Look to the Stars - celebrity charity information

The stars have come out in force to support the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s TigerTime campaign to save the tiger in the wild by creating some fabulous original art.

The postcard sized masterpieces will form part of the Foundation’s week of Wildlife Art at the Mall Galleries in London which opens to the public from 4 – 8 June.

The exciting collection includes work by Joanna Lumley, Hugh Bonneville, Sir Michael Parkinson, David Gower, Elizabeth Emanuel, Alan Titchmarsh, Sandi Toksvig, Nigel Barker, Peter Egan, Jody Craddock, Deborah Meaden, Sarah-Jane Honeywell, Jane Fallon, Lucy Pinder, Jon Richardson, Sir Stirling Moss, Emre Erturk, Slash, Brian May, Simon King, Nick Hendrie, Francis Rossi and Samantha Fox.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10211-stars-get-arty-for-tigers

Sunday night, May 19, Trace Adkins, award-winning country music star and American Red Cross spokesman, took home the title of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice after winning on Donald Trump's season finale to benefit the Red Cross.

Through participation in the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice show, Adkins has raised more than $1.5 million for the Red Cross. The Red Cross is deeply grateful for all that he does in support of the mission that makes a difference in the lives of so many.

“The Red Cross was there when I couldn’t be,” said Adkins. “I’m a man who tries to repay my debts.”

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10210-trace-adkins-wins-all-star-celebrity-apprentice

50 million people in America battle hunger every day. In an effort to address this national issue, Beyonce and Tina Knowles have launched the Backstage with Beyoncé Auction in partnership with global charity auction site Charitybuzz.

Three incredible backstage experiences in Los Angeles, New York and one surprise city, including the opportunity to be a part of the styling team for The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, will hit the online auction block this month to raise funds for their Miss A Meal campaign.

The Miss A Meal initiative, a campaign orchestrated by Bread of Life, Inc., is designed to meet the needs of the hungry by encouraging people to miss a meal and pass the plate by donating the money they would have spent. The donation is then used to feed those who are less fortunate.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10209-be-part-of-the-backstage-with-beyonce-auction-for-charity

The 2nd Annual Hank Baskett Classic presented by bebe was recently held at Trump National Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and supported Bonnie J. Addario and the Lung Cancer Foundation (LCF).

A VIP Welcome Reception was held on the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2013. Sponsors, VIP donors and celebrities attended the invitation-only event on the outdoor terrace of the Terranea Resort and Spa, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The Hank Baskett Classic Golf Tournament took place at Trump National Golf Club on Friday, May 17, 2013. The day featured a lunch and shotgun start with more than 120 golfers on the course. An awards banquet followed where Hank presented this year’s Hank Baskett Sr, Spirit Award to Dr. Ross Camidge. Dr. Camidge is credited with successfully treating Hank’s father after meeting him through the Lung Cancer Foundation.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10208-hank-baskett-hosts-celebrity-charity-golf

Jumpstart, a national early education non-­profit organization, announced this week that actress and star of USA’s White Collar, Tiffani Thiessen, is the official celebrity ambassador of the 2013 Read for the Record campaign.

As ambassador, Thiessen will support the campaign by bringing awareness to the early childhood education crisis in America and Jumpstart’s solution to this critical issue by preparing children living in low-­income communities to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is the one day of the year when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy by breaking the world record for reading the same book on the same day. On October 3, adults and children across the country will read Otis, by Loren Long in support of the campaign.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10207-tiffani-thiessen-named-as-jumpstart-ambassador

Last week the New York Times published a shocking op-ed penned by actor and activist Angelina Jolie, titled “My Medical Choice”.

In it, Jolie announced that in April she had a double mastectomy even though she did not have breast cancer. The operation was preventative.

Jolie lost her mother at age 56 from the disease, and Jolie herself carries the BRCA1 gene, a mutation of the BRCA gene, which she says increases a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer by 65 percent. Jolie’s doctors estimated her risk at 87 percent, and at 50 percent for ovarian cancer, which is also affected by the mutated gene.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10212-angelina-jolie-shares-her-preventive-surgery-decision

Legendary singer and songwriter, Roberta Flack, will entertain guests at the Education Africa Achievement Awards for Africa gala on Monday, June 3, 2013, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.

The Grammy Award winning Flack, who is best known for a string of hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song, Set the Night to Music and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face will give a special live performance at the event which will honor four distinguished individuals – Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State; Geoff Rothschild, Head of Government and International Affairs (and former chairman) of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange; Ndaba Ntsele, CEO of Pamodzi Investment Holdings; Teresa Clarke, Founder & CEO of Africa.com and co-founder of Student Sponsorship Program – who will be recognized for their work and achievements in championing education in South Africa.

