Look To The Stars News: Water

Jay-Z To Raise Awareness Of Global Water Crisis

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:02:00 +0000

Jay-Z, rapper and president of Def Jam Records, announced on Wednesday that he will work with the United Nations and MTV to get children involved in the fight against the worldwide water crisis. He cited statistics that 1.1 billion people live without clean drinking water and 2.6 billion lack proper sanitation.

The singer said that when he visited Africa on tour he was shocked at how many of the world’s poor had no access to sanitary water services.

“As I started looking around and looking at ways that I could become helpful, it started at the first thing — water, something as simple as water,” he said at a news conference at U.N. headquarters with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

MTV film crews will follow the rapper on his worldwide tour, which begins Sept. 9. “The Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life” will record meetings with people around the world who lack water.

Jay-Z said he wants to build 1,000 PlayPumps in Africa by the time the tour is over. He also hopes that children who learn about the crisis will tell their parents, who might be able to do something about it.

Pitt and Jolie Donate Millions to Charities

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:13:39 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are donating $1 million dollars each to Global Action for Children and Doctors Without Borders.

The philanthropic couple keep themselves busy doing what they can to help those in need. Earlier this year, Pitt helped judge the Global Green Sustainable Design Competition; Jolie has travelled to more than 20 countries since 2001 as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations; and they raised $7 million for charity by selling the rights to photos of their newborn daughter, Shiloh Nouvel. With a family such as this, it comes as no surprise that the latest donations were made through the couple’s own charity, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

The humanitarian organisations help to improve living conditions in poverty-stricken areas around the world.

Jennifer Delaney from Global Action for Children said, “Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt not only care, but more important, are taking concrete action to address the fact that there will be 20 million children orphaned by Aids by 2010, and millions more orphaned by tuberculosis, malaria and conflict or whose parents are sick and dying.”

“Their generous gift will enable us to continue assisting people whose plight is often forgotten, such as those displaced by conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Sudan,” said Nicolas de Torrente, executive director of Doctors Without Borders.

Sachs Appeal - Who is Jeffrey Sachs?

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:48:00 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Brad Pitt sang his praises at the ONEXONE fundraiser, and George Soros donated $50 million to the program which he directs, the UN Millennium Project. Bono and Madonna are also big supporters, and Angelina Jolie has filmed an MTV special promoting his work.

So who is this man that so many stars are looking up to? Jeffrey Sachs is considered the leading economic advisor of his generation; he has been called “the most important economist in the world” by The New York Times Magazine. He is Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan regarding the Millennium Development Goals; has worked as an economic advisor to governments in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the former Yugoslavia, the former Soviet Union, Asia, and Africa; and has advised organizations such as the IMF, the World Bank, the OECD, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme. He is the Director of The Earth Institute, and President and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise Alliance, a nonprofit organization aimed at ending extreme global poverty.

But what really has people talking is the Millennium Villages he is helping to create as part of the UN Millennium Project. In 2004 the project implemented a plan to greatly reduce poverty by using practical, affordable means and empowering the people most affected by the condition.

The most impoverished know what help they require, making the key principle for each Village community empowerment, participation and leadership. Together they aim to create an African Green Revolution working with the environment to increase food production to a secure level, so that the people can then focus on non-agricultural endeavors.

There are currently 12 Millennium Villages, with the hope of creating 66 more in the next year. The first Millennium Village began in Sauri,Kenya, with a village consisting of little more than 5,200 people with the strong desire to improve their own lives. The funding for the project came mostly from the Kenyan government and the village, with under half of the funds coming from international aid.

At the start of the project most of Sauri’s farmers were harvesting less than a ton of maize per hectare – not enough to feed a household from one season to the next – so two maize hybrids were introduced to the village by the UN Millennium Project Hunger Task Force. The villagers received fertilizer, were taught fallow farming techniques and shown how to use leguminous crops to help enrich the soil. This new knowledge combined with a season of good rains to create a bumper crop of four tons per hectare, four times what they had previously grown.

Producing food is just one step that the project has taken. It provides for improved food storage facilities, bed-nets to stop malaria-carrying mosquitoes, free clinics with AIDS antiretroviral therapies and vaccinations to fight diseases, agro-forestry education, sinking of wells for safe drinking water, and bringing in generators for village electricity. The cost per person is $110 per year.

All of this is hard to imagine, but a video of Angelina Jolie at the Sauri village available on YouTube clearly illustrates what is happening. In fact, Jolie is so impressed with what she has seen that she and Brad Pitt plan to build a Millennium Village in Cambodia.

