Look To The Stars News: Literacy

Stars Pushing the Envelope for Literacy

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:25:00 -0000

Today is the final day to bid on celebrity-designed, one-of-a-kind envelopes while helping to transform lives through literacy.

Over 100 celebrities, including Zoë Wanamaker, Sir Ian McKellen, Sadie Frost, Amir Khan and Dame Shirley Bassey have decorated envelopes for the Pushing the Envelope campaign in association with Pitney Bowes and the National Literacy Trust.

Dame Helen Mirren’s envelope

Over the last six years, the campaign has raised £65,000 ($107,000) to support literacy programs across the UK, helping people with poor reading and writing skills gain confidence and a chance for better employment and opportunities.

Some of the other celebrities taking part this year include Dame Helen Mirren, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Fearne Cotton, Samantha Fox and Frederick Forsyth.

To view the all of the designs, visit the Pushing the Envelope website. The auction is being held on eBay.co.uk.

Hard Rock Serves Up John Lennon For Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Last week, Look To The Stars brought you the news that Yoko Ono had donated John Lennon’s Give Peace A Chance to charity. Now we can reveal that she has also donated another of the singer’s songs to another charity campaign.

The World Hunger Year (WHY), along with Hard Rock Cafe, has released Serve4, the latest in their series of albums designed to fight hunger around the world. Yoko Ono has donated John Lennon’s Gimme Some Truth to the album.

“This is a beautiful step towards world peace,” she said. “By imagining there’s no hunger, like what John sang in his song, we express our strong desire to bring a world in which children will never again suffer from hunger or poverty. Let’s come together and help spread this message around the world. John would have loved the fact that so many illustrious and good meaning partners and organizations have stood up to make this effort together.”

It is the second time Ono has donated one of Lennon’s songs to Hard Rock’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign and Serve CDs.

100% of net proceeds from Hard Rock’s campaign will directly benefit WHY and its grassroots partners around the globe, that have developed ways to feed children worldwide who are victims of poverty and also teach them farming and entrepreneurial skills for the future. Proceeds will be donated directly to WHY to benefit local charities, including the Common Ground Foundation and Pathfinder Academy both located in Kenya, the Pattanarak Foundation located in Thailand, City of Joy located in India, the Yéle Haiti Foundation located in Haiti, Hope North located in Uganda, Roots and Shoots located in China, Project Bona Fide located in Nicaragua and Sentabale located in Lesotho.

“Hard Rock has been a longtime supporter of WHY, and I’ve seen firsthand how the organization helps to make a difference around the world,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock International, and Global Ambassador for WHY. “We are proud to continue to support WHY’s life-saving efforts, in hopes that one day, we will have a world without hunger and poverty.”

The track list of Serve4 is as follows:

John Lennon “Gimme Some Truth”
O.A.R. “Lay Down”
Brandi Carlile “If There Was No You”
Starsailor “Listen Up”
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint “The River In Reverse”
Earth, Wind & Fire / Chicago “You”
Eric Hutchinson “OK, It’s Alright With Me”
The Low Anthem “Home I’ll Never Be”
Arno Carstens “Heartbreak Monday”
Brett Dennen “Heaven”
Toby Lightman “One Day”
moe. “Wicked Awesome”
The Raveonettes “Oh I Buried You Today”
Uncle Kracker “Smile”

In addition to SERVE4, beginning November 9th, Hard Rock locations around the globe will offer IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER merchandise, including a limited-edition bracelet and pin to benefit WHY.

A charity event held in New York to launch the CD last week attracted a plethora of famous supporters, including Ringo Starr.

“You get so many invites every day to do stuff,” said Starr. “When I read the statistics of this, it just blew me away. So I thought, why not? How hard is it to do something? Because it is of some value, you give your name to great causes.”

The 14-track Serve4 is available as a download card at Hard Rock locations and at hardrock.com and as a download with five bonus tracks at Amazon ($8.99 or 99 cents a track). Cafe patrons who add a $1 donation to a meal tab receive an Imagine bracelet.

Ludacris Calls For Community Philanthropy

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Multi-platinum-selling artist and actor Ludacris (real name Chris Bridges) will make a call for individuals to take an active role in community philanthropy at a National Press Club luncheon on Friday, October 23, 2009.

