Look To The Stars News: Latest

Hard Rock Serves Up John Lennon For Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Last week, Look To The Stars brought you the news that Yoko Ono had donated John Lennon’s Give Peace A Chance to charity. Now we can reveal that she has also donated another of the singer’s songs to another charity campaign.

The World Hunger Year (WHY), along with Hard Rock Cafe, has released Serve4, the latest in their series of albums designed to fight hunger around the world. Yoko Ono has donated John Lennon’s Gimme Some Truth to the album.

“This is a beautiful step towards world peace,” she said. “By imagining there’s no hunger, like what John sang in his song, we express our strong desire to bring a world in which children will never again suffer from hunger or poverty. Let’s come together and help spread this message around the world. John would have loved the fact that so many illustrious and good meaning partners and organizations have stood up to make this effort together.”

It is the second time Ono has donated one of Lennon’s songs to Hard Rock’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign and Serve CDs.

100% of net proceeds from Hard Rock’s campaign will directly benefit WHY and its grassroots partners around the globe, that have developed ways to feed children worldwide who are victims of poverty and also teach them farming and entrepreneurial skills for the future. Proceeds will be donated directly to WHY to benefit local charities, including the Common Ground Foundation and Pathfinder Academy both located in Kenya, the Pattanarak Foundation located in Thailand, City of Joy located in India, the Yéle Haiti Foundation located in Haiti, Hope North located in Uganda, Roots and Shoots located in China, Project Bona Fide located in Nicaragua and Sentabale located in Lesotho.

“Hard Rock has been a longtime supporter of WHY, and I’ve seen firsthand how the organization helps to make a difference around the world,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock International, and Global Ambassador for WHY. “We are proud to continue to support WHY’s life-saving efforts, in hopes that one day, we will have a world without hunger and poverty.”

The track list of Serve4 is as follows:

John Lennon “Gimme Some Truth”
O.A.R. “Lay Down”
Brandi Carlile “If There Was No You”
Starsailor “Listen Up”
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint “The River In Reverse”
Earth, Wind & Fire / Chicago “You”
Eric Hutchinson “OK, It’s Alright With Me”
The Low Anthem “Home I’ll Never Be”
Arno Carstens “Heartbreak Monday”
Brett Dennen “Heaven”
Toby Lightman “One Day”
moe. “Wicked Awesome”
The Raveonettes “Oh I Buried You Today”
Uncle Kracker “Smile”

In addition to SERVE4, beginning November 9th, Hard Rock locations around the globe will offer IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER merchandise, including a limited-edition bracelet and pin to benefit WHY.

A charity event held in New York to launch the CD last week attracted a plethora of famous supporters, including Ringo Starr.

“You get so many invites every day to do stuff,” said Starr. “When I read the statistics of this, it just blew me away. So I thought, why not? How hard is it to do something? Because it is of some value, you give your name to great causes.”

The 14-track Serve4 is available as a download card at Hard Rock locations and at hardrock.com and as a download with five bonus tracks at Amazon ($8.99 or 99 cents a track). Cafe patrons who add a $1 donation to a meal tab receive an Imagine bracelet.

LTTS Exclusive - Miss World Finalists Talk Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Richard Barker

When you are asked to attend a Press Call with the Miss World finalists at the last-minute you find the time, energy and fastest train in order to attend. I have never seen so many beautiful and inspiring women in one ballroom, and in one hour I did my best to speak with and photograph the finalists.

I spoke to Miss Wales Lucy Whitehouse. She told me that her ambition was to follow in Helen Morgan’s footsteps. Helen was a former Welsh winner. Lucy is a nurse and she said that she wanted to encourage people to care for each other. I have to admit that I was smitten.

Miss USA Lisa-Marie KOHRS said that she was honoured to have been selected. She said that the Miss World slogan ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ summed up her feelings and that the contestants comprised of beautiful, athletic and inspirational women. Lisa finds her inspiration in the form of Julia Morley, Miss World Chairman. The brand now has franchises in over 120 countries and fundraising has topped £150 million.

One cause close to the heart of Miss USA is Agua Para La Vida. Since 1987 this organization has been helping rural Nicaraguan communities build their own drinking water and sanitation systems. As of this year, they have helped bring clean water to over 14,000 people. Lisa intends to raise awareness about this very worthy cause.

Finally our new Miss England Katrina Hodge is intending to support numerous charities including those which support British troops. As a soldier those causes are obviously close to her heart. I’m sure that she will make a good ambassador for those heroic men and women.

Once the press left the building, the contestants prepared to host the Miss World Charity Dinner in aid of Variety International Children’s Fund. The event featured an auction of the contestants’ own gifts and other spectacular prizes, including first-class flights and two incredible tickets to the Final of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in Johannesburg.

This marks the beginning of a month-long festival, as the contestants fly to South Africa. The tour starts and finishes in Johannesburg where the Miss World 2009 Final will be held on 12/12/2009.

Richard Barker is Look To The Stars’ London-based correspondent and photographer.

Rainn Wilson Steps Out Of The Office For Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

When he’s not on set of NBC’s “The Office,” Rainn Wilson spends some of his time supporting the Mona Foundation.

The Kirkland-based charity helps women and children around the world. The foundation is currently working in 15 different countries.

