Look To The Stars News: Human Rights

Reese Witherspoon Launches Global Partnership To End Violence Against Women

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Reese Witherspoon joined forces with Avon in 2007 to help end violence against women and has continued to support the cause. On March 10, 2010, Witherspoon – along with the CEO of Avon – joined the State Department and Vital Voices to launch the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women during a breakfast meeting in the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Room.

The Global Partnership was formed to assist women that have been, or will be, affected by violence at some point in their life. This conference focused on the three most pervasive crimes against women: domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. A global action plan was developed, which included the advocacy campaigns being started in India and Argentina.

Celebrities Back A Massively Good Initiative

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Big names such as Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Susan Sarandon and will.i.am are backing the easiest way yet to contribute to the fight against AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and to improve maternal and child health care in developing countries: click on MASSIVEGOOD when booking an airline ticket on line or tell your travel agent to do so.

By clicking MASSIVEGOOD, each ticket purchaser contributes two dollars to the cause. When one considers how many airline tickets are purchased each day, it’s easy to see the potential of the combined contribution.

The first one to click on MASSIVEGOOD, former US president Bill Clinton said, “We may be in the process of seeing a massive redistribution of responsibility across the globe, where ordinary people who get on airplanes say, ‘OK, we’ll buy the medicine,’ and let the public funds be used to build out the health systems. This could save millions and millions of lives. This is really a way of empowering ordinary people around the world and using technology for the public good.”

“All great things come from many little things,” is the catch phrase behind the organization’s publicity clips.

Melissa Etheridge And Rob Thomas Join Live Earth Run For Water

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Live Earth has announced that two-time Grammy Award-winner and one-time Academy Award winner for Best Song for the Al Gore documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” Melissa Etheridge, and multi-platinum three-time Grammy Award-winner Rob Thomas, will perform live at the Los Angeles and Atlanta Dow Live Earth Run for Water events, respectively.

The largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water), culminating with water education villages and live musical performances.

“I’m a long-time environmental advocate and believe strongly that it is our duty as a society and as individuals to preserve our planet and its resources,” said Melissa Etheridge. “I want to lend my name and time to this event because the global water crisis is an environmental issue that affects nearly one billion people on the planet and through this event we can raise awareness and money to help address it.”

“I am thrilled to be participating in this important event to bring clean, safe drinking water to the women and children around the world walking 6km every day to sustain their families,” said Rob Thomas. “I encourage the Atlanta community to come out on April 18th because together we can make a difference in the lives of so many.”

The events will take place in nearly 100 cities across 50 countries around the world on April 18, 2010, to raise awareness and funds to help solve the global water crisis. Jessica Biel, Peter Wentz, Angélique Kidjo, Alexandra Cousteau and Jenny Fletcher have already been announced to support events on April 18th. Additional artists announcement for events taking place in Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York coming soon.

Funds raised from the events will benefit Global Water Challenge, a coalition of non-profit organizations working to bring clean, safe drinking water to millions of people worldwide. This includes innovative projects that provide clean drinking water to communities in Haiti, Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. GWC has invested in previous projects with donations going towards improving access to water in schools and supporting local entrepreneurs who provide market-based solutions.

Beginning today, Live Earth will donate $1 for each U.S. registration received between now and March 23 for a special Haiti relief fund through GWC coalition partners CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Population Services International, and UNICEF to implement safe drinking water programs on the ground in Haiti. People interested in supporting the Haiti relief fund should register for a Dow Live Earth Run for Water run/walk event in the U.S. before March 23 via The Active Network at http://liveearth.org/run, using promotional code HAITI.

“The money raised from these events will help thousands of people in the developing world get access to clean drinking water. We look forward to investing these funds and impacting lives.” said Paul Faeth, President of Global Water Challenge.

The Los Angeles Dow Live Earth Run for Water event will be held in Exposition Park, near downtown Los Angeles, with the 6km course starting on Exposition Park Drive, turning onto Figueroa and traveling three kilometers toward downtown, turning around at 17th Street for the return three kilometers, and ending in the Water Village in Expo Park. Starting time for the run is 8:30 a.m.

More info on how you can be part of an event near you can be found here.

Stars Urge For Maternal Health In Amnesty Film

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:30:00 -0000

Celebrities including Keira Knightley, Annie Lennox, James Purefoy and Beverley Knight have called on the UK Government to make maternal and newborn health a priority in its international development assistance in a new short film released by Amnesty International yesterday (12 March).

The film, which premiered in the Houses of Parliament, is part of Amnesty’s campaign to ensure the UK government prioritizes maternal and newborn health care globally to enable all women access their basic right to health care. Entitled ‘Every day should be Mother’s Day’, the three-minute, star-studded film also features Dervla Kirwan, Colin Salmon and Jonathan Pryce.

“We’re delighted that so many celebrated artists are willing to stand with us on this very important matter,” said Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen. "We want the government to maintain a strong political will to improve maternal health around the world.

“Ten years ago, world leaders made a commitment to reduce the rate of maternal deaths significantly by 2015. With just five years to go, the world is way off track of us seeing this goal fulfilled. We must see greater political commitment from all leaders around the world to ensure that fewer women die as a result of inadequate health care or lack of information about their basic rights.”

Every year, approximately half a million women die because of childbirth related factors – mainly in poorer countries.

Earlier this week, a coalition of organizations including Amnesty, Save the Children and the White Ribbon Alliance, revealed that the rate of pregnant women dying in countries in the developing world is as bad – and in some countries far worse – than the rate of women dying in Britain 100 years ago.