Vanity Fair Charity Issue Edited By Bono

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

Written by Saskia Akyil

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clooney, Damon Keep Helping Africa

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:34:46 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

The stars of “Ocean’s Thirteen” recently raised over $9 million, and within three weeks donated over $5 million of it to various charities in Sudan’s Darfur region. Most of the money was contributed to the Ocean’s stars’ humanitarian organization, Not On Our Watch, during the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. George Clooney and his co-stars created Not On Our Watch to bring global attention to the plight of the people of Darfur where over 200,000 people have died since 2003 in a rebellion between local rebels and the Sudanese government, and 2.5 million civilians have fled their homes.

The first donation by Not On Our Watch was $2.75 million to the International Rescue Committee. A further $750,000 went to Oxfam, $1 million to Save the Children, and now their latest donation of $1 million to the U.N. World Food Programme will deliver food and other necessities by helicopter to remote villages in Darfur.

Clooney was so impressed by the fundraising success of Not On Our Watch that he plans to turn every film festival into a charity drive for the cause. After filming a documentary about the genocide in Sudan, he has become a leading advocate for action. “There are only a few things we can do – protect them where we can, and provide food, water, health care and counseling,” he says.

Ocean’s co-star Matt Damon is also looking at other areas of Africa. Earlier this year he met a young girl in Zambia who, while they walked the two miles to the closest water source, said that she wanted to become a nurse. He writes, “It was clear to me at that moment that if this well were not there for her, she would never even be able to entertain the concept of planning for the future—she would have been trying to survive just for that day.”

After witnessing the extreme poverty and the value of clean drinking water in Zambia and South Africa, Damon decided to get involved in the Running the Sahara project.

Damon and colleagues, including Oscar™ winning filmmaker James Moll, started the charitable component of Running the Sahara, called H2O Africa, to raise awareness for clean water programs on the continent. Then they documented the Running the Sahara expedition, in which three men run over 4,300 miles (6,920 kilometres) from the Atlantic coast of Senegal, through Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Libya, to the Red Sea in Egypt. They run for 111 days.

Narrated by Damon, the film crew follows the runners crossing the desert, braving extreme elements and meeting the unique people of the Sahara who are struggling with immense daily challenges.
The World Health Organization estimates that the lack of safe drinking water kills almost 4,500 children per day, mostly under the age of five. The documentary will premiere this fall.

Big Shoes To Fill For Blue Planet Run

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 08:30:32 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

An unusual new exhibition is raising eyebrows in downtown New York. A series of giant running shoes, designed by 20 well-known celebrities, has been placed around the city to raise awareness of an enduro-sport charity event taking place during July and August.

Courteney Cox, Rosie O'Donnell, Ben Harper, and Rachael Ray are just some of the actors, actresses, and musicians to have contributed the oversized footwear to Manhattan’s landscape. Each giant sneaker measures 3 feet by 5 feet, and draws attention to the Blue Planet Run, the first ever round-the-world running relay, which started in New York on July 1.

This special sporting event will see an international team of 20 athletes attempt to cover more than 15,000 miles in 100 days to promote the need for safe drinking water. The relay passes through 16 countries, including England, France, Germany, Belarus, and Japan, before finishing in New York on September 4.

The event has been organized by the Blue Planet Run Foundation, an organization founded in 2002 to assist in providing safe drinking water to 200 million people around the world by 2027, and is sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company.

“I am proud to participate in this project to help decrease the impact of water related diseases,” said American Beauty and Six Feet Under actress Mena Suvari, who designed one of the 20 sneaker statues. “Everyone involved is enthusiastic about helping to make a positive impact on people’s lives worldwide.”

Also as part of the event, the giant sneakers are to be auctioned on eBay. The bidding starts at $500, and runs from July 2 to July 12. All proceeds go directly to the Blue Planet Run Foundation, and the auction can be viewed at www.ebay.com/sneakersandthecity.

Jewel in the Water

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 11:18:16 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singer-songwriter and sometime-actor Jewel is refocusing her near decade-long, discrete charitable activities towards a more effective, higher profile partnership with Virgin Unite and its British billionaire boss Sir Richard Branson.

Jewel established Higher Ground for Humanity, whose main focus is Project Clean Water, in 1999. The Project organizes teams of scientists and engineers to bring safe, clean drinking water to impoverished communities throughout the world. It has assisted thousands of people in a dozen countries.

The singer realized through talks with Sir Branson that she could be doing much more for the cause, so she performed last week at a show to benefit Virgin Unite’s charitable projects in Morocco, where clean water is also the central issue. “A lot of clean water around the world is getting bought up privately; it costs more than oil,” she says.

Mel Gibson Plans Costa Rican Donation

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 08:19:25 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Mel Gibson has met with the President of Costa Rica to discuss making a donation to help the local indian population.

Gibson was granted an hour-long meeting on July 9 at the home of President Oscar Arias, during which the actor and the Nobel Peace Prize recipient talked at length about ways to assist the 50,000 native people living in the country.

