Jessica Simpson: Philanthropist?

Jessica Simpson was working her PR engine this weekend by donating a brand new minivan to a Mexican orphanage this Sunday. The star was definitely in a giving mood and took the time out of her busy day to help make a difference.

Simpson, 26, was surrounded by locals cheering at her when she drove through the gates of the Casa Hogar Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, in a white 2007 Chrysler van. She handed the keys to Mama Lupita, who runs the house and the crowd exploded with cheer.

"The kids were cheering when she pulled up," Simpson's rep stated. "They surrounded the car and were so excited to see her. They kept saying, 'Muchas gracias! Muchas gracias!' A few of them spoke English and said, 'We love you, Jessica!' "

Mama Lupita gave Simpson a huge hug. She tried her best to communicate her joy although she doesn't speak very good English.

"I'm so honored and happy to be able to help," said Simpson, as she hugged Mama Lupita and the crowd of children. The children waited anxiously in line to give her gifts, including an engraved plaque with a photo of the kids and a beaded necklace they'd made for her.

An unexpected mariachi band surprised Simpson by playing for her. It seems the children had saved up money by selling jewelry they had made to hire the band.

"What an amazing surprise!" Simpson said, as the band played and the crowd danced along.

Simpson traveled to Mexico with her mother Tina to deliver the van to the orphanage. She even drove through the gate to the orphanage with Jessica. Jessica's father and boyfriend John Mayer stayed home in L.A.

Simpson had won a Chrysler Crossfire sports car at the MTV's Video Music Awards last fall but asked Chrysler to give her a minivan in exchange for the Crossfire so she could surprise the orphanage with it.

A spokesperson for Chrysler said: "Instead of the Chrysler Crossfire, she decided to get a minivan for the orphanage instead. She went for the Chrysler Town & Country."

The van Mama Lupita had been using for the orphanage broke down last year. She borrowed an old truck from a friend, but that broke down too, leaving her with no transportation for the children.

The transportation the orphanage had been using had broken down quite awhile ago. Mama Lupita managed to borrow an old truck but that broke down as well, leaving the children with no transportation.

The van has a DVD player so the children can be kept busy when they are driving around.

Sources:
People (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20016052,00.html)