Look To The Stars News: Miscellaneous

An Intimate Evening With Billy Joel

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Piano Man Billy Joel will hold an evening of questions, answers and a little music at the Hard Rock Cafe in Manhattan on October 27 to raise money for charity.

The “Master Class” event will raise money for Charity Begins At Home, which is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary of funding nonprofit agencies in the tri-state area. Established by Joel in 1978, the organization uses money from the singer’s concerts to fund charities that serve those dealing with child abuse, domestic violence, autism, cancer and other issues.

Tickets for the show – restricted to 400 – can be bid on at Charity Folks. 30 lucky people will get to sit on stage with the singer, and guests will be provided with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

The auction runs until October 14.

Ashley Judd Wants You To Make A Difference

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

October 25 is Make A Difference Day, and Ashley Judd is urging you to help others by volunteering for non-profit organizations.

The 40-year-old has been a Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS for the last six years, and has traveled through 13 countries – including Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – to witness health empowerment programs and raise awareness of their work.

“Volunteer work has revolutionized my life,” she said. “It has, in the best possible, most dramatic and rewarding way, turned my life inside out and upside down.”

The star – who supports causes such as Jeans for Genes and SixDegrees.org – wants to encourage others to help, and says that the feeling of fulfillment is extremely satisfying.

“Volunteering in other countries is spiritually rewarding because it demonstrated to me in such a profound way that the things we think make us different are illusions,” said Judd. “I can’t imagine a better way to see the world than by doing service work.”

To find out more about how to volunteer for a charity on Make A Difference Day, visit www.makeadifferenceday.com.

Giving Back Fund Announces Top 30 Celebrity Givers

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

The Giving Back Fund has released its second annual Giving Back 30 survey, a ranking of the celebrities who have made the largest donations to charity in 2007 according to public records.

Heading the list was Oprah Winfrey, who donated $50.2 million to the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network to “support the
inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children, and families around the world and to encourage people around the world to make a difference in the lives of others”. Coming in second was Herb Alpert, who donated a total of $13 million to the Herb Alpert Foundation, followed by Barbra Streisand, who gave over $11 million to the Streisand Foundation.

To compile the most accurate rankings, The Giving Back Fund culled media reports of charitable giving by sports and entertainment professionals; reviewed PF-990 tax-forms; contacted more than 250 publicists, attorneys, agents, agencies, and managers for information about their clients; sent inquiries to more than 150 charities known for their celebrity associations; and contacted the major sports leagues.

“Our hope is that celebrities will begin to become more comfortable sharing information about their charitable giving - perhaps not disclosing everything they give, but sharing enough that they will serve as role-models to their peers and fans,” said Marc Pollick, President and Founder of The Giving Back Fund. “We know that many celebrities re-direct income from sponsorship and merchandising deals to charity, or help to raise funds in other ways. We are researching reliable means to report this information in a separate list.”

The Giving Back Fund did not include grants made by foundations in the list so as to avoid counting the same funds twice - once when the donor gave money to a foundation and again when the donor decided on a beneficiary for that money. The Giving Back did not calculate giving as a percentage of the celebrities income because there is no consistent way to calculate income when taking into account income from sponsorship and merchandise sales.

Donations to private foundations are disclosed in public documents. However, donations to public charities are not publicly disclosed and therefore may not be reported in the Giving Back 30.

The rest of the list included Paul Newman, who gave away over $10 million; Mel Gibson, who gave $9.9 million to the AP Reilly Foundation, the tax-exempt entity named for his late mother, which supports Holy Family Catholic Church in Malibu, California; Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who collectively donated over $8 million to good causes; and Lance Armstrong, who pledged $5 million to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Other celebrities listed included Michael Jordan, Rosie O’Donnell, Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Hefner, and Tiger Woods.

To see the full list of celebrities and their donations, see the Giving Back Fund website.

Stars Become Brokers For BGC Charity Day

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

BGC will hold its 4th Annual Global Charity Day on Thursday 11th September.

Consistent with its theme, “Working Globally – Giving Locally”, BGC’s offices around the world will raise money for charity as they commemorate September 11 by reaching out to help others.

In New York, London, Paris, Sydney and Hong Kong, celebrities from the worlds of music, stage, screen and sport will join the company’s brokers to help raise money for a number of selected charities. All of BGC’s global revenues generated from the day’s trading will be donated to charity.