He said, “It finds schools and orphanages and institutes that are already working, that are founded on a grassroots level in these different countries whether it’s the Amazon, Panama, Tanzania or Haiti, then provides the financial support to grow in an organic way.”

Wilson recently returned from a trip to Haiti, where the charity provides financial support to a school and its students outside Port au Prince.

Ginnifer Goodwin Wants You To Adopt A Turkey

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Farm Sanctuary, the leading farm animal protection organization in the US, has unveiled two public service announcements urging compassion for turkeys this Thanksgiving starring actress Ginnifer Goodwin, star of HBO’s “Big Love” and the official 2009 spokesperson for the organization’s annual Adopt-A-Turkey Project (adoptaturkey.org), a national program designed to end the misery of commercially-raised turkeys.

A special Q&A with the star on celebrating a compassionate Thanksgiving, her recent visit to Farm Sanctuary, vegan living and much more is also available on the organization’s website.

“With so many delicious, cruelty-free Thanksgiving dishes available, there is no reason why any living being should have to suffer,” said Goodwin, who is joined by Magnolia, a rescued turkey who lives at Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter, for the spots. “I encourage everyone to start a new, compassionate Thanksgiving tradition this year and Adopt-A-Turkey, rather than eat one.”

Each year 250 to 300 million turkeys are slaughtered for food in the U.S.— more than 45 million for Thanksgiving alone— resulting in thousands of birds being tightly confined in dark, filthy sheds, debeaked and detoed without anesthetic and bred to reach a crippling weight at an unnaturally fast rate.

The two spots, “Sponsor a Feathered Friend” and “Save a Life on Thanksgiving,” produced by Joshua Katcher of Perhaps Media (perhapsmedia.net) and featuring the song “Recite This in Faith” by the band USVS (myspace.com/usvs), were shot on location at Farm Sanctuary’s beautiful 300-acre Orland, California farm, located 100 miles north of Sacramento, and home to more than 300 animals rescued from abusive factory farming conditions. The organization is also releasing special “behind-the-scenes” footage of Goodwin discussing commercial turkey farming and fun bloopers and outtakes from the shoot.

The PSAs, “behind-the-scenes” footage and special Q&A with Ginnifer Goodwin can be found here.

For more information about Thanksgiving’s toll on turkeys and resources for celebrating a compassionate holiday, visit adoptaturkey.org.

Melanie Laurent Joins Greenpeace In Indonesia

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Inglorious Basterds star Mélanie Laurent was in Indonesia earlier this month for Greenpeace.

The star joined 50 activists in the Indonesian rainforest calling on world leaders to cut a fifth of global greenhouse emissions. As negotiators meet in Barcelona for the final round of talks before December’s critical UN climate summit in Copenhagen, the activists are tackling climate change at the frontline of rainforest destruction by damming the industrial drainage of carbon-rich peatlands in Indonesia.

Laurent and the activists built a dam across one of the many canals designed to drain the rainforest and peat soils in order to make way for plantations on the Kampar Peninsula on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. This destruction emits huge quantities of CO₂ and means that Indonesia is the world’s third largest climate polluter after China and the US.

“I am really sad to see how this once beautiful forest now more looks like a war zone,” said Laurent. “I am impressed with all of Greenpeace’s efforts here. What makes me more impressed is the spirit, I’ve visited the dam-building activity and see everyone working really hard. But I’ve never seen anyone looking down, everyone was working with passion and the spirit is high.”

To find out more about the Greenpeace Climate Defenders and Mélanie’s work with them, visit their official website.

Matt Damon Records PSA For Global Hunger

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The U.S. Department of State has produced a video narrated by actor Matt Damon to discuss why food security and combating global hunger is an urgent foreign policy objective, not just for the current administration, but for the entire international community.

“Every 5 seconds a child dies of hunger. Each year we’re losing 6 million children,” says Damon in the video. "That’s more than the population of Manhattan and Paris combined. Today, some of us wake up to a full meal, while others wake up to nothing. We may live in different worlds, but we share the same planet. And what affects some of us now, may affect all of us tomorrow.

“Without action, climate change will cause widespread decreases in crop yields. For every one degree rise in temperature, we get a 10% decline in agriculture production. Water shortages threaten to reduce the global food supply by more than 10% in the next 25 years.”

The Department is actively engaging the public about the implications of global hunger and food insecurity. This video was introduced to help answer these questions in an accessible way not just for the American population, but to be used as a tool around the world.

“If we don’t work to counteract these effects, we will lose our ability to grow enough affordable food on our planet. By 2030, there will be an estimated 1.8 billion more people to feed. Instability and political unrest rise as food becomes more scarce.

“See the future – feed the future – change the future.”

To view the video, click here.

The Secret Life Of The American Teenager Raises Awareness

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

The cast of ABC Family’s hit series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” continues to raise awareness on important social issues by publicly tackling the food crisis in America.

Partnering with the leading youth driven non-profit DoSomething.org, they are launching “Feed the Need”, a campaign empowering youth to take action and fight hunger in their communities.

“Young people are very concerned about the state of our economy. It is suddenly a ‘top five’ issue to them,” says Do Something CEO Nancy Lublin. “Our role is to help teens tackle projects—like stocking America’s food pantries.”