The entertainer created the Ludacris Foundation in 2001 to increase leadership through education, healthy lifestyles and community engagement. The luncheon precedes the Foundation’s annual Benefit Dinner, to be held for the first time in the nation’s capital on October 24 at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center.

Ludacris previewed the topic of his speech by saying, “In today’s world we have new issues and new challenges. The old way of looking at these issues and challenges have not rendered the outcomes we want. Logical thinking, while necessary is not sufficient – we need lateral thinking (thinking outside our current frame of reference). We need a new type of leadership.”

Ludacris, 27, was discovered as a young rapper by industry giants Jermaine Dupri and Timberland. In the fall of 2000, he signed a deal with Russell Simmons’ Def Jam Records and built his own label and production company, Disturbing the Peace. He has translated his success in the music industry to projects in movies and fashion. Ludacris starred as “Taj” in the feature film 2Fast 2Furious and “Anthony” in the Oscar-winning film Crash. He is currently developing a clothing line.

In December 2001, Ludacris founded the Atlanta-based The Ludacris Foundation, dedicated to advocating for youth and giving both time and money back to the community. Since its founding, the organization has donated more than $500,000 to support grassroots organizations that work to help the nation’s youth and has invested more than 3,500 hours in devoted service to young people around the country.   The National Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Ludacris’ remarks will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Advance reservations should be made by telephoning (202) 662-7501. Cost of the luncheon is $17 for National Press Club members, $28 for guests of members, and $35 general admission.

The National Press Club is located at 14th and F. Streets, NW, one block west of Metro Center. More information about the Club and its programs is found on its Internet website: www.press.org .

Matt Damon Announces 2nd Annual ONEXONE Fundraiser In San Francisco

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

ONEXONE – the charitable organization committed to fighting health issues and preserving the lives of children locally and globally – along with Academy Award-winner Matt Damon, will host their 2nd Annual ONEXONE Fundraiser at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, October 22.

The evening will feature keynote speaker Vicki Escarra, CEO of Feeding America, along with a special headline performance from Snow Patrol, who is coming off their highly successful solo tour in the U.S. and recent sold-out tour with U2. Additional speakers and entertainment include Carlos Santana on behalf of The Milagro Foundation, Spencer Day, a local jazz vocalist from San Francisco, and Ethan Bortnick, the 8-year old pianist and composer. ONEXONE will also welcome back Jay Bilas for his second year as Master of Ceremonies.

In addition, the annual fundraiser will announce details surrounding the organizations latest program in partnership with ONEXONE Ambassadors Matt Damon and Mia Hamm, and Academy-Award winner Charlize Theron and the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project. The partnership between ONEXONE and the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project pools their resources and combines their dedications in a new and unique charitable initiative that will be unveiled at the October 22 fete.

“We feel lucky to be able to bring this event back to San Francisco after such a successful launch last year,” said Marc Joubert, President of ONEXONE U.S. “It’s a great city and the people of San Francisco are so generous, they genuinely care about the issues and are committed to helping make a difference. We’re also excited to come back and unveil a brand new initiative that will make this year’s event even bigger and better than last year’s.”

The ONEXONE event in San Francisco focuses not only on raising funds and awareness for the issues, but also on producing a top-notch show that entertains and educates the audience at the same time. Last year’s inaugural event to celebrate the launch of their U.S. operation, and the international charity’s first American home, did just that while raising more than $1 million for the organization. ONEXONE was founded in 2005 by Diesel Canada President, Joelle Berdugo Adler, and has raised more than $7 million for children around the world since that time.

For more information on ONEXONE please visit www.onexone.org.

Kanye West Takes To Stage At Charity Event

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The Common Ground Foundation held its second annual “Common & Friends” concert at the famed Hollywood Palladium on Saturday night. The show raised funds for the foundation, created by Grammy-Award winning hip-hop artist and actor, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, best known as Common.

The concert featured live performances from Common, The Roots, Nas, De La Soul, Ludacris, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Heavy D, while Freddy Rodriguez, Garth Trinidad, Rasual Butler, Toccara Jones, Serena Williams, Amber Rose, Erica Hubbard, Alyssa Milano, Eva Amurri and Ian Ziering were all in attendance to support the Common Ground Foundation.