Events will take place around the globe, with celebrities becoming stock brokers for a day. In New York, stars such as Tony Sirico, Donald Trump, Steve Buscemi, Regis Philbin, Matthew Modine, Leighton Meester, and Scott Gomez will become traders on Wall Street, while in London, Prince Charles will join Kevin Spacey and Jerry Hall in the City to trade on the markets.

Charities that will benefit from this year’s Charity Day will include: Barnardo’s, Breast Cancer Care, Scope, the Jodie Kidd Foundation, the Prince’s Trust, Baby Buggy, the Rainbow Trust, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Variety Club, the National Down Syndrome Society, the Valerie Fund, the Wounded Warrior Project, Nordoff-Robbins, and many more.

The annual Charity Day has raised over $15 million for charities around the world. For more information about this year’s events, visit the BGC website.

Peter Gabriel To Receive Amnesty International Honor

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Peter Gabriel is to receive a special award for his humanitarian work today, September 10.

The 58-year-old singer has been named as the recipient of Amnesty International’s 2008 Ambassador of Conscience Award, an acolade that recognizes exceptional individual leadership in the fight to protect and promote human rights. Inspired by a poem written for Amnesty International by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, the award aims to promote the work of the human rights organization by drawing attention to the work high profile people carry out, and former recipients include Nelson Mandela, U2, Mary Robinson and Vaclav Havel.

Gabriel is well known for his work with human rights around the world, and first worked with Amnesty when he helped organize the Conspiracy of Hope Tour with Bono in 1986. He went on to found Witness, a video community campaigning for Human Rights, and more recently became a founding member of The Elders – a private alliance of senior global figures who want to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe’s most intractable problems – along with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson, and Jimmy Carter.

The award will be presented at London’s Hard Rock Cafe by U2 guitarist The Edge, who credits Gabriel with introducing the Irish rockers to Amnesty International in the early 1980s. The event will also mark the launch of Amnesty International’s Small Places Tour 2008 , the organization’s most ambitious global music project since the Human Rights Now! tour in 1988. Details of the tour will be announced following the award presentation.

Affleck Tops Charity Stars in Denver

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Denver saw an outpouring of celebrity love during last week’s DNC, with Ben Affleck leading the philanthropic pack.

On the Tuesday night, Affleck took part in a poker tournament, along with Richard Dreyfuss and Montel Williams, which ultimately raised over $60,000 for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“A lot of important organizations use this environment and the people who are here, celebrities, members of Congress, to try and raise money. This is not a Democratic or Republican group, this is a group serving our veterans,” Affleck said of the charity.

Wednesday morning, the Pearl Harbor star was down at a local food bank, the Food Bank of the Rockies, to participate in a repack event for America’s Second Harvest. Also on hand for the event were members of the Senate Hunger Caucus and members of the House – all there to see who could pack the most boxes of food in five minutes. Affleck, incidentally, won both the poker and the packing events.

He was joined by wife Jennifer Garner for a book reading at the Starz Green Room. Also set to attend were Charlize Theron, Daryl Hannah, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Josh Brolin, Kal Penn, Stuart Townsend and Hill Harper.

Jennifer Lopez spoke at a reception sponsored by the Jennifer Lopez Foundation in honor of Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. Fran Drescher, Ashley Judd and Joy Bryant joined Lopez in honoring Edelman.

The Black Eyed Peas performed at the Fillmore Auditorium for the Creative Coalition, and Kanye West performed at a party benefitting the ONE Campaign. Forest Whitaker, Kal Penn and Jamie Foxx were in attendance at the latter.

Moby performed at a private party for DoSomething.org, and Willie Nelson sang out for the people of Darfur at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Get Into Eva's Jeans

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Are you always on the lookout for the hottest designer denim? Kellogg’s Special K brand is giving you the chance to own the ultimate in denim fashion—a pair of autographed, celebrity jeans.

Splurge for the perfect pair of jeans, and not only will you look good but you will feel good as well, because all the proceeds will benefit United Way. Special K has recruited some of today’s hottest, most stylish celebrities to auction a pair of their personal favorite jeans, including Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria Parker, Courtney Cox-Arquette, Trista Sutter, Stacy Kiebler, Kimora Lee Simmons, Kathy Griffin. Virginia Madsen, Gabrielle Anwar, Diane Neal, Samantha Harris and Jennie Garth.

Each winner will receive a letter of authenticity signed by the celebrity. The auction ends September 12th, so go to www.ebay.com/SpecialK to get involved now!