Today Amnesty International also published a major new report on the rate of maternal deaths in the USA, where figures show that two to three women die in childbirth or pregnancy-related factors every day. These deaths occur because of a lack of health insurance, barriers to health care for those who speak little or no English or who live in poverty, and a shortage of health care professionals in rural and inner-city areas.

Adding his voice to the campaign, actor James Purefoy said: "It’s beyond belief to think that every minute one woman in the world dies because of childbirth or related issues. That’s why I’m supporting Amnesty’s call to ensure that a pregnant woman’s basic right to health care is not denied. "

Amnesty is also encouraging thousands of its supporters to send a Mother’s Day card outlining its calls to each of the three main party leaders – Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg – to maintain political commitment to maternal health in their global priorities. So far approximately 4,000 people have taken action online via www.amnesty.org.uk/mums.

Throughout the year, Amnesty along with other members of the coalition of organisations will be calling on the UK government to increase financing of maternal and child health in developing countries and to place maternal and child health at the heart of strengthening those countries’ health systems. It is also urging the UK to increase its commitment to supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights.

After taking part in the film actress Dervla Kirwan said: “Too many women are dying needlessly in childbirth or because of their pregnancy. Every day should be Mother’s Day – that’s why I’m committed to supporting Amnesty’s call to improve maternal health for all women.”

The film can be viewed at www.amnesty.org.uk/mums.

Annie Lennox Supports Minute For Mothers Campaign

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:50:00 -0000

In a release from her official website, Annie Lennox is supporting the Minute for Mothers campaign, an initiative set up by a coalition of leading charities including Save the Children, White Ribbon Alliance, Oxfam, Amnesty International and Mumsnet, which is joining forces with politicians and celebrities this week to hold a minute for mothers across the world.

The event in central London at 10.30am on March 12 sees 3,000 white roses laid across Old Palace Yard opposite parliament to represent the 3,000 pregnant women who will lose their lives this Mother’s Day weekend. Every minute of every day a mother-to-be from somewhere around the world dies simply because they don’t have access to the vital healthcare they need before and during childbirth.

If you can’t attend the event but would like to support it here are some ways you can take action online:

  * Send a virtual flower that acts as an e-action to the three main party leaders.  

Spread the word on Twitter by tweeting this message: Every minute a mother dies. Politicians need 2 b aware that #mothersmatter RT 2 make it a trend b4 Mothers day.

What was your — or your child’s — first word? Find out and update your Facebook status with it. Just the first word, nothing else. Poverty kills childhood. By updating your status you’re showing the world you support Save the Children’s campaign to end it.

Click here to visit the official website to find out more.

Ricky Gervais Appeals For Chilean Earthquake Donations

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British comedian Ricky Gervais has appealed to fans to help victims of last week’s earthquake in Chile following an emotional email from a young fan who survived the disaster.

Gervais posted the email on his blog, and asked fans to give to the Red Cross appeal.

“I’m from Chile, where we just had an enormous earthquake, tons of people died (though not as much as in Haiti) and over a million people’s homes were hit hard,” said the fan, known only as Max. "Personally I wasn’t struck as hard, but I was left without electricity and running water for three days. I had enough food and bottled water to last me at least a week, so that wasn’t a problem; and a battery-operated radio to listen to news about the earthquake.  

“This is where Ricky comes along. I was horribly bored, I had nothing to do (apart from listening to the news, which get a bit depressing), when I remembered something transcendental: My Ipod was fully charged AND HAD THE COMPLETE PODCASTS, XFM SHOWS AND GUIDES TO…  

“Ricky Gervais’ audio work really helped me get through the days while keeping me in a good mood, thinking about things other than the horrible destruction of my country. The stories of the round-headed buffoon Karl asking what were the names of “those things in the movie gremlins”, or when Steve was trying to be cool driving a car in his teens only to end up crying because some cooler kids wanted to get a pig in the car, really made the difference to me in that moment of despair.  

“What I’m going with really is, thanks Ricky and the gang for keeping me laughing and sane for three days.”

To give to the Red Cross appeal, click here.

Vampires And Werewolves Play Charity Baseball

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0000

True Blood fans will be excited to learn that Nelsan Ellis, star of the award-winning HBO series, will join stars of the Twilight movie series to take part in a charity baseball game to benefit Haitian Relief Efforts by the Red Cross and Hope for Haiti.

The game will take place in New Orleans on March 20, and will also feature Chaske Spencer (Sam Uley in New Moon), Alex Meraz (Paul in New Moon), Daniel Cudmore, and Tyson Houseman and Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints players Garrett Hartley and Kyle Eckel, actors Wayne Morgan, Sam Medina, Thomas Hyde III and more.

Highlights of this unique baseball adventure include watching an exhibition game, getting autographs and photos with the stars, meet and greets, and an exciting after-party and concert. 25% of net proceeds from each celebrity baseball ticket sale will go towards these Haitian Relief organizations to support their ongoing efforts to rebuild lives destroyed by this disaster. A portion of proceeds will also be used to support New Orleans non-profit organizations such as The Blood Center and the 9th Ward Field of Dreams. In addition to the game, The Blood Center will host an on-site blood drive.

Tickets ($25) and more info are available here.

Stars Come Out For Charity Cocktail Party

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Celebrities flocked to the March 6 ‘Montblanc Charity Cocktail’ event hosted by Harvey and Bob Weinstein in West Hollywood to benefit UNICEF.

Montblanc has been known for generations as a maker of sophisticated, high quality writing instruments, and for their unwavering support of UNICEF.