“He wants to help the indigenous population here,” said Arias afterwards. “And he wants to know how to channel the funds.”
The native indians of Costa Rica make up only 1.7% of the total population, yet they suffer greatly from financial and social problems, especially alcoholism and drug use. Safe drinking water and sanitation are also problems in many areas, with 30% of the population not receiving clean water.

Gibson recently bought a 163 hectare property in the Costa Rican district of Guanacaste, an important tourism and agricultural area, part of which he plans to turn into a nature conservation zone.

“If you go into someone else’s country… you don’t just go in there and stomp all over the place,” explained the Academy Award winning actor and director, who in the past has donated $1 million towards aid in Central America. “You bring a gift. It’s like going to somebody’s house.”

Oscar Arias said Gibson would return to Costa Rica in a month to arrange the size of the donation and the organizations it would benefit.

Swank on Wigs and Water

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:23:29 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Hilary Swank has launched an around-the-world relay race to raise money to help the over-one-billion people without safe drinking water. Last month, 20 athletes set out to run over 15,000 miles, 10 miles at a time, across 16 countries, 24 hours a day for 95 days. Organized by the Blue Planet Run Foundation, the relay runners should arrive back in New York on September 4 after having run 750 miles each.

Campaigning for the cause, Swank had this to say: “What if it were your job to carry in a rusty metal pail all the water you and your family would use for the day? What if the water made you sick? What if you had no choice? Making safe drinking water available is everyone’s problem, and it’s a problem that will take everyone to solve.”

Blue Planet’s goal is to provide safe drinking water to 200 million people for the rest of their lives by 2027. In the past three years, through Blue Planet funding of 11 NGO’s, 135 sustainable water projects in 13 countries have been implemented. According to Blue Planet’s creator Jin Zidell, $30 can create a lifetime of safe drinking water for one person. The Blue Planet Run will take place every two years.

Swank is also promoting the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Campaign, which donates real-hair wigs to women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. She is growing her own hair so that when it is cut later this year, she can give it to the organization.

She says, “I have lost multiple family members to cancer and witnessed their struggle first hand. I hope that my contribution will help to inspire others to get involved in whatever way they can.”

Damon Is Back for ONE X ONE

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:50:00 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Matt Damon will once again host ONEXONE's annual Difference Awards ceremony on September 9. Among those being recognized this year for their extraordinary efforts towards fighting child poverty and suffering will be Richard Gere, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine and Petra Nemcova.

ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and abroad. Established less than three years ago, it has already raised over $5 million and created partnerships with major corporations and foundations.

The charity’s projects include providing first-nations kids with breakfast every day, and a ‘doctor exchange’ in which doctors from Haiti and Rwanda will train at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children; in turn, Toronto doctors will travel to Rwanda to repair the heart valves of children damaged by water-borne illnesses.

ONEXONE is also helping 12,000 children attend school in a Rwandan village, and has created a basket-weaving co-op. “If you’re trying to take people out of poverty,” says charity founder Joelle Berdugo Adler, “you have to give them tools, not handouts.”

The awards will be given at the gala in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, where Shakira, Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, Nikki Yanofsky, the African Children’s Choir and others will perform. Wyclef Jean is also to be honoured for his Yéle Haiti Foundation (Cry Haiti), as are Charlie Engle, Ray Zahab and Kevin Lin, who ran cross the Sahara Dessert earlier this year to raise awareness for H2O Africa, the clean-water initiative founded by Damon and his partners at LivePlanet. Their documentary film of the run, which Damon narrates, will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Brad Pitt Leads Zero Energy Housing Project

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:55:25 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie hosted a charity dinner this weekend in the Hamptons to raise funds for victims who are still in need of housing two years after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation.

Through his “Make It Right” project, Pitt wants to rebuild a neighborhood in the partcularly hard-hit Ninth Ward with sustainable green homes. He has teamed up with Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green, as the lead funding partner for the Holy Cross Project, which launched earlier this month. Petersen says this project is, “what we hope will become the future of green affordable housing and a cornerstone of New Orleans’ rebuilding efforts.”

Global Green sponsored an international design competition among more than 125 firms last summer to create a zero-energy, affordable housing development. According to Petersen, the winning design of this Holy Cross Project offers water, energy and natural resource conservation, indoor air quality and durability. The homes will be built with green products and innovative materials like eco-friendly termite- and mold-resistant wood, soy-based foam insulation and wheat boards, and the solar generated electricity will be more than enough to power the entire home.

Petersen says, “The principles we are applying are simple at their core: if only 50,000 homes in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were rebuilt according to even 40% of the energy and resource standards used in these homes, the residents would save up to $56 million in electricity costs and reduce global warming pollution by 550,000 tons each year.”