Kellogg’s Special K brand is hosting this auction in conjunction with its Special K “Drop a Jeans Size Challenge”, which has been and continues to be an inspiration to women to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and to look good while doing it! Looking fabulous for a cause has never been so fun and so rewarding, because 100% of proceeds from this auction will benefit United Way.

United Way is a global network of nearly 1,300 local organizations whose mission is to advance the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all. For more information visit www.liveunited.org.

Interview: Death Cab for Cutie Talks to Look To The Stars

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

Summertime in Seoul, South Korea, like in many other big cities, is the time for music festivals. Being a new columnist on the interview beat here in Seoul means I had the chance to attend a few of those festivals and was able to interview some of the artists, too.

During Seo Tai-ji’s 2008 ETP Festival I sat down and talked to two of the members of Death Cab for Cutie – bassist Nick Harmer and drummer Jason McGerr – before their set. I asked them a few questions about their charity work and causes they support both as a group and as individuals.

Jason McGerr made it clear that they are a group that take their causes seriously and that they do their best to “think globally and act locally.” To this end, a portion of their concert ticket proceeds go to the Seattle Public Schools Lunch program.

Nick says, “We’re probably most active as a group with the Seattle Public Schools…to get all those kids fed.”

They also donate both time and money to various music programs in Washington State, and they give table space to non-profit organizations such as Planned Parenthood and to voter registration organizations.

In 2006, they were invited to play at the annual Bridge School Benefit. The Bridge School Benefit is a concert organized by musician Neil Young and his wife, Pegi, that takes place in Mountain View, California. The school’s mission is to help students with severe speech and physical challenges learn the skills needed to fully participate in their communities.

Also, Death Cab contributed a track to the 2007 Causes 1 benefit album to help ease the humanitarian crisis Daufur, Sudan. The benefit album is available on iTunes.

In addition, Death Cab’s guitarist and producer, Chris Walla, attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado along with lead singer Ben Gibbard where they performed at a few shows to benefit the political causes they support.

During the DNC they performed at the “Concert for a Cooler Planet”, the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Rally, and the “Fix Health Care Now” rally. In addition, Chris Walla also wrote a blog from the DNC for Rolling Stone Magazine.

Individually, Nick and Jason describe Chris Walla as “the PETA guy.” Chris has been a vegetarian since he was a teenager. He made a public service announcement for PETA which encourages people to “try vegetarianism”.

Ben Gibbard is also vegetarian. As a group, Death Cab has supported PETA by giving away copies of the 2005 DVD Drive Well, Sleep Carefully. The teamwork regarding the vegetarian lifestyle and cause also shows up in how they tour. Nick and Jason describe themselves as “conscious omnivores”. However, during Death Cab’s tours they eat vegetarian meals.

Jason said, “We’ll roll that way for an entire tour just because it’s just easier having food brought in or prepared.”

“It’s easier to say the whole band is vegetarian because we can eat that, for sure, [but] they [Chris Walla and Ben Gibbard] can’t eat the other options," added Nick.

Nick donates both time and money to the 826 Valencia Writing Center. 826 Valencia is the creation of author Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari. 826 Valencia mission is to support children ages 6 to 18 with their writing skills and to help educators get excited about their student’s writing. 826 Valencia started in San Francisco but now has programs in NYC, Los Angeles, Michigan, Seattle, Chicago and Boston.

Nick says “I’ve donated money and I’ve donated time. I taught a class last year at 826.”

Nick also supports Kiva. “That’s actually a really cool organization. They’re loan brokers for underdeveloped and impoverished areas where people are trying to get businesses started.”

Kiva is a non-profit organization that helps people in developing countries with small loans. Their mission is to connect people together to alleviate poverty. They do this by helping match lenders with entrepreneurs in need of small loans. Lenders browse the profiles of small business owners, choose an entrepreneur and amount to loan to the entrepreneur. Kiva’s partners then distribute the loans and often they also help the entrepreneur with training and other services to help their businesses be successful.

“I’ve been doing that for awhile. It’s been actually really great. I’ve been paid back for every loan I’ve lent out. It’s awesome to have the one-on-one connection with a business owner. It’s really personal. It’s not, like, [you] give your money to some faceless organization. It’s a really fun thing to be involved with,” Nick said.

