.

The dress was a key part in an argument between Gibson and "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice, who claimed the dress made Gibson seem unprofessional, shouting, "Look what you're wearing!"

In the end, the "Only in My Dreams" singer, who is working on material for a new album, was fired by Donald Trump because she raised less money than Giudice and Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza in a fundraising task.

Gibson took the dismissal in stride, saying on the show, "Mr. Trump can't fire me from being Debbie Gibson, so nothing is lost."

She's proving that by moving forward with fundraising for her foundation, which will host its second annual gala at Oheka Castle in Huntington May 21. The event, which will feature performances from "Apprentice" pals including Dee Snider, Aubrey O'Day and Lisa Lampanelli, is open to the public. Tickets, $250, are available through gibsongirlfoundation.org.

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