Look To The Stars News: Family/Parent Support

Bon Jovi Donates to Oprah's Angel Network

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 15:17:40 +0000

Jon Bon Jovi stunned Oprah in September with a $1 million donation to Oprah's Angel Network in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Celebrity Donations To Katrina Relief Efforts

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 15:50:00 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

A list of what some celebrities have done to help Katrina victims:

Steven Spielberg, $750,000 to the American Red Cross and $750,000 to the Bush Clinton Fund
Nicolas Cage, Diddy, George Clooney each donated $1 million.
Oprah donated $1 million through her charity, Oprah's Angel Network
Hilary Duff donated $250,000.
John Travolta delivered supplies using his private plane.
Sean Penn rescued people using an occasionally leaky boat.
Michael Jackson offered a song, “From the Bottom of My Heart”.
Jamie Foxx raised $600,000 with a celebrity auction.

Free Screenings For Sick Children

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 14:50:16 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Yorkhill Children's Foundation is raising funds for the UK’s second Medicinema, to be built in the Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow. The charity needs to raise 300,000GBP, and though they are have already raised a large proportion of the money, they need a bit more help to reach their goal.

Movies can provide distraction and help relieve boredom and stress, but children confined to hospitals do not have the option to go out to the theatre. Medicinema offers sick children and their families the opportunity to enjoy a free film in a state-of-the-art cinema setting with easy access for wheelchairs and beds. Medicinema is supported by Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey.

San Diego School Surprise

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 15:32:41 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Students at San Diego High School were thrilled at the unexpected arrival of Oprah, Bill Gates, and Gates’ wife Melinda. The visitors were there to film a future segment of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” about an $11 million donation in 2003 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Three large high schools in the area received funds to assist in their efforts to increase the number of college-ready graduates, particularly among low-income and minority students. Some of the money was used to divide the San Diego High School into six smaller schools. Each of the smaller schools specializes in a particular field, such as business, international studies, media or science.

Winslet To Act As Patron Of Family Charity

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 11:08:52 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Kate Winslet has agreed to be the patron of small UK charity The Family Haven, which helps vulnerable families by providing services ranging from a nursery to counselling and parenting classes.

Winslet’s own daughter Mia is now 5 years old, and the charity helps less fortunate families on her doorstep. The actress said, “I am happy to support a local charity and to see so many families benefiting from the charity’s commitment and involvement.”

Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend Aims to Raise $500,000

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 21:33:39 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Over 30 celebrities are expected to attend the Dennis Quaid 2006 Charity Weekend from 4th-7th of May in Austin, Texas, where the actor lives.

Top names such as Hugh Grant, Greg Kinnear and Matthew McConaughey will reportedly be among those aiming to raise $500,000 for local and international children’s charities. Planned events include a celebrity poker challenge, a fashion show, an auction, golf and a benefit concert by Quaid’s band The Sharks.

The Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend has become an annual event since its inauguration in 2003, and has raised $700,000 to date. This year’s event will benefit Any Baby Can, Austin Children’s Shelter, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, and the International Hospital for Children.

Gates Open To More Charity Work

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:37:07 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

College drop-out turned technology super-star Bill Gates announced that over the next two years he will withdraw from his daily role at Microsoft in order to dedicate himself full-time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

At 50, Gates is currently the world’s richest man, with a personal
worth estimated at $50 billion. The $30 billion Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on health and education charities.

The Microsoft founder is one of many philanthropists helping others using wealth gained quickly through the technology boom.

Fellow Microsoft pioneer, Paul Allen, awards nearly $30 million in grants every year through a charitable fund he created.

Other big players include eBay creator Pierre Omidya, who
created a $400 million fund to aid development in poverty-stricken countries, and Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who have dedicated $1 billion to fighting poverty and helping energy consumption.

Warren Buffett Gives 85% of Fortune To Bill Gates' Foundation

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 07:45:03 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

In a stunning move the world’s second richest man Warren Buffett has announced that he will donate around $37bn of his personal fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The sum, which represents 85% of his enormous personal fortune, will be paid in 10 million shares in his Berkshire Hathaway investments firm.

