Look to the Stars - celebrity charity information

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Dozens of celebrities including actors Matt Damon, Cheech Marin, and Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr are helping to raise funds for a research centre dedicated to pediatric rheumatology at Canada’s B.C. Children’s Hospital

Inspired by Karim Chandani, founder of Celebs for Kids in partnership with the Arthritis Society of Canada and Lupus Canada, the $3.5 million project – the Ross Petty Research Chair in Paediatric Rheumatology – will address the enormous lack of knowledge about Lupus in both the medical field and the general public, and the fact that there is currently no such research or treatment facility in Canada.

According to lupus sufferer Dr Jan McCaffrey, lupus is difficult to diagnose or treat because it affects every patient differently and has only a fraction of the research or public awareness compared to that of other well-known diseases. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy body systems and tissues, resulting in pain and organ damage. McCaffrey says, “If I had to write a bumper sticker for doctors and lupus with a view of helping diagnose patients sooner, I would say, ‘If it doesn’t make sense, think of lupus.’”

Celebs for Kids is Chandani’s response to his daughter’s lupus diagnosis last year. “It started out being about my daughter,” he says, “but it very quickly changed when I found out about the amount of kids who are affected.”

Celebs for Kids has three major fundraisers planned. Two will be in August: star-studded poker and golf tournaments hosted by Grant Fuhr, who has invited several friends to participate – including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Kevin Costner and Lil Jordan.

There promises to be a celebrity at each table, live entertainment and a fashion show at the funny money poker game on the 14th. The golf tournament the next day will offer things like $1 million dollar hole-in-one, luxury cars to win, prizes per hole ranging from $20,000 to $375,000, a dinner cruise and gala evening. “We have three levels at the River Rock where 700 guests can mix and mingle with tons of celebrities,” said Chandani. “We have spent no money. Everything has been sponsored or donated and it’s been absolutely amazing.”

The third fundraiser is the $7 million Facebook challenge, ongoing until December 2 where Facebookers can donate a dollar at a time, recruit their friends to do the same and spread the word.

Chandani says, “We are excited about the power social media networks have to create mass awareness and exposure for these diseases. I’m so motivated by this to make things happen and change things very quickly.”

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Written by Tim Saunders

Rockers Pearl Jam have raised $3 million for charity after a gig in New York City on Monday night.

The band played an impressive 26-song set during a private show at the Big Apple’s 2,800-capacity Beacon Theater and raised the cash for the Robin Hood Foundation’s poverty fighting initiatives, bringing the Seattle-based band’s current tour to a successful and charitable close.

The show – to which some fans forked out $2,250 for a ticket – followed the band’s announcement last week that they are to back a campaign to raise money for patients fighting health insurance companies for payouts. A pre-concert fundraising party was held before the band’s concert in Connecticut on Friday, organized by Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness leader Jennifer Jaff.

The band were made aware of the plight of patients by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, who has battled Crohn’s disease – a bowel disorder – for the last 25 years.

“Jennifer Jaff is one of the best advocates for patients I have ever seen,” said McCready. “It’s super-important for her to fight against the insurance companies that will deny people any kind of coverage for their pre-existing conditions. The work she does is justified, and I just love it. We live in the greatest country in the world, and I have lived here my entire life, but we need to invest our money back into things that look at a broader scope, not just things that are going to make us money. If people are going to die because some legislation didn’t go through, that, to me, is abhorrent. That’s not what America means to me.”

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Written by Jennifer Beckmann

X Games champion, reality star and budding philanthropist Ryan Sheckler will take to the links with 120 others to raise money for five charities.

The 18-year-old skateboarding phenomenon will host his first celebrity golf tournament – the Ryan Sheckler X Games Celebrity Skins Classic – on July 29 at the renowned Trump National Golf Course in Palos Verdes, CA. Many celebrities and professional athletes will participate, including Jerry O’Connell, Anthony Anderson, Audrina Patridge, Kendra Wilkinson, Dean Cain, Kevin Federline, Brody Jenner, Verne Troyer, Mia Hamm, Vicki Hurst, Bode Miller, Baron Davis, Carey Hart, Travis Pastrana, and Dave Mirra.