Jason said, “[My] charitable time is in the world of music [and] the world of teaching and education, spending time in Seattle public schools [and] private teaching schools and donating my time for school camps. Because we’re able to do what we love and make our livings doing it, it is my duty to give back. The budgets in the public school system for not only lunches but for extracurricular programs are just not there anymore. Nick’s mom was a principal for years, she could tell you. My mom was a teacher was a teacher for years, so education has been in my background and upbringing for years and years and years. I used to teach in a music school and don’t have much time now, but when I do have time I certainly volunteer all my time…”

The guys in Death Cab definitely show their commitment to thinking globally but acting locally, backing up their words with both donations and with actions.

Thanks, Nick and Jason, for taking the time to talking to us about the causes important to you!

To learn more about some of the charities Death Cab for Cutie support, visit the websites below:

826 Valencia
The Bridge School
Peta.org
Planned Parenthood

Star Goodies Up For Grabs In Charity Auctions

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Television Academy Foundation is offering an array of exclusive items and experiences to bidders through a special online charity auction hosted by eBay Giving Works.

All proceeds from the auction – which can be accessed through the eBay Giving Works website – will benefit the educational outreach programs of the Television Academy Foundation, as well as the preservation efforts of the Archive of American Television, whose aim is to create an interactive encyclopedia of television history.

A wide range of items are available, including bikes signed by Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, VIP tickets to The Daily Show and signed memorabilia from Jon Stewart, a set visit to CSI: New York, VIP tickets and meet and greets to Jimmy Kimmel Live, and signed memorabilia from the casts of Saving Grace, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, Rescue Me, Law and Order, King of the Hill, Smallville, and Battlestar Galactica.

The auction runs until September 4.

Also running at the moment is the Celebrity Bric-A-Brac charity auction raising funds for AMREF UK – the leading health development organisation in Africa, saving and transforming the lives of some of the poorest and most marginalised people in Africa.

Items up for offer include Ian McKellen’s slippers, Mischa Barton’s handbag, Lily Allen’s dress, and memorbilia signed by Noel Gallagher, Will Young, and Jodie Kidd.

But you must be quick, the auction – which can be accessed through eBay – ends on September 1.

Singers Combine Talents To Support America’s Farmers

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Rachel Krause

A 23-year-old music tradition continues on September 20 as Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young grace the stage at Farm Aid 2008.

While it’s the first time the event will be in New England, it’s not the first time Farm Aid will make a lot of noise. With the mission of combining great music and a great cause, musicians and organizers hope to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep struggling family farms afloat.

While not often covered in the media, there is a crisis facing family farmers in the United States today. Farmers are under intense economic pressure, especially during a recession, and every year thousands are forced off their land. As a result, our quality of food, environment, and food security suffers as large factory farms dominate the rural countryside.

Some think that with that loss of small family farms comes a loss of America.

“We’re at a moment when a lot of people are asking, ‘What is America? What represents America?’ Certainly, I think that the family farm is a main ingredient of what made America,” says Dave Matthews, musician and member of the board of directors of Farm Aid since 2001.

With the scares of tainted tomatoes, spinach, and jalapenos still fresh in American’s minds, people are looking to local farmers to provide safe, delicious, and organic goods. As a result, family farmers are at a higher demand than ever before and it is important to keep these people financially safe and secure.

“There’s a new food movement sweeping the country and Farm Aid is doing all we can to promote that movement,” says Willie Nelson, well-known folk musician and president of Farm Aid.

Every year Farm Aid funds farm support organizations that assist farmers with services including financial and credit counseling, legal advice, and disaster and emergency services. After the recent flooding in the Midwest in June, Farm Aid provided emergency funds for families to buy food and cover living expenses, as well as provided groups to help farmers avoid foreclosure. However, without the nation’s attention and support, Farm Aid’s work could not continue. It is the annual high-profile concert that ultimately keeps Farm Aid alive and running.

“Farm Aid puts family farmers on center stage,” says Caryoln Mugar, Executive Director. “We shine a national spotlight on family farmers – for our food, our health, our environment, our country. Farm Aid has always done that.”

As the longest running benefit concert in America, its ties have remained strong with famous musicians. Young, Mellencamp, and Nelson first organized the event in 1985, which took place in Champlain, Illinois. Throughout its run, famous musicians such as Elton John, Billy Joel, and Bob Dylan have performed in the hope of saving America’s family farmers.