Cast members including Shailene Woodley, India Eisley, Ken Baumann, Francia Raisa, Megan Park and Greg Finley are featured in their first national PSA, airing on television and radio stations nation-wide, in which they challenge teens to help them collect 1 Million pounds of food by December 18th. As an incentive for youth to be creative in reaching this goal, DoSomething.org will reward the most effective participant with a party sponsored by the non-profit and a $1000 donation to their local food bank.

”We know that our Millennial audience is deeply invested in social causes,” said Kate Juergens, EVP, Original Programming & Development. “The cast of ‘Secret Life’ jumped right at this opportunity to work with Do Something to help bring awareness to this very important issue.”

Teens can learn how to help reach this goal by visiting DoSomething.org, where they are given downloadable resources, a Food Bank Finder, and tips for organizing successful food drives.

DoSomething.org activated over 400,000 young people offline in 2008 through their programming and plans on over 750,000 in 2009.

Studies show that 12 million children in the U.S go hungry each year. To help fight hunger in your community, visit www.dosomething.org/feedtheneed".

Jackie Chan Takes Part In Operation Smile Surgery

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last week brought news of Jackie Chan’s participation in a charity event in Vietnam for Operation Smile. Now we’ve learned that he assisted in an actual Operation Smile surgery at the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital in Hanoi.

The star is an ambassador for Operation Smile, an organization that helps children with cleft palates and other deformities.

Chan spent an hour helping with the surgery, and said he felt as tired as though he’d done martial arts for an extended period of time. The surgery was carried out on Quy Thien Tran, a 6-month-old boy with a primary cleft. Vietnamese singer My Tam and model Hi Anh also observed the surgery.

According to an Operation Smile spokesperson: “When the surgery was over, team members said there was barely a dry eye in the house as Chan carried the child back to his mother. Chan said the next morning that he couldn’t sleep and was awake until 3 a.m. emailing his friends about how much the experience of helping change a child’s life had impacted him.”

The star also talked about his fear of needles, and he had to turn away every time an injection was given to the patient!

The star is currently visiting Asian countries on a mission of charity, and has been raising awareness of his Dragon’s Heart Charity in China and visiting Typhoon victims in Taiwan.

During the weekend, Chan visited the Singapore Tongji Hospital and became a Goodwill Ambassador. This week he heads to Thailand and Cambodia to be a keynote speaker at the International Peace Foundation’s “Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace.”

Russell Simmons To Host Celebration FOR The Turkeys

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons is to host a very special event for Farm Sanctuary later this month as a compassionate benefit for turkeys – who get a tough time around Thanksgiving every year.

Celebration FOR The Turkeys will take place at Tavern on the Green in New York City on November 22, and will feature guest speaker Jonathon Safran Foer – author of “Eating Animals” – and special guests Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Peter Max and Ally Sheedy.

According to the organizers, the event will feature: “An elegant vegan brunch at the landmark Tavern on the Green from noon – 5 p.m. in Central Park. Our holiday meal, with menu design by Candle 79 served “family style,” will be followed by a festive reception featuring a spiced cider, hot cocoa, holiday nog, and desserts from the area’s favorite vegan pastry chefs and a Silent Auction for all your holiday shopping needs!”

Farm Sanctuary is an organization committed to combatting the abuses of factory farming and to encouraging a new awareness and understanding about “farm animals.” The charity advocates for laws and policies to prevent suffering and promote compassion, reaching out to legislators and businesses, and working to bring about institutional reforms.

To find out more about this event, click here.

Bryan Adams To Play Charity Concert On Friday

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

The Born Free Foundation has announced that Bryan Adams will be joining a major line up of stars for Wild & Live, the UK’s biggest ‘for one night only’ event in aid of the planet’s threatened wildlife.

Born Free Wild & Live! will be a unique celebration of wildlife, raising funds to help save the lives of 25,000 wild animals, stop suffering, rescue individuals and protect rare species.

Born Free Founder, actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna, spoke passionately about the star-studded line-up and the cause,   “I am overwhelmed – so many talented performers willing to stand up and be counted for animals in need."

Stars already signed up for Wild & Live, include Peter André, Mark Austin, Gabriella Cilmi, Martin Clunes, Rolf Harris, Joanna Lumley, Graham Norton and many more.

Long-time Born Free supporter Bryan Adams has sent us a message of encouragement from LA, calling on the public to back the event, “Wild & Live is a concert to help Born Free to save 25,000 animals. I’ll be there to lend my support – hope you will too.”

With tigers facing imminent extinction, lion populations crashing, elephants being butchered for their ivory, rhinos relentlessly pursued for their horns and gorillas lucky to see out the next century, the clock is counting down for some of the world’s most endangered wild species.

  Virginia McKenna OBE, recognized by The Queen for her services to conservation, said, “It’s a desperate situation for so many animals and we have to do something about it. Wild & Live gives us the chance to really make a difference and save endangered species. If you care about wildlife and love great entertainment then I urge you to join us!”

Wild & Live takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 14th November at 7:30pm and will showcase an international line-up of top stars from the world of music and entertainment.

Tickets on sale now so visit www.royalalberthall.com or call the ticket hotline today to guarantee your place at Wild & Live or call 0207 589 8212. Tickets start from £45.

Jennifer Aniston And Courteney Cox Join Up For The Congo

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

“Friends” co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox have teamed up to head a campaign to fight for women’s rights in the Congo.