“I am very grateful and thankful to all who attended and supported the 2nd annual Common Ground Foundation event. To all the gifted artists that participated – I thank you for giving your time, energy, and creativity,” said Common. “To all the sponsors, thank you for your ongoing commitment to the progress of the future of our youth. God bless… Love.”

The Common Ground Foundation continues to show support through partnerships, events and programs reaching many dynamic groups. Recent initiatives have included being the recipient of Cartier’s LOVE Charity program; the Chicago White Sox’s “Be in the Game” day at Cellular Field; and the Emmy-award nominated “A Minute” campaign. Last year’s inaugural event, “Start the Show & Bowl” featured will.i.am, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bilal, and Marsha Ambrosius.

Eddie Izzard Completes 43 Marathons For Charity

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British comedian and actor Eddie Izzard has completed his massive charity marathon challenge.

The actor set out in August to run 1000 miles and raise money for Sport Relief – a part of Comic Relief – and the 47-year-old finished his odyssey across Britain on Tuesday when he crossed the finish line at London’s Trafalgar Square.

“I feel dead!” he said as the London rain fell around him.

The challenge saw Izzard run 43 marathons in 52 days, a feat that Comic Relief founder Richard Curtis described as “amazing.”

“What I so admire is the length of it,” said Curtis. “He’s been doing it for so long, every single day. [These celebrities] are really putting themselves on the line for these issues. People in schools and at home think ‘Well, if Eddie can do that, then I can certainly do something to raise money and help people’.”

Ludacris Gives Away Cars To The Needy

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rapper Ludacris and his Ludacris Foundation gave away 20 used vehicles to several deserving Metro Atlanta area residents during his LudaDay weekend last week.

The rapper wanted those people struggling to make ends meet to write a 300 word essay on his website, and over 4,000 people took up the challenge. The winning essays included those from the homeless and even a Sudanese refugee: “That’s one of those stories that really had me like, man, I thought I had faced some adversities in life. But I’ve not faced adversities at all compared to what he’s been through. I cannot imagine going through what he’s gone through and still be that strong.”

A video of the event can be viewed here

“My foundation’s LudaCares Initiative is dedicated to supporting youth and families in need”, said Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges.

“Our major focus is youth and supporting the family structure” stated Roberta Shields, President of The Ludacris Foundation. “The Foundation helps people year around through our LudaCares Program. This year we want to do something to help youth and families manage during these tough economic times. Having a vehicle to get back and forth to work and daycare can make the difference in getting and keeping a job.”

A list of winners can be found here.

Double Donations For Eddie Izzard's Epic Charity Run

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:35:00 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Comedian Eddie Izzard is running over 1000 miles around the UK for charity, and an anonymous donor is helping every last mile count double.

Eddie’s running his 39th almost-consecutive marathon today in support of Sport Relief, and with only five more marathons remaining before he reaches his destination in London on Tuesday 15th September, a donor has promised to match up to £43,000 ($71,000) in donations made by midnight on Sunday 20th September.

In exhausted breaks between his full days of running, Izzard has been sharing via twitter how significant even a small donation can be:

“£6 ($10) could pay for enough school books for a whole year for an 8-year-old street child in Bangladesh.”

“£15 ($25) could provide essential drugs so 20 Ugandan children with malaria survive until they reach hospital.”

“£10 ($16) could pay for an hour’s counselling for an older person who has been abused.”

Sport Relief is a fundraising initiative for the UK Comic Relief campaign, harnessing the power and passion of sport to change lives for the better.

Donating online takes just a few moments, and your donation will now provide twice the help; just click here.

UK residents can also donate by simply texting EDDIE to 66609; they’ll be charged £5 plus the standard network rate, of which at least £3.37 goes to Sport Relief. Click here for more information, or donate online.

Ludacris To Reunite With Tommy Lee For Charity

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Motley Crue drummer and former husband of Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee, and rapper Ludacris will reunite this Saturday, August 29, for a special culinary charity event.