The tournament aims to further the mission of the Sheckler Foundation and raise funds for four additional charities: the Athlete Recovery Fund, which provides financial support to seriously injured BMX, FMX, and skateboard athletes; Boarding for Breast Cancer, a youth-focused awareness organization; Road 2 Recovery, which provides financial assistance and emotional support for motocross athletes coping with career-ending injuries; and Wings for Life, a spinal cord research foundation.

Says Sheckler, “I’ve always had a desire to help the kids who support me in my career and may not have had the same opportunities that I did. I have reached a point where I have the ability to give back, and I’m honored to have such a great response for this tournament from my professional colleagues and friends.”

The event will include a $10,000 hole-in-one putting contest and an 18-hole skins tournament, where the winner of each hole will receive $10,000 for the charity of his or her choice. Additional funds will be raised with a silent auction at the event’s dinner reception.

Ryan Sheckler became a professional skateboarder at 13, and has won numerous gold medals at competitions including the Gravity Games and X Games. Ryan also has his own clothing line and stars in “Life of Ryan,” a reality show aired on MTV.

The Sheckler Foundation was created in 2008 as an avenue for Ryan and his family to give back to the community that has supported Ryan’s athletic career. The Foundation supports medical research to cure childhood disease; enrichment programs for children in low income areas; and action sports athletes who are injured on the job. In April 2008, Sheckler donated his own Range Rover to the top fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund 5K Run/Walk.

For more information on the Sheckler Foundation or to register for the tournament, please visit their website.

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Written by Tim Saunders

Darryl McDaniels – also known as DMC from veteran hip hop group Run DMC – is to perform at a charity after-party in Massachusetts next week.

The Beckett Bowl Post-Event Party at Rain Nightlife in Malden will close a night of celebrity charity bowling hosted by All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett on July 10.

The 44-year-old rap star will join a host of celebrities, including David Ortiz, Jon Lester, Mike Lowell, Javier Lopez, Tim Wakefield, David Aardsma and more as they raise money for the Josh Beckett Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Boston. Beckett Bowl is an annual fundraising event which supports community-based programs that strive to improve the health and wellbeing of children, and last year’s event raised over $275,000.

“I’m very excited that DMC is going to be part of the foundation’s second annual charity event,” said Beckett. “This is going to be an incredible night. With a celebrity of DMC’s stature and talent behind us, the rewards for the community and children of Greater Boston are sure to be great.”

The event will begin at 6pm with a Red Carpet event and autograph session. The bowling tournament will kick-off at 8pm. Local companies and individuals are invited to sponsor four-person bowling teams for the event, and each team will be joined by a celebrity teammate to compete for unique prize packages. Tickets to the after-party cost $100 and are available from Ticketmaster.

More information can be found at www.beckettbowl.com.

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Written by Tim Saunders

Anybody interested in celebrity fashion should head over to www.clothesoffourback.org in the next few days to bid on some of the fabulous items up for grabs in the name of charity.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance has an exciting range of clothes and memorabilia up for auction on the site, including the Badgley Mischka dress that Comedy For A Cure honoree Teri Hatcher wore to the “American Idol” Season 7 Grand Finale, a green Max Mara wrap dress, smoky quartz & sterling silver earrings, and autographed photo from “Dexter” star Julie Benz, a “Chuck” t-shirt autographed by the show’s star Zachary Levi, a “CSI:NY” white lab coat autographed by Melina Kanakaredes, and the Theory dress that “Access Hollywood” correspondent Shaun Robinson wore to last year’s Comedy for a Cure event when she was the show’s emcee.

Bidders should be quick, as the auction ends on July 8.