One year ago, Montblanc committed to raise US$1.5 million for UNICEF between February 2009 and June 2010 through its global Signature for Good initiative. This initiative features twelve of the world’s brightest stars photographed portraying a heroine from one of literature’s timeless classics.

Emily Blunt, Marcia Cross, Andie MacDowell, Helen Hunt, Milla Jovovich, Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, Mira Sorvino, Jessica Lange and Lauren Hutton each donated their portrait to an exhibition and auction to support UNICEF.

The Montblanc Charity Cocktail to honor UNICEF celebrated the Weinstein Company’s Academy Award Nominees “Inglourious Basterds” (8 nominations); “Nine” (4 nominations); and “A Single Man” (1 nomination).

Celebrities such as Jackie Bissett, Adrien Brody, Kristin Davis, Lawrence Fishburne, Tom Ford, Diane Kruger, Nicole Richie, Quentin Tarantino and many others attended this exclusive Charity Gala hosted by Montblanc, where Montblanc International CEO Lutz Bethge handed over a subtotal of US$2 million to Ms. Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Following the event, the Montblanc Wish Tree, bearing these special aspirations for those less fortunate, will tour the world, and return to New York City in September where it will be exhibited for the international launch of the Montblanc Donation Pen John Lennon to collect more wishes. At this special occasion, Montblanc will further announce the charity programs which will benefit from the donations of the sales of the Montblanc John Lennon pen. At the end of the year, the Montblanc Wish Tree will be auctioned to benefit education programs for children in need.

For more information about Montblanc Charity Initiatives, please visit www.montblanc.com or become a fan on Facebook.

Coldplay Appeals For Chilean Earthquake Relief

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British band Coldplay used Twitter last week to encourage fans to support the Red Cross in its earthquake relief work in Chile – and fans responded in such numbers that they crashed the charity’s website!

“Two million people have been affected by the earthquake in Chile – donate towards the Red Cross’s relief work,” wrote singer Chris Martin. The message was followed less than an hour later with: “Amazingly, you folks just crashed the Red Cross’s Chile Appeal donation website – it’s back up now.”

Coldplay is joined in their plea by Leeza Gibbons, who used Facebook to urge fans to give to the relief fund: "Donate $10 to survivors of the Chile earthquake thru @RedCross, text “Chile” to 90999, I’m on the celebrity cabinet, please help if you can!"

To lend your support to the Red Cross as it endeavors to bring relief to the devastated country, click here.

Coldplay is currently touring Latin America, and the band’s favorite charity, Oxfam, has gone with them. To read regular reports from the road, click here.

Shakira Receives Charity Medal

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Shakira has once again received a medal from the U.N. labor agency for her charity work.

At a small ceremony Wednesday in Geneva, U.N. labor chief Juan Somavia called Shakira a “true ambassador for children and young people, for quality education and social justice.”

The 33-year-old Colombian pop star’s foundation, the Barefoot Foundation, provides nutrition to more than 6,000 children in Colombia. In addition to working as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, she is also member of the ALAS Foundation that advocates for children across Latin America.

Shakira said in a statement Thursday that social, economic and environmental policies must focus on children and their education.

Annie Lennox To Walk The Bridge For Women

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0000

To honor the resilience of millions of women survivors of war around the world, Women for Women International is hosting a global campaign called Join me on the Bridge on International Women’s Day: March 8, 2010.

  Singer Annie Lennox will join thousands of people at 10am on Monday, March 8, at Victoria Embankment Gardens in London, where they will walk to the Millennium Bridge. There will be a women’s festival along the embankment and, at 12:00, they will join together on the Millennium Bridge. Along with other bridge events happening around the world on the same day, this event will be filmed and featured in a viral video to be produced and widely released following the campaign.  

The event will take place in many cities around the world, click here to find the event closest to you and take part in a global movement that says NO! to war and YES! to peace and hope.  

Visit www.womenforwomen.org to find out more.

Exclusive Photo Feature: Olympians' Hearts of Gold

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:34:00 -0000

We have witnessed the amazing physical feats of the US Team in the Olympics, and now the Olympians want to share some of the other wonderful ways they use their time and strengths. Look To The Stars is honored to bring you news of their charity work, with thanks to NBC/USOC for providing the images.

Chad Hedrick (Long Track Speed Skating – won a bronze medal)
Competes on Friday and Saturday, February 26th & 27th

Chad hosts an annual golf tournament for to benefit the TX Special Olympics.

“I’m a very proud supporter of Texas Special Olympics!”

Angela Ruggiero (Hockey)

Former Director: New York Islanders Project Hope
Athlete Advisory Board Member: Women's Sports Foundation
Athlete Ambassador: Right To Play
Athlete Advisor: Momsteam.com
Member: 350.org

Rachael Flatt (Figure Skating)

“I have partnered with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), which is the nation’s oldest children’s literacy organization. It is a blend of two of my passions…education/reading and volunteering. I hope that I am a good example of the phrase ‘student-athlete’ and that it is possible to combine the two and be passionate about both! I have also found more opportunities to volunteer in the past two years and I feel that it is very important to give back to the community at large."

Johnny Spillane (Nordic Combined)

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Todd Lodwick (Nordic Combined)

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (Todd’s son, Finn, was diagnosed with epilepsy at 5 months)

Julia Mancuso (Alpine Skiing – won 2 silver medals)

WWF Climate Change

Don’t miss the following athletes, appearing in the Figure Skating Exhibition on Saturday, February 27th!

