Look To The Stars News: Depression and Suicide

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

The Trevor Project – the nonprofit endeavor established to promote acceptance of gay and questioning teenagers and aid in suicide prevention – is to hold an evening of irreverent comedy, performances, and awards next month.

The 11th annual Cracked Xmas – A Not So Silent Night will be presented by Anne Hathaway and will honor Sigourney Weaver with a Life Award for her support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Previous recipients include Ellen DeGeneres, Debra Messing, and Rosie O’Donnell.

“I feel grateful and humbled to be honored with the Trevor Life Award, and to be recognized as an ally to the LGBTQ community,” said Weaver. “I hope that films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ will send messages of compassion and acceptance to all people, and compel them to create safer, all-encompassing environments for our young people.”

Lifetime Networks, a leader in women’s television that produces and distributes diverse programming for its audiences, will receive The Trevor Hope Award.

“We are delighted to honor Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime Networks, since they both demonstrate the courage and conviction to break the barriers of stereotype and intolerance,” said Charles Robbins, executive director and chief executive officer of The Trevor Project. “Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime provide inspiration to young people and families who will see films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ and understand the importance of celebrating diversity and life.”

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth, and has taken over 100,000 phone calls since its inception.

The event will also feature an appearance by Salma Blair and will take place at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on December 7. Tickets and info are available at the Trevor Project website.

Ozzy To Host Rock Awards For Charity

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Warning – you’d better hide your bats this Halloween, because Ozzy Osbourne is to host the annual Classic Rock Magazine Roll of Honor Awards.

This prestigious – and probably very loud – event will bring together some of the biggest names in the rock music industry to celebrate their musical achievements, with all proceeds going to ChildLine.

The awards will see Rock’s favorite names go head-to-head, with Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, ACDC and many others up for Album of the Year, Band of the Year, Event of the Year, and DVD Release of the Year. There will also be an auction of amplifiers signed by the stars.

‘This will be a fantastic occasion for everyone & we are absolutely delighted to join forces with some of the world’s greatest names in rock for such a worthwhile charity,“ said Michael Johnson, Marketing Manager for event sponsor Monitor Audio.

The awards take place on November 4 in London. More information can be found at the Classic Rock Magazine website.

Kylie Minogue Adds Her Voice To Children's Campaign

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop princess Kylie Minogue is backing a new campaign to boost vital phone helplines used by thousands of vulnerable and victimized children each year.

The 40-year-old singer has pledged her support to raise $93 million for British children’s charities ChildLine and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Both organizations are currently underfunded and need urgent help to extend their phone helpline services, which provide trained counselors for vulnerable children. According to ChildLine, for every youngster using their service, another cannot get through due to under-funding.

“Finding the courage to tell someone about being abused is one of the most difficult decisions a child will ever have to make,“ Minogue told Britain’s The Sun. “Sadly their cries for help are not always heard because ChildLine is unable to speak to every child who rings the 0800 1111 number. We can all help to change that by supporting the NSPCC’S Child’s Voice Appeal and make sure those children no longer face their troubles alone.”

The Child’s Voice Appeal is a three-year campaign that aims to help ChildLine answer more calls and protect more children. It will also use funds raised to make the unique service available to children by phone, online and by text.

More information on how to join Kylie in supporting this worthy campaign, visit www.childline.org.uk or www.nspcc.org.uk.

Also raising money for the NSPCC at the moment is a online celebrity auction organized by a retired couple in England – Don and Yvette Courtney.

A dress donated by Elizabeth Hurley and Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton’s baseball cap are just some of the items on offer. To view the auction, visit www.mooreallen.co.uk.

Look To The Stars Asks "The Real World's" Greg Halstead

Fri, 30 May 2008 11:40:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

We recently caught up with Greg Halstead, from the current season of the hit MTV show The Real World Hollywood to talk about charity work, the environment, and more.

Greg will be at the Knoxville Center (formerly East Town Mall) on Saturday, May 31, from 1pm – 3pm signing autographs and taking pictures with fans for a charity fundraiser benefiting the Damon and Stella Foundation. For a $10 donation, you will receive a personalized autographed picture of Greg, signed in person, and for a $15 donation you will receive a personalized autographed picture of Greg and get your photo taken with him with your camera.

Suicide survivors Damon Ivey and Stella Barrett founded the DAS Foundation in 2006. It is an alliance of artists and health care professionals dedicated to expanding cultural awareness of mental disease and led by celebrity spokesperson Randy Travis.

Greg is the first Real World cast member to be selected by a viewer poll, and cast members have criticized him for his apparent ‘standoffish’ behavior. But Look to the Stars spoke to Greg and learned that there is much more to him than meets the eye. He is educated, articulate, confident, and sincere in his efforts to raise awareness about mental health.