They are supporting OmniPeace, an humanitarian fashion brand, which aims to stop violence against women in Congo. Mary Fanaro, the woman who runs the fashion brand, is a friend to both Aniston and Cox.

Cox said, “OmniPeace was created to give back. I can’t think of a better way to support my best friend and all the work that she and OmniPeace do to donate to causes supporting peace, education, human rights and the end of extreme poverty by 2025. Mary’s passion is so contagious and wonderful. It has taught me that anything is possible with enough perseverance and tenacity.”

Aniston and Cox are urging technology fans in the United States and Europe not to buy electronics that contain materials sourced from “conflict mines.” The industry is at the center of violent fighting.

The two women joined Sheryl Crow earlier in the year to raise awareness for the charity. As of now, they’re bringing a new campaign to the attention of Hillary Clinton.

Cystic Fibrosis Sufferer Meets Football Heroes

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0000

A young cystic fibrosis sufferer from the UK named Becks had one wish – to meet the England football team. His dream recently came true at a England training session that was held at the Arsenal training ground – thanks to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

After watching the manager put the team through their paces, Becks had the chance to meet the players – all of whom signed his shirt – including footballing legends David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Jon Terry.

Becks suffers from cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that lines the lungs and digestive system with a sticky mucus. Becks has to undergo twice-daily physiotherapy and nebulisers as well as taking a cocktail of pills with each meal. He also has to put up with long stints in hospital. Becks never complains and dreams of one day being a famous footballer.

Beck’s Mum Bonnie said, “We would like to thank Starlight so much! I have never seen him so excited.”

Starlight and the FA joined together to grant his special wish.

Victoria Principal Gives To Fire Restoration Fund

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

On October 30, actress, activist and entrepreneur Victoria Principal joined nonprofit TreePeople and the U.S. Forest Service to announce a $25,000 gift to support TreePeople’s fire restoration efforts in the Angeles National Forest.

Victoria Principal’s gift kicks off a fundraising goal of $250,000 to help restore the Angeles National Forest following the 2009 Station fires that burned 144,000 acres, the largest fire in Los Angeles County history. The announcement took place at TreePeople’s headquarters in Coldwater Canyon Park, Los Angeles.

“I am grateful for the long relationship I’ve had with TreePeople,” said Victoria Principal. “Because of this enduring collaboration, I am confident that the funds I’m providing will be used for thoughtful restoration, to benefit the earth, and to support my California neighbors.”

Victoria Principal joined Jody Noiron, U.S. Forest Supervisor for the Angeles National Forest, and TreePeople founder Andy Lipkis to transplant Jeffrey pine tree seedlings originating from the devastated Angeles National Forest.

“We’re grateful to Victoria Principal for her foresight and generosity in stepping forward with leadership funds to help launch TreePeople’s restoration of the Angeles National Forest after the recent fires,” said TreePeople Founder and President Andy Lipkis. “We are very excited that this lead gift will inspire others, and will enable us, together with the U.S. Forest Service, to engage thousands of volunteers to revitalize the forest so it can be healthy for generations to come and provide critical water supply, air protection, habitat and recreation.”

Victoria Principal’s donation supports TreePeople’s partnering with the U.S. Forest service to restore the fire-damaged Angeles National Forest as part of Forest Aid. Forest Aid was created after Southern California’s 2007 and 2003 wildfires where 185,000 acres burned in the San Bernardino National Forest. The partnership includes the U.S. Forest Service, the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) and TreePeople. Forest Aid is funded by generous grants from The Walt Disney Company and The Boeing Company.

For more than 20 years Victoria Principal has been one of the most generous individual donors to TreePeople’s wildfire recovery efforts. Her commitment to urban parks and national forests is a model for other Hollywood philanthropists to follow. She provided funds for the restoration plan for Griffith Park after the 2007 fire and individually funded the restoration of Dante’s Peak. Over the years Ms. Principal has been an activist for fire restoration, water conservation, clean air and clean oceans in California. Victoria Principal’s Angeles Forest donation will be used for tree and native species planting, invasive species removal, and community outreach and education.

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit that unites the power of trees, people and technology to grow a sustainable future for Los Angeles. More information at www.treepeople.org or www.forestaid.net.

Amber Valletta Joins IFAW Honorary Board Of Directors

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Actress Amber Valletta is lending a hand to the International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW), one of the world’s leading international animal welfare organizations, by becoming a member of its Honorary Board of Directors.

Ms. Valletta’s first act? Striking a pose for IFAW’s Tails for Whales campaign (www.ifaw.org/tailsforwhales). A call to action to protect the majestic marine species, Tails for Whales is a visual petition – an ever growing collection of photos with individuals’ hands posed in the shape of a whale’s tail. Ms. Valletta joins a troupe of celebrities, public figures and everyday individuals raising their hands in support of whale conservation. Actors Alexander Skarsgård,Goran Visnjic, Joely Fisher, Kristin Bauer, Ben Stein and Dylan Walsh, as well as authors, athletes, musicians and world renowned scientists, are among the familiar faces that have already posed and lent their support for the campaign.  

“Amber’s passionate efforts to create greater awareness about the environmental issues facing our planet and its wildlife are remarkable,” said Fred O’Regan, President and CEO, IFAW. “To have Amber share her voice with IFAW is an absolute privilege.”