The event will be held at Ludacris’ restaurant, Straits, in Atlanta for a fund-raiser benefiting his Ludacris Foundation. The Foundation was created to inspire youth to take responsibility for their future, build stronger families and foster community economic development in the community. The Ludacris Foundation is committed to helping youth help themselves.

There will even be an after-party for the event, which will take place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. after Lee’s final encore with Motley Crue at the Aarons Amphitheater at Lakewood.

Ludacris and Tommy Lee first collaborated as part of Discovery Network’s Planet Green popular “Battleground Earth” eco-centric series.

Tickets are available here.

Ludacris Joins Common For Charity Hip Hop Concert

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The Common Ground Foundation has announced the second annual “Common & Friends” concert to be held at the famed Hollywood Palladium on September 26, 2009.

The show will raise funds for the foundation, created by actor and hip-hop artist, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, best known as Common. Tickets are available through Live Nation, and the show will feature live performances from Common, Ludacris, Nas, The Roots, De La Soul and many special guests. Tickets are $100 for general admission and $200 for VIP Balcony seating. All proceeds will benefit the Common Ground Foundation.

“For the second year in a row Common and the biggest artists in hip-hop will come out and lend their support for the Common Ground Foundation,” said Executive Director, Jodie Blum. “With proceeds from this amazing event, we are able to raise much needed funds to empower youth in the United States.”

Eddie Izzard Runs For Sport Relief

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Comedian Eddie Izzard has just set out from London for a 1000-mile run to raise money for Sport Relief, which supports Comic Relief, a charity that helps vulnerable people in need both at home in the UK and abroad.

Izzard’s effort is a serious marathon challenge with comedic results, at least when reading the Press Association’s report: Running 30 miles per day, Izzard achieved a blister and bandaged leg by day two, following a damaged hamstring and shin problems during his mere four-week training period. “He is not a runner,” says Izzard’s publicist.

The pay back, however, is more than honking horns from passing fans in recognition of his daily run. It’s in getting kids with behavioural problems into team sports, child labourers in Bangladesh into school, abused children off the streets of Brazil and finding homes and care for AIDS orphans in Zambia.

Support for Izzard’s run can be made at www.eddieizzard.com, and twitterers can follow him at www.twitter.com/eddieizzard.

Ted Danson To Lead Young Storytellers Festival

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Ted Danson, Henry Winkler, Zachary Levi, Anthony LaPaglia and a host of other stars will host a special outdoor festival to encourage literacy in September.

Storypalooza is a festival featuring children’s storytelling games, musical guests, and a live performance of scripts by an all-star cast. The festival is being organized by the Young Storytellers Foundation, a Los Angeles based non-profit organization dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school students through the art of storytelling. The Foundation offers a uniquely engaging and effective arts education and youth development program to targeted elementary schools in Los Angeles where students are at-risk and have little or no access to the arts. Twice a year at more than 30 schools, the program pairs 10 students from 4th or 5th grade with 10 mentors. The mentors volunteer one lunch hour a week for seven weeks to guide and encourage the students as they imagine and develop their own short screenplay. In the eighth week, professional Hollywood actors perform the students’ scripts for a live audience.

Storypalooza – which also features appearances by Ben McKenzie, Tate Donovan, Josh Radnor, Mary Steenburgen and many more – will take place on September 26 at Crossroads Elementary School in Santa Monica. More info can be found here.

Chicago White Sox Team With Common Ground

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:44:00 -0000

The Chicago White Sox are once again teaming with hip-hop superstar, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn – better known as Common – and the Common Ground Foundation this season for a night at the ballpark to help serve Chicago youth.

On Friday, July 17 at 7:11 p.m., the White Sox will play Baltimore at U.S. Cellular Field. A portion of every ticket purchased on behalf of the Common Ground Foundation when using the special promotion code of “CGF” will go toward the organization.

The Common Ground Foundation was created by Common to serve as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.

“I am thrilled to again partner with my hometown Sox to help build awareness for the Common Ground Foundation and do something special for young people in Chicago, as well as communities across the nation,” said Common, who is a South Side-native. “We invite everyone to support us on this special night.”