Pitt sees it as a justice issue: “What we saw (with) Katrina is that there is a portion of our society that’s being overlooked. Maybe we can provide a better way of life. That has to deal with justice and fairness. I think this place proves that this technology, this healthier way of life, this better way of life, is applicable to all economic levels. This makes sense, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

Damon and Affleck Travel to Africa

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:53:00 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

September has already turned into a busy month for actor Matt Damon, and has seen him hosting a major children’s gala event, attending a screening of the documentary he produced to bring awareness to H2O Africa, and now flying to Africa.

September 10 saw Damon and long time friend, Ben Affleck, traveling to Tanzania to learn about the aid work being carried out in the country.

“We’re just going to observe these programs,” said Damon, who visited Zambia on a similar trip in 2006. “Our job is just to be quiet and take notes and meet people and listen to peoples’ stories.”

The Academy Award winning actor and screenwriter also hoped to spend time in the troubled region of Darfur, but that part of the trip was cancelled due to increasing security alerts.

“I’m still open to going, and I hope to go,” said Damon, who has already raised over $10 million this year for the region with Don Cheadle, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. “There’s clearly an appetite back at home for what the issues are there, but also it’s a very complicated situation there… and it keeps changing.”

Damon also hosted the annual ONEXONE benefit gala on September 9, the night before flying to Tanzania. The event, held at the Four Seasons Centre For Performing Arts in Toronto, followed the actor’s appearance at a screening of Running The Sahara, a film he produced and narrated, and which hopes to gather support for clean water supply programs in Africa.

“I’ve seen solutions to these very real problems,” said the actor, referring to his work with the film, which screened as part of the Toronto Film Festival. “I’ve seen these things working, and it’s exciting for me.”

The OneXOne gala aimed to raise money to improve the lives of children in Canada and around the world. The event featured a performance by Shakira, and honored singer Wyclef Jean for his work in Haiti with the Yéle Haiti Foundation, as well as model Petra Nemcova, who was seriously injured in the devastating 2004 tsunami, and used her experience to raise funds for other tsunami survivors. Sarah Fergusson and actor Richard Gere were also honored.

“This event is so great, and it’s such a huge fundraiser,” said Matt Damon. “The people that show up… they’re there to make an impact.”

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are scheduled to remain in Africa for a week.

Celebrity Auction Roundup, September 2007

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:27:03 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

September 2007 is shaping up to be a busy month for celebrity charity auctions, with proceeds going towards a variety of causes, including the disadvantaged, the sick, the environment, and an endangered species of seal.

One of the most anticipated auctions of the year, the Chevy Chase Green School Auction, kicked off on September 6, and runs until September 20 on www.charitybuzz.com. This is the fourth year the auction has been running, with proceeds going to the Centre For Environmental Education Online. CEE Online is a non-profit organization set up 17 years ago by actor Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni, and grew out of their belief that for environmental understanding to change, it must begin with the education of children. This year’s fundraising will benefit initiatives involving sustainability, the science of climate change, and the support of healthy food in schools.

There are 43 items on auction, with the most popular being a lunch with Bill Clinton and Chevy Chase for two people. This was expected to raise $35,000, but is already attracting bids of over $45,000. Other popular items are a day on the set of a movie with Cameron Diaz (expected to reach $10,000), and backstage passes to The Rachael Ray Show in New York, including a meet and greet with the star, a personal tour of the studios, and a set of signed cookbooks and Rachael Ray cooking utensils (valued at $2,500). Simon Cowell has donated tickets to American Idol to the auction, and other lots include a tour of Martha Stewart's garden, the opportunity to spend an afternoon filming with Daryl Hannah for her environmental website, and the chance to meet Ben Stiller at the world premier of his next movie.

Another major auction underway on the Charitybuzz website is The Christie Brinkley Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools, Healthy Environment Auction. The 53 items up for sale will benefit the New York Coalition For Healthy School Food and Wellness In The Schools.

Lots include the chance to meet Bill Clinton (valued at $50,000), a backstage meet and greet with Alicia Keys (expected to raise $1,500), VIP packages to see Dr. Phil McGraw, signed photos of celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, as well as a variety of dinner and vacation packages. The auction runs until September 27.

Also on auction at Charitybuzz is a very special chalk drawing of Princess Diana, by Russian born artist, Zohar. This exquisite work of art was commissioned in 1990 by the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own), of which the Princess was Colonel-in-Chief, and is expected to raise $275,000 at auction. Proceeds will go to The People's Princess Charitable Foundation, and will provide support to those suffering from Aids, cancer, and the effects of landmines.

Ebay has several auctions running in September, as part of their Giving Works initiative. The most popular of these is a vehicle belonging to Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie. The 4 Wheel Drive Hummer H2 has belonged to the singer since 2005, and is expected to reach $65,000 at auction. Proceeds will go to Global Green USA, an organization that works with governments and individuals to create a sustainable and secure future for the planet. More information is available at www.globalgreen.org, and the auction can be viewed at www.ebay.com/fergie.