“I am so proud to be a part of this fantastic organization,” said Ms. Valletta. “From saving the magnificent whales to the iconic polar bears, IFAW has done wonders to protect wildlife populations. I am excited to join the cause and help spread the word about IFAW’s campaigns.”

Ms. Valletta joins Leonardo DiCaprio, Keely and Pierce Brosnan, Ben Stein, Hal Prince, and Goran Visnjic as a member of IFAW’s Honorary Board of Directors. Her new clothing line, Amber Valletta for Monrow, launches at the LA-based Ron Herman boutique in November.

Stars Come Out For March Of Dimes

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Halle Berry and Nicole Richie were among the stars at the March Of Dimes’ Fourth Annual Celebration of Babies luncheon.

The event recognizes prominent individuals who are celebrating the birth of their children, and who are role models for March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies.

As part of the March of Dimes November Prematurity Awareness Month campaign, celebrities and special guests were urged to join the fight for preemies!

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Celebration of Babies luncheon honored Dr. Robert Katz M.D., obstetrician to the stars, with the Golden Rattle Award for his commitment to the March of Dimes mission. The March of Dimes Community Award was presented to Donna Holloran, MSW; Allison LaTona, MFT; and Shelley Reicher-Lawrence, CPE of BABYGROUP.

The event also highlighted March of Dimes Stork Club: a group of celebrities and prominent individuals who have welcomed a baby or who are expecting a baby in 2009. This year’s Stork Club, sponsored by Stride Rite, includes: Actor Hank Azaria & Katie Wright, Actress Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Musician Howie Dorough & Leigh Dorough, Marketing Director Mitchell Davis & Clare Davis, Lucky Magazine W. Coast Bureau Chief Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps, Actress/Producer Nicole Richie & Singer Joel Madden, Actress Nicole Sullivan & Actor Jason Packham, Producer Jennifer Todd & Actor Chris Messina. March of Dimes celebrity volunteer parents who also attended the luncheon were Julie Bowen, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Kellie Martin, Elisabeth Rohm, Nicole Sullivan, Alimi Ballard, and Sean Patrick Thomas

 More than 300 guests were greeted with a luxury boutique shopping experience, which included the finest selection of designer clothes, accessories and gifts from vendors: Homemade Baby, Mustela, Heather Moore Jewelry, Bella Inspired, Terri Michele Fragrances, Dr. Peter’s Child Identity Kit, Petit Bijou by Garcelle, Tough Cookies Boutique, Baby Eggi, The Silly Wagon and Dr. Fresh. Fundraising continued with a live and silent auction where guests bid on lavish gifts and luxurious vacations donated by the event’s committee volunteers. News anchor Lauren Sanchez hosted the luncheon program and auction.

Through research, education, advocacy and community programs, the March of Dimes is a champion for the health of all babies. For more than 70 years the March of Dimes has enjoyed a rich history of Hollywood celebrity support. Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and many others have volunteered for March of Dimes lifesaving campaigns. Proceeds from the Los Angeles Celebration of Babies luncheon benefit March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. November is Prematurity Awareness Month, when the March of Dimes calls on everyone who cares about babies to “Fight for Preemies.” Premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death, has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., affecting more than half a million babies each year. Hollywood moms and dads are joining March of Dimes to celebrate their healthy babies and raise funds to ensure all babies have a healthy start. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

To view video clips from this event, click here.

Chevy Chase Launches Annual GREEN Auction

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Here is your chance to hit the links with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray for a Caddyshack Golf Outing! Chevy & Bill will go on the block once again in support of GREEN Community Schools providing the chance for the lucky winning bidder and a guest to go golfing with these old friends and stars of the beloved Caddyshack film. Who knows what hijinks will ensue out on the links with these two?

Also up for grabs, a chance to join Howard Stern in the studio. The winner of this incredible experience will be able to sit in during a taping of the show and observe all the action. A meet and greet with the entire crew is included in this package. Once again, Chevy Chase will go on the Howard Stern show to talk about his latest acting projects including the acclaimed new NBC comedy, Community.

This year, Oprah Winfrey is also supporting Jayni and Chevy Chase’s Green School project with the lucky winning bidder receiving VIP tickets to a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show including a chance to go backstage and meet the talk-show queen backstage! Dave Matthews Band is in support as well offering lucky fans the chance to meet them backstage after a concert of choice in Summer 2010. Robert Downey Jr has graciously offered a pair of tickets to the premiere of his upcoming film Due Date also starring Jamie Foxx & Michelle Monaghan, and Stephen Colbert and Regis Philbin are offering the chance to meet them backstage of The Colbert Report and LIVE! with Regis & Kelly respectively, and acclaimed actor Dustin Hoffman is offering the chance to join him on the set of an upcoming film. You can also spend a day on the set of Community with Chevy Chase; meet Joel McHale backstage on The Soup; Take a 10 Day expedition to The Galapagos aboard the National Geographic Endeavor; or catch Jimmy Buffett in concert, plus many more being added daily.

The auction is running live at www.charitybuzz.com through November 18, 2009 with new experiences being added each and every day as so many of Jayni and Chevy Chase’s friends are supporting their environmental initiatives.