Evan Lysacek (Figure Skating – won a gold medal)

Celebrity board member for Ronald McDonald House

Co-produced and hosted a skating show that raised $90K for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a memorial fund for a friend who died of cancer.

Meryl Davis & Charlie White (Ice dancing – won a silver medal)

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
American Cancer Society
March Of Dimes
The Humane Society

Hannah Teter (Snowboarding – won a silver medal)

Hannah started a maple syrup company, Hannah's Gold. The proceeds of the maple syrup sales provide water to a Kenyan village and helps AIDS afflicted mothers and children acquire land. She also donates the prize money she wins from racing to the village and visits often.

Emily Cook (Freestyle Skiing)

Emily is very involved with Right To Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sports programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
She traveled to Amman and Aqaba, Jordan with the organization in April, 2009.

Gretchen Bleiler (Snowboarding)

Gretchen works with ‘Climate Project’ and the NRDC on building awareness around environmental issues. Her Oakley signature line of clothing is eco-friendly, and she works with all her sponsors to create eco-friendly sponsors when possible.

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Ice Dancing)

Created a fundraising ice show, “Tanith & Ben: Home for the Holidays,” which benefits the American Cancer Society, and an ice show, “Skate-Aid,” which raised over $40K for the American Red Cross tsunami relief.

Steve Nyman (Alpine Skiing)

Helped build an orphanage in Haiti (Steve was involved with aid in Haiti before the earthquake), and is involved with Team Darfur & A Child's Hope Foundation.

Erin Pac (Bobsledding – won a bronze)

Race for the Cure (Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

Johnny Weir (Figure Skating)

Elton John AIDS Foundation
Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
UNICEF

Noelle Pikus-Pace (Skeleton)

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Lindsey Jacobellis (Snowboarding)

ASPCA – Started her own effort to benefit the ASPCA, called Hats 4 Hounds. She knit 101 hats to sell, and all the sales proceeds went to the ASPCA.

You can continue to show your support for the US Olympians by helping to support their causes and charities, and you can find a wealth of information on the athletes at NBCOlympics.com or TeamUSA.org.

And, don’t forget, the US Olympic Committee is a 501©(3) organization and needs continuous support in order to keep sending the best athletes to the Olympic Games!

Christie Brinkley Launches Charity Auction For Haiti

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Model Christie Brinkley has donated a whole wardrobe of clothing and accessories to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

The auction includes jewelry from the model’s own design collection, such as ear rings, sunglasses and more. Also going under the hammer are dresses worn by Brinkley and her daughter Alexa Ray Joel – including Brinkley’s wedding dress – shoes, and reading glasses.

“85% of the winning bid on this auction item will be donated to the American Red Cross to support emergency relief efforts in Haiti. Assistance provided by the American Red Cross may include sending relief supplies, mobilizing relief workers and providing financial resources."

The auction – run by Clothes Off Our Back – runs until March 11 and can be accessed here.

NFL and TV Stars Play GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:13:00 -0000

The lines have been drawn for the GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge, and it’s time to visit www.GameStop.com/BattlefieldBC2 to pick your winners and enter for a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of $10,000.

Each of the 16 teams in the GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge is captained by a different celebrity or athlete, two Major League Gaming professionals serving as team sergeants and two amateur gamers selected by Electronic Arts. These 16 teams will compete in a bracket-style tournament in the Squad Rush multi-player mode until only one team is left standing (Squad Rush is available exclusively for 30 days to GameStop customers who pre-order Battlefield: Bad Company 2 before March 2). To the victor belong the spoils, as the winning team gets bragging rights as well as a $25,000 donation by Electronic Arts to the team’s charity of choice.

The official team names, captains, charities and the pro gamer team members (as identified by their gamertags) for each of the four brackets are as follows. Complete team profiles and bios can be found at www.GameStop.com/BattlefieldBC2. Online bracket selection closes March 4.

First Bracket:
· Team O-H-N: Captain Chad Ochocinco (NFL star), playing for Feed the Children, pro gamer team members Jet Steele and Soldi3R187
· Team Philly Eagles: Captain DeSean Jackson (NFL star), playing for a cure for pancreatic cancer, pro gamer team members Problem and Big Tymer
· Team 28 Guns: Captain Marshall Faulk (NFL legend), playing for MF Foundation, pro gamer team members Bestman and SK
· Team Can’t be Faded: Captain Andre Berto (WBA Welterweight Boxing Champion), playing for Berto Dynasty Foundation, pro gamer team members Totz and Predator

Second Bracket:
· Team Numero Uno: Captain Matt Cassell (NFL star), playing for Shadow Buddies, pro gamer team members Tsquared and Fearitself
· Team Operation Killers: Captain Patrick Willis (NFL star), playing for Yéle Haiti Foundation, pro gamer team members Killa and Elamitewarrior
· Team PA All Stars: Captain Donnie Edwards (NFL star), playing for Jump 4 Life, pro gamer team members Victory X and Neighbor
· Team Keibler’s Elves: Captain Stacy Keibler (actress, Dancing with the Stars, former wrestler), playing for UNICEF, pro gamer team members Maniac and Legend

Third Bracket:
· Team McNasties: Captain Matt Lanter (actor, 90210 star), playing for the Alzheimer's Association, pro gamer team members Tizoxic and Destin
· Team Cross Fighters: Captain Shaun Sipos (actor, Melrose Place), playing for the American Red Cross, pro gamer team members Defy and Clutch
· Team ZERO 1: Captain Hal Sparks (comedian), playing for the Lili Claire Foundation, pro gamer team members Walshy and Sharpshot93
· Team Buck Shots: Captain AJ Buckley (actor, CSI: NY), playing for Operation Smile, pro gamer team members Flamesword and Snipedown