Five double tickets to a concert featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant in Tennessee on September 27 are also up for auction. The VIP packages include a pre-show reception, front row seats at the gig, a meet and greet with the stars, and an autographed Hatch Show print commemorating the event. Proceeds are going to Community High School, a facility for teenagers in recovery from alcohol and drug addictions, operated by Creative Recovery Communities. The ticket packages are expected to reach $500 each, and the auction runs until September 18. It can be viewed at www.givingworks.ebay.com.

Finally in September, a special auction is to be held to benefit the plight of the Canadian Harp Seal. Thousands of these creatures are clubbed to death annually for their pelts, and several celebrities have banded together in an effort to stop the slaughter. An auction is to be launched through www.harpseals.org, in association with eBay, and will include a pair of autographed pants worn by Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist, Slash, as well as Tiffani Amber Theissen’s parasol and signed CDs from KD Lang and Shania Twain.

Brad Pitt Sets Sights On New Orleans

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:40:01 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Brad Pitt's goal to build 150 sustainable green homes in Ninth Ward, New Orleans, following the destruction of the area by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is coming to fruition at long last.

Pitt hopes to have this project, being carried out in cooperation with Global Green, finished by next summer, and is now setting his sites towards all of New Orleans. Last November, Pitt pledged $5 million of his own money and is now asking foundations, organizations and the affluent to join him in helping the families of New Orleans get back into their homes.

Each of Pitt’s homes will cost $150,000, and will be built with green products and innovative materials like eco-friendly termite and mold-resistant wood, soy-based foam insulation and wheat boards, and set on stilts as a precaution against future flooding. The solar generated electricity will be more than enough to power the entire home.

To the general public who cannot make such large donations, Pitt points out that there are other ways to support the project by providing things such as bathroom fixtures or a solar panel.

“Rebuilding this city is not a New Orleans obligation or a Louisiana obligation – it is an American obligation,” said New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Pitt, who normally tries to avoid media attention, changed his reclusive attitude with regards to New Orleans.

“For something like this I feel very fortunate to have it and direct it this way,” he said, referring to his celebrity status. “[Hurricane] Katrina was a man-made disaster. This house here is a man-made solution.”

More information, including a personal message from Pitt, can be found at www.makeitrightnola.org.

Celebrities Hit The Snow For Charity

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 09:57:31 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Agent 007 Pierce Brosnan will put his skiing skills to the test in January, joining a host of other celebrities as part of a charity fundraiser in Canada.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Celebrity Sports Invitational will be held at the Sunshine Village Ski Resort from January 17 to 20, and will involve stars such as Leslie Nielsen, Christie Brinkley, Alec Baldwin, and Tim Robbins.

The event, which has been held annually since 1987, will benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization founded by Robert J. Kennedy, Jr to protect North American waterways. Four days of skiing will be held on the slopes, in which members of the public can ski alongside celebrities, followed by a concert by former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, a gala dinner, and an auction.

Tickets to the gala cost $500, and can be purchased from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Other stars to attend the event include Jason Priestley, Kelsey Grammer, Josie Bissett, and Elle Driver.

Hilton Donates Family Fortune To Charity

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:23:54 +0000

Paris Hilton's paternal grandfather, Barron Hilton, has announced that he will contribute $1.2 billion of the proceeds from the sale of Hilton Hotels Corporation and Harrah’s Entertainment to a unitrust to benefit the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a charity established by his father over 60 years ago.

“Speaking for the family as well as the foundation, we are all exceedingly proud and grateful for this extraordinary commitment,” said his son, Steven M. Hilton, President and CEO of the Foundation. “Working to alleviate human suffering around the globe, regardless of race, religion or geography, is the mandate of the foundation set by my grandfather, Conrad Hilton, and now reinforced by my father, Barron Hilton.”

Conrad established his charitable Foundation in 1944, “to relieve the suffering, the distressed, and the destitute” on a global scale. More than half of the grants are given to international initiatives. The Foundation has contributed over $560 million worldwide to date.

In West Africa, the Foundation has worked with partners like World Vision, UNICEF, WaterAid and The Carter Center to increase access to safe water by providing wells, alternative water systems and latrines, resource centers and training on hygiene to reduce the incidence of blinding trachoma and guinea worm. In Mexico, it supports an organization called Alternativas y Procesos de Participacion Social to develop potable water sources.

Other initiatives the Hilton Foundation support include program development and teacher training for the blind, housing for homeless who are mentally ill, social service projects provided by the Catholic Sisters, and care and services for disabled babies and their families.

