Look To The Stars News: Sports

Michael Phelps: Fourteen Medals and a Heart of Gold

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Fourteen-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps has announced that he is founding his own charity, the Michael Phelps Foundation.

The swimmer has earmarked the well-publicized $1 million bonus he is to receive from Speedo for winning eight gold medals in Beijing, and an additional $200,000 has been donated to Phelps’ foundation by Warnaco and Speedo International in honor of his record-setting wins.

Phelp’s first step as his charity’s ambassador is an eight-city tour across the United States, during which he will visit children and share his experiences of Beijing.

The tour will launch an education program, Dream, Plan, Reach, inspired by principles Michael learned as a child.

Dream, Plan, Reach teaches planning, goal-setting and responsibility, offering children a base that can support them beyond the swimming pool, and encourage them to live healthy, active lives.

“Thanks to a lot of hard work, some good fortune, the inspiration I drew from so many supporters around the world, and incredible teammates, I was able to achieve that dream by winning eight Gold Medals in Beijing,” said Phelps. “Now, my goals reach beyond the pool, to helping others realize their dreams, and continuing to grow the sport I love so much. I feel it’s only appropriate that I continue the momentum that Speedo helped to create, by committing my bonus to the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which I hope will help me inspire others to achieve their dreams, and give back to the sport that has given me so much.”

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Denzel Donates to Save School Sports

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Actor Denzel Washington gave a generous gift – accompanied by a strong message – to save a New York school district’s sports program.

Denzel Washington has donated $100,000 to help save the Mount Vernon school district’s sports programs. The budget for three seasons of sports was slashed by the district and the city is now trying to raise funds privately to keep the program intact. While Washington is “really upset” by the budget cuts, his donation has helped Save Our Sports, the city’s fundraising effort, raise $329,000 towards the fall sports season.

While fall sports have been saved, the city requires an additional $630,000 to save the winter and spring seasons. Washington, a Mount Vernon native, expressed disappointment in the school system. “I don’t know how we got here. Why wasn’t this looked at a year ago?” He questioned. “You don’t plan to fail, you fail to plan.”

Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young and district spokeswoman Desiree Grand are focusing on fundraising efforts and moving forward. The district has received additional support from the proceeds of a National Basketball Association youth event and other private donations.

“Yes, the debate goes on about how we got here,” Young said. “But we are in this position, and we need to move forward.”

Interview: Phil Keoghan Talks To Look To The Stars

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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

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

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

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

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

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

What other charities and causes do you support?

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

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

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

How could a charity attract your support?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stars Keep In Time For Charity

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new series of designer watches featuring memorabilia from rock stars and celebrities is raising money for charity.

California-based Nixon Watches has launched their 2008 LTD collection of watches which incorporates guitar frets, concert ticket stubs, and other items into quality timepieces. The brainchild of No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, the collection features watches designed by musicians such as Ringo Starr, Nikki Sixx, members of Fall Out Boy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Angels and Airwaves, and screen stars Jack Black and Joy Bryant. Proceeds from the watches will benefit the Tony Hawk Foundation, a children’s aid charity that seeks to foster lasting improvements in society, and the MusiCares MAP Fund to help musicians recovering from addiction.

According to the Nixon website, the collection ranges in price from $350 to $1,500, and is available from Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.

Soccer's Brightest Aim For $90 Million

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of the biggest names in football from around the world came together on Saturday to raise funds for charity ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

AC Milan’s Kaka, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, and Germany’s Michael Ballack were just some of the names who played in the match held in the German city of Munich on July 12 to raise money for Goal4Africa, a foundation inspired by Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday that aims to raise money for the educational needs of children in Africa. The organization hopes to raise $90 million dollars at a series of exhibition matches over the next two years by having fans pledge donations online or through texts each time any players from their favorite teams score until 2010.

Saturday’s match – organized by former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf – demonstrated the fun and good spirits of the concept, with Ballack’s World Team Two defeating Seedorf’s World Team One 9-6.

Usher Honored In The Mississippi

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

R&B star Usher hit the South Mississippi coast last week to raise money for his New Look Foundation.

The 29-year-old singer was star guest at the Club Tiki at Beau Rivage, and was honored for his work with New Look and his commitment to provide housing for about 80 Beau Rivage employees whose homes were destroyed or nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Members of the public each paid a donation of $10 to attend the ceremony and listen to the star’s speech.