“This has been coming for 50 years,” said Buffett. “There’s never really been any other plan in terms of where the money should go.”

He added, “I am not an enthusiast of dynastic wealth, particularly when the alternative is six billion people having that much poorer hands in life than we have, having a chance to benefit from the money.”

Bill Gates and wife Melinda said in a statement, “We are awed by our friend Warren Buffet’s decision to use his fortune to address the world’s most challenging inequities, and we are humbled that he has chosen to direct a large portion of it to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.”

Buffett said he chose to distribute his wealth to an existing foundation out of respect for its current work, telling Fortune magazine, “Who wouldn’t select Tiger Woods to take his place in a high-stakes golf game? That’s how I feel about this decision with my money.”

Charlize Theron Hosts Children's Benefit Auction

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 13:23:03 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Charlize Theron hosted an auction on June 27th to raise money for children in her native South Africa. The event in Los Angeles drew the support of other Hollywood celebrities, and raised $140,000 to help families in need.

The auction was attended by stars such as Lindsay Lohan, and items up for auction included a jacket from Will Smith, signed DVDs from Tom Hanks and an original Scarface poster donated by Al Pacino.

The Charlize Theron African Outreach Project benefits Oprah's Angel Network and helps support vulnerable children in rural South Africa.

McConaughey's Corvette on eBay

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:32:58 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Matthew McConaughey has put his 1971 Chevy Corvette up for auction on eBay to help with the ongoing 2005 hurricane relief efforts.

The actor is donating 100% of the auction’s proceeds to Oprah's Angel Network to aid those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

He says, “I admire and enjoy this car, but it’s a luxury that I’m willing to relinquish at this point because I am fortunate enough to have everythin I need, and the sale of it will help so many with the necessities in life.”

The auction for the Mediterranean Blue Stingray, which McConaughey has affectionately called ‘Mako’ during the 7 years he has had it, ends on July 27.

Dan Radcliffe Thanks Fans for Donations

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 14:57:07 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Harry Potter hero Daniel Radcliffe has sent a note to one of his fan sites thanking people for donating to his favourite charity, Demelza House.

Radcliffe says in his message, “I am delighted that you have decided to make donations to Demelza House rather than sending me presents.”

Dan requests that his fans donate to the children’s charity in lieu of sending him birthday and Christmas gifts, and it appears they have not let him down. His fans on DanRadcliffe.co.uk raised £1,721.83 ($3,228.35) for his 17th birthday this July, bringing their fiscal year total up to £5,351.99 ($10,209.43).

Demelza House provides hospice services for terminally ill children and their families.

Paltrow Offers Face To African AIDS Charity

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:14:34 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Gwyneth Paltrow has joined a number of top celebrities by adding her support to charity Keep A Child Alive, which fights AIDS in Africa.

The actress is appearing in a print advertisement for the charity, in which she urges readers to donate money in order to “pay for lifesaving AIDS drugs that can keep a child, a mother, a father, a family alive”.

Priceless Piano on Auction at the David Foster and Friends Charity Gala

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 11:44:29 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Over 60 superstars have signed David Foster's one-of-a-kind Yamaha grand piano, which will be auctioned live and via the internet during the 2006 David Foster and Friends Gala.

The piano has been used in dozens of major performances including shows in Las Vegas, a recent performance at David’s home by Barbra Streisand, Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night to benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, and Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children benefitting underprivileged and abused children through the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.

Some of the celebrities who have signed the piano are Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Sting, Tim McGraw, Robin Williams and Donald Trump.

Foster says, “My favourite songs have been performed on this piano by the original artists. It has been with us for some truly great events at some spectacular venues. I am thrilled that its legacy will help improve the lives of families and children in need.”

The piano will be on public display at the River Rock Casino Resort in Vancouver until September 10, the night of the gala. All proceeds go the the David Foster Foundation and will benefit families of children in need of organ transplants.

Celebrities Customize Jeans for Charity Auction

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:41:14 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Jeans manufacturer J&Company has given stars pairs of jeans and the necessary bling to decorate them for their Bling Your Blues Campaign.

Beginning August 28th, fans will be able to bid on jeans created by celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Eva Longoria, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Garner.