Additionally, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, at $1.5 million, brings together leaders to look at solutions to providing aid to needy populations, and is donated annually “to a charitable organization that is doing extraordinary work in relieving suffering.”

Barron Hilton also announced that he will contribute 97 percent of his entire net worth to benefit the Foundation, at whatever value it is at the time of his passing. It is currently estimated at $2.3 billion.

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.

Celebrities Listen For Disadvantaged Children

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:33:55 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge and exciting new global media campaign has kicked off to raise awareness and funds for some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.

The Listen Campaign is the result of seven years work and research, and is being supported by a host of celebrities who want the public to listen to the rights and needs of children affected by poverty, disease, natural disaster, exploitation, war, and AIDS in places such as Africa, America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

“Listen is an annual global media campaign bringing together some of the finest creative artists in film, music, and the arts to raise awareness and funds for 200 children’s charity projects around the world, and to develop a worldwide community of supporters,” said Tony Hollingsworth, Executive Producer of the campaign.

The campaign’s website was launched in November, and contains short films made by some of the world’s biggest stars, who have spent time visiting and listening to children in need. Brooke Shields, Jessica Lange, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Natalie Portman, and Ashley Judd have all pledged their support for the campaign and are featured on the site, and Samuel L. Jackson has recorded a film about children in New Orleans.

“I had to come here for this… to listen to remarkable stories,” said Jackson, who was drawn to the project from the outset. “I don’t know how [the children] get through it. These kids shouldn’t be hungry and homeless, going to school hearing gunshots, without good schooling, getting ill from the formaldehyde leaching out of the trailer walls. That these kids are still suffering, two years after Hurricane Katrina, is a national scandal. Their voice should be a call to action.”

The campaign has set a fundraising target of $100 million for its first year, and hopes to raise over $10 billion within 10 years. Magazines, newspapers, internet, and television – in fact, every type of media available – are all going to play their part in attaining the campaign’s goal of making 500 million people a year aware of the plight of desperate children. Broadcasts will be made in over 60 countries, with two television specials set for worldwide release in June. One of these, Listen Live, will be a spectacular concert event in Los Angeles, in which major music stars will collaborate to perform one-off versions of their most famous songs, with musical direction from the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart and legendary music producer Don Was.

Over seventy of the world’s most respected charities, such as Save the Children, CARE, Christian Aid, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, (RED), and WaterAid have nominated 200 children’s projects for the campaign to benefit. All of the beneficiary projects have been pre-declared, and can be seen on the website so the public knows exactly how their donations are to be used. As a unique addition, all donors will also receive five update reports to show exactly how their money is changing the lives of children.

“Pre-declaring the projects that will be funded and then reporting back on the effect of the donor’s money is a key difference of the Listen Campaign to other major international fundraising campaigns,” said Hollingsworth. “This pre-declaration and impact reporting will build public trust, and the creative artists’ contributions will generate interest leading to a sustained community of supporters.”

To take part in the campaign, to read exclusive short stories by some of the world’s best novelists, and to donate and enter competitions, the public can register their support at www.listencharity.org.

Natalie Portman - Beauty, Brains, And Heart

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:01:00 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

She may have made her name as Luke Skywalker’s mother in Star Wars, and has since gone on to make some of the most interesting art-house films produced in the last five years, but young starlet Natalie Portman is more than just another Hollywood bimbo. Under the beauty lies a brain and heart many people only dream of possessing.

Born Natalie Hershlag in Jerusalem, Israel, to an Israeli father and an American mother, the 26-year-old actress comes from a family with a long history of social and political activism. Her grandfather, for example, was a socialist economics professor of the developing world who set up one of Israel’s first Kibbutzes. It was an atmosphere that left its lasting mark on Portman – she became a vegetarian at the age of eight, and joined an environmental dance troupe at the age of 12.

The star of the Star Wars prequels, as well as independent films such as “Closer” and “Garden State”, is an enthusiastic advocate for animal rights, and refuses to wear products made from fur, feathers, or leather. In 2007 she even launched her own range of vegan footwear, and she has also appeared in a documentary in which she trekked through a Congolese national park in search of the endangered Rwandan Mountain Gorilla.

But the Harvard University psychology graduate’s real passion is alleviating poverty in Third World countries. In May, 2007, Portman joined Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan to launch the Village Banking Campaign for the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA). The campaign is designed to provide financial services to the world’s lowest-income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs, build assets, and improve their standard of living.

“I really wanted to work on Middle East peace, because I’m from Israel originally,” said the young star. “And I really wanted to work on something with Queen Rania of Jordan, because she’s probably the woman I admire most from my region. So I got in contact with her and her staff, and they recommended for me to get involved with FINCA.”

Portman is immensely proud of her role as an Ambassador of Hope for FINCA, and has visited programs run in countries such as Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Uganda. She even produced a charity album for the organization, Big Change – Songs For FINCA, that featured songs by artists such as Norah Jones.