During the evening, the five-time Grammy winner talked about his desire to make a contribution those less fortunate. He hopes to become known as someone who did everything he could to help others in need.

Usher’s New Look Foundation is largely dedicated to improving health, mental health and housing for families affected by Hurricane Katrina. It is also committed to helping young people enter the business side of the sports and entertainment industries, and provides a two-week summer camp for children aged 12-17 where they can explore the industries while learning about and strengthening their skills.

“Service, volunteerism and civic action are integrated into all our programs, and we’re committed to being a voice and a force to aid in the resettling of evacuees and the mobilization to help rebuild communities fractured by hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” said Usher. “It’s about making something happen that’s good, right and needed.”

Sir Paul McCartney Busy With Charity Campaigns

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney will appear in an advertising campaign in Britain this month to encourage people to support the Paralympic Games in Beijing.

The campaign, organized by ParalympicsGB, will ask people to donate cash to help disabled athletes who want to compete in the games, and McCartney hopes his input will help the future of disability sport.

“I met leading Paralympic dressage rider Sophie Christiansen and was completely blown away by her skill, dedication and the fact that she had won a gold medal for Britain, so I felt I had to do something,” said the 66-year-old ex-Beatle. “My suggestion was simple. Why not create an ad that would highlight the work of ParalympicsGB and call on the British public to donate much needed money.”

McCartney has also been on the campaign trail for Canadian Harp seals in the last few days. He appeared in a special video shown during an anti-seal hunting video played at a rally in Brussels on Tuesday, urging demonstrators fight for a European seal products import ban.

“Stopping the import of seal fur into the European Union could really put an end to this brutality once and for all,” he said. “Please ask the EU to ban this terrible trade today.”

It is not the first time the singer has campaigned for an end to the slaughter of thousands of Harp seals that takes place in Canada every year. He visited the country with ex-wife Heather Mills in 2006 to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper to end the “heartbreaking” hunt that has left a “stain” on the Canadian character.

Other celebrities to support the end to the slaughter include Slash, Martin Sheen, Mick Jagger, and Brigitte Bardot.

Charles Barkley and Buddies Tee Off For Charity

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Legendary athlebrities from football, baseball, basketball and hockey, gathered under the hot desert sun on June 7 and 8 to raise money and awareness for several very worthwhile causes. The Pro Sports Team Challenge Golf Tournament at the Eagle Falls Golf Club at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (near Palm Springs, California) settled the debate as to which sport has the best golfers, while competing for a total purse of $250,000 for chairty.

Team Basketball hit the greens for the USO. Led by NBA great Charles Barkley and featuring his buddies Clyde Drexler, Jason Kidd, George Gervin and Kenny Smith, the team made every swing count in efforts to help comfort our hardworking military. While Barkley was psyched for the event, he didn’t have high expectations for his team.

“One of the highlights of my life was [when] the USO took me to Iraq, Kuwait, Dubai,” said Barkley during the event. “I got to visit with some of the troops. So it’s a great organization and, um, unfortunately we’re not going to win a lot of money for them because my team [Basketball] sucks!”

But the event wasn’t marred by the lack of golf talent, as inspiration was the forerunner of the competition.

“Many athletes, like Charles Barkley and John Elway, have spent their holidays, vacations and precious free time to thank our nation’s heroes for their daily sacrifices,” said Kathy Mejasich, the Vice President of Corporate Alliances for the USO. “The difference they make in the morale of the troops is more than just palpable, but energizing and inspiring.”

Team Basketball also spent some time with 20 year-old Brandon Akey, who was flown out from Ohio to play with the big boys after winning an online competition.

“I’m only 20 years old and this is only the second time I’ve been out of Ohio – the last time I took a trip was to Florida when I was a kid, and suddenly I’m here playing golf with these guys.” Brandon played in the Pro-Am with basketball legend, George Gervin. “He was such a good guy. Whenever we hit bad shots he was really cool and supportive, he said ‘that’s all right, we’re a team, it’s like basketball.’”

Also inspiring was Team Football, who didn’t stop grinning all weekend as they polished their putters in the hope of earning a hefty donation for Operation Kids. Led by Team Captain Drew Brees and including LaDainian Tomlinson, John Elway and Michael Strahan, the team brought style, smiles, class and sass to the event.