Fourth Bracket:
· Team Charlie Angels: Captain Charlie O’Connell (actor, the Bachelor), playing for Reading is Fundamental, pro gamer team members Hysteria and Ghostayame
· Team Winona Ryders: Captain Perez Hilton (gossip columnist/TV personality), playing for Lambda Legal, pro gamer team members Cloud and Strongside
· Team YOWZA!: Captain Greg Grunberg (actor, Heroes), playing for the Epilepsy Foundation, pro gamer team members Cpt. Anarchy and Lunchbox
· Team Little Monsters: Captain Tristan Wilds (actor, 90210), playing for Yéle Haiti Foundation, pro gamer team members Legit and Rambounit

Jackie Chan Speaks Out Against Tiger Products

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan has spoken out against the use of tiger products in China, admitting that he once used them.

“If you stop buying tiger products, they will stop killing the tigers,” he wrote on his website. “I used to think that medicine with tiger bones would heal you, but I was just contributing to them killing more tigers! Tiger skin, tiger medicine, tiger bone – we don’t need it. Lets all save the tigers, especially during the Year of the Tiger! Go to www.wildaidchina.org.”

Chan took part in a press conference to help WildAid China, and was especially moved by a speech made by WildAid and Environmental Justice Foundation founder Steve Trent.

“Why is this campaign and the support it has won so important?” asked Trent. "Simple, the tiger is in big trouble: year on year poaching and illegal trade in its parts and products, along with loss of habitat in the wild so that today fewer than 4,000 probably still survive in increasingly isolated and fragmented wild populations, down from over 100,000 at the beginning of the 20th century – far fewer than are now held in captivity.

“In working together to stop the illegal and unsustainable trade in wildlife we must remember the role of the market place. If the demand for endangered wildlife products continues as it is today, the illegal trade will continue to flourish. But, if everyone refuses illegal or unsustainable wildlife products, the market will shrink, poaching will decline and we all will have made a contribution to conservation, so please remember: ‘when the buying stops, the killing can too.’”

To read the full speech, click here.

Shakira Launches Early Childhood Charity Initiative

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Grammy Award-winning artist Shakira and World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick have launched a US$300 million joint initiative aimed at expanding development programs for young children in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The “Early Childhood Initiative: An Investment for Life” seeks to focus cost-effective policies and resources in the region, while mobilizing public support to improve opportunities for its young citizens and thereby help overcome deep inequalities, said Zoellick during a signing ceremony of the partnership agreement between Shakira’s ALAS Foundation, Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the World Bank, held at the Bank’s Washington D.C. headquarters.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide children with adequate nutrition, healthcare and stimulating environments from the moment of conception through age six –a period of development crucial for achieving a child’s full potential. The initiative will help expand ECD programs in a region where 9 million children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition and 22 million lack access to early basic care.

“If we want to build a better world, we have to give children the chance to improve their lives, no matter where they are born or how difficult their circumstances. By giving every child a fair start in life, we are improving our collective future,” Shakira told the an audience of 100 VIPs, including Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors and officials from the education sector, along with representatives from other international organizations.

The singer made a special trip to the Oval Office to meet Barack Obama as part of the launch: “It was such a privilege to sit down with the President in the Oval Office to discuss our shared commitment to education and early childhood development. We agreed that investing in our children is the smartest strategy governments can use to boost economic growth, fight poverty, and promote global security and peace. We will be working closely with the President and his staff to implement his vision – for Latinos, children in the United States, and around the world.”

The Colombian artist is a leading activist for children and the founder of ALAS – a coalition of Latin American artists and business leaders promoting the adoption of comprehensive ECD programs in the region.

The groundbreaking initiative will provide over the next two years US$300 million in loans, grants and trust fund resources, as well as technical support, towards the design and implementation of ECD policies in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will also expand a learning community of practitioners to exchange knowledge and experiences.

“ALAS – and Shakira in particular – have made an enormous contribution to placing young children at the heart of the public policy priorities in Latin America ,” said Zoellick.“We are pleased to work with her, ALAS and the Earth Institute to offer hope and opportunity for children who deserve a better future.”

Zoellick and Shakira explained that investments in ECD programs are among the most effective –and cost-effective– a country can make as participating children demonstrate improved health and academic outcomes, while showing higher productivity and income in later years. They noted that delays in early childhood interventions are difficult and costly to reverse later in life, as the Bank’s recent publication The Promise for Early Childhood Development in Latin America illustrates.

Citing Haiti’s emergency response as a timely example of working with partners, Zoellick said that ECD initiatives will play a key role in Haiti’s reconstruction, where attention will be placed on rebuilding not only the country’s infrastructure but also the potential of its people. He stressed the importance of partnering with UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Food Programme, among others, to provide urgent relief to the Haitian children and mitigate the long-term impact of the January 12 earthquake on an entire generation of Haitians.

One of the initiative’s first programs will be a partnership with Mexico’s state agency CONAFE to provide training for parents and caregivers to improve their competencies and practices in caring for children 0-4. The initiative will focus on the poorest 172 municipalities in Mexico, located primarily in its southern states.