And for anybody who wants to step out on the town in some special shoes, Clothes Off Our Back is also auctioning off a range off footwear designed specially by stars such as Sheryl Crow, Hilary Swank, Zooey Deschanel, Rose McGowan, Kate Winslet, Maggie Grace, Cate Blanchett, Kirsten Dunst, Kristin Davis, Natasha Henstridge, Lisa Edelstein, Pink, Becki Newton, Melissa George, Kerry Washington, America Ferrera, Ana Ortiz, and Kate Walsh.

Proceeds from the auction will go Second Harvest (the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization), The Art of Elysium (which enriches the lives of artist and critically ill children), World Education (focusing on girls’ scholarship programs in Africa), and autism research. The auction ends on July 11.

Over 500 celebrities have participated in Clothes Off Our Back auctions since it was established by Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford in 2002, helping raise over $2 million for various children’s charities.

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Written by Tim Saunders

Bono’s (RED) charity has announced a new music delivery system as their latest way to raise money for AIDS sufferers in Africa.

Internet users can pay $5/month to use the service, and will receive a weekly installment containing an exclusive song from one of the world’s top artists, a song by an emerging artist, a piece of non-music content called a “Crackerjack surprise,” and stories of how (RED) funds are being used to combat the deadly disease.

“The world’s best brands created (RED) products that have generated over US$110 million,” said Don MacKinnon, (RED) President of Content. “What we are doing now is applying the (RED) model to music. Every week you will receive great music from amazing artists and people living with AIDS in Africa will receive lifesaving antiretroviral medicine.”

Half of each month’s membership fee will go directly to the Global Fund, and just five subscribers will generate enough money annually to provide a person living with HIV with antiretroviral treatment for one year.

“Don MacKinnon just might be the penicillin the ailing music business needs,” said Bono. “He is an innovator by nature and I have no doubt that some of the music software we are working on at (RED) will help change the way music is received, as well as changing the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drug that (RED) can provide.”

Although the new system doesn’t come online until Autumn, you can pre-register at www.joinred.com.

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Written by Tim Saunders

UNICEF Ambassador Jackie Chan visited East Timor last week to spread a message of non-violence to the country’s youth.

The visit aimed to curb a culture of “martial arts gangs” – groups of youths that have been involved in street fighting that led to an outbreak of violence that killed 37 people and caused thousands to flee their homes less than two years ago.

“If you use martial arts to help somebody, you’re the hero,” said Chan. “If you use martial arts just on the street to fight somebody, even if you win you’re not the hero – you’re nobody.”

During the visit, Chan met Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and led a choreographed martial arts display in front of over 5000 young people at Dili’s national stadium. He hopes his presence will help gangs realize their art is a discipline, not a weapon.

“It does not matter what school of martial arts we are from as long as we are united,” he said. “Training for martial arts helps you to strengthen your eyes, your mind and your body. When you have a good body and mind, let’s help people. Don’t harm them.”

You can watch a video of Chan’s visit here.

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Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney will appear in an advertising campaign in Britain this month to encourage people to support the Paralympic Games in Beijing.

The campaign, organized by ParalympicsGB, will ask people to donate cash to help disabled athletes who want to compete in the games, and McCartney hopes his input will help the future of disability sport.

“I met leading Paralympic dressage rider Sophie Christiansen and was completely blown away by her skill, dedication and the fact that she had won a gold medal for Britain, so I felt I had to do something,” said the 66-year-old ex-Beatle. “My suggestion was simple. Why not create an ad that would highlight the work of ParalympicsGB and call on the British public to donate much needed money.”

McCartney has also been on the campaign trail for Canadian Harp seals in the last few days. He appeared in a special video shown during an anti-seal hunting video played at a rally in Brussels on Tuesday, urging demonstrators fight for a European seal products import ban.

“Stopping the import of seal fur into the European Union could really put an end to this brutality once and for all,” he said. “Please ask the EU to ban this terrible trade today.”

It is not the first time the singer has campaigned for an end to the slaughter of thousands of Harp seals that takes place in Canada every year. He visited the country with ex-wife Heather Mills in 2006 to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper to end the “heartbreaking” hunt that has left a “stain” on the Canadian character.

Other celebrities to support the end to the slaughter include Slash, Martin Sheen, Mick Jagger, and Brigitte Bardot.