The Common Ground Foundation is also hosting a contest to raise funds for the Foundation by selling group tickets to the White Sox game. The person who sells the most tickets by June 19, will get to throw out the ceremonial first pitch with Common at the July 17 game.

Tickets for the foundation’s event are available via a special order form and entering in “CGF” in the special promotion code box. Orders submitted on behalf of the Common Ground Foundation must be received by the White Sox no later than Tuesday, June 30th. Rules and regulations for the contest can be found under news and events.

John Legend Headlines Four Seasons Of Hope Gala

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, a goodwill program benefiting children and families, held its eighth annual celebrity gala last night at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

“Live with Regis and Kelly” host, Regis Philbin returned for his fifth Samsung gala and was joined by NBC Commentator Bob Costas, who returned for his third gala.

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope recognizes the charitable efforts of sports, entertainment, and political notables, including former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Palmer, Jimmie Johnson, Boomer Esiason and Dan Marino through fundraising programs tied to business partners major retailers such as Best Buy, Sears, and the recently added Lowe’s as well as some of its regional partners.

Grammy-Award winner and philanthropist John Legend gave a special live performance to more than 500 guests in attendance where his Show Me Campaign was one of the benefiting charities from the evening’s event. The Show Me Campaign’s mission is to end poverty through sustainable development, education and service at the individual, family and community levels. Legend also brought along singer songwriter Estelle and his brother Vaughn to help entertain the crowd as both are part of Legend’s new record label, Home School Records.

“All of the charities involved in this event are doing tremendous work and I applaud their efforts, I was excited to be part of this night,” said John Legend following his performance.

Other charities to benefit from the event were the Arnold Palmer Foundation, the Boomer Esiason Foundation to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis, the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, the Dan Marino Foundation, the Jason Taylor Foundation, the Michael Strahan Foundation, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, and the Milagro Foundation.

The event featured a roster of celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and politics including newly signed New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez and current Quarterback Kellen Clemens, Amani Toomer, New England Patriots Wes Welker, members of the New York Jets – Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis Green Bay Packers Running Back Ryan Grant, former NBA star and current ESPN NBA Analyst Jamal Mashburn, TV Star Molly Sims, “All My Children’s” Chrishell Stause, Shannon Kane, Brittany Allen and Melissa Claire Egan, music artist and producer Swizz Beatz, Recording Artists Kelis and Fabolous; Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton; Rene Fris of Bravo’s “Shear Genius” and the Winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10 Whitney Thompson. An online and silent auction of unique experiences and sports memorabilia also helped raise funds for all of the participating foundations and charities. The online auction will continue through June 25th at www.gocharity.com/samsung.

“Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope is proud to begin its eight year on such a positive note by raising nearly million dollars for the program’s charities and providing an amazing performance by John Legend who is also a true philanthropist,” said CS Choi, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “It is especially exciting and encouraging to see all of our partners and celebrities coming together to benefit children and families. Even during this difficult economic climate, Samsung looks forward to being able to support these charitable efforts as we continue our corporate philanthropy initiatives.”

To date, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope program has raised more than $20 million for charity, while winning awards and recognition for its achievements. For more information, visit www.fourseasonsofhope.com or www.samsung.com/newsroom.

Dolly Parton Launches New Charity Partnership

Fri, 22 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Country legend Dolly Parton announced this week that her literacy charity will team up with the United Way of America to double the amount of books the program currently provides.

Parton established the Imagination Library in 1996 as part of her Dollywood Foundation, and it now operates in 566 counties across thirty-six U.S. states, as well as in Canada and England. Her idea was simple: to build an organization that sends one book per month to children from the time of their birth until they enter kindergarten.

“This program is one of the most important ways I know to improve the educational opportunities for children,” said Parton. “When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books, and the seeds you plant in your community can grow across the world.”

The new partnership has set a goal of providing free books to one million children each month by 2014.

More information about the program can be found here.

U2's Guitarist Becomes Charity Ambassador

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

U2 guitarist The Edge has been made a Mencap ambassador.

The rocker has been a longtime supporter of the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities. In 2007, he played a surprise acoustic gig with Bono at the charity’s annual Little Noise Sessions, and he joins stars such as comedian Mathew Horne, Christopher Eccleston, investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre, actress Kellie Shirley, Newcastle-born actress and TV presenter Donna Air, Paula Sage – who became an ambassador after she won a Bafta award for her role in the film Afterlife – actor and singer Will Young, and Lisa Scott Lee as an ambassador.