“My goal for this campaign is to galvanize my generation to support Village Banking, and take a leadership role in the fight against poverty,” she said at the launch of the initiative. “We have the ability and the responsibility to make our shrinking world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place. With all of the tools we now have at hand – new anti-poverty approaches like microfinance; technology that helps us mobilize even greater numbers of people; and a growing understanding of the imperatives – we have no excuse to miss this opportunity.”

Portman has also recently been chosen to represent the Listen Campaign, joining Hollywood legends such as Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, and Jessica Lange in a new and exciting multimedia charity initiative designed to highlight the plight of needy children around the world. The scheme, launched in November 2007, hopes to raise $1 billion over the next 10 years.

“I understand that people might be jaded,” said Portman. “I know I get turned off by most celebrity joining-in efforts. But I’m interested in this because it’s about diverting some of the unwarranted attention we have in our celebrity-crazed culture and passing it on to something else. We can give people a voice who would not normally have one.”

The Listen Campaign website includes a video of Portman visiting a young 17-year-old boy named Nicholas in Uganda – an HIV-positive AIDS orphan who is trying to raise his sister and three brothers.

“The thing that upset me most is that we weren’t taught about this stuff at school,” said Portman. “We weren’t taught that half the world lives on less than $3 a day.”

Although she has had a lot of success in films, the young actress has thought about trading the position in for work in a non-profit organization, and claims that her travels through some of the poorest countries in the world has really opened her eyes about life, ambition, and true happiness.

And if she has one wish for the future of the planet, it would be this:

“People [should] pay attention, look to their neighbors. I think we’ve lost so much community. I think that’s one of the things I’ve appreciated most seeing in these villages is just the sense of community, where an entire family – an entire community – takes care of each other. And we’ve really lost that. And when you lose that on a personal level, you lose that on a global level as well. But I see a lot of people really wanting to do positive things in the world. And I feel that it’s like a new generation. You can watch the news and it feels like it’s the end of the world, very apocalyptic. So I just try and find people around me who are doing positive things.”

Sir Edmund Hillary - The Passing Of A Legend

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:12:07 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Edmund Hillary – adventurer, explorer, and philanthropist – has died of a heart attack, age 88.

The thing I will always remember about Sir Ed is his hands. They were huge, the size of frying pans. Every time I met him, his face would break into a grin that seemed to light up the room, his eyes would smile, and he would wrap one of those huge hands around mine. It was like a blanket enveloping a pea. But he was a big man. At 188cm, Sir Ed never failed to tower over everyone in the room.

But he never wanted to stand out from the crowd. Sir Edmund Hillary, conqueror of Everest, the third person to reach the South Pole by land, was incredibly humble.

“I like to think that I am a very ordinary New Zealander, not terribly bright perhaps, but determined and practical in what I do,” he once said.

Hillary never starred in a movie, he never released a song. Yet he was probably the most famous and well-respected person ever to come out of New Zealand. Born just outside of Auckland, the country’s biggest city, Hillary began his professional life as a beekeeper, as part of the family business. But a trip to the mountains that run up the southern land like a backbone gave him a love of the outdoors that would eventually lead to bigger things. A stint in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in World War II, in which he was badly burned (“I realized what it was like to feel like bacon,” he once told me), was followed by three trips to the Himalayas in Nepal.

His close friend and famous British climber, Eric Shipton, selected Hillary to be part of the 1953 expedition to Everest. However, when Shipton was replaced by John Hunt, Hillary nearly backed out of the trip. But with dogged determination, he stayed. And on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, his Sherpa climbing partner, became the first people to stand on top of the highest peak in the world.

“Awe, wonder, humility, pride, exaltation – these surely ought to be the confused emotions of the first men to stand on the highest peak on earth, after so many others had failed,” he said in High Adventure, his book about the achievement. “But my dominant reactions were relief and surprise. Relief because the long grind was over and the unattainable had been attained. And surprise because it had happened to me, old Ed Hillary, the beekeeper, once the star pupil of Tuakau District School, but no great shakes at Auckland Grammar and a no-hoper at university – first to the top of Everest! I just didn’t believe it.”

A knighthood from the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth followed, much to Hillary’s horror: “It was a tremendous honor, of course, but I had never really approved of titles and couldn’t really imagine myself possessing one… I could see myself walking down Broadway, Papakura [his hometown in New Zealand], in my tattered overalls and the seat out of my pants, and I thought ’That’s gone forever. I’ll have to buy a new pair of overalls now’.”

In a lasting testament to his humbleness, Hillary always maintained that he and Tenzing – who died in 1986 – reached the summit together, despite repeated questioning over who actually stepped on top first. However, in later life, Hillary did finally admit that he stepped onto the summit a few steps ahead of Tenzing, but he always insisted that the pair did it as a team, and to single out one or other of them was inherently wrong.