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Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett, suffering from a rare form of Alzheimer’s since 2007, gave $1 million to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust in March 2008. Prompted by Pratchett’s philanthropy, a group of loyal readers have formed an online fundraising campaign, Match It For Pratchett.

The goal of the “spontaneous, grassroots, totally unofficial campaign” is to match Pratchett’s $1million donation through public contributions to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Match It For Pratchett T-shirt sales, and a “Wear the Lilac” pin campaign. In addition to raising funds and awareness for the cause, Match It For Pratchett has also become a hub of information about Alzheimer’s disease and the latest news on Pratchett himself.

Since being diagnosed in December 2007 with a rare, early-onset form of the disease called posterior cortical atrophy, Pratchett – who turned 60 in April – has been a staunch advocate for Alzheimer’s research. Of his diagnosis, Pratchett has said, “I am, along with many others, scrabbling to stay ahead long enough to be there when the cure comes along… It is a shock to find out that funding for Alzheimer’s research is just 3% of that to find cancer cures.” Pratchett has appeared on television and radio to discuss his diagnosis, and is currently working on a documentary series with the BBC that will follow him as he copes with his illness.

In response to Pratchett’s donation and advocacy, Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, emphasized the urgent need for awareness and research. She said, “Whilst we were deeply saddened to learn of Mr Pratchett’s diagnosis, we are delighted that he has chosen to speak out about his experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, to raise awareness about its impact and the desperate need for more research. Research is the only way to beat this disease and help people like Terry – to prevent them losing their thinking skills and keep them doing the things they love.”

Match It For Pratchett is determined to harness the power of the Internet and the passion of grassroots advocates to spread this message across the world. In addition to offering donation opportunities, the organization also encourages people to raise awareness about the cause through blogs, Facebook, and other online applications.

More information can be found at www.matchitforpratchett.org.

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Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have received awards from the RSPCA for their work to improve animal welfare.

The pair received the honors at the charity’s AGM in London earlier this week after backing the RSPCA’s Freedom Foods scheme – an initiative that guarantees animals have been raised on farms that meet the charity’s standards. Both chefs released television programs earlier this year – Oliver’s Fowl Dinners and Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Chicken Run – revealing the conditions in which many chickens are farmed. Since then, the pair has continued to campaign for producers and retailers to adopt higher welfare standards… although at least one major supermarket chain in Britain has come out in direct opposition of their ideas.

Fearnley-Whittingstall, who was on hand to accept the award, thanked the RSPCA and insisted that the campaign must continue.

“We are delighted to present both Hugh and Jamie with these awards in recognition of their valuable ongoing work in this area,” said Dr Marc Cooper, RSPCA senior farm animal scientist. “We look forward to carrying on our partnership with the chefs and hope that with their support, the revolution in raising chicken welfare standards throughout the UK will continue.”

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Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Hyde Park was transformed into a giant birthday bash Friday night as 46,664 people joined “birthday boy” Nelson Mandela and a stellar lineup of entertainers to raise funds and awareness for his 46664 charity.

It had been raining on and off all day in London, but the skies cleared just in time for the once-in-a-lifetime lineup of musicians and entertainers to take the stage in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday. The event was hosted by an enthusiastic Will Smith, and performers included Jivan Gasparyan, Razorlight, the cast of Into the ‘Hoods, Sipho Mibuze, Leona Lewis, Zucchero, Suzanna Owiyo and D’Gary, Sugababes, Annie Lennox (who performed with the Agape Children’s Choir), Emmanual Jal, Vusi Mahlasela, Jamelia, Loyiso, Johnny Clegg, Joan Baez, Eddy Grant, Kurt Darren, Simple Minds, Brian May and Andrea Corr, Amy Winehouse, 9ice and Bebe Cool, Josh Groban, Amaral, and Queen and Paul Rodgers. The renowned Soweto Gospel Choir accompanied many of the acts. Additional entertainers who introduced the musical acts included Quincy Jones, Lewis Hamilton, Geri Halliwell, Peter Gabriel, Stephen Fry, and Jerry Dammers.