In addition to providing funds to participating countries, the Early Childhood Initiative will work with the ECD Secretariat for Latin America and the Caribbean, a project of ALAS, the Earth Institute, and the governments of Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Panama, Paraguay and Argentina, to develop best practices and identify promising pilot projects for children under 6. This work will be presented at the UN’s Millennium Development Goals Summit in September and the XX Ibero-American Summit of the regional Heads of State in November in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Ricky Martin Leads All-Star Cast To Raise Charity Cash For Haiti

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It has been a busy few weeks for Ricky Martin – last Monday he presented government officials in Puerto Rico a study on human trafficking, and now he is fronting a campaign to help victims of the Haitian earthquake.

The She Bangs singer returned to his native country of Puerto Rico last week to urge the government to act on the human trafficking problem. He presented officials with a study carried out by his Ricky Martin Foundation that pinpoints the country as having a major role in the illegal sex and kidnapping trade.

“This is happening on our island,” he said. “We cannot turn our back on the victims.”

This week, the singer is fronting a campaign with Habitat For Humanity to help victims of the Haitian earthquake. He teamed up with a host of famous names – including Alicia Keys, Ellen DeGeneres, Eva Longoria, Ryan Seacrest, Adam Lambert, Jimmy Fallon, Switchfoot, Linkin Park, Janet Jackson, Carrie Underwood and Dave Matthews – to produce a video to encourage people to give big to the Recovery Fund.

“Every aspect of people’s lives in Haiti has been disrupted, and in many cases, almost completely destroyed,” said Martin, who travelled to Haiti on January 19 to see the disaster firsthand. "Although hearts and homes are shattered, spirits aren’t broken. Meeting the families in Port Au Prince affected my soul and I knew I had to do all I could to protect the children.   

“So, just like we did after the tsunami in Thailand, the Ricky Martin Foundation partnered with Habitat for Humanity and created a long-term plan. We then reached out to the artistic community and asked people to join us in our call to action. The response was overwhelming―over twenty top musicians, artists and TV personalities helped us create the RMFHaiti video.

  "Please join us as we rebuild hope, rebuild homes and rebuild Haiti."

There are a number of ways you can help the campaign – through texting, donating and Twitter – and a number of celebrities involved in the video – including the Black Eyed Peas, Jada Pinkett Smith, Justin Bieber, Will Smith and many more – have autographed hardhats to be auctioned by Charity Buzz until March 9. Click here to access the auction.

Ricky Martin is also giving away VIP meet-and-greet passes to his concerts to people who make donations.

To find out more about Ricky’s initiative and how you can help, click here. To watch the all-star video, click here.

“Children and families impacted by this disaster will need long-term help restoring their lives—in every sense of the word. Every family is a family in need,” says Martin. “I’m asking each of you to think about the future of the children. What they will need to survive after they are properly fed and have received appropriate medical care is a safe and decent home.”

Pete Wentz Named UNICEF Tap Project Ambassador

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0000

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF today announced that musician/entrepreneur and social philanthropist, Pete Wentz will be the national spokesperson for the 2010 UNICEF Tap Project.

Now in its fourth year, the UNICEF Tap Project is a grassroots initiative that will take place during World Water Week 2010 (March 21-27) and invites individuals to donate $1 or more for tap water at participating restaurants to provide clean water to children around the world.

Best known as the bassist for the immensely popular rock band, Fall Out Boy, Wentz has been regularly active—both at home and abroad—in supporting social causes which impact the well-being of children.

“It’s truly an honor to be the national spokesperson for the Tap Project and support efforts to provide clean water to children in the developing world,” said Wentz. “Water is something that we as Americans often take for granted but the reality is, the lack of clean and accessible drinking water kills 4,100 children under the age of five every day and as a new father I have become highly attuned to the needs of children everywhere. Unfortunately, it’s usually when emergencies like Haiti occur, that the importance of clean water really becomes apparent to the rest of us.”

In its four years of existence, the UNICEF Tap Project has become a uniquely hip, award-winning national campaign which has attracted a wide swath of volunteers and celebrity supporters. With a dynamic presence in social media and vibrant advertising creative as a mainstay, the Tap Project has been particularly popular among the college-aged demographic and the young urban professional set.

As national spokesperson for the UNICEF Tap Project, Wentz will be the face and voice of the campaign offering the Tap Project to individuals and restaurants across the nation as a simple and effective way to make a difference in a child’s life. Wentz will not only lend his name and likeness to support the initiative, but will also be available for national media opportunities which allow him to raise awareness of the global water crisis and its impact on children.

Since its inception in 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project has raised nearly $1.5 million in the U.S. and has helped to provide clean water to millions of children around the world. Countries slated to receive 2010 funding include: Central African Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Togo and Vietnam.

In 2009 alone, more than 1,500 restaurants from 40 states and more than 3100 volunteers participated in the national campaign, making it the largest volunteer mobilization effort for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Giorgio Armani's men’s fragrance, ACQUA DI GIO FOR MEN, is the 2010 National Supporter of the UNICEF Tap Project.

“Whether it’s supporting the psychosocial needs of children affected by conflict in Uganda, or helping organize American youth to lobby Congress on social justice issues, Pete has been a true and dedicated friend to the world’s children,” said Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “We feel strongly that Pete is the right fit for Tap and we’re thrilled he has agreed to join us in our larger mission to reduce the number of preventable childhood deaths from 24,000 daily to zero.”

This year’s initiative will rely heavily on volunteers expanding their efforts beyond restaurant recruitment to include other grassroots activities like community water walks, dinner parties, fundraisers, concerts and more.

Previous national spokespeople for the Tap Project have included, UNICEF ambassadors: Sarah Jessica Parker (2007), Lucy Liu (2008) and Joel and Benji Madden (2009).