“I just love helping kids,” said NFL good guy Michael Strahan. “When they see any player come to spend some time with them, their faces light up and they share their hopes and ambitions and dreams with us. I can’t even begin to tell you how good it made me feel.”

Rest assured, Strahan was speaking from the heart. There wasn’t one child in attendance that the big guy didn’t stop for. In fact, all the players involved were constantly chatting with young starry-eyed kids as they tousled their hair before signing footballs, programs, posters, and even jerseys being worn by ‘soccer moms’.

Team Hockey, led by cancer survivor Mario Lemieux, chose Hockey Fights Cancer as their beneficiary. Lemieux, Brett Hull, Grant Fuhr and Pierre Larouche went into the competition with an edge, seeing as they all have notorious golf skills.

During Friday’s Pro-Am event, one lucky sweepstakes winner enjoyed a round with the big boys. Matt Lesage, who has little golf experience, was a bit nervous going into the competition when he learned he was playing with Team Hockey. “I played with Pierre Larouche in the Pro-Am,” he said, “Mario Lemieux, Pierre, Grant, all those guys were so nice. Pierre is a great guy and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. At first, I was a bit skeptical on how the athletes were going to act towards someone like me, not being a big golfer, but they were all class acts and they couldn’t have been nicer.”

While Lesage was hyped to play golf, he was also keen on the fact that this was for charity, “I heard Team Hockey talking about Hockey Fights Cancer, and a lot of people in my family had cancer so it made me really happy to be part of it. All these guys inspired me.”

Team Baseball captain Ozzie Smith led George Brett, Vince Coleman and Bret Saberhagen around the greens as they swung away for the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) in efforts to help the families of players who have fallen on tough times.

“B.A.T. provides assistance to members of the ‘baseball family’ who are in need…We help take care of health care, medical, housing, burial, utilities, household expenses and prescriptions,” wrote Erik Nilsen of B.A.T. “It’s an honor to be nominated by Ozzie Smith, a Hall of Famer who truly understands the history of our organization.”

The big question remains though – which team brought home the first place $100,000 prize for their charity and which teams split the remaining purse? You’ll have to watch the Fox Sports Net broadcast on Saturday 6/28 and Sunday 6/29 to find out. It was a great competition, filled with lots of trash talking and love coming from the participants, but in the end all of the charities came out winners thanks to the dedication of these mighty mighty fine men.

Special celebrities lending their time to the event included Hercules star Kevin Sorbo, actor Dennis Haysbert (The Unit), Actor/producer Matthew Hatchette (The Take), and comedian Martin Short provided some comical poolside entertainment during the VIP party.

If you’d like to make a donation to any of the ProTeam charities named, you can still visit the Team Challenge website and sign up as a ProCoach – $1.00 from each participant will go to the charity of your choice.

Look To The Stars Asks Kevin Sorbo

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Kevin Sorbo shot to fame in 1994 for his starring role in the popular TV series Hercules, the Legendary Journeys. Since then, he’s guest starred on such hit shows as Just Shoot Me, According to Jim, Hope and Faith, Two and a Half Men, USA Network’s Psych, and had recurring appearances on Dharma and Greg and Fox’s The OC in 2006-2007.

In 2005, when Sorbo was named as the spokesperson for the Afterschool Alliance, he said, “I am proud to do whatever I can to promote the afterschool programs that children and families need.”

Remarkably, Sorbo has remained true to his words, spending countless hours helping children in need. He has solidified himself as a true giver, acting as the spokesman and chair of A World Fit For Kids! (WFFK!), a non-profit organization that offers gang, drug and dropout prevention programming to at-risk kids by providing mentoring training for teens and using them as positive role models for youngsters.

Look to the Stars caught up with Kevin Sorbo when he made an appearance at the Pro Team Sports Challenge held in Indio, California, June 6-8. The event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the USO, Baseball Assistance Team, Operation Kids, and Hockey Fights Cancer.

Tell us a little bit about your charity, Kevin.

Well, it’s called A World Fit for Kids – readers can go online to www.worldfitforkids.org, and see what we’ve been up to. We just got the Gold Star from Governor Schwarzenegger for having the best after-school program in the State of California. We’ve got 100% graduation rate in Los Angeles County, which has about a 40% drop out rate. So I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.