After Jivan Gasparyan opened the show with an instrumental piece to accompany a moving series of photographs of Mandela, Will Smith took to the stage with his wife Jada and announced, “The party starts now.” An energizing performance by Razorlight set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Quincy Jones introduced crowd favorite Leona Lewis, who sang her two top hits “Better in Time” and “Bleeding Love.” Lewis wished Mandela a happy birthday and told a touching story of how she and her family used to sing songs about him when she was young.

Other birthday wishes came via a film of various celebrities who were unable to attend, including David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Crow, Morgan Freeman, and Susan Sarandon.

Smith returned to the stage throughout the show, revving the crowd with a surprise performance of his song “Switch,” which included rap verses from his hit television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Annie Lennox, a passionate HIV/AIDS activist and staunch supporter of Mandela’s charities, made a moving speech about a young girl she had met in Africa who was gravely ill with AIDS but was able to make a miraculous recovery thanks to proper treatment and care. Before and after images of the girl were shown on the large screens behind Lennox, who then performed a song with the Agape Children’s Choir. The crowd sang along as the lyrics “We are together… We are family” flashed across the screens.

Peter Gabriel introduced Emmanual Jal, a former child soldier in Sudan who sang a song dedicated to the British aid worker who rescued him and 150 other children. Gerri Halliwell introduced trailblazing South African music legend Johnny Clegg, who performed a duet with Joan Baez.

Immediately following this performance was the highlight of the night. Will and Jada Smith introduced the “birthday boy” himself, and Nelson Mandela was escorted onto the stage to thunderous cheers and applause. The concert performers gathered on stage and, together with the nearly 50,000 people in attendance, sang “Happy Birthday.”

Mandela waved to the crowd and made a brief, moving speech. “We say tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it’s time for new hands to lift the burdens,” he said. “It’s in your hands now, I thank you.”

Eddy Grant and Kurt Darren followed up Mandela’s appearance with “Give Me Hope Johanna,” a song Grant wrote during South Africa’s apartheid regime. Simple Minds performed, having also performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1988; and celebrated English humorist Stephen Fry introduced Brian May and Andrea Corr. The most highly anticipated performance of the evening came next, as a recently hospitalized Amy Winehouse teetered onto the stage in platform heels to perform her hit songs “Rehab” and “Valerie.”

After a politically-fueled performance by Nigerian artist 9ice and Ugandan musician Bebe Cool – who appeared on stage in bright orange prison jumpsuits emblazoned with “46664” – Josh Groban sang with Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Spanish artists Amaral performed an acoustic number, and then Mandela and the audience were treated to a video of U2’s Bono and The Edge singing Stevie Wonder’s peppy rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

The penultimate act was Queen and Paul Rodgers, who performed a fan-friendly medley of Queen’s greatest hits, including “The Show Must Go On,” “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions.” The crowd sang and clapped along thunderously.

The concert’s finale featured anti-apartheid campaigner and musician Jerry Dammers, who organized the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. Dammers and Winehouse led the entire line-up of performers and the crowd in singing Dammers’ anthem “Free Nelson Mandela.” Formerly sung in protest against Mandela’s imprisonment, the song took on a celebratory tone and was a fitting end to an historic event.

All proceeds from the concert will go to 46664, the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s campaign for global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

To send birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela – who turns 90 on 18 July – visit www.happybirthdaymandela.com. Proceeds from this birthday card campaign go to Nelson Mandela’s charities.

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Written by Tim Saunders

Desperate Housewives’ Teri Hatcher has made a huge donation to help those affected by poverty and disease in Kenya.

The 43-year-old recently spent two weeks in Africa with her daughter, 10-year-old Emerson Rose, visiting schools and orphanages in the slums of cities such as Nairobi. She said the goal of the trip was to raise awareness of the problems that are faced on a day-to-day basis, and to help improve conditions and the lives of families and children.