The GREEN Community Schools mission is to create long-term holistic partnerships between the school, local community residents, stakeholders, available resources and families to ensure that the community is environmentally aware and able to successfully practice and promote sustainability in their lives, communities and globally.   Jayni Chase has over 20 years of experience with Green education and environmental community action. She is tirelessly dedicated to providing underserved communities with the tools and resources necessary to create healthy learning environments and greener neighborhoods. The combined experience of Jayni Chase and the MGR Foundation has proven to be a powerful force for positive change.

You can access the auction here.

Christmas Charity Singles Hit The Market

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It’s that time year again – a new wave of charity singles are about to hit the market to spread goodwill in the Christmas season.

Leading the pack this year is a new single from Eric Clapton recorded with Paul Stewart – eldest son of Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart – called “Fly Free.”

Recorded in honour of the racing legend’s 70th birthday, the song will be released on 15 November 2009. All proceeds will be donated to the Grand Prix Mechanics’ Charitable Trust, an organization founded by Sir Jackie Stewart and others more than 20 years ago that assists Grand Prix, former Grand Prix mechanics, their wives, widows and children in times of need.

Also available is a charity single by veteran British television and radio presenter Terry Wogan, who has released a version of The Beatles’ classic All You Need Is Love for Children in Need.

And for lovers of classic artists, don’t forget Bob Dylan’s charity Christmas album available right now. The album came out last month and benefits Feeding America and the World Food Programme.

Signed Arsenal Boots To Be Auctioned For Charity

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Football fans listen up – the entire Arsenal Team have signed a pair of their own boots and kindly donated them to the charity Footsteps Foundation, who help disabled children take their first steps.

 This amazing auction includes signed boots from Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Eduardo and Thomas Vermelen. There are also going to be many other great auction items included, which will all be perfect gifts for Christmas.

The auction starts today, November 9, and can be accessed at BuyOnceGiveTwice.co.uk, the UK’s premiere celebrity charity auction site.

And that’s not the only auction currently being run on this great site – they are also hosting a very special event for Firefly International.

At the age of 21, Ellie Maxwell founded Firefly International, a charity whose aim is to foster multi-ethnic youth projects in Bosnia and elsewhere. Firefly works to build peace in divided communities around the world by supporting children and young people from different backgrounds to form friendships and mutual respect. It brings young people together in positive, fun and life-affirming activities ranging from music-making to theatre groups. These young people go on to become ambassadors for peace within their own families and communities both now and as adults. In this way Firefly is tackling conflict now as well as planting the seeds of peace for the future.  

Ellie sadly died on 6th April 2009 at the age of 32. In November, her family and friends are holding a benefit evening for 500 guests, in order to raise money for Ellie’s last project: the building of Firefly’s own multi-ethnic youth centre in Brcko, Bosnia-Herzegovina. This centre, the creation of which was Ellie’s final wish, would aim to make Firefly International largely self-supporting in Brcko.

www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk is running the auction online for Firefly as to open up the auction to a wider audience to help raise more funds for Ellie. Firefly have amazing supporters who have dedicated some incredible and unique lots in her memory. These lots have the potential to raise £1000’s for Firefly International to make Ellie’s final project come true.

The lots include some very quintessentially British experiences such as a private tour around Arundel Castel with His Grace The Duke of Norfolk as well as a personal tour with Lady Julia Harvey around her family home, of over 400 years, Syon House.

Howard J Morgan and Julian Barrow, two distinguished artists of their generation have also agreed to paint for the successful bidders.

There are also many other equally interesting lots up for auction to view the full auction online visit: http://www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk/event/FireFlyInternational.

For more information on Firefly please visit www.fireflyinternational.org.

Dennis Hopper Steps Out For Charity

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Veteran actor Dennis Hopper attended a fundraising event in support of cancer sufferers during the weekend – his first appearance since it was announced he had the disease last month.

 The star was at the Breeders’ Cup horse-racing event in support of The V Foundation for Cancer Research on Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Southern California.

Hopper has started an experimental treatment at the University of Southern California.

“It has great promise,” he said. “Everything’s good right now.”

NYC Marathon Attracts Celebrities For Charity

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

The NYC Marathon took place last Sunday, and what a race! The NYC Marathon is one of the most difficult marathon courses around. However, that didn’t stop a long list of celebrities, athletes and even royalty from training and putting on their running shoes to benefit a long list of charities.

If we talked about them all, this article would be encyclopedic. To remedy that, here is the link to the NYC Marathon’s Famous Faces 2009 webpage which notes them all.

However, let’s talk about 10 of them. That’s a nice round number that captures both the breadth and diversity of charities represented in last week’s race.

Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winning actor Edward Norton ran for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. What’s interesting is he didn’t run the race alone: he ran with a group of 30. This group included other celebrities and several Maasai warriors. In addition, Norton has been promoting awareness of this charity via his Twitter stream. Seven-time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette also ran to benefit the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, as did illusionist extraordinaire David Blaine, who ran 26.2 miles for the Trust.

 ER actor Anthony Edwards also ran the marathon. Edwards is the chairman of Shoe4Africa. He ran to raise funds for the new hospital in Kenya that Shoe4Africa will fund.

Model, actress, editor and author Veronica Webb ran to raise money for the Harlem United Community AIDS Center.

Robert Herjavec, a successful businessman and one of the sharks on ABC’s reality TV show “Shark Tank”, ran to raise funds for Team for Kids.

British TV personality, model and pop star Michelle Heaton ran to help Autism Action, a UK charity.  