We’ve seen you at quite a few charity events, what’s been your inspiration?

I really wanted to work with kids. It started about the third year of ‘Hercules’ when we actually passed ‘Baywatch’ as the most watched TV show in the world, and with that sort of notoriety, I started getting inundated with all kinds of causes – Pediatric, AIDS, everything – and while those kinds of things are wonderful, l really wanted to work with kids that were healthy but living in an unhealthy environment.

You’re obviously doing something right!

Yeah, and we’re [WFFK!] actually going to go nationwide with it because we’ve got a lot people from out of state asking us why we’re so good. So, I’m having my own celebrity-golf tournement – on October 10/11, in Las Vegas. Planet Hollywood is hosting, Darius Rucker [from Hootie and the Blowfish] will be performing. It’s going to be a great event and golf tournement and I’m very excited about it.

What’s your opinion as to whether or not celebrities are ‘obligated’ to give back to the community?

I don’t think people are obligated. You know, some people have different personalities. I like helping people. I’ve been doing this for 11 years now and I love it.

Is there any celebrity that you would ‘call-out’ for lack of charity work?

I got to be honest with you – I don’t know who I’d call out because most of the people I know are giving back to the world in some way. I don’t know what celebrities aren’t doing these days to give back.

Look to the Stars and Delinda would like to thank Kevin Sorbo for taking the time to speak with us. We applaud his good work and hopefully he inspires you as much as he’s inspired us.

Soccer Stars Campaign For Goal4Africa

Wed, 28 May 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Led by AC Milan’s Kaka and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, a virtual who’s-who from the beautiful world of soccer have lined up to play a charity match in efforts to raise money for kids in Africa and pay tribute to Nelson Mandela.

The match marks the first in a series of events to create awareness for Goal4Africa, an organization that raises money for the educational needs of children in Africa. The concept is simple; users donate to the fund when their favorite team or player scores a goal.

The first match in the series will be July 12 at Munich’s Allianz Arena in Germany. The campaign continues through the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with the aim of raising $90 million in honor of Mandela’s 90th birthday on July 18. The match will also include a live show dedicated to Mandela, portraying his work in Africa and his life story.

Italy’s Gennaro Gattuso and Goal4Africa’s first global ambassador, Clarence Seedorf of the Netherlands, have also been named to the roster.

Usher Partners with Atlanta Dream For His New Look Foundation

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:21:10 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Five-time Grammy Award winning singer, actor, and humanitarian Usher Raymond, also known as Usher, has announced a new partnership with the WNBA Atlanta Dream team and his New Look Foundation.

“I’m extremely excited about Camp New Look’s partnership with the Atlanta Dream, and look forward to witnessing how this new partnership motivates our young people to even greater heights,” says Usher. “We wanted to do something extra special for our students, and I’m happy that the Atlanta Dream have provided an avenue for our young entrepreneurs to attain real life experience.”

Usher’s New Look Foundation, now in its fourth year, has helped over 1,300 teens from across the country through Camp New Look in Atlanta and mini-camps in New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Milwaukee. This year, Usher is stepping it up a notch by expanding its youth services with the launch of the New Look Internship program for those who want to develop a career in the sports and entertainment industries.

Of the new partnership Atlanta, Dream President & COO Bill Bolen says, “The Atlanta Dream shares Usher’s commitment to inspiring young men and women to reach for their dreams. We are excited to partner with Usher’s New Look Foundation and look forward to the New Look youth participating with us this season.”

The new partnership with the Atlanta Dream allows New Look participants to receive hands-on experience in sports management, player development and game day operations and marketing.

Usher’s New Look Foundation, was established to empower youth from underserved communities by giving them the skills necessary to enter careers in the sports and entertainment industry with the intent of increasing their economic stats and decreasing at-risk behavior. We accomplish this through exposure, experience and employment opportunities.

For more information about Camp New Look, visit http://www.ushersnewlook.org

The Dream will tip-off its first regular season home game on Friday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. against defending Eastern Conference Champions the Detroit Shock. The team was officially announced as the 14th team in the WNBA on October 17, 2007. The Dream will be a member of the WNBA’s Eastern conference and play their home games at Philips Arena. Other Eastern conference teams include the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Detroit Shock, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Washington Mystics. For more information visit http://www.AtlantaDream.net.