Anthony Embry of A.E. Entertainment Public Relations, a DAS Board Member, confirmed Greg’s sincerity. During the filming of the Real World Hollywood, one of the cast members, Joey, was drinking in excess and exhibiting troubling behavior. “I remember watching the show and [Joey] said things like ‘I dont wanna live anymore’, and ‘you’re going to wake up one day and I wont be here’”, said Embry. “So I called Greg and spoke to him about it. He said he was upset but more concerned about other people ‘who don’t have a producer or someone looking out for them.’ When I spoke with him later, he told me that he wanted to use his time on the Real World with some kind of purpose, he wanted to do something bigger and this was when I brought him onto the Foundation. He was personaly touched and offered to lend his time to help others.”

I spoke to Greg recently about charity and making the world a better place.

Hi Greg. On your blog, you described yourself as “having the distinct ability to brighten the moods of those around you.” It seems fitting that you would endorse a foundation dedicated to expanding awareness of mental disease. Is that part of the reason you were attracted to the DAS Foundation?

I was attracted to it for several reasons. On the show, I was around a cast member who basically said that we would wake up one day and he wouldn’t be there. He mentioned stuff like suicide, and it was a very, very trying thing to experience. It was the first time I experienced something like that… when Anthony (Embry) called, he said he was watching the episode where the housemates were expressing their views on his behavior, and he called me and asked how I felt about that. I said it was weird, I never experienced anything like that aside from seeing it on TV. When he mentioned the DAS Foundation, I felt it was important to educate people and erase the stigma associated with mental illness because I had been experiencing it in the house and was having difficulty knowing how to deal with it, so I asked if I could help.

When you lost your father in 2006 to cancer, you used the word “dumbfounded” to describe your state of mind. Do you feel that you can draw from this personal experience to help others cope with the guilt or loss of a loved one?

In my father’s situation, I almost felt like – in a way it was almost something I had no control over. He had cancer, and I felt he had the control. We all expressed that we wanted him to stop smoking, but he just couldn’t muster the fortitude to quit, so it really wasn’t in my power to help him.

On your blog, you also mentioned that you took part in, and won, a global gala show that pit contestants in a competition to see who can provide the most awareness about a culture in a creative way. If you were to take part in a similar competition, how would you provide the “most awareness” about or inspire others to support the Damon and Stella Foundation?

I’d probably make a presentation – let’s say you have a person with a mental health issue… I would try to dispel that sitgma associated with it. I’d have a skit that shows how someone is trying to deal with their problems, and how people just, you know, push it aside like ‘oh, they’re just having a bad day’ or ‘it’s not that serious, they’ll wake up tomorrow and be fine’ – we can’t just sweep it under the rug. I’d try to give people help in spotting the behavior and not assuming its just gonna pass, just get the word out.

Do you feel celebrities have a responsibility to use their status in efforts to give back to the community?

Yes, I do honestly. It’s the community who makes you what you are – you wouldn’t be a movie star if no one watched your movies, you wouldn’t be making CDs if people weren’t buying them – the people make you who you are. They are the ones that go to your movies, they are the ones who buy your CDs, so it’s important to give back through donations or time.

When you were a child, is there anyone in particular, aside from family or God, who personally inspired you?

Yes, I had a teacher in high school, by the name of Charles Brinkerhoff, he was my 11th grade history teacher. He was Caucasian and I’m Black. It wasn’t an all Black school, but I was one of the few Blacks in his class, so he used to always challenge me. A lot of African American males would sometimes use their race as a crutch – not that I did that – but he always pushed me to not focus on my race as a factor, so he was just always pushing me to excel, excel, excel, and to believe that I was competent. He influenced me to realize that I am very competent and it doesn’t matter what my race is, and I admire him very much.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

‘Venus is a Boy’ by Bjork, because it has a narcissistic theme to it and a lot of people think I’m a bit narcissistic.

The Real World Hollywood was filmed in an Eco-friendly house?

Yeah, very much so, we had a microwave, refurbished furniture, glass counter tops, even a computer that was powered by a bicycle, which was very unique and challenging.

Based on your experiences, what do you feel is the biggest threat to the environment?

Basically, I would say the water supply. I mean it’s drying up and we need it to sustain life. There are a lot of great videos out there to illustrate what’s going on, and I hope people are watching them and educating themselves.

I know you’re a sports junkie-what’s your favorite sport?

Favorite sport participating in would be basketball – watching would be football…I was a big Cowboys fan for many years in the 90’s.

What was the most important thing you learned on the show?

Don’t take it seriously. It’s a show, its not the real world!