This year’s lineup includes the three founding members of Farm Aid, as well as Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, Dave Matthews, and One Flew South. While the concert is sold out, Farm Aid is sponsoring the Farmer Hero Sweepstakes that will give one winner and three lucky guests the chance to see the concert — which takes place in Mansfield, Massachusetts — for free. There are two ways to enter. One is to simply enter your name and email address on the Farm Aid website. The second option is to submit a 150 word true story about a farmer who you believe is a true hero.

Even if you can’t make it to this year’s concert there are always ways to help support Farm Aid and its mission of saving the family farmer. Anyone can make a donation or become a member. Even a visit to the Farm Aid shop will help support family farmers.

Every little bit counts, as through the efforts of Farm Aid and people across the nation, over $30 million dollars has been raised to support the family farmer, which in turn, has helped build a sound agricultural future for America.

To learn more about Farm Aid 2008 and the sweepstakes, visit http://www.farmaid.org.

Miley's Sweet Sixteen Charity Party

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Anybody planning to visit Disneyland in California on October 5 will have to pay a little bit extra than usual… but don’t worry, it’s all going to charity.

Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus is to celebrate turning sweet 16 with a massive birthday bash at the famous themepark, and the young star is inviting fans to join her by paying $232 to raise money for charity.

“The best part of the party is we’re going to recognize some really cool kids from Youth Service America who are giving back to their community,” said Cyrus. “That’s so awesome because I think it’s really important for kids like us to volunteer.”

Ticket numbers to "Miley’s Sweet 16 – Share The Celebration” are limited to 5,000, and the event will feature a wide range of activities to allow guests to join in the celebration of Miley’s magical milestone. Special Party Zones will highlight the music and fun of Hannah Montana with themed activities and entertainment, and the party will end with a massive fireworks display.

“I only turn 16 once, so it’s going to be an awesome party with my favorite rides, hanging out with friends, fireworks and more,” she said. “I’ll even get to sing a couple songs.”

Youth Service America – who will benefit from the event – is an organization that seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, aged 5 to 25, serving as volunteers. The young star hopes that other young Americans will be inspired to volunteer in their own hometowns.

More info on the party and tickets can be found at www.disneyparks.com/miley.

Kiwi Stars Hold Charity Auction

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

World class rockers and sports stars from Down Under have donated items to a new online auction benefiting an organization that helps disabled and disadvantaged individuals develop their skills and abilities to contribute to their communities.

Past and present members of the All Blacks – New Zealand’s national rugby team – have stepped up to the mark with Olympic medalist Sarah Ulmer and Crowded House’s Neil Finn to take part in the auction, which is rasing money for the Gracelands Trust, an organization based in the North Island of New Zealand.

Founded and developed by Robyn Klos, the Gracelands Trust has developed from a small service supporting people in Te Awamutu to now offering programs throughout the greater Waikato region. It is based on a personal optimistic philosophy that it is possible to harness professional skills and knowledge with community resources and goodwill to provide a people-centered service, where everyone benefits.

The auction includes items such as a Finn Brothers poster signed by Neil and Tim Finn – both born in Te Awamutu – as well as an All Black jersey signed by Colin Meads, a rugby ball signed by Zinzan Brooke, and a cycling shirt signed by Sarah Ulmer.

Anybody interested in the auction – which can be accessed via TradeMe – had better be quick… it ends August 26 and 27.

Interview: Phil Keoghan Talks To Look To The Stars

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

At the age of 19, Phil Keoghan nearly drowned during a dive to a shipwreck. The near miss inspired him to reevaluate his life, and he is now one of the best known reality TV presenters in the world.

Although millions of people know Keoghan as the host of the Emmy Award-winning hit The Amazing Race and CBC’s No Opportunity Wasted, millions more have been inspired by his philosophy of living life to the full. After surviving his diving accident, Keoghan set himself a “wish list” of all the things he wanted to do before he died – he checked off the first item straight away by returning to the shipwreck on the very same day of the mishap. From renewing his marriage vows underwater to changing a lightbulb on top of New York’s 700-foot Verrazanno Bridge to setting world records for group bungee jumping, Phil Keoghan is well on his way to checking off every item on his list.

But the 41-year-old also uses his experiences to inspire others to lead the lives they want to lead, to achieve the things they have always hankered for but “never had time for”. He uses his No Opportunity Wasted (NOW) philosophy to cut through the excuses and get people motivated. He urges that everyone should write their own “wish list” and forget about the excuses – we only have one life, and we should live it NOW. “The more I live, the more I want to live, and the more I want to help others live their once-in-a-lifetime dreams,” he told Oprah in 2001.