Speedskating Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen ran for ING Run for Something Better team. Pro-hockey player Pat LaFontaine also ran to benefit the ING Run for Something Better team.

Prince of the Netherlands and excutive, Prince Pieter Christiaan Michiel, ran to raise money for the WWF.

Be sure to click over to the Famous Faces 2009 site to read about the other celebrity participants and their charities. It’s simply inspiring to see so many notable people out there to help those less fortunate.

Harry Connick Jr To Hold Charity Event For MusiCares

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

Harry Connick Jr. and Clive Davis will share an evening with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Robert Santelli for charity on November 11, 2009.

The trio will be discussing Davis and Connick’s collaboration on Your Songs, Connick’s latest album. Members of the 200 member audience will be able to participate in a question and answer session, and will also be treated to a live performance of some of Connick’s music.

Tickets are $75 dollars and are available at the GRAMMY Museum box office or by calling 213.765.6803. The night promises to be a rewarding evening for music by talented musicians. All proceeds from the event will benefit MusiCares, the GRAMMY Museum, and Musicians’ Village.

Roger Moore Steps Up Battle Against Foie Gras

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former James Bond star Roger Moore is continuing his fight against British supermarkets that stock Foie Gras by paying for and appearing in a new PETA ad placed outside the entrance to Selfridges Food Hall in central London.

Foie Gras is a pâté made from the livers of ducks and geese, and the actor is campaigning against the cruel way producers fatten the livers – up to two kilograms of mash are pumped into the birds’ stomachs through a pipe two or three times a day. The pipes sometimes puncture the birds’ throats, causing the animals to bleed to death.

The actor originally had a different image from the one used in mind, but the advertising agency deemed it as offensive.

“The ad agency deemed the image of the force-feeding of birds for foie gras offensive because it is offensive, but as foie gras production is too violent to show on an ad, surely this ‘torture in a tin’ is too violently produced for Selfridges [a British supermarket] to sell,” he said. “What I’m sure the public will find far more offensive is Selfridges’ refusal to stop selling foie gras, the production of which is so incredibly cruel that it is prohibited in Britain.”

The star is joined in his crusade by Phil Collins and Prince Charles.

“I have seen few things so revolting and shaming as the horrendous routine cruelty to ducks and geese that goes into the production of one of the world’s so-called culinary delicacies, foie gras,” wrote the veteran actor in the Daily Mail. “I refuse to speak to old friends who, even when they know how it is produced, are prepared to overlook the suffering for self-gratification.”

To watch a video narrated by Roger Moore about Foie Gras production, click here.

Nicole Kidman Takes Anti-Violence Message To Kenya

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Kidman is reportedly to travel to Kenya to raise awareness of women affected by domestic violence.

 The Australian actress wants to tour the African country as part of an initiative launched by the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Kidman will visit the Kenyatta Hospital and a school this week as part of her role as a goodwill ambassador for the organization.
 
“[African women] need and deserve our support,” she said. "Not with a box of band-aids, but with a comprehensive, well-funded approach that acknowledges that women’s rights are human rights. It is time for policies that intentionally involve society’s key communities – from health and education departments to the police and judiciary – to deliver on that commitment. To succeed, it requires political will at the highest levels.”

Last month, Kidman addressed Congress about domestic violence on behalf of UNIFEM.

Ray Romano And Kevin James Charity Golf Classic

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

The Ray Romano and Kevin James Celebrity Golf Classic, which will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California, will benefit the advancement in vision science at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

The celebrity tournament is an annual event hosted by television and film stars Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age) and Kevin James (The King of Queens, Paul Blart: Mall Cop). Each year, Romano and James choose a cause to support that is close to their hearts. Funds raised by this year’s golf tournament will support the research and treating of such debilitating vision diseases as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

“My scientific team and I greatly appreciate Ray and Kevin for choosing The Scripps Research Institute as the beneficiary of this year’s golf tournament,” said Martin Friedlander, who is a professor at Scripps Research and a practicing ophthalmologist at the Scripps Clinic. “The Ray Romano and Kevin James Celebrity Golf Classic’s contribution will be dedicated to research on stem cells for retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration patients.”

Scripps Research is a leader in the discovery and application of biomedical breakthroughs that improve human health.

Jackie Chan Attends Operation Smile Event In Vietnam

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan continued his current charity work by taking part in Operation Smile Vietnam’s 20th Anniversary celebration, “Twenty Years of Smiles: A Journey of Miracles,” on November 4.

Chan is an Ambassador for Operation Smile, and visited children with cleft palates at the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital, accompanied by Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy.

The charity provides free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States, bringing them new hope and new lives.

Spotlight: DKMS's Celebrity Supporters

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:46:00 -0000

Connecting bone marrow and stem cell donors with patients in need.

With assistance from donors and patients, family and friends, DKMS has become the largest donor center in the world.

Celebrity supporters

DKMS has 7 known supporters, including Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Cindy Crawford

Areas of work

Read more about DKMS's work and celebrity supporters.

Want to write for us, or help with our research? Find out more about contributing.

Spotlight: Greg Grunberg's Charity Work

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:45:00 -0000

Grunberg is a member of the Band From TV. He performs for the Epilepsy Foundation. He was inspired to start the band by his son, who has epilepsy.