All proceeds go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Clothes Off Our Back Holding Emmy Auction

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 19:45:42 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Clothes Off Our Back is holding its Fifth Annual Emmy Auction, allowing fans to bid on clothing and accessories worn by winners, nominees and attendees on the red carpet.

Some of the items available include ipods signed by a variety of stars, a cell phone from “24” signed by Kiefer Sutherland, a tie worn by Denis Leary, Katherine Heigl's earrings and a one-of-a-kind diamond encrusted brooch by Neil Lane worn by “Dancing with the Stars’” Samantha Harris and valued at $25,000.

The auction runs until September 15, and proceeds benefit the emergency relief efforts in Darfur, Children's Defense Fund and Cure Autism Now.

Clothes Off Our Back is also holding a special auction for Natalie Portman items to help the Milo Gladstein Foundation for Bloom’s Syndrome.

Buy a Day With The Who, Help Charity

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 07:36:00 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Starting on 26th October, fans of The Who have a ten-day-long opportunity to bid for a day on the road with the rock legends.

The winner of the charity auction, hosted by eBay, will enjoy a full day of The Who’s sold-out 2007 tour with the band and a guest, living the rock and roll dream from soundcheck to front-row seats and backstage passes.

Benefiting from the auction is the Starlight Children's Foundation, which offers support for seriously ill children, and creates a sense of community between families who are having similar experiences.

The Magnitude of Fortitude - When Parkinson’s Patients Feel Their Lives Are Crumbling, The HollyRod Foundation Provides Stability

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:08:00 +0000

Written by Jill Marie Elliott

It is a tremor that will send shockwaves through nearly 60,000 families in the U.S. this year. However, it will not be registering on the Richter scale; the shift in their world will be caused by the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. They will join the estimated 1.5 million afflicted Americans, along with their loved ones, who feel the reverberations of a disorder that leaves physical destruction, emotional devastation and financial ruin in its wake. Out of this rubble, a resolve emerges to research and fund a cure amongst the chaos.

For many, the first rumblings of Parkinson’s Disease are noticed in slurred speech, muscle stiffness, a shuffling gait; for actress Holly Robinson-Peete, it was noticing her dad walking with a limp while dropping her off at college in 1982. Upon returning home for Christmas of that year, Holly was told of his Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. At the age of 46, this was the onset of his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease.

His name may not sound familiar, however many know Matt Robinson as the man who swept our cares away. His role playing the original Gordon on Sesame Street endeared us to this gentleman who would go on to write and produce for some of televisions best-loved comedies, including Sanford & Son, Eight is Enough, and The Cosby Show.

“When my father got sick, our whole world fell apart,” expressed Holly in a 2002 iParenting.com interview.

Even though Matthew had a successful career in the entertainment business, there was a substantial financial strain created by the medical needs of the disease. Fortunately Holly and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and the rest of Matthew’s supportive family alleviated that stress. Moved by so many patients they encountered who did go without the physical, emotional and financial support, the Beverly Hills humanitarian husband and wife team were determined to create an organization that dealt straight-on with these issues. The HollyRod Foundation for Help and Hope was founded in 1997 in honor of Matthew T. Robinson, Sr.

The HollyRod Foundation joined forces in 2002 with the Center for Parkinson’s Research and Movement Disorders at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, in establishing The HollyRod Compassionate Care Program. This partnership enables HollyRod to provide individual patients with financial and medical assistance, along with other services and care as needed.

HollyRod is a lightning rod for charitable celebrities. The foundation presents two annual phenomenal fundraisers to raise money and awareness throughout the year. The star-studded DesignCure and Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show & Brunch feature haute ensembles and cool entertainment!

Decked out in dynamic fashion designs from ESCADA, models took to the catwalk, delighting DesignCure 2006 invited guests such as Chris Rock, Star Jones Reynolds, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Angie Harmon and Samuel L. Jackson. The auction this year included a set of three guitars autographed by members of U2, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin! Boxing legend and three-time host of DesignCure Sugar Ray Leonard had the distinction of joining former honoree, famed fighter Muhammad Ali,
when he was presented with the HollyRod Foundation Humanitarian Award for his knockout charitable efforts. The summer evening ended on a high-note with a musical performance by Grammy winner Jill Scott. In its eight years of existence, DesignCure has raised over one million dollars.