Look To The Stars was lucky enough to catch up with Phil recently and ask him about his thoughts on making the world a better place.

You sponsor a cycling team in LA that rides to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. What led you to support TeamVRC and the issue of MS?

I actually bought my wife a cycling program and her coach happened to be one of the founding members of VRC, Eddie Monnier. As we got to know more about the team we loved their mission statement of bringing awareness to MS as well as helping under 23 [year-old] riders, and when an opportunity came up to be the title sponsor we decided that NOW (No Opportunity Wasted) was the perfect fit. The NOW MS team is one of the biggest fundraisers for the annual MS ride. The MS Society is extremely well organized and we always have a great turn out.

What other charities and causes do you support?

I am constantly getting requests for donations for all kinds of charities from all over the world. It would impossible to support all of them. As a professional speaker I have provided my services and spoken to a number of educational groups and institutions. I believe sharing the NOW philosophy is the best way for me to give something back.

What would you say to someone who wants to help a cause but doesn’t know where to start?

Look for something that has personal meaning. Focus your energy in one direction.

How could a charity attract your support?

It’s tough for me to commit to every request. I would find a celebrity who has a personal connection to your charity. Perhaps they are from the same state, went to the same school, have a family member who is fighting a particular medical challenge. Connect the dots.

Why do you think it is important to reach out and help others?

We will all need help at some point in our life, in the end it truly is more rewarding to give than take.

If you could start a charity, what would it be?

I feel we have our own charity in NOW. We just financed two international riders to join the NOW MS team in US and sharing the message of NOW is our way of giving back.

What do you think are the biggest problems facing the world today, and how can one person make a difference to solve them?

The biggest issue we face is that we continue to take the world’s resources without giving enough back in return. It’s a little like having a credit card and spending at large without thinking about how to your going to pay the bill. The solution will come from finding financial solutions to our environmental challenges. Right now many of those answers are locked away in the minds of young people. I have faith that we will find a way to create change.

Can you give our readers a final message on how they can make the world a better place?

Identify your passion. Write your own NOW Life List – a list of the things you want to do before you die. It’s only by bringing your real passion to something that you can be your best. It doesn’t matter whether that is through art, music, charity work, inventing … we have all been put on this earth with a purpose. The Life List will help you identify yours.

Look To The Stars would like to thank Phil Keoghan for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. To find out more about writing your own NOW Life List, visit www.noopportunitywasted.com.

Samantha Morton Backs Volunteering For Charity

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

A couple of years ago, British actress Samantha Morton loaned her voice to A National Voice (ANV). Now it’s resonating through Vodafone’s World of Difference campaign.

Impressed that ANV – whose goal is to address the lack of support for the over 60,000 young people in care in the UK – was founded by a local woman literally out of a room in her flat, Morton contacted the charity to see how she could help.

One of the young members was equally impressed with Morton: “We got to interview [Samantha] to be an Ambassador for ANV and she was so lovely. She talked to us about her experiences being in care. It was an amazing experience to meet her.”

Then Morton and ANV helped launch the World of Difference, Vodafone’s campaign to financially support volunteers to give up their day jobs to work for a charity of their choices for a year.

“I feel really passionate about helping children and young people who are in the care system,” said Morton. “I support A National Voice as it aims to make positive changes to the care system in the UK and gives a voice to those being cared for. The World of Difference project gives people the opportunity to work with their own favorite charity – I’ve seen first hand what a difference an extra pair of hands can make… It just seemed to me that I understood the ethos behind it.”

Acceptance of applications to the World of Difference campaign ended July 31. The four winning volunteers will be announced in September.

Jonas Brothers Unite For Diabetes

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Boy band The Jonas Brothers have partnered with Bayer Diabetes Care to encourage young diabetes sufferers to manage their condition.

The brothers – Nick (who has diabetes), Kevin, and Joe – launched the partnership in conjunction with their Change for the Children Foundation, a charity they established to support programs that motivate and inspire children facing adversity. Their new single – A Little Bit Longer – is also spreading awareness of the condition.

Bayer kicked off the partnership on Wednesday, with a large donation to the Change for the Children Foundation, and will provide resources and information over the next three years specifically designed for young people with diabetes to help them simplify their lives and successfully manage their disease.