“Not many people know what a learning disability is, or the challenges people with a learning disability face,” said The Edge. “I’ve seen how much work goes into Mencap and want to continue to see it flourish.”

The Edge was invited to become an ambassador by his cousin, Ciara Evans, who works with Mencap’s campaigns and celebrity teams.

“My learning disability has not stopped me from achieving my goals or getting a job, but others like me can find it hard to get paid work,” she said. “I hope that The Edge’s support will help create more opportunities for people with a learning disability.”

Anil Kapoor And The Real Slumdog Millionaire Support India’s Children

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actor Anil Kapoor has pledged to donate his earnings from Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire to Plan India, a charity that supports vulnerable children in India.

Although Kapoor describes his own beginnings as modest, it wasn’t the level of underprivilege that he’s witnessed since becoming involved with Plan India in 2006. The abuse and exploitation of children that he has seen over the past couple of years has affected him deeply: “There are many who are sold and forced into prostitution, begging, labour and other such activities. Lack of education and functional skills has made trafficking of these children the prime source of income for the people.”

Plan India attempts to combat this through various measures, both directly and through community and governmental organisations. Better education for girls has reduced the number of early marriages, and vocational training to improve economic conditions deflects the exploitation of children. The charity is working on projects in both rural and urban communities, as well as directly with street children, child labourers and orphans.

Kapoor sites one particularly poignant success story of Plan India, where a man had sold his daughters into the sex trade since they were residents of the red light area: “He felt it was a quick way of getting good money and saw no harm in doing so! He was still thinking of selling his youngest daughter into the trade when he came across [Plan India’s] staff members working in the area. They were able to convince him to send [her] to school. With help from the donors, Plan was able to support [her] education.”

A real-life Slumdog Millionaire, Harsh Nawathe, who won 10 million rupees ($198,000) on a television contest in 2000, also has his eye on the welfare of children. He’s devoting his time to expanding his tutoring programs for children growing up in slums of Mumbai where, he says, education is the only currency that pays.

Encouraging others to support the children of India, Kappor says: “It is time we stop these people from robbing their innocence!”

Want to write for us, or help with our research? Find out more about contributing.

Sir Edmund Hillary's House On Display For Charity

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Thousands of New Zealanders flocked to a charity open home on Sunday, March 1, to raise money for the Himalayan Trust.

The Auckland home of Sir Edmund Hillary is going up for auction on March 15, and members of the public were yesterday invited to view the former dwelling of the mountaineering legend.

“The house itself breathed Ed and it breathed the Himalayas,” Hillary’s biographer Pat Booth told the Sunday Star Times. “It was full of precious things, of things that were precious to him, referencing the things he had done, and the people he had met.”

Hillary – known as Sir Ed to his fellow New Zealanders – was an adventurer famous for being the first person to ascend Mt Everest in Nepal and for his humanitarian work with the Nepalese Sherpas since the 1960s. He passed away in January 2007.

People who visited the home yesterday were asked to donate a gold coin ($1 or $2 in New Zealand) to the Himalayan Trust, a non-profit organization Hillary established in 1960 to provide the basic infrastructure needs that the Sherpas of Nepal really want (education, health, forests, monastery repairs and response to natural disasters).

To view the property and for auction details go to www.bayleys.co.nz and enter the property code #360901.

Ludacris Gives Children A LudaCrismas

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rapper Ludacris spread some Christmas cheer last week when he helped the American Civil Rights Educational Society hold their annual Christmas Lunch.

The event was in doubt this year after the ACRES building in New York was broken into and severely damaged by fire earlier this month. But Ludacris and his Ludacris Foundation stepped in and made sure the event went on as planned. The star even made a personal appearance and handed out gifts to disadvantaged children.

Ludacris set up the Ludacris Foundation to inspire youth to take responsibility for their future, build stronger families and foster community economic development in the community. The rapper and the Foundation has just spent the month visiting Chicago, New York, Miami, and Atlanta area children in an initiative called LudaCrismas in Toyland. The events treated disadvantaged children to games, entertainment, food, and Santa.