The Gridiron Glamour fundraiser fuses fashion & football together in an event held during Super Bowl week. In the past, the event has showcased the top fashion designs from Saks Fifth Avenue couture collection. The hottest trends & threads were worn by a team that included supermodel and hostess Niki Taylor, singing sensations Patti LaBelle, Kelly Rowland and Marc Anthony, sport stars Rick Fox, Serena Williams and Jason Sehorn and Hollywood personalities Daisy Fuentes, Nancy O'Dell & Carmen Electra!

The 2007 Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show & Brunch will be held in Miami, Florida on February 3rd. In addition to money raised for the HollyRod Foundation, the fundraiser bestows a non-profit organization in each Super Bowl city to serve as local beneficiary of the event. The 2007 recipient is The Honey Shine Foundation, a non-profit mentoring program providing positive experiences that nurture the mind, body and soul of girls 6 to 18 years old in at-risk situations.

Mr. Robinson passed away from Parkinson’s Disease in August 2002, twenty years after being diagnosed. His spirit lives on in HollyRod’s ever-strengthening commitment to fostering help & hope to Parkinson’s patients, and their families and caregivers.

That’s one wave of compassion we can all roll with.

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:32:59 +0000

Written by Charles Harder

Stars and food converged at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood last night for a party launching The Hollywood Cookbook — a beautiful 271-page hardcover collection of sumptuous recipes, each accompanied by a large photo, from the personal kitchens of 20 celebrities and 6 world-class chefs. Five dollars from each purchase benefits 20 important charities dear to the hearts of the celebrity contributors.

The cookbook covers the spectrum of food and beverage, from appetizers, soups and salads, to main courses, desserts, and even cocktails. Michael J. Fox's Barn Dance Chicken, and Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford's Savory Fall Stew are just two of the 107 creative and simple dishes that can be duplicated in any kitchen regardless of culinary skill level. Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Joachim Splichal, Nick Stellino, Michael Cimarusti and Rocco DiSpirito also contributed recipes to the book.

At the event, the students of Kitchen Academy prepared and served 20 recipes featured in the cookbook, each one tastier than the last. This reporter’s favorite: Door Knob Sweet Potato Balls (an appetizer) from designer Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Yum!

Chef Jamie Gwen’s movie-star looks and talk-show host’s presence kept attendees laughing and entertained as the event’s emcee. The evening included a cooking demonstration by actor Greg Grunberg, and an informal awards ceremony. Eric Close of TV’s Without a Trace gave a heartfelt tribute to his charity, Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, which pairs abused children with rescued horses and adult leaders at 24 wilderness ranches around the U.S. and Canada, to help restore the heart, soul, mind and strength of the kids.

Written by screenwriter Jackie Zabel and actress Morgan Most, and published by Silverback Books, The Hollywood Cookbook is a perfect holiday gift (retails for $35, but presently is featured at Amazon.com for only $23). The event was co-sponsored by Maurice Le Croix Swiss Watches and The Kitchen Academy.

Celebrities & Charities: Thora Birch (Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation), Michael Chiklis (The Children's Lifesaving Foundation), Eric Close (Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch), Mark Dacascos (Reel Angels), James Denton (Cure Autism Now), Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan (The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research), Afton Fraser & Brendan Fraser (P.S. ARTS), Greg Grunberg (Pediatric Epilepsy Project), Anne Hathaway (Lollipop Theater Network), Paige Hemmis (Habitat For Humanity), Ron Howard (Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America), Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford (Clothes Off Our Back), Esai Morales (TreePeople), Don Most (City of Hope), Bob Saget (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Marlo Thomas (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), Kerry Washington (Step Up), Treat Williams (Save the Children), Alicia Witt (The Art of Elysium), and Kelly Wolf & Scott Wolf (Camp Heartland).

Aerosmith Travels for Vegas Charity Concert

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:41:11 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Aerosmith is making a special stop in Las Vegas for a concert in support of the Lili Claire Foundation.

