UPDATE Jan. 27: We've got a new donation scheme that "Lost" fans might be interested in. Scroll down for more information.

UPDATE Jan. 26: Scroll down for updates to this post — I've added more items to the eBay auction.

Readers, you have done so much over the years. You've shared your thoughts, via email and comments, about what's going on in TV, you've told me about cool shows that weren't on my radar and you've even given me tips I've used for stories. Doing this job wouldn't be nearly as fun without the conversations and contact we have here and on Twitter.

Now I'm asking you for even more, but it's for a good cause. I'd like you to help me raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, if you have the financial wherewithal to do so (and believe me, I know a lot of people don't these days).

If you're in a financial position to be part of this effort, there are a couple of different ways that Watcher readers can help.

First, you can donate via this Watch Us Care page to a respected charity called Partners in Health, which has been working to provide medical assistance to the people of Haiti for more than 25 years. (For more information on PIH, here is the organization's home page. Charity Navigator, which rates the efficiency and quality of thousands of charities, has given Partners in Health four stars, its highest rating.)

The first 50 people to donate $25 or more to the Watch Us Care page on the PIH site will get a gift bag with items from "Chuckfest," a recent charity event put together by enterprising fans of that NBC show. The gift bag contains a "Chuckfest" snap bracelet, a "Chuck" T-shirt (size Large) and a "We Heart Chuck" water bottle.

As of 7 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, Jan. 27, we've got a new bonus system for those who donate.

The first 100 people who donate $25 or more via this page will get the Dharma "Beer Station" pin pictured here. The first five people who give $50 or more will get both the pin and the "Polar Beer" T-shirt. 

The shirt and pin were created by "Lost" fan and graphic designer Ian Leino (who kindly donated the shirts and pins. Thank you, Ian!). You can find more photos of the shirt's design here and here and a there is information about shirt sizes here and here.

Second, you can bid on TV-related items I'm auctioning on eBay. (Even if you don't want to bid on this TV merchandise, there are ways you can help spread the word about this effort — more on that below.)

If you're wondering why there is a picture of an unhappy cat on this page, I'll now explain why. One reason: Who among us can resist a picture of a cat on the Internet?

The real reason: As I mentioned, over the next few weeks, I'm putting TV-related swag, DVDs and memorabilia up for auction on eBay — including this "American Idol" TV tray.

These are choice items, not old "Knight Rider" screeners (I believe the EPA has designated those toxic waste). The items I'm auctioning include books, DVD box sets, action figures, bobbleheads, TV-themed clothing and some choice pieces of memorabilia that have never been sold anywhere.

For the next month or so, I'll be selling merchandise from "American Idol," "Friday Night Lights," "24," "Battlestar Galactica," "Dexter," "Deadwood," "The Shield," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "The Simpsons" and many other shows. Every penny of the proceeds will go to Partners in Health, and for those who live in the U.S., my employer has kicked in free shipping. Thank you, employer!

Here's the general plan: Each week, I'll auction between six and eight items or lots on eBay. You'll have a week or so to review the merchandise and get your bids in. The current array of items is here; you have until the middle of next week to bid on this first group of items. I'll put the next group of things up early next week. 

NOTE: I decided to add a few more items to the auction this week — look below for "Deadwood," "Damages," "Sanctuary," "Torchwood" and "Life on Mars" (UK) items.

Even if you don't want to bid, it would be fabulous if you could help get the word out about these auctions. If you frequent message boards or fan sites for shows such as "24," "Dexter," "It's Always Sunny," "Idol," "Human Target," "The Simpsons," "The Tonight Show" and "The Shield," feel free to mention that items for those shows are being auctioned to benefit a good cause. I'll do my best to get the word out too (and forgive me if I'm quite repetitive on the subject), but anything you might be able to do in this arena – via Twitter, Facebook or any other online realm — would be much appreciated.

So, the first eight thirteen lots are (and I've priced these items to move):

This "American Idol" TV tray. If you want to kick back and eat your TV dinner in style while watching the singers on "Idol" massacre Mariah Carey songs, how can you not own this tray? It's downright tray chic!

Note: The cat is not included. Lucky for you.

Three behind-the-scenes books about the Fox show "24" books and a Jack Bauer action figure from McFarlane Toys.

Three "Simpsons" items: A "20 seasons" pin, a commemorative lithograph and a Treehouse of Horror Uno card set.

"Sunny" "Nightman" shirt: A souvenir T-shirt from the recent "Nightman Cometh" concerts staged by the gang from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

A "Shield" book: A commemorative hardcover book revisiting the seven seasons of "The Shield," featuring tons of photos and interviews with the cast and creators.

A Johnny Carson deluxe DVD set: "The Tonight Show" has been much in the news — relive classic moments, sketches and guests with a 12-DVD "definitive" box set from the Johnny Carson era.