Look to the Stars would like to thank Greg Halstead for his time and commitment to the cause, as well as Anthony Embry of A.E. Entertainment Public Relations who made this interview possible.

Pete Doherty Scores For Samaritans

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:11:46 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They came, they saw, but they didn’t quite conquer. Poor old Pete Doherty and his Babyshambles team mates were unable to defend their title at the Samaritans Celebrity Soccer Six football tournament at Millwall Football Club last week.

Despite showing some impressive foot work, Babyshambles lost out 3-1 in the final match to the Faithless team, with Doherty only just making the match… he was released from prison a few days beforehand.

But past misdemeanors were put aside for the game, which raised awareness and money for the Samaritans, a 24 hour emotional support charity.

“Soccer Six allows Samaritans to raise awareness of the 24:7 emotional support that we offer, and in light of the recent suicides in Bridgend in Wales, it is vital that we reach out to young people out to young people at an earlier stage before problems seem much more difficult to manage,” said Claire Duncan from Samaritans. “Samaritans is here to listen, not to judge or make assumptions but to give people the time and space to work through how they are feeling. If you need emotional support then get in touch.”

Doherty has been a longtime supporter of the charity, especially the work they do with prisoners: “Samaritans provide a service called the Listeners where they train inmates so if you’re struggling any time during the night you’ve got someone you can spill your heart out to.”

Other celebrities to take part in the tournament included The Wombats, The Twang, Michelle Heaton, Jade Goody, Dave Gorman, and contestants from Big Brother, X Factor, and The Apprentice.

MTV's Greg Halstead To Make Appearance For Charity

Fri, 23 May 2008 10:51:37 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Real World’s Greg Halstead is set to attend a benefit in Knoxville, TN later this month. Halstead, the first housemate ever to be chosen by viewers, will be at the Knoxville Center Mall on Saturday, May 31 for a meet-and-greet benefitting the Damon and Stella Foundation.

The Damon and Stella Foundation For Mental Health was founded in 2006 by survivors of suicide, and is an alliance of artists and health care professionals dedicated to expanding cultural awareness of mental disease. The charity strives to raise awareness of the issue through public service announcements, and has had three such PSAs made with country singer Randy Travis.

In exchange for a $10-15 charitable donation, fans will have the opportunity to get autographs and have a picture taken with the model/aspiring comedian. Halstead’s appearance, from 1-3 next Saturday, will help raise funds to make and air more PSA’s. He is quoted as saying in a press release, “I like doing charity work and any time that I can use my celebrity status to bring attention to a wonderful charity like the Damon and Stella Foundation, I like that even better.”

For more information Greg’s appearance or how to get involved with the Damon and Stella Foundation, visit www.thedasfoundation.org.

Counting Crows' Instruments Fly Out The Door For GreyBirds

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:06:50 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

The members of rock band Counting Crows have auctioned off tickets, albums, memorabilia and instruments, raising nearly $20,000 for charity.

The proceeds will benefit the GreyBird Foundation, which grew out of the outreach program the band established in 1998 to encourage and support people to become more helpful in their own neighborhoods. Through GreyBird, the band provides a platform for other outreach groups at Counting Crows concerts. They also ask audience members to bring canned food to the concerts for donation, and encourage people to vote.

“The most patriotic act you can ever do in your life is to vote,” says Duritz.

On an international level, GreyBird works with Kids for Tomorrow, which helps fund and build schools for children in Africa.

“We’re just trying to keep kids in school a little longer.”

The highest bid in the auction – $7600 – was for lead singer Adam Duritz’s handwritten song lyric book. Concert tickets plus dinners with the band were also big sellers.

Ben Mize’s drum is the last Counting Crows item still up for auction, on Ebay until April 21. Proceeds will benefit Nuçi’s Space, a center for musicians suffering from depression.

2008 Golden Globes Roundup

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:54:19 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

There may have been no red carpet, acceptance speeches, or flash of cameras for the winners of the 2008 Golden Globe Awards, but Look To The Stars takes this golden opportunity to recognize some of those who were honored and nominated.

Johnny Depp won his first Golden Globe after being nominated seven times since his career began, picking up the Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical award for Sweeney Todd. Despite his dark performance, there really is a lighter side to the actor. In the past, Depp’s charitable work garnered him the Courage to Care Award for his contributions to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The Best Actress Award went to veteran Julie Christie, who was up against heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie, an outstanding supporter and contributor to charitable causes. Some of the charities she has supported include the Afghanistan Relief Organization, the Alliance For The Lost Boys, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Movement, Doctors Without Borders, and the Daniel Pearl Foundation.

