via Teen Vogue

Halle Berry dropped some big bucks for her cause - $40,000 to be exact! Halle, who made history as the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, was at a Keep-A-Child-Alive charity event in NYC. During the auction, she spotted a necklace from Alicia Keys’ jewelry line and had to have it. She even got in to a bidding war with another guest before winning the necklace. John Mayer, Queen Latifah, and Bill Clinton were also at the event, which raised $2.5 million to provide medicine and support for children and families living with HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

Don't have 40 grand to drop for good? Don't worry, you don’t need big cash to make a difference. First, learn about HIV/AIDS, which afflicts 27.7 million people in Africa alone. Then hold a candle-light vigil to honor victims and raise awareness about the disease.