Founder and executive director of The Lili Claire Foundation Keith Resnick says, “The band will be travelling from Latin America to perform at our fundraiser; we couldn’t be more grateful for their respect of our mission.”

The Lili Claire Foundation helps children living with Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism and other neurogenetic disorders, and Aerosmith’s concert on the 28th of April will be part of their fifth annual benefit celebrations.

Idol Gives Back $60m

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:25:00 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Fox has announced that $60m has been raised so far by the two-night “Idol Gives Back” special, with donations continuing to flow in.

Viewers cast over 70 million votes following Tuesday night’s performances; Fox’s parent company News Corporation had pledged 10 cents for each of the first 50 million votes, and its donation was matched by AllState and ExxonMobil. Further corporate donations came from Ford, Coca-Cola, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ConAgra Foods and AT&T.

During a two-hour results show on Wednesday, viewers pledged money via a toll-free number and Idol’s website, while host Ellen DeGeneres gave $100,000 and judge Simon Cowell made a “significant six-figure donation”.

Celebrities pre-recorded appeals for donations, including Madonna, who was in Malawi, and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, who was in Uganda where he filmed “The Last King of Scotland.”

U2's Bono also sent a pre-recorded message, saying, “People say you can’t be the generation that ends brutal, stupid poverty, but we can and we will,”

The money raised will be administered by the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), a new charity aiming to battle extreme poverty in America and Africa.

In Africa, the Fund will use the Idol money to support The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Malaria No More, Nothing But Nets, Save the Children, and The U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

In America, CPEF will use the money to boost Save the Children, Feeding America, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, and Children's Health Fund.

Mark Shriver, VP of U.S. programs for Save the Children, told Reuters, “They took a risk by using their show to raise issues of poverty and asking people to contribute, and that is a huge accomplishment. The American Idol format is hugely successful and they introduced starving, dying children in Africa and children struggling with poverty in the United States, and brought that to prime time television.”

Fans can still contribute directly via the Idol website, or visit the iTunes Store to buy for-charity recordings of the night’s performances by the contestants and celebrities including Céline Dion, Josh Groban, Annie Lennox, Earth Wind & Fire, and Il Divo.

John Ondrasik Asks What Kind Of World You Want

Tue, 08 May 2007 18:58:56 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting has started a charity music video community. The site, www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com, offers the public the chance to upload videos which explain the type of world in which they want to live.

At the end of every video viewers can click on the sponsor link; each click donates up to 49 cents to one of the charities chosen by Ondrasik. He encourages submissions, saying, “There are no rules here, your film can be personal, political – write a story, tell a story – anything goes.”

The charities benefitting from the website include Fisher House Foundation, Breast Cancer 3-Day, Save the Children, Autism Speaks, Save The Music Foundation and New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund. John tells us that another charity, Augie's Quest will be added within the next few months.

For those who need more of a reason to create a video, there are prizes on offer. The grand prize winner will be chosen at random from the 20 most popular videos, and will be treated to a private concert with John Ondrasik including roundtrip airfare and lodging for two in Los Angeles.

Oprah Tops Celebrity Philanthropy A-List

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:24:00 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A list of the 30 largest public donations made by celebrities in the past year puts Oprah in the top spot.

The Giving Back Fund, which encourages and advises on celebrity philanthropy, compiles its list each year. President Marc Pollick said, “Encouragement-by-example is the main reason for the Giving Back 30 list.”

Oprah gave $58.3 million to Oprah's Angel Network and her recently-opened Leadership Academy.

Of the other celebrities high on the list, Barbra Streisand was in fourth spot, having given $11.75 million through her Streisand Foundation.

Tiger Woods took fifth place, giving $9.5 million to organisations including the Tiger Woods Learning Center funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Giving Back’s Marc Pollick praised an increasing trend in celebrity donations, saying, “Ten years ago when Slate magazine first published the Slate 60 reporting on the most generous American philanthropists, the last donor on their list gave $5 million. This year the last donor donated $30 million to charity. This is the type of growth we are hoping to inspire within the sports and entertainment community. One cannot help but be influenced by the generosity of his or her peers.”