James Urdang, Education Africa’s executive director, said: “We are thrilled to have Roberta Flack perform at the awards dinner. I think it’s amazing that such an outstanding performer is doing this pro bono for charity. Her performance on our stage will not only be exciting for the guests, but also for the Aqua Vista Marimba Band, which is made up of young students from a school in East London in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, who will also be performing at the event.”

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10200-roberta-flack-to-sing-at-education-africa-achievement-awards

Nordoff Robbins is excited to announce that the incredibly successful and internationally acclaimed band, Coldplay, is to receive the Royal Albert Hall Best British Act Award at this year’s Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards on Friday 28 June 2013 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

Chris Martin of Coldplay says, “It means a huge amount to us to be named Best British Act by Nordoff Robbins at the 2013 O2 Silver Clef Awards. Nordoff Robbins is an organisation that lies very close to our hearts. They provide life-changing music therapy for thousands of people each year and we’re humbled to collect this award in their honour.”

The band, who formed in 1997, grabbed the world’s attention with their single, ‘Yellow’, in 2000. Since then they have sold out stadiums all over the world and performed at some of the most important events of a generation including Live8 and the 2012 Paralympics. With 5 consecutive no. 1 albums, over 60 million album sales and multiple awards including 8 Brit Awards – winning Best British Group three times – and 7 Grammy Awards from 25 nominations, the band have remained one of the biggest acts in the world for over a decade.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10206-nordoff-robbins-to-honor-coldplay-with-silver-clef-award

Here’s your chance to meet Juanes, see an incredible show and help rock a patient’s world!

A global activist and philanthropic pioneer, whose dedication to giving back equals his talent, Juanes is continuing his ongoing support of Musicians on Call during the highly-anticipated US leg of his ‘LOUD & UNPLUGGED TOUR’.

Click here to bid on a pair of great seats for LA, San Diego, Pharr, TX or Toronto (courtesy of Juanes), plus the chance to meet and take a photo with him before the show! Additional auctions will be launched on June 5 for Washington DC, Philadelphia, NY, Boston, Atlanta and Hollywood, FL. All proceeds from these auctions will help Musicians on Call continue to deliver live and recorded music directly to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, in order to complement the recovery process for patients, families and caregivers.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10205-meet-juanes-and-rock-a-patients-world

The Prince of Wales was in Stoke, UK, last week where he met with young people who have battled long-term unemployment and managed to change their lives with help from The Prince's Trust.

The Prince, who founded The Trust in 1976, met with Stoke young people as part of a visit focusing on regeneration in the city.

Lee Tams was one of the young people who met The Prince today. He faced unemployment for nine months before seeking support from The Prince’s Trust.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10204-prince-of-wales-visits-princes-trust-in-stoke

The Hunger Project announces the global launch of a new one-of-a-kind single performed by five-time Grammy award winner, Dionne Warwick together with X-Factor winning pop icon, Joe McElderry in time for World Hunger Day 2013 on May 28th.

Music Royalty doesn’t get much greater than the legend that is Dionne Warwick, the third most charted female artist of all time (equal with Madonna). Dionne, together with the stunningly successful young British artist Joe McElderry, is stepping up for the sustainable end of Hunger this May 2013 with the launch of a new first-of-a-kind duet, entitled ‘One World One Song’.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10203-dionne-warwick-and-joe-mcelderry-record-song-for-world-hunger-day

On the eve of Memorial Day, the 24th annual NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will bring to life the moving stories of America’s servicemen and women who have given so much to preserve America’s freedoms.

The inspiring television event will pay tribute to the profound heroism of all who served during World War II, salute the valor of our Korean War veterans, and honor the sacrifices of our National Guard heroes and their families.

The multi award-winning program will be co-hosted for the eighth year by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CSI:NEW YORK), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veterans causes and supporting our troops in active service. Opening the show, with a special performance of the National Anthem will be the season 12 winner of AMERICAN IDOL. The all-star line-up also includes: distinguished American leader Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); two-time Golden Globe award-winning actor Ed Harris; DANCING WITH THE STARS finalist and classical cross-over artist Katherine Jenkins; singer-songwriter and THE VOICE finalist Chris Mann; and acclaimed Tony award-winning tenor Alfie Boe; in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10202-stars-to-appear-at-national-memorial-day-concert

On behalf of PETA, acclaimed novelist JM Coetzee, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature, has sent an urgent letter to the members of Spain’s Culture Committee calling on them to reject the current initiative, proposed by bullfighting aficionados, to give bullfighting legal protection as a “cultural pastime”.

