Jessica Simpson Gives

The pop star, 26, drew cheers when she drove through the gates of the Casa Hogar Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, in a white 2007 Chrysler Town and Country eight seat van and handed the keys to Mama Lupita,who runs the home.

Jessica said "I'm so honored and happy to help" as she hugged Mama Lupita
and the throngs of excited children.

A representative for the star said: "The kids were cheering when she pulled
up.
"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!' "
The children presented Jessica with gifts, including an engraved plaque with
a photo of themselves and a handmade beaded necklace.

"What an amazing surprise!" Simpson said, putting her hand on her heart.

Jessica was accompanied by her mother Tina and her manager father Joe.
The 26-year-old star won a sports car at a swag suite at last year's MTV
Video Music Awards. She asked to swap it for a minivan so she could help the
orphanage she first visited in 1999.

Jessica is also auctioning the red dress she wears in her new Pizza Hut
advert on eBay. All proceeds from the sale will go to Casa Hogar Elim.

"The kids were cheering when she pulled up," Simpson's rep tells PEOPLE. "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!' "

Meanwhile, Mike Walker for the National Enquirer , reports that while in Italy, Jessica and John had a cute restaurant moment.

Walker was tipped that despite her new brunette 'do, Jessica is still a classic blonde at heart.

Said Walker: "Dining with boyfriend John Mayer at fabulous Rome ristorante Dal Bolognese... Daddy's Little Girl asked the waiter tossing a salad at their table, 'Do you have Italian dressing?'

The waiter roared with laughter and Jessica turned red as the guy replied: 'My dear, all of our dressings are Italian!' "