He often organizes charity efforts to raise funds for the Pediatric Epilepsy Project in Los Angeles. These efforts have included events such as an auction of guitars handpainted by celebrities such as Donald Trump, Pink and Grunberg’s “Alias” costars Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan, as well as an online auction of cartoons drawn of “Heroes” costars.

In March 2007, Greg served as the chair of the first National Walk for Epilepsy, presented by the Epilepsy Foundation.

Read more about Greg Grunberg's charity work and events.

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Video Spotlight: Adrian Grenier, Actor and Activist

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:47:00 -0000

When actor Adrian Grenier joined President Clinton to launch the Clinton Foundation’s Millennium Network in Los Angeles, he was inspired by the promise of Millennium Network to bring together future leaders from all over the world to address the most pressing issues of our time. In Los Angeles, more than 600 young professionals attend the Millennium Network event to learn more about how they could get involved in the Clinton Foundation’s work.

(Click here to view the video if it doesn't appear above.)

Spotlight: Kristen Bell's Charity Work

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:19:00 -0000

Kristen Bell is a tireless advocate of animal rights, and a vegetarian since the age of 11. The Heroes actress took the top honor in PETA’s “World’s Sexiest Vegetarians” award in 2006, and told the organization of her love for animals.

“I have always been an animal lover. I had a hard time disassociating the animals I cuddled with—dogs and cats, for example—from the animals on my plate, and I never really cared for the taste of meat. I always loved my Brussels sprouts!”

During the time she lived in Michigan, Bell fostered animals from Michigan Humane Society and she now supports the San Diego based Helen Woodward Animal Center. Bell often attends fund raisers for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting animals.

Read more about Kristen Bell's charity work and events.

Want to write for us, or help with our research? Find out more about contributing.

Spotlight: Chernobyl Children's Project International's Celebrity Supporters

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:22:00 -0000

Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI) restores hope to communities in Chernobyl-affected regions of Belarus and Ukraine.

Chernobyl Children’s Project International works in partnership with families and communities to support their recovery from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.

The largely volunteer organization works in partnership with the people of Belarus and Ukraine to form professional peer relationships and to help them overcome the domino effect of poverty, poor health, and social issues that continue to plague so many, even more than 20 years after the accident.

Celebrity supporters

Chernobyl Children's Project International has 3 known supporters, including Bono, Michael Stipe, and Helena Christensen

Areas of work

Read more about Chernobyl Children's Project International's work and celebrity supporters.

Bono Wants You To Clean Up For Charity

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Spotlight: Augie's Quest's Celebrity Supporters

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:21:00 -0000

Augie’s Quest, MDA’s ALS research initiative, is an aggressive, cure-driven effort singularly focused on finding treatments and cures for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

“It’s time to turn hope into joy. Join the quest, it’s time to cure ALS.”

Fitness industry leader Augie Nieto and wife, Lynne, have helped raised millions for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Division.

Celebrity supporters

Augie's Quest has 11 known supporters, including Lance Armstrong, Robin Williams, and Dalai Lama

Areas of work

Health

Read more about Augie's Quest's work and celebrity supporters.

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Video Spotlight: Travis McCoy's Unbeaten Track Promo for FTP

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:23:00 -0000

Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes travelled the world with the Staying Alive Foundation, and wrote a song about his experiences upon his return. See some of what inspired the song in this video.

(Click here to view the video if it doesn't appear above.)

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Spotlight: Edward Norton's Charity Work

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:06:00 -0000

After high school, the stage and screen actor worked for his late grandfather’s Enterprise Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides affordable housing for low-income people in large cities. Norton now serves as a trustee for the organization in which his grandmother, a co-founder, still serves as vice-president and secretary.

Norton runs the Solar Neighbors Program, an organization that donates a solar system to one of Enterprise Community Partners’ low-income families every time a celebrity purchases one. So far, more than 25 systems have been purchased and donated – by the likes of Owen Wilson, Brad Pitt, Danny DeVito, and Robin Williams.

He gives regular substantial financial contributions to the Grand Canyon Trust (founded by his father), the Wilderness Society, and Earthjustice.

Read more about Edward Norton's charity work and events.

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Spotlight: Chill Foundation's Celebrity Supporters

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:08:00 -0000

Each winter, in 14 different cities across North America, Chill takes 170 kids to the slopes once a week for six weeks and provides them with everything they need to learn to ride: lift tickets, lessons, transportation, and head-to-toe gear. Chill uses the vehicle of snowboarding to help kids accomplish goals they never thought they could, while teaching them some of the most important lessons of life— patience, persistence, responsibility, courage, integrity, and pride—all through positive adult role models who treat the kids with respect and encouragement.

Celebrity supporters

Chill Foundation has 8 known supporters, including Josh Henderson, Rob Machado, and Timmy Curran

Areas of work

At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths

Read more about Chill Foundation's work and celebrity supporters.

Athletes and Actors Tee Up For Charity

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Spotlight: Ron Livingston's Charity Work

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:57:00 -0000

Livingston starred in indie film Holly to bring attention to the commonplace sex trafficking of Vietnamese children in Cambodia.

Holly and two other documentaries, K-11 Journey and Virgin Harvest, comprise the K-11 Project about child trafficking and child prostitution, the corruption and the real life crimes.

Read more about Ron Livingston's charity work and events.

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