In the letter, Coetzee points out that bullfighting is nothing more than a cruel relic of a bygone era.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10201-author-jm-coetzee-bullfighting-is-cruelty-not-culture

Electric Run, the country’s brightest and most outrageous 5K run/walk, is coming to Los Angeles on Friday, May 24th with actress Vanessa Hudgens leading the pack through a technicolor wonderland weaving throughout Home Depot Center in Carson.

Electric Run LA will partner with Smile Train, donating a portion of proceeds to the nonprofit that brings smiles to children’s faces by providing a child born with a cleft the same opportunities in life as a child born without a cleft.

Electric Run is like no other run: the original spectacular of its kind has attracted over 100,000 Day-Glo clad participants, including Carmen Electra and Seth Rogan, to its events. The all-ages, nighttime event features premier musical acts, an energized crowd and over 1 million watts of mesmerizing light art installations, such as glowing neon trees, rainbow-hued tunnels and lit-up lakes.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10199-vanessa-hudgens-to-lead-the-electric-run-for-smile-train

The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, in partnership with Get Schooled, today announced the launch of Graduate for Más, a program challenging teens to make a personal commitment to graduate high school.

Actor and philanthropist Mark Wahlberg, who did not finish high school himself, also announced today his support of the program.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10198-mark-wahlberg-leads-celebrity-movement-to-encourage-teens-to-graduate

EMMY, TONY, and Golden Globe-nominated star Matthew Morrison is proud to announce that he is partnering with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in support of LGBT equality.

Partial proceeds from the pre-sale of his new studio album, Where It All Began, will benefit HRC. The album, which will be released on June 4, 2013, features an assortment of classic standards, many of which were first made famous in Broadway musicals. Morrison turned to legendary producer Phil Ramone, along with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Gregg Field, to create the 12 songs featured on Where It All Began. The record marks the first release from 222 Records, the newly formed label from Adam Levine. Place your pre-order of Where It All Began now, on Amazon.com, and 222 Records in partnership with Matthew Morrison will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Human Rights Campaign.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10197-matthew-morrison-to-support-human-rights-campaign-with-new-album

A return to the roaring good times of opulent fashion, decadent delicacies and lively entertainment will be a hotsy-totsy evening for all at Wheeling & Dealing for the After-School All-Stars, a Gatsby-themed night at the legendary Petersen Automotive Museum on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 7:00pm – 11:00pm.

Top poker players, esteemed Angelinos and celebrity supporters including Jamie Gold (2006 World Series of Poker Champion), Damian Whitewood (Dancing with the Stars), Stephen Martines (Vampire Diaries, and soon to premiere on USA’s Burn Notice), Prophet (record producer, 2101 Records recording artist), LaLa Romero (recording artist), Austin Brown (recording artist), Jessi Malay (recording artist) and others to be announced soon, will be gaming for a good cause while being transported back to a Jazz Age Los Angeles with classic automobiles, trains and lots of whimsical memorabilia from the era.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10196-stars-to-attend-gatsby-themed-charity-night

Lisa Ling, Nicole Scherzinger & Pascale Rothman talk to Erin Mooney about supporting the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST LA) during their 15th Annual From Slavery to Freedom Event at Sofitel Hotel Beverly Hills.

Click here to view the video.

Prince Harry ended his US tour by thanking the people of America for their “extraordinary generosity” and playing in his fund-raising Sentebale Polo Cup match to help fund the work of his charity.

Speaking to the 400 polo guests who helped raise the funds for his Sentebale charity, Prince Harry said: "This is the last day of my tour around the United States. Thank you for a wonderful week.

“I have witnessed the extraordinary generosity of the people of this great nation.”

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10195-prince-harry-plays-charity-polo-in-the-usa

Stand up for real food today, May 17th, as food revolutionaries all around the world take a stand for good food and essential cooking skills.

With over 1,000 activities on the map, Jamie Oliver's 2nd Annual Food Revolution Day will be a fun foodie filled day across the globe.

“I’m completely humbled by the amazing amount of support from all over the world this year,” says Jamie Oliver. "Food Revolution Day started last year from a little idea I had to have one day where everyone who cared about real food, home-cooking and better food education could join together, stand united and shout loud.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10194-jamie-olivers-2nd-annual-food-revolution-day