People talk 03/28/03

Ripa lends a hand to raise funds for college

BLACKWOOD, N.J. -- Kelly Ripa is lending her name to fund-raising efforts by Camden County College, the school she attended before pursuing a career in acting and television.

A letter from Ripa, co-host of the syndicated "Live With Regis & Kelly," is included in the school's fund-raising materials.

Her father, Joseph, who lives in nearby Berlin, N.J., is on the school's board of trustees.

"As someone familiar with Camden County College, you know firsthand how it has changed lives through education," the letter says. "Hundreds of thousands of individuals -- friends, neighbors, family and co-workers -- have benefited from the many opportunities that Camden County College provides."

Ripa, 32, gave birth last month to her third child, Joaquin Consuelos.

She and her husband, actor Mark Consuelos, also have a 5-year-old son, Michael, and a 1-year-old daughter, Lola. They co-starred on ABC's "All My Children."

Ripa plans to return to "Live" at the beginning of May.-- From wire reports