The full list and information about how it was compiled can be found at givingback.org. This site has previously reported on many of the list’s featured celebrities and their donations; a comprehensively linked version of the list appears below:

Position	Celebrity	Donation	Cause(s)
1	Oprah Winfrey	$58,300,000	Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, Oprah's Angel Network, and other groups
2	Geoffrey Beene	$44,000,000 (bequest)	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
3	Jack and Marie Lord	$40,000,000 (bequest)	Hawaii Community Foundation
4	Barbra Streisand	$11,750,000	Streisand Foundation, numerous civil liberties, environmental, and civil rights organizations “dedicated to democratic values”
5	Tiger Woods	$9,500,000	Tiger Woods Learning Center, Earl D. Woods Sr. Scholarship Fund, and other Tiger Woods Foundation programs
6	Rosie O'Donnell	$5,700,000	Katrina Relief efforts including Renaissance Village (a temporary shelter for Katrina victims), day care centers, a rehabilitation center in San Antonio, and a Habitat For Humanity sub division in Baton Rouge
7	Martha Stewart	$5,000,000	New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital for a center on healthy aging
8	Carmelo Anthony	$4,282,000	CAF Youth Center in Baltimore, AAU Basketball, Syracuse University Recreational Center, and other charities
9	Pat Boone & Shirley Boone	$3,000,000	Pepperdine University for the Graduate School of Education and Psychology Center for the Family
9	LeRoy Neiman	$3,000,000	The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to support a Master’s class in figure drawing
11	Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt	$2,415,000	School and Community Center in Swakopmund in Namibia, Daniel Pearl Foundation, Namibian hospitals, Doctors Without Borders, Global Action for Children and others
12	Nicolas Cage	$2,000,000	Amnesty International for a fund to help child soldiers
12	Dwayne Johnson (“The Rock”) and Dany Garcia Johnson	$2,000,000	University of Miami to name new Alumni Center living room
12	Paul McCartney	$2,000,000	Adopt-A-Minefield
12	Arnold Palmer	$2,000,000	Pledged to the Arnold Palmer Foundation ultimately to benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
16	David Geffen	$1,600,000	David Geffen Foundation
17	Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol	$1,300,000	The Gunnery to help pay for a new dormitory in memory of their son Teddy killed in a plane crash
18	Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg	$1,250,000	Boston University to renovate facilities
19	Andre Agassi	$1,070,000	Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
20	Tiki and Ronde Barber and family	$1,000,000	University of Virginia to support the McIntire School of Commerce, the Virginia Athletics Foundation, Childrens Hospital, a scholarship fund for African-American students, the Young Alumni Council, and to challenge young alumni to participate in the capital campaign
20	Bob Barker	$1,000,000	Georgetown University to endow a fund at its law school that will focus on the study of animal rights
20	Gloria Estefan	$1,000,000	The Miami Project
20	Dr. Phil McGraw & Robin McGraw	$1,000,000	Dr. Phil Foundation
20	George Steinbrenner & family	$1,000,000	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for Boshamer Stadium for baseball
20	Tony Stewart	$1,000,000	Victory Junction Gang Camp
20	Denzel Washington	$1,000,000	Save Africa's Children
27	Mike Sexton	$560,000	Special Olympics, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, Children, Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, Ohio State University, and other charities
28	Lance Armstrong	$500,000	Lance Armstrong Foundation
28	Dolly Parton	$500,000	Fort Sanders Medical Center
28	Elizabeth Taylor	$500,000	New Orleans AIDS Task Force to purchase mobile medical unit for AIDS sufferers in New Orleans

Mandela, Clinton Auction Star Encounters For Charity

Tue, 15 May 2007 09:33:37 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Fancy tea with Nelson Mandela? Or how about an African safari and passing a bit of time with Sir Richard Branson at a Virgin Unite project? Or if you prefer to spend your time on the green, a round of golf with Samuel L. Jackson at Leopard Creek Country Club could be the epitome of a truly Priceless Moment.

These are just three of the amazing lots up for bid in the MasterCard Priceless Moments Auction on eBay. The auction was brought about by Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton after both leaders visited the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, where children with cardiac problems from all over the continent are treated. They hope to intensify the vision of Mandela’s late friend and mentor, Mr. Walter Sisulu, to care for and nurture the children of South Africa.