Hootie and the Blowfish to Play at Rock Fore! Dough IV

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:35:15 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

Recording artists Hootie and the Blowfish, Colbie Caillat, Josh Kelley and John Krueger are scheduled to perform for the annual Rock Fore! Dough IV benefit concert. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 8th in Augusta, GA at the First Tee of Augusta.

The proceeds of the Rock Fore! Dough support the First Tee of Augusta, one of over 200 chapters of the First Tee Network. Over the past three years the Rock Fore! Dough event has raised over $200,000 for the charity.

First Tee’s goal is to “…impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.”

First Tee teaches the young people in its program nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, courtesy, judgment, confidence, responsibility, and perseverance.

Tickets are on sale now for $25.00 and can be purchased at the gate for $35.00.

For more information about The First Tee, Augusta Chapter, visit their website.

Tim Duncan's A Slam Dunk In School Yards Too

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:51:44 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Basketball star Tim Duncan’s passion for sport has grown from his professional life into other courts as well. In only six years, his Tim Duncan Foundation, has raised well over half a million dollars to support programs promoting youth sports, health, research and education.

Through fund raising events with other athletes, corporations and local celebrities, Duncan’s Foundation supports various programs in South Texas, US Virgin Islands and North Carolina. A mobile mammography unit for the uninsured, American Cancer Society, San Antonio’s Children’s Shelter and Kids Sports Network have all been beneficiaries.

The Foundation has also implemented the Tim Duncan’s Character Program, an incentive program for school kids to make good choices and demonstrate what Duncan and his wife, Amy, feel are the six key character traits: respect, integrity, fairness, dependability, caring and civic responsibility. Awards and gifts are given to over 3000 kids annually to recognize their good deeds.

Duncan sees a direct link between such traits and sports. He says, “I think that basketball and sports in general offer a lot of great lessons to kids. Dedication. Teamwork. Camaraderie. Team sports introduce you to all types of personalities and help you appreciate differences in others and build friendships. Being part of something beyond yourself is powerful.”

Klitschko Gives At-Risk Children A Fighting Chance

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:36:35 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko is donating at least half a million dollars to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation programs for at-risk children in New York’s Bronx.

The Laureus Foundation offers a range of activities for local, disadvantaged children. Before learning to box, the children learn life skills and values, and participate in academic enrichment programs. They are also provided with a positive place to escape from the harsh realities of a depressed home and street life where absentee parents, substance abuse, and domestic violence are common.

Klitschko’s gift to Laureus comes from two sources. The first $350,000 comes from his fan base, who responded to his offer to embellish the robe he would wear for his championship heavyweight fight with the names of all who donated to Laureus in his name. A further $150,000 has already been offered for the robe, under auction until next month, and is expected to rise.

Laureus plans to use the money for a larger facility nearby so that the boxing program can reach a greater number of children. It will also be used to help fund an onsite computer tech centre, tutoring, health and nutrition education, a dance program, and upgraded sports equipment.

Their motto of “using sport as a tool for social change” has attracted the attention of other great athletes, like Boris Becker, Nadia Comaneci, Michael Johnson, John McEnroe, Katarina Witt and over 40 others who make up Laureus’s World Sports Academy. The Academy’s task is “to foster the development of sport, around the world through the development of a social programme” under the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Celebrity Soccer Match Scores For Charities

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:24:53 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Former US soccer player/World Cup champion Mia Hamm and her husband, Major League Baseball player Nomar Garciaparra, have rallied some of their closest celebrity friends for a charity soccer match benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation.

Nearly 6,000 fans attended the event at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, on January 26 to witness celebrities play the “beautiful game” while raising awareness about bone marrow disease. Fittingly enough, it was Mia Hamm who scored the first goal for her team, while Garciaparra coached his team from the sidelines, unable to play due to Major League Baseball restrictions.

“No one else has an event like this, where they get to go out and play soccer,” said Garciaparra.

The Celebrity Soccer Challenge, which aims to be an annual event, was inspired by the loss of Hamm’s brother.