“The Christmas season is all about giving of yourself – that’s the true meaning of Christmas,” said Ludacris. “Helping those that are less fortunate than ourselves – that’s what this time of year is all about. During the holidays there is no better time to turn back, reach back, and give back.”

Over 1000 children benefited from the events.

“I love this time of year and can’t wait to see the wonderment in the eyes and the smiles of joy on the faces of the children as they make it through LudaCrismas in Toyland” said Roberta Shields, President of the Ludacris Foundation. “We know the importance of helping others and giving back and we understand that the little things we do can sometimes have a huge effect on these children for years to come.”

John Lennon Imagines From Beyond The Grave

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

“Imagine every child, no matter where in the world they were, could access a universe of knowledge,” says John Lennon in a new TV advertisment. “They would have a chance to learn, to dream, to achieve anything they want. I tried to do it through my music. But now, you can do it in a very different way. You can give a child a laptop and more than imagine. You can change the world.”

The easy connection of “imagination” to John Lennon, due to his famous song, Imagine, made him a perfect candidate for One Laptop Per Child’s campaign to provide every child in the developing world with a laptop – except that Lennon was killed nearly 30 years ago. However, through digitalization, a youthful image of the songwriter has been on television since Christmas with his message.

One Laptop Per Child is the latest project of Nicholas Negroponte, a driving force of the multimedia revolution. His goal is to have millions of wireless, solar powered, Internet-enabled laptops in the hands of children by 2010. The size of a textbook, the robust XO laptop acts as an entire library and more for each child, and thus can provide them with an education. Negroponte has spoken various times at TED conferences, most recently earlier this month about his latest delivery to children in Colombia

At TED2006 Negroponte said, “It’s amazing when you meet a head of state and you say, ‘What is your most precious natural resource?’ They will not say children at first. And then when you say children they will pretty quickly agree with you.”

That these laptops will act as “a springboard into [children’s] future,” digital-John’s message echoes Negroponte: Give a laptop, change the world.

Yao Foundation and the Bush & Clinton Fund Are This Year’s Rocket Recipients

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

The Rocket’s 13th annual Tux & Tennies Charity Gala, coming in February, will award the event’s proceeds to the Bush Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund and the Yao Ming Foundation.

The basketball team wanted to help local communities rebuild after the effects of last autumn’s Hurricane Ike. But team player Yao Ming has another passion as well – his Yao Ming Foundation, created last spring in his country of origin, China.

Rockets.com quoted team owner Leslie Alexander: “There is still much work to be done in China to recover from the devastation that was caused by the earthquake there last May. Because these two natural disasters have affected so many lives in areas close to our hearts, I wanted to find a way to provide assistance to both causes.”

Having raised $5 million from the galas so far – over $750 thousand at last year’s alone – Alexander is confident that he can contribute significantly to both charities. “There’s no reason we can’t help the Chinese people, also.”

Yao Ming travelled for a few days in China after last summer’s Olympics. “I’ve seen many children studying outside or in some very poor classrooms,” he told Rocket.com. “My foundation is rebuilding the schools which were destroyed by the earthquake, but also in the future we’re talking about helping the Houston community build schools, too.”

The Bush Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund is also aimed at rebuilding community services as well as infrastructure for the hardest hit. This is the third joint effort of these two former US presidents, after Hurricane Katrina and the Southeast Asia Tsunami.

Nicole Richie Wants To Give You A Fruitcake For Christmas

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Tony Hawk, Nicole Richie and Fall Out Boy are on a mission to “re-gift” the classic fruitcake this Christmas with a new charity application on Facebook.

“The fruitcake has always been a bad gift. You never eat it or keep it. You just always end up re-gifting it,” said skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. “This year we’re changing the fruitcake and making it a symbol of giving and charity.”

Two-pound fruitcake bricks will be given away through a PayPal application on Facebook to benefit the stars’ favorite charities. Recipients will be invited via a personal video to contribute through PayPal to the charities and “re-gift” the fruitcake to friends and family all across the world.