Hatcher had raised more than $35,000 in donations and supplies from individuals and companies in the US for AmericaShare, a well-established organization that provides education, food and housing to children and adults affected by poverty and HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and handed over the money while visiting Nairobi.

“I was sitting just surrounded by kids and I was saying, ‘What do you like to do? What’s your favorite thing to do during the day?’” said the actress after visiting an orphanage in Nairobi’s Makuru slums. “And I think this one kid thought I said, ‘What’s your favorite day?’ Because he said, ‘My favorite day is this day.”

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Written by Tim Saunders

Hip hop artist Wyclef Jean spent five days in his native Haiti last week to further his humanitarian efforts in the impoverished Caribbean nation, and used the visit to call for serious economic change.

The 35-year-old rapper – born in the Haitian village of Croix-des-Bouquets – stated that the country needs foreign investment and assistance with sustainable development to help its people beat the poverty and food shortages that are crippling its economy, not just charity and handouts that could cause Haiti to become even more dependent on other nations than it is now.

“I understand that there is a food crisis that needs to be addressed urgently, but at the same time donors need to inject funds in projects likely to bring sustainable results,” Jean told Reuters. “Charity will never solve Haiti’s problems. Haitians want jobs, they want to develop their agriculture to produce food, not to everlastingly receive food assistance. To solve the economic crisis, we need investments and to have investments we need security. To have security we have to start addressing the social problems in the most vulnerable and underprivileged neighborhoods.”

Jean, who was appointed as a roving ambassador for the country by President Rene Preval last year, has been working tirelessly to help Haitians in their day-to-day struggle to survive. He established the Yéle Haiti Foundation in 2005 to make a difference in education, health, environment and community development, and in May he launched an initiative to raise $48 million to expand food distribution and provide assistance to farmers. He has also urged Haitians to cut their high crime rate to make foreign investment more secure.

“Social and economic change will remain a utopian dream if we remain divided,” he said.

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As part of their new “Play-A-Part” initiative, E! Entertainment has teamed up with Sean “Diddy” Combs and CÎROC Vodka to create a multi-platform public action campaign that promotes drinking responsibly and offers a solution for people to find a safe ride home. E!’s Drive Safe campaign includes on-air spots that feature some of today’s hottest celebrities at a popular Hollywood nightclub, as well as easy online and wireless access to taxi services across the country.

“E!’s public action campaigns are designed to provide viewers with the resources they need to make a positive social change,” said Suzanne Kolb, Chief Marketing Officer of E! Entertainment and The Style Network and General Manager of E! Online. “E!’s Drive Safe campaign goes farther than simply saying ‘drunk driving is bad.’ It provides a real solution for viewers to enjoy their social lives but still be safe. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and CÎROC Vodka share our passion for generating awareness and action on this issue and helped bring enormous star power to the campaign.”

“CÎROC Vodka is an ultra-premium luxury vodka which epitomizes the ‘Art of Celebration,’” states CÎROC partner, Sean “Diddy” Combs. “I believe that it is important to promote responsible drinking and generate public awareness on the necessity of designating a driver. With the help of some great celebrity friends and E! Entertainment, we were able to create a campaign that will resonate with viewers and ultimately drive home the message that any designated driver is a star. If you plan to drink, plan a cab or safe ride home.”

Celebrities featured in the campaign include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Eva Longoria, Tommy Lee, Wilmer Valderrama, and Gabrielle Union, as well as Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt from E!’s “The Girls Next Door” and Catt Sadler, Debbie Matenopoulos, Sal Masekela and Ben Lyons from E!’s “The Daily 10.” In the spots, the celebrities surprise club-goers who are about to head home and offer to give them a lift.

The key message of the campaign is to make smart decisions after a night of partying and that “any designated driver is a star.” To ensure that viewers can make that smart decision easily, people are encouraged to log on to E! Online.

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• Eva Longoria Accepts Donation For Children's Cancer Charity

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Following the devastating earthquakes last month in China’s Sichuan and Gansu provinces, Yao Ming – Chinese center for the Houston Rockets basketball team – felt compelled to do something and to do it quickly… so he created the Yao Ming Foundation.