Nearly 900 million people do not have access to clean water and nearly half of those people are children. Young children are the first to get sick and die from waterborne and sanitation-related illnesses including diarrheal diseases and malaria.

UNICEF works in more than 100 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices. Over the past 15 years, more than a billion people gained access to improved drinking water and sanitation facilities thanks to UNICEF’s efforts. Every day, 24,000 children die of preventable causes, and UNICEF is committed to doing whatever it takes to make that number zero. With $1, UNICEF can provide one child access to safe, clean water for 40 days.

For more information or to register as a volunteer, visit www.tapproject.org

Lindsay Lohan Launches Charity Auction

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:30:00 -0000

London’s newest events space Altitude London continues to raise more money for the British Red Cross in aid of Haiti with Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan.

Following the success of last week’s celebrity charity fundraiser iRock4Haiti, which has raised so far an impressive £55,000, Altitude London has launched an eBay auction in association with The British Red Cross which will be hosted on both eBay and their website from February 23rd 2010.  

The lots for the eBay auction have been personally sourced and donated by Lohan and Altitude London, with the aim of bringing the total sum raised to over £100,000. Prizes include a money-can’t-buy Limited Edition NYPD Car signed by Lindsay Lohan. The NYPD car has just been used in a Viral Marketing Campaign to launch Altitude London’s new venue The River room to The United States market. Other auction lots include 4 nights at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills as well as an afternoons shopping and lunch with Lindsay Lohan, a trip in a Phenomenon 100 Jet to Paris for a Michelin Star Lunch, the ultimate cinema experience at the Millbank Cinema for the winner and 400 friends, and a VIP party for 200 guests including a champagne reception at Altitude 360.  

A cheque for the total amount raised following the event and auction will be presented to The British Red Cross on completion of the eBay auction on March 5th 2010.

Star Portraits To Go Under Hammer For Oxfam

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Portraits of a group of British celebrities will go under the hammer for Oxfam in London to benefit woman in West Africa.

Sixteen modern British icons – including Annie Lennox, Sophie Dahl, Yasmin Le Bon, Rosamund Pike, Liberty Ross, Laura Bailey and more – have been captured on canvas by fashion designer Alice Temperley and photographer Adam Whitehead. The pair have reinterpreted Norman Parkinson’s photographs, and the images have been printed on life-size canvas.

“We are very excited about this project and the quest we embarked on in general to produce something entirely different every season to showcase our clothes,” Temperley told VOGUE.COM. “This particular project is very important to me as it also aims to give back to a cause that is close to my heart. Working with all the great talent on this was inspiring and a lot of fun. To me that is what fashion and creativity should ideally be about.”

Ashton Kutcher Heads To Russia To Strengthen Bonds

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Ashton Kutcher has been recruited by the State Department to join a delegation heading to Russia to discuss how communications technologies and social media can be used to strengthen and broaden the ties between the United States and Russia.

Kutcher, known for his love of social media, along with eBay CEO John Donahoe,Twitter co-founder and Square founder Jack Dorsey, and Cisco CTO Padmasree Warrior will be among those ‘Tweeting’ about the experience and discussing such topics as how to foster entrepreneurship; how to use the Web to improve training, distance learning for remote populations, e-government initiatives, and cultural exchanges; and most importantly, how to use the Web to combat child trafficking and corruption-an issue close to Kutcher’s heart.

Kutcher and his actress wife, Demi Moore, are the founders of the DNA Foundation, which works on anti-trafficking issues. Kutcher also founded production company Katalyst and has been active in promoting and furthering social media initiatives.

The trip comes after last year’s tech delegation traveled with the State Department to Iraq and Mexico City to see how technology can help aid the countries. The results were astounding.

The delegation is tentatively scheduled to meet with the Russian Ministers of Communications, Health and Education; with advisors to President Medvedev; with leaders of Russian technology and telecommunications companies; with cultural and educational leaders; and with civil society organizations concerned with health, child welfare anti-trafficking, and anti-corruption efforts.

You can follow Kutchers journey via Twitter or Facebook.

Peter Buffett Joins Angélique Kidjo For Charity Single

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0000

Emmy-award winning musician and philanthropist Peter Buffett has teamed up with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Grammy award-winning musician Angélique Kidjo, to release “A Song For Everyone” on February 12. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit the Batonga Foundation, an organization founded by Angelique to advance education for girls in Africa.

Fans of Peter’s pop/rock and new age-influenced music can expect to be pleasantly surprised by the new dimension that Angelique’s signature worldly sound brings to the single. Writing in their respective native tongues, the uplifting, vibrant song has lyrics in both English and Yoruba.

Peter and Angelique encourage fans to share the music with friends and support the Batonga Foundation simultaneously, by using the “gift” function on iTunes or Peter’s online store at www.peterbuffett.com/store.

Every cent helps: 2 downloads buys a girl a math set; 3 downloads buys a girl lunch during the school day; 5 downloads buys a girl a textbook; 10 downloads buys a girl a school bag or uniform; and 1,000 downloads pays school fees for an entire classroom of 45 girls to go to school for a year!

The Batonga Foundation gives girls a secondary school and higher education so they can take leadership roles in Africa. They are doing this by granting scholarships, building secondary schools, increasing enrollment, improving teaching standards, providing school supplies, supporting mentor programs, exploring alternative education models, and advocating for community awareness of the value of education for girls by addressing gender prejudice. The foundation currently has an active presence in the countries of Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sierra Leone. The name “Batonga” stems from a word Angelique made up as a response to taunts when she was going to school— the boys didn’t know what the word meant, but to her it was an assertion of the rights of girls to education. To donate to the foundation, please visit www.batongafoundation.org/donate.