Daniel Day Lewis won Best Actor for his performance in “There Will Be Blood”, beating out celebrity humanitarians George Clooney and Denzel Washington. Like Jolie, Clooney is a major force in trying to make the world a better place, and he is a noted supporter of Cinema For Peace, Make Poverty History, Rock For Darfur, United Way, and the World Food Programme. Washington has spent time visiting wounded soldiers at Fisher Houses, hospitals which provide housing for injured soldiers’ families at little or no cost, and once made a large donation to the Fisher House Foundation. He is also the spokesperson for the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, honorary chairperson for Save Africa’s Children, and a founding member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Australian-born Cate Blanchett took home the gold in the category for Best Supporting Actress. Charities Blanchett supports include the Australian Conservation Foundation, Kids Help Line, and SolarAid. In the past, Blanchett filmed a special appeal for SolarAid that was screened at the Hay Festival. The video is available to view on YouTube.

Queen Latifah took home the Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries, for her role in “Life Support”. A supporter of several charities, Queen Latifah once helped design a pair of shoes for the Stuart Weitzman charity shoe auction benefiting ovarian cancer awareness and research, and has been involved with Citymeals On Wheels and the Harry Holmberg Memorial Foundation.

Jeremy Piven beat his “Entourage” co-star Kevin Dillon to win his second award for Best Supporting TV Actor. Piven once hosted the fourth annual Fashion Rocks event, which benefited Alicia Keys’ Keep A Child Alive Foundation.

Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees for all the work that you do in front of the camera and behind the scenes to inspire a better world.

NBA's Shawn Marion To Host Charity Poker Event

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:59:07 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Regarded as one of the most versatile and best all-around players in the NBA, Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns is bringing his game to the felt to host the Hearts & Helmets Charity Poker Tournament on January 30. The exclusive event, which will be held at a private venue in Scottsdale, Arizona, hopes to raise more than $1million for various charities, and will include silent and live auctions for such items as Suns/Spurs floor seats, a trip to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, a private jet to Napa for the day, a private party on a yacht in San Diego, champagne helicopter tours, celebrity dinners, autographed memorabilia, plasma TVs, tickets to the Super Bowl, and invitations to additional exclusive events.

Hearts & Helmets offers poker amateurs and aficionados a chance to hold ‘em or fold ‘em alongside A-list sports and entertainment stars, including members of the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, as well as Olympic decathlon gold medallist Dan O’Brien, Patrick Warburton (aka David Puddy from Seinfeld) and World Series MVP Jermaine Dye.

“This allows you to sit next to and hang out with stars,” said organizer Jeff Geller. “If you’ve got a chip and a chair, you’re in.”

The $1,000-per-person ticket price will benefit several charities, including Brad Pitt’s Global Green USA Project for rebuilding New Orleans; the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation the Fournier Center for Empowerment; Free Arts of Arizona, ICAN, Junior Achievement, the Bus Stops Here Foundation, the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, and Suns Nite Hoops.

The event will take place 4:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. with the location made available upon registration. For more information go to www.allinforacause.com.

Iconic Eveningwear Up For Auction

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 23:25:21 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Trademark pieces worn by two of film’s most famous characters are to be auctioned off for charity in the first half of December.

British auctioneers Christie’s will sell the classic black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly, in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and a live auction for UK charity ChildLine will feature the tuxedo worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale.

Hepburn’s Givenchy dress will sell as part of Christie’s annual film and entertainment sale in London on the 5th of December. The lot is expected to raise £50,000-£70,000 (around $99,000-$140,000) for underprivileged children in India through the City of Joy Aid charity.

Hepburn’s wardrobe for the film was designed by Hubert de Givenchy, and the renowned designer has donated key pieces from his collection to raise money for disadvantaged children around the world in an attempt to continue the spirit of Audrey Hepburn’s work for UNICEF.

The famous black dress was given to Monsieur and Madame Lapierre to raise money for their City of Joy Aid charity. A meeting with Mother Theresa prompted the Lapierres to found the charity in 1981, which helps the poorest of the poor through a network of clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers and hospital boats.

The dress is currently available for viewing at Christie’s in London.

Daniel Craig’s dinner suit was donated to ChildLine, which is marking its 20th anniversary by auctioning off over 30 prizes, including a part in Desperate Housewives, lyrics for the hit song Angels handwritten and signed by Robbie Williams, and a signed Michael Schumacher limited edition print. The live auction will take place at the ChildLine Ball on Saturday 9 December, though fax and email bids can be made up until 7th of December.

ChildLine is striving to raise £20m (around $40m) to extend by 1,000 the 2,500 children it currently helps each day. The charity has brought abusers to justice, and has helped nearly two million children through counselling and support.

Look To The Stars News: Depression and Suicide

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

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