Atlanta... Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter will host their 10th annual auction to benefit The Carter Center Feb. 6-10, 2002, at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado. The Atlanta-based Center is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization founded by the Carters to promote peace and health worldwide. In 2002, The Carter Center will celebrate 20 years of waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope in some 65 countries around the world.

"Rosalynn and I always look forward to bringing together many of our Carter Center supporters to discuss how we can make a difference around the world," President Carter said. "Each year we contribute personal items to the auction and greatly appreciate all bids received. Such generous support makes possible the work of improving the lives of those less privileged."

This year's auction includes the largest item yet handcrafted by President Carter at his home in Plains--a maple wood queen-size four-poster bed, complete with photographs and his handwritten descriptions of the woodworking process.

Dozens of items in the live and silent auctions can be viewed and bids placed at www.cartercenter.org. Catalogs can be requested at 404-420-3809. The live auction will be Saturday, Feb 9, at 7:30 p.m. MST. ** Other highlights include:

• Two bottles of homemade wine made by President Carter.
• Several autographed photos of former presidents, including a rare photo of President and Mrs. Carter with Elvis Presley, taken in June 1973 and autographed by President and Mrs. Carter; one autographed photo of five presidents (Nixon through Bush) with six first ladies (Johnson through Bush); one autographed photo of five presidents (Nixon through Bush); a limited edition photo of four presidents (Carter, Bush, Clinton, and Ford).
• Presidential surfboard with the presidential seal.
• An official major league baseball signed by Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens.
• A guitar signed by Crosby Stills and Nash.
• Signed books by Mikhail Gorbachev and President Carter.
• President Carter's embroidered cowboy boots, bearing his initials.
• Original drawings by Amy Carter for her father's book "Christmas in Plains."
• A Kentucky Derby exclusive package for two, including tickets for the weekend on Millionaires Row, a VIP tour of the paddock and saddling area, and an interview on ESPN's pre-Derby show.
• A 2002 Saab automobile.
• A 41" tall bronze sculpture "Firebird" created by Baroness Von Elleberger especially for the winter weekend.
• A Vern Hartvigson Memory Chest made of wood harvested from President and Mrs. Carter's home place. Artist Vern Hartvigson will be in Crested Butte for the Winter Weekend and can inscribe a personal message to the buyer.

Also joining President and Mrs. Carter for the ski weekend at Crested Butte are Atlanta high school students who are members of FutureForce, a leadership program for at-risk teens