“I understand the pain of bone marrow disease first hand,” explains Hamm on her website. “In 1997, my brother Garrett passed away from complications related to aplastic anemia. Through an all-star exhibition soccer match, we are able to raise awareness and funds for bone marrow disease research, and to support families through the marrow transplant process. It was clearly my most satisfying moment away from the field.”

Through her foundation, Mia Hamm has brought her competitive spirit to the field and beyond in support of raising funds and awareness for bone marrow transplant patients.

“You change a family’s life—not just the recipient’s, but the entire family’s life – forever,” she said. “You change that despair and struggle they’ve had, and give them an opportunity for hope.”

During halftime, Hamm appealed to the audience to get tested for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, while recipients of transplants were also on hand to tell their stories.

“If I got just one more person signed up, that’s one more opportunity that someone out there has,” she said.

Hamm inspired at least one participant to take action – Paul Caliguri, who was playing on team Nomar United. “During halftime, I heard the stories and I was so moved,” said Caliguri. “I’m registered now. It’s fantastic. I ran up the stairs and came back before the end of the game.”

Team Mia FC’s roster included such celebrities as retired Baseball pro Mike Lieberthal, New England Revolution players Taylor Twellman & Pat Noonan, Chris Albright of the U.S. Men’s Soccer team, actor Milo Ventimiglia, comedians Andy Samberg and Seth Myers of Saturday Night Live fame, soccer hero Eric Wynalda, actor Eric Braeden, actress Elizabeth Shue, and Ty Pennington.

“I’m friends with Mia, because she was on the show with us one time,” said Pennington, host of ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’. “Shining a light on the bone marrow thing is really cool. I lost a cousin to it, but another friend of mine fought it and won. There really is hope out there. A cotton swab [the testing method for the registry often is a cheek cell sample] goes a long way.”

Team Nomar United included skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, musician Rivers Cuomo, US soccer player Landon Donovan, actress Bianca Kajlich, Ted Colleti, actor/comedian Carlos Mencia, Dodgers VP Kim Ng, Peter Vagenas of the LA Galaxy, and actor/activist Anthony LaPaglia.

The light-hearted game, which was played with lax rules, even gave some celebrities a chance to play against their own heros: “I was pretty stoked to play with Tony Hawk,” said Paul Caliguri, a member of Team Normar United. “I was trying to feed him the ball so he could score, but maybe he needed a skateboard to do that.”

More praise came from Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer, who knocked in Nomar United’s first goal: “It was a dream come true,” Cuomo said. “Passing with Landon Donovan and going against Mia Hamm—it’s just unreal. I was terrified, but I was so excited that the excitement overcame the terror.”

And perhaps the highest praise came from Los Angeles Galaxy’s general manager Alexi Lalas: “As far as I’m concerned, Mia Hamm in the soccer community is royalty – so when the queen calls, you go.”

Donations from the Celebrity Soccer Challenge will benefit bone marrow transplant patients and their families. All proceeds from the event will benefit funds set up at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Baseball Star Shoots Hoops For Charity

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:25:04 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Detroit Tigers’ leadoff man and center fielder Curtis Granderson will swap his baseball bat for a basketball later this month to raise money for his Grand Kids Foundation. Granderson will join fellow Tiger Nate Robertson and others to hoop it up on January 26 for the inaugural Curtis Granderson/Grand Kids Foundation Celebrity Basketball Game at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The game will pit current and former athletes from the Detroit area against athletes from the Flint area, with Granderson coaching the Detroit team and Robertson coaching the Flint team. Halftime excitement will come in the form in a three-point shootout between Granderson and Robertson. Each will represent a fan selected at random, and the winner will enjoy lunch with Granderson before joining him for a private batting practice session at Comerica Park.

“I am not only excited for this event because I finally get to showcase my basketball skills, but I am excited because I believe this game will begin to provide us with the financial resources to make a large impact in the inner cities, specifically Detroit and Flint,” said Granderson.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Grand Kids Foundation, which Granderson established to help inner-city students in Chicago, Detroit, and elsewhere. The foundation helps provide educational resources for schools and students in need while establishing scholarship programs in Detroit and Flint, and providing equipment for inner-city athletics programs.

“The importance of education is something I cannot stress enough to our nation’s youth, and I want to help find ways to ease the burden within some of these inner city schools while also striving to make learning more fun,” said the 26-year-old. “Facilities and supplies are old and worn, classrooms are overcrowded, and scholarship programs are limited. This celebrity basketball game can help to change that.”