“Nearly every day I hear from someone like me who says that I make them feel it’s OK to have diabetes and that’s really cool that I can do that,” said Nick Jonas. “I know I’m lucky because I have a family that encourages me a lot. I want to give that same inspiration to other kids with diabetes, and working with Bayer lets me do that.”

As part of the partnership, diabetes sufferers and their families can log on to www.NicksSimpleWins.com, where they can check out more about Nick’s personal experiences with the condition. The site has been set up so Nick can blog about his latest activities, and will also give updates on chances to meet him in person and share ideas on how to manage diabetes.

“Nick is a deeply passionate role model for young people with diabetes and their families, and Bayer shares in his dedication,” said Sandra Peterson, President of Bayer Diabetes Care. “Bayer believes Nick can play a significant role in encouraging all people with diabetes, no matter how young or old, to be proactive in managing their diabetes to live their lives to the fullest.”

Football Stars Brooks And Dunn Host Charity Golf Tourney

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn will partner for the Brooks and Dunn Inaugural Golf Classic in January 2009.

Brooks and Dunn – the footballers, not the country music duo – will split the proceeds from the two-day golf event between their respective charities, the Derrick Brooks Charities and the Warrick Dunn Foundation. The event, held at Cypress Run – a private golf club in Tarpon Springs, Florida – will include a reception, live and silent auction, raffle prizes, and celeb-studded golf tournament. Included in each participating foursome will be a celebrity from the National Football League, National Basketball Association, or Major League Baseball.

Both Brooks’ and Dunn’s organizations are both aimed at helping underprivileged families and children throughout the southeastern United States. Derrick Brooks Charities aims to provide educational opportunities for socio-economically challenged youth to inspire leadership; while the Warrick Dunn Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities for economically-disadvantaged single parents and children committed to achieving financial independence and stability.

Both charities were founded in 1997 and have since helped more than 1,000 people. Says Derrick Brooks, “Our foundations are working toward the common goal of helping less fortunate families succeed and pursue their dreams.”

Jack Johnson Energizes The Village Green In Germany

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Look to the Stars co-founder Myrlia volunteered with Jack Johnson’s All At Once Campaign at his recent concert in Munich, Germany.

At the age of 17, professional surfer Jack Johnson had an accident which left him hospitalized, and gave him the time he needed to discover that music is where his heart lies. While recovering, Jack wrote songs and played his guitar, and since 2001 has released five albums and built up a huge fan base all around the world. The ocean definitely has a hold on him, though, and in Jack’s relaxed yet energizing music you can almost hear the sound of the cool waves caressing the golden sands of Hawaii.

With his surfing past, Jack and his wife, Kim, find it natural to work at educating people about the environment. At each one of his concerts, a “Village Green” is set up, and here a booth for Jack’s All At Once Campaign is manned by volunteers who share the same passion for this cause. Several local charities are invited to set up tables in the Village Green, and help concert-goers learn how they can make a difference close to home.

Davis Eckard, who organizes the volunteers for Jack’s concerts, says that Jack and Kim are the driving force behind the All At Once Campaign and the Village Green, and that their enthusiasm for protecting the planet is why Jack spends so much time on the road.

“[The Village Green] is why we are all here today. If it weren’t for this, for you, Jack wouldn’t be touring,” Davis told the volunteers before the show. “Without you, this doesn’t happen.”

Helpers car-pooled, took trains, cycled and walked in from all over Germany for this event, with one large volunteer contingent even coming over from Slovenia.

Dennis, a local volunteer, told me, “First of all, I love the music. It’s a good chance to combine music with doing something sustainable.”

I spoke with New Orleans resident, Mary, and her sons, who were in the area on vacation. Mary signed them all up as volunteers as a surprise.

“We come from New Orleans, and we’ve had many volunteers come through. I thought it would be neat to see how we can help give back,” Mary explained.

Her son Mark added, “I think this is an important cause, because if we don’t start now, what are we leaving for our kids?”

Introducing kids to nature is exactly what one of the local charities, NaturSchutz Jugend (“Conservation Youth”), is doing. NaJu is the biggest environment organization for young people in Germany, focusing on environmental education and nature conservation. They help children experience nature through games and adventures at parks, rivers and in nearby forests.

Another charity in attendance was Munich’s Green City. With more than 40 highly-active volunteers, this group works to improve the city’s quality of life through ecological urban planning.