“We’re trying out different kinds of technology and approaches to get people involved and learn about causes,” said Joel Madden. “This time, it’s a fruitcake.”

Celebrities will kick off the fruitcake’s virtual voyage starting with 10 friends each. As the fruitcakes make their way across Facebook, recipients can choose to donate to the celebrity’s cause or continue the fruitcake’s journey simply by re-gifting to friends for free. The Re-gift the Fruitcake program is presented by PayPal, which will make a $20,000 donation to each celebrity charity.

The charities that will benefit from the initiative include the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the Yao Ming Foundation, the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, and Invisible Children.

“By re-gifting this fruitcake you will help build more than 8,000 Classrooms and give children the education they deserve,” said Houston Rockets’ Center Yao Ming.

The initiative can be accessed through http://apps.facebook.com/regiftthefruitcake or www.regiftthefruitcake.com.

Mencap Gains New Celebrity Ambassador

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

UK charity Mencap – which works with people with learning disabilities – has just acquired a new ambassador, the English comedian and actor Mathew Horne, who will help promote awareness of learning disabilities.

30 year-old Horne was nominated for Best Male Comedy Newcomer at the 2007 British Comedy Awards and is best known for playing the role of Gavin Shipman in the BBC Sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

Horne revealed that he would be supporting the charity during the Little Noise Sessions at The Union Chapel of Union in London.

He also said he was looking forward to helping Mencap raise much needed funds, awarness and hopes to keep things humorous at the same time.

“I am absolutely honored to become an ambassador. It is a brilliant charity and one that is very dear to my heart,” he added.

Many other celebrities are involved with this charity, including actor Christopher Eccleston, investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre, actress Kellie Shirley, Newcastle-born actress and TV presenter Donna Air, Paula Sage – who became an ambassador after she won a Bafta award for her role in the film Afterlife – actor and singer Will Young, and Lisa Scott Lee.

The Killers Play Surprise Charity Gig

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Killers played an unannounced acoustic set at the first of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions in London on Saturday night.

The British rockers made their surprise appearance at a show that also featured Glasvegas, White Lies and Cage The Elephant. They played 3 songs, including Human, Smile Like You Mean It, and an inspired performance of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

Surprise acoustic performances are a traditional part of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions. Last year, Bono and The Edge from U2 took to the stage unannounced and played four acoustic songs.

The sessions take place over eleven nights at Islington’s Union Chapel to raise money for the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities. Kasabian, Stereophonics, Keane, and Razorlight are all scheduled to perform over the next week and a half, and tickets are available from the Mencap Music website.

Santana Tells Kids To Value Themselves

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Guitarist Carlos Santana paid a visit to a school near San Francisco on Thursday with words of wisdom for the students.

The star addressed hundreds of students at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael on behalf of the Milagro Foundation, a charity he started with his wife ten years ago to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

“It’s important for each one of you, no matter where you come from or where you’re going, to value yourself,” he said during his speech. “Just like we can teach history and arithmetic, it’s important to teach unconditional love.”

His address ran a gauntlet of issues, including the fact that California spends more on prisons than it does on schools, and also challenged the Education Department to introduce a new curriculum that would combat racism and promote self-esteem.

“The best way to do it is to just roll up your sleeves like Mother Theresa and just bring three things: hope, trust, and faith in yourselves,”

During Santana’s speech, Samsung Electronics America’s Four Seasons of Hope program presented the Milagro Foundation with a check for $100,000.

British Rockers To Go Acoustic For Mencap

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kasabian, Stereophonics, Keane, and Razorlight have all signed up to perform at this year’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions which take place across eleven days in November.

The acoustic shows will take place at Islington’s Union Chapel to raise money for the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities.

“We are really looking forward to playing the show for the Little Noise Sessions on behalf of Mencap,” said Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics. “To be able to do an acoustic show in such an intimate venue and be able to support such a worthy cause will be a really special thing to do and something we rarely get the chance to do. It will be beautiful.”

Of course, there is always the chance of a big surprise at the Mencap Little Noise concerts. Last year, Bono and The Edge from U2 took to the stage unannounced and played four acoustic songs.

DJ Jo Whiley will once again host the event, and tickets are available from the Mencap Music website.

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