Seven charities will benefit from the auction, with the funds going to provide safe havens and hope for thousands of African children. The charities include the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa, the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC), the South African Red Cross, Cotlands, Reach For A Dream Foundation, Ithemba Trust and St. Mary's Hospital.

Bidding began on May 14th, and goes through May 24th. To view the complete list of lots and place a bid, go to the Mastercard Priceless Moments page on eBay.

Vanity Fair Charity Issue Edited By Bono

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:35:00 +0000

Written by Saskia Akyil

Bono is putting his philanthropic energy into Vanity Fair’s July 2007 special issue about Africa. The issue has 20 different cover photos of high-profile individuals, all taken by renowned photographer Annie Liebowitz.

The magazine includes information about the issues and charities supported by actors, athletes, models, politicians, musicians, activists, and billionaire philanthropists, all of whom are using their celebrity status and the publicity they receive to bring attention to the complex set of problems faced by the inhabitants of Africa.

Africa is a continent with great need, and has been given a disproportionately low amount of attention and aid from wealthy nations. It is the first Vanity Fair issue to have a guest editor, and Bono’s highly publicized commitment to aiding Africa makes him an obvious choice for editor of this issue. In recent years, celebrities have used their status to bring a great deal of attention to Africa.

The covers of the Africa issue include portraits of: Bono, Barack Obama, Queen Rania, George Bush, Condaleeza Rice, Muhammad Ali, Desmond Tutu, Brad Pitt, Djimon Hounsou, Madonna, Maya Angelou, Chris Rock, Warren Buffett, Melinda & Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Iman, and Don Cheadle.

The issue features numerous in-depth articles about a variety of subjects concerning Africa, including: Kenya; Desmond Tutu and the fight for equality in South Africa and worldwide; Tunisia’s success and the threat of Islamic extremism; the role of China in fueling some of the conflict in Africa; Jeffrey Sachs dream of how to eradicate extreme poverty; the consumer-action strategy of (Product) Red to make miracle AIDS treatment drugs accessible to the millions who need them; the role of the Congo’s blacklisted airline pilots in keeping trade flowing; Bill Clinton's stories of Nelson Mandela; African music; Africans defying the status quo of poverty, disease, and corruption; suggestions for platform topics for the US 2008 presidential election; the genetic data that links all people on Earth to Africa; identifying the current literary talents of Africa; Princess Diana's post-divorce charity work, in particular her mission to ban land mines; and the Africa connection of the high-profile individuals on Vanity Fair’s July 2007 issue covers.

The Vanity Fair website offers links and information about Africa, charities that benefit the continent, and full-text versions of some of the articles.

Clapton Hits the Right Notes for Treatment Center

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:06:15 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Twenty of the world’s greatest guitarists and musicians are teaming up for the Crossroads Guitar Festival, a charity concert taking place in Chicago on July 28th.

The event has been organized by bluesman Eric Clapton to raise money for the Crossroads Centre, a treatment facility set up by Clapton for those who suffer from alcohol and drug abuse. Popular musicians such as Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, and Willie Nelson will join Clapton on stage for the day long concert, to be held at Toyota Park.

Clapton’s vision is to create an event where his friends and contemporaries can “have fun and jam together for the benefit of a good cause.” It is the second time he has organized a Crossroads Guitar Festival. The first was held in Dallas in 2004.

Also as part of his fundraising efforts, Clapton has joined forces with guitar manufacturer Fender to create a series of limited edition guitars and amplifiers. 100 Crossroads Fender Stratocasters and 50 Crossroads Fender ’57 Twin-Amps have been produced, and all proceeds will go towards the Crossroads Center. The amplifiers are being sold as a set with the guitars, and are priced at $30,000 pair. The remaining 50 guitars cost $20,000 each.

Clapton, who suffered from alcohol and drug dependency for many years, opened the Crossroads Center on the Caribbean island of Antigua in 1998. It takes its name from a line in one of Clapton’s most famous songs – “Standing at the crossroads, trying to read the signs to tell me which way to go to find the answer”.

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