The Surfrider Foundation was also on hand to let Jack’s fans know about their Rise Above Plastics campaign. They are urging people to reduce the use of plastics, illustrating the problem using the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” — an area twice the size of the continental US which is filled with 100 million tons of plastic.

Jack greeted the volunteers personally before the doors opened, and spent time talking to each of the charities’ representatives. He ignored the urging of his crew to hurry backstage so the doors could open, and instead graciously listened to the volunteers, posed for pictures, smiled and thanked everyone for taking the time to be there.

Once he was backstage, the fans came pouring in, eager to get as close to the stage as possible. It was time for the All At Once volunteers to get to work, handing out Village Green Passports. The booklets explain what the campaign is, and give fans access to downloadable music and the chance to win prizes – such as a skateboard – only available to win at Jack’s concerts, or the opportunity to watch Jack’s performance from the stage.

Volunteers enjoyed tunes played by G Love and Special Sauce and mingled with the crowd, sharing stories about Jack’s music and the environment. Veronika, one of the volunteers, said she wanted to meet new people, see Jack Johnson and help protect the environment, and she was easily able to do all three things that sunny afternoon.

Sadly, however, the weather didn’t stay nice, and about four songs into Jack’s set it began to rain. But the downpour did nothing to dampen the crowd’s spirits, with the music and cheering drowning out the storm’s thunder.

Jack will be back on the other side of the Atlantic starting in August, with concerts scheduled across Canada and the US until the end of the month. For more information about how you can volunteer, visit the All At Once Community.

Farm Aid 2008 To Rock New England

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rocker John Mellencamp has unveiled the main acts set to kick up a storm at Farm Aid 2008.

The concert – which will take place on September 20 – will be held for the first time in New England, and will see performances by Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and Willie Nelson, all of which are on the board of directors for Farm Aid. More acts will be announced over the next few weeks.

“We are proud to bring our annual Farm Aid concert to a region that has such strong agricultural roots and to the many people who love to eat the good food grown in New England,” said Nelson, Farm Aid’s president. “I’m looking forward to bringing my friends together on the Farm Aid stage to celebrate and support family farmers."

Now entering its 23rd year, Farm Aid has raised more than $23 million for family farms and organic agricultural initiatives since the first concert in 1985. A plethora of stars have appeared at the concerts to increase awareness of the importance of family farms over the years, including Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Vince Gill, Sammy Hagar, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Charley Pride, and Lou Reed.

“New England was built on the strength of independent family farmers,” said Mellencamp. “We can honor that independent spirit by joining Farm Aid to grow the movement that is changing the way all of America eats.”

The concert will take place at the Comcast Arena in Mansfield. Tickets go on sale July 28 through Ticketmaster.

Samantha Morton Backs Charity Campaigns

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Oscar-nominated actress Samantha Morton is backing a campaign to help disenchanted workers give something back through charity work.

The World of Difference campaign, an initiative from the Vodafone Group Foundation, will give four workers the chance to give up their job for a year to work for a charity of their choice and be paid up to £25,000 (US$50,000).

“The World of Difference project gives people the opportunity to work with their own favorite charity – I’ve seen first hand what a difference an extra pair of hands can make,” said the 31-year-old actress.

Morton also supports A National Voice, a charity established for young people who are in or leaving care.

“I feel really passionate about helping children and young people who are in the care system,” she said. “I support A National Voice as it aims to make positive changes to the Care System in the UK and gives a voice to those being cared for.”

Jodie Kidd To Hold Charity Golf Tournament

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British model Jodie Kidd is hosting her second annual charity golf tournament on July 21.

The event, which is to take place at the legendary Goodwood estate in West Sussex, will raise money for the Jodie Kidd Foundation – an umbrella organization the model established in 2007 to satisfy her overwhelming desire to help the charities she supports.

Last year’s event raised over $200,000 for three charities: the Monsoon Accessorize Trust, which assists disadvantaged children in South Asia; the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; and Greatwood, specialists in the rehabilitation of injured and neglected horses. All three charities will also benefit from this year’s tournament.

Last year’s tournament attracted a large number of celebrities, including Ronan Keating, Pat Cash, Jimmy Tarbuck, and James Nesbitt. The 2008 lineup will be announced soon.

For more information on how to participate, visit www.thejodiekiddfoundation.co.uk, or email Emma Gragson at info@thejodiekiddfoundation.co.uk.

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