In the long term, the Foundation will “raise funds and awareness of children’s wellness and welfare issues in China and the United States.” But more importantly in the short term, it will address the immediate needs of the children in China affected by the quake, specifically the need for earthquake-proof schools.

“It is very hard to put into words how difficult it is to see this kind of destruction,” said Yao. “My thoughts and actions are now focused on helping to rebuild the schools that were destroyed in this tragedy and I hope that others around the world will join in our efforts.”

More than 185 schools were destroyed during May’s earthquake. The Yao Ming Foundation’s website says, “A donation of $100,000 will rebuild a permanent school for approximately 300 students while a gift of $3,500 will provide one prefabricated classroom for 50 students, including desks and chairs.” By working with proven charities, the Foundation will build safe replacements schools and then focus on youth related causes on both sides of the world.

The Houston Rockets, colleagues such as Steve Nash, and many others are answering Ming’s call. Launched only a few days ago, the Foundation raised over $3.5 million in the first week.

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• Kite Runner Auction Raises Afghan Hopes
• Steve Nash Celebrity Roast a Success

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

The Look to the Stars team prides itself on reporting inspirational celebrity news that other sources miss, and on its close partnerships with charities and celebrities. We were therefore delighted to act as guest editors for Celebrity Society Magazine, highlighting the philanthropic work of a number of top celebrities.

Celebrity Society is a quality publication that celebrates the philanthropic spirit of celebrities and dedicates its pages to the promotion and encouragement of good works in the community and beyond.

For its latest issue, the magazine turned to Look to the Stars – the leading online source of celebrity charity news – to provide an in-depth look at some celebrities who have applied their energies in highly personal and direct ways to support the causes close to their hearts. The individuals featured include George Clooney, David Beckham, and Salma Hayek.

Started over three decades ago, Celebrity Society has become a leading authority on the extraordinary people whose contributions make up the life source and voices of non-profit organizations and foundations, and gives readers insight into their philanthropic passions. Available throughout California, Aspen and New York, Celebrity Society Magazine is a quarterly subscription magazine that includes celebrity profiles and exclusive interviews with the “movers and shakers” of the philanthropic community.

To learn more about Celebrity Society Magazine and read some of Look to the Stars’s editorial and features, visit the magazine’s web site at www.celebritysociety.com.

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• Jude Law Champions Annual Day Of Peace
• Harrelson, Hayek Play For Charity In Cannes

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Ben Affleck took a Nightline crew along on his third trip in a year to the Democratic Republic of Congo in an effort to raise awareness about the plight of its people.

In a place where 1,200 people die every day from things like preventable disease (over five million dead in the past 10 years of internal conflict, 16 times as many as in Darfur’s ongoing genocide); in a place where boy children are used as soldiers and girls as militia wives and where two of every three women have been raped; in a place that visually more resembles scenes from the Road Warrior, Affleck says this failing state needs the world’s attention.

Aired last week on ABC, it was not necessarily a Nightline report nor was Affleck acting as its correspondent. The airing was simply meant to record Affleck’s journey to understanding. According to ACB News spokesperson Emily Lenzner, “We basically went with a camera… and followed [Affleck] around. It was his observations, his journey that we documented.”

Determined to get the whole picture, Affleck tried to examine each perspective. In his introductory essay he wrote, “My trip brought me to camps for people displaced from their homes, to rural hospitals, to gold mines, and even to remote operations with the United Nations designed to “sensitize” the most violent and vicious of the foreign-born militia in an effort to encourage them to return to their country of origin. I met with warlords and peacemakers, survivors and aid workers.”

Clear in the understanding that his Nightline piece would not turn the Congo around overnight, he is hopeful it may plant some seeds into the consciousness of Americans. “The connected human chain which binds us demands that we contribute, even if only in some small way, to the betterment of the world. Congo is a place that deserves, at the very least, our eyes and our ears.”

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• Damon and Affleck Travel to Africa

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

Written by Tim Saunders

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton has made a substantial donation to a children’s hospital in Los Angeles.