The list of participants includes former NFL stars Tyrone Wheatley, Andre Weathers, and Courtney Hawkins, former NBA sharpshooters Willie Burton and Jeff Grayer, UFC competitor Rashad Evans, and professional boxer Anthony Dirrell. Granderson and other participants will take part in an autograph session following the game. Tickets for the game cost $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 10 and under, and are available at www.grandkidsfoundation.org. Admission for the postgame autograph session is an additional $10. The doors will open at 5 p.m. ET, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.

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Colombian Charities Benefit From BeLive 2007

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:36:47 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Six of the largest non-profit organizations in Colombia joined efforts at Karu & Y Restaurant in Miami on November 15 for BeLive 2007, a gala to raise awareness of the problems plaguing the South American country. NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya, his wife Connie, and the charity they founded, the Formula Smiles Foundation, hosted the gala.

“We were planning 300 people, it was maximum 350. Then it went up to 500 and now its up to 600,” Montoya said. “It’s been amazing and overwhelming with how much support we’ve had.”

The red carpet was rolled out for guests as they arrived for dinner, a silent auction, a fashion show by designer Silvia Tcherassi, and an unplugged concert from twelve-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes.

The silent auction offered up such items as a race helmet signed by Montoya, a guitar from Juanes, an autographed art palette from renowned artist Fernando Botero, a painting by Colombian artist Jorge Cavelier, a haute-couture outfit from Tcherassi, several vacation packages and a cooking experience with acclaimed Colombian chef Harry Sasson.

Montoya, who credits his wife for planning the gala, said they use their Formula Smiles Foundation to build playgrounds in Colombia to encourage sports participation in a country that does not have physical education programs. The foundation also hires instructors, provides equipment and athletic gear, and encourages children to attend school.

“I don’t want to take away anything from the problems we have in the States, but the problems in Colombia – the poor people in Colombia are 10 times poorer than the people here,” he said. “In a cynical way, the poor people here are middle class in Colombia. And when people are poor there, they have nothing. They don’t have houses, the kids hardly go to school. They just have nothing.”

Among the VIP guests was one of People Magazine’s Hottest Bachelors of 2006, PGA golfer Camilo Villegas. Born in Medellin, Colombia, Villegas is a well-known supporter of Montoya’s Formula Smiles Foundation, and in 2006 Villegas launched his own foundation, Fundacion Escuela Circo Momo, which offers arts and education to the poor. He, along with others, were able to raise thousands of dollars to aid children and low-income communities in Colombia in the areas of health, education, nutrition and social development.

The six non-profits involved in BeLive 2007 included Give to Colombia, Colombianitos, Fundación Mi Sangre, United for Colombia, the Genesis Foundation, and the Formula Smiles Foundation.

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Paris Hilton Enjoys A Night By The Ocean

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:52:28 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Paris Hilton is making good her promise to be involved in more charities, and was one of over 500 people to attend the 4th annual “Night By The Ocean Charity Gala and Auction” on July 22nd. Celebrities, sports stars, and Hollywood and surfing industry executives all came together at the Beverly Hills Hotel for a night of fun and performances to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries.

The event was co-chaired by champion surfer Kelly Slater and actress Minnie Driver, and raised over $370,000 for the Life Rolls On Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injuries.

The evening featured live performances by Jackson Browne, Miles Doughty of Slightly Stoopid, and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, and also included an auction. The funds that were raised will go directly into the Foundation’s key initiatives, such as “They Will Surf Again”, an adaptive surfing program for those with spinal cord injuries, and opportunities for able-bodied individuals to get involved with the organization.

“It’s a great organization,” Paris Hilton was quoted as saying in People Magazine. “It gives people hope, and I’m really happy to be here to support Jessie [Billauer, founder of Life Goes On].” Hilton also paid $17,500 at the auction for a personal surfing lesson with Billauer and actor Adam Sandler.

As well as attending the Night By The Ocean Gala, Paris Hilton has recently visited a children’s cancer ward, and is planning to actively support more charitable causes in the future.

“I have met with philanthropists… and we’ll be doing stuff all around the world. I’m excited.”

She has now started giving a portion of all her appearance fees to children’s charities.

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