“Collaborating with Angelique was a wonderful surprise – her passion, energy and commitment – both to her music and in support of girl’s education was incredibly inspiring,” says Peter Buffett.

Angelique states, “Our ancestors fought for our freedom and the pride of human kind. Each one of us has a responsibility to hold the torch and pass it on intact to the next generation.” She hopes to give the next generation of young African girls the chance to realize their dreams and create a better future for their children through her work with Batonga.

 Peter’s social action site, IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, has recently partnered with DoSomething.org and is currently working towards a site re-launch this spring. Fans can visit Do Something’s “Celebs Gone Good” blog to see behind-the-scenes video of Angelique and Peter, at www.dosomething.org/celebsgonegood.

Quentin Tarantino Launches Lost Art For Charity

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

A special art show kicks off February 18th in Los Angeles as the “Lost Art of Inglourious Basterds” is put on display where fans of the film and art collectors can purchase unique posters with all proceeds going towards the American Red Cross to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.

The art-show comes from a partnership between SA Studios Global’s Film Marketing Division, Quentin Tarantino, Upper Playground and The Weinstein Company.

‘The Lost Art of Inglourious Basterds’ includes artwork by a select group of accomplished artists – David Choe, Sam Flores, Estevan Oriol, Grotesk, Jeremy Fish, Patrick Martinez, Alex Pardee, Dora Drimalas, Munk One, N8 Van Dyke, Rene Alamanza, Morning Breath and Skinner Davis – each of whom have created their own poster art based off their interpretation of the Oscar Nominated film Inglourious Basterds’ artwork.  Each print will be numbered and signed by Quentin Tarantino. Only six of each amount will be made. The prints can be viewed and purchased at UpperPlayground.com.

The kick-off in Los Angeles is February 18 from 6 – 9pm at The Upper Playground Art Gallery located at 125 East 6th Street in Downtown LA. The installation will remain up for four weeks. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the limited edition prints for $300. The prints are only available for purchase at Upper Playground, Los Angeles. Phone orders and web orders will not be accepted. Prints will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. The purchase of prints will be limited to one per buyer.

Stars Sign Chrysler Car For Charity Auction

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

February 20 will see a Chrysler 300 signed by hundreds of celebrities go under the hammer to raise money for the Red Cross' relief efforts in Haiti.

The car has been signed by everybody who is anybody in Hollywood, including George Clooney, Oprah, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, Paul McCartney, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Mariah Carey, Stanley Tucci, Nicole Kidman, Sigourney Weaver, Mark Wahlberg, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Gerard Butler, Seal, Heidi Klum, Kiefer Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Hugh Laurie, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and many more.

Tulsa’s Leake Auction Company will auction the car at their Collector Car Auction in Oklahoma City.

The auction has been organized by Stars For A Cause, and more info can be found here.

British Stars Back Robin Hood Tax For Charity

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British actor Bill Nighy is fronting a campaign to introduce a global tax on banks’ financial transactions to fight poverty.

The Robin Hood Tax is backed by charities such as Oxfam and UNICEF, and is led by writer/director Richard Curtis (Notting Hill).

“You could ignore the big problems facing the world … or you can work to find an innovative, modern, regular way of accumulating a fund of money,” the campaign wrote in an open letter to the leaders of the country’s political parties. “We would ask you to seriously consider the Robin Hood Tax as that radical new option – a small tax on bankers that would make a huge difference to the UK, to the poorest countries and to our planet. Let’s turn the crisis for the banks into an opportunity for Britain and the world.”

The campaign calls on banks to pay a levy of 0.005% on every transaction on international markets. The tax would raise over US$175 billion for charities.

To find out more, and watch a promotional video featuring Bill Nighy, visit RobinHoodTax.org.uk.

Wyclef Jean To Co-Host Charity Party With Lindsay Lohan

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Wyclef Jean will join Lindsay Lohan in hosting this week’s massive party event for Haiti in London.

London’s elite will come together on Tuesday 16th February for “iRock4Haiti,” a charity fund-raiser event in association with The British Red Cross.

This is a celebrity fund raiser event to benefit the Haiti earthquake victims. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross. Limited tickets will be made available to the general public. It will be held at Altitude London’s two new event spaces, situated in the Millbank Tower in London’s Westminster, which are joining forces to present this unique experience.

This invitation only event will make a limited number of tickets available to the general public with all proceeds going to The British Red Cross.

The Millbank Cinema & Media Centre will be screening the BRIT Awards live between 8pm – 11pm on its newly installed, world class, state-of-the-art facilities. Limited tickets are priced at £50, which includes a deluxe buffet dinner. There are also VIP tickets available for £70, which includes the best seats in the house and a complimentary glass of bubbly.

A special star studded after party featuring a charity auction and entertainment will be taking place in the newly opened River Room overlooking the Thames from 11pm – 2am. Tickets for the after party are priced at £75, which includes unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. VIP tickets are priced at £100, for which guests will have access to the VIP area, as well as unlimited spirits.

Prizes up for grabs in the auction include First Class flights to LA plus a week at the Pensinula Hotel and a night out with Lindsay Lohan, Sunday Brunch for 4 at The River Room, and the ultimate cinema experience at the Millbank Cinema & Media Centre for the winner + 400 friends.

Find out more here.

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