The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announced on Thursday that the 27-year-old socialite had made an “extremely generous” donation towards the construction of a new building at their facility – a 460,000-square-foot Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, expected to open in 2010.

“I am so happy and fortunate to announce my support for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” said Hilton. “The children I have met through my involvement with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have truly touched my heart. I am proud to make a donation and lend my name to the fundraising effort to help children who are facing terribly serious illnesses. The fabulous new hospital facilities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will provide a caring, healing environment for children and their families for many years to come.”

Hilton began her association with the hospital following her release from jail last year, and has also donated the proceeds from the launch of her eponymous clothing line last August to the facility. The size of the latest donation has yet to be made public.

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• Celebrity Soccer Match Scores For Charities

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

Written by Tim Saunders

One lucky bidder will have the chance to stretch their limbs with Russell Simmons at a private yoga lesson in a new charity auction the hip hop mogul has launched on eBay.

The 50-year-old has launched the auction to raise money for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a charity he established to provide arts and education programming to New York City youth. Over 75 items have been donated to the auction by a variety of celebrities, all of whom want to reach out to urban youth and offer personal testimony to the transformative power of creative expression.

As well as the yoga opportunity, items up for auction include a one week internship with Simmons at his executive office, a personalized George Clooney cell phone, the chance to meet Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, and Dionne Warwick, the opportunity to attend a baseball game with Petra Nemcova, and a personal rendition of Happy Birthday from John Legend.

The auction runs until July 24, and can be accessed through Charity Buzz.

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• Orlando And Bono Attend Gorbachev Gala

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

Written by Dawn Fantasia

“This event means a lot to me,” wrote Tiger Woods in a note to his fans expressing his appreciation for their outpouring of support for the AT&T National, in which 120 of the world’s best players will compete for the AT&T National tournament trophy and $6 million in prize money at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesday, MD, on July 2-6.

The opening ceremony will include performances by the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet, the Joint Honor Guard representing the five branches of the military.

“I wanted this year’s ceremony to honor the men and women who serve in our military and their families,” Tiger Woods said. “I grew up in a military household, which gave me an understanding of the sacrifices these soldiers and their families make for all of us. It’s our way of saying thanks to them.”

“I’m really looking forward to playing the AT&T National. It’s a world-class venue that should provide a great week of competition,” said Fred Couples, who holds 15 PGA TOUR victories and will be participating in the AT&T National’s ceremonial first shot on Wednesday, July 2. Davis Love III, who holds 19 PGA TOUR titles, added: “Congressional has one of the greatest courses in the U.S. and I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to compete on the Blue Course.”

Tournament officials announced that other top golfers committed to the 120-player field include KJ Choi, Rocco Mediate, Zach Johnson, Anthony Kim, Stuart Appleby, J.B. Holmes, Ryuji Imada, Paul Goydos, Bart Bryant, Jeff Quinney, Daniel Chopra, D.J. Trahan, Fred Funk and Charles Howell III, Notay Begay, Chris Riley, Olin Browne, Billy Andra and many more.

Children ages 13-18 will have the opportunity to participate in the First Pump Challenge at a station in the Grove at Hole 11 by sharing their proudest moments and greatest achievements with Tiger Woods. Children at home can also participate in this challenge online by submitting an essay or video about their “first pump moment” to the Tiger Woods Foundation at www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org.

AT&T has donated more than $500,000 worth of prepaid phone cards to Cell Phones for Soldiers. During the tournament you will receive free postage at the AT&T Digital Clubhouse to mail your old cell phone to the organization. If you are not planning on attending, you can still help out by dropping your old cell phone off any AT&T store.

For more information, go to www.att.com/pressroom/soldiers. Tickets for the tournament start at just $25 and can be ordered by calling 1-800-594-TIXX or visiting the tournament website at www.attnational.org.

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• Vijay Makes Charity Work In India a Big Deal
• Third Annual Tiger Woods 'Block Party' Raises over $1M

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Copyright © 2008 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.