Back in New Zealand, Hillary married Louise Rose, and they later had three children, Belinda, Sarah and Peter. Sir Ed then continued a life of climbing and adventure, which included involvement in the 1958 British Trans-Antarctic expedition lead by Sir Vivien Fuchs. Hillary’s job was to use three small tractors to lay a supply trail for Fuchs’ party, but in a controversial decision he raced to the pole himself and reached it before Fuchs. He was the first person to reach the South Pole over land since Amundsen and Scott. Antarctica always remained a special place for Sir Ed, and he visited the frozen continent for the last time in 2005. Both he and his son, Peter, have campaigned extensively for better environmental laws in Antarctica over the years, a topic that I discussed at length with Peter in 1999.

But it was his continuing work with the native Sherpa people in Nepal that Sir Ed wants to be remembered for. The Sherpas had long been used by explorers as porters in the Himalayas, but they remained uneducated and their living conditions were primitive. Many had no access to clean water, and others suffered from debilitating yet treatable medical conditions.

“It was impossible not to see that they lacked all the things we regard as essential in life,” said Hillary. “They didn’t have any schools, and they didn’t have any medical care or anything of this nature. I suddenly decided that instead of just talking about it, why didn’t I try and do something about it.”

In 1960, Hillary established the Himalayan Trust, a non-profit organization designed to ease poverty in remote Nepalese villages. Since then, the Trust has increased its fold to include reforestation programs, cultural preservation, and emergency relief work.

Over the years, the Trust has built 3 hospitals, 13 health clinics, and 30 schools for the Sherpa people. They have provided training for teachers, and have been involved in the construction of bridges, water resources, and airstrips. Every year until the 1990s, Hillary would lead groups of volunteers to the Himalayas, and thousands of Nepalis now owe their education and health to his generosity. Six months of every year were spent outside New Zealand, on the fundraising trail.

In Nepal, Hillary is seen as a god, and his passing has been especially hard for those who have worked closely with him on his projects.

“He was a hero and a leader for us,” said Bhoomi Lama of the Nepal Mountaineering Association in Katmandu. “He did a lot for the people of the Everest region and will always remain in our hearts.”

And it is work Hillary does not want to stop after his death.

“When I kick the bucket… of all the things I would like to be kept going, the things I would really feel had some continuing activity, would unquestionably be my Sherpa schools.”

Hillary’s work with the Sherpas helped him to get back on his feet after the death of his wife and youngest daughter in a plane crash in the Himalayas in 1975, and in 1989 he married June Mulgrew, widow of fellow climber and explorer, Peter Mulgrew.
He was also a special ambassador for UNICEF to promote Nepalese aid, and continued to advocate for tougher environmental laws in the Himalayas.

The native Maori people of New Zealand have a phrase they say when a well-respected person passes away – “Ka hinga te totara i te wao nui a Taane engari Mate atu he teeteekura, Whakaete mai he teeteekua … A mighty totara tree has fallen in Tane’s forest.” Sir Edmund Hillary may have been the mightiest totara tree of them all.

He will be sadly missed by the people of Nepal, New Zealand, and adventurers everywhere.

“In some ways I believe I epitomize the average New Zealander. I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination… and I rather like to succeed.”

Orlando Bloom Visits Nepal

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:25:30 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor and heartthrob Orlando Bloom has just returned from a trip to Nepal, where he visited several UNICEF programs working to help the impoverished nation and its children.

The 31-year-old star of “Lord of the Rings” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” spent four days touring the western districts of Kaski and Chitwan, as well as visiting Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha.

During the trip, Bloom had his forehead smeared red with “tika” and was presented with the traditional garlands of flowers, which he wore around his neck. He spoke with young mothers at the Sayapatri Community Organization in the village of Dibyanagar, and learnt about the ways that UNICEF works to promote safe hygiene and sanitation practices in the country.

Nepal, with an estimated population of 29 million, is currently recovering from a decade-long civil war that left 13,000 people dead. The conflict hampered the delivery of basic services to many of the more remote villages, and malnutrition became rampant, accounting for over 60% of child deaths. Even today, 48% of children are grossly underweight, maternal mortality is high, and many people suffer needlessly from treatable medical conditions. As of six years ago, only 84% of children received a formal education, but thanks to work by UNICEF and the Himalayan Trust, that figure is now closer to 100%.

“Previously, only 25% of the households were taking iodized salt [to prevent iodine deficiency disorders such as goiter],” said Chali Subedi, who facilitates over the village of Kalika. “The figure has now increased to 38%. Similarly, women’s workloads have decreased from 17 hours per day to 14 hours a day.”

Bloom also spent time with over three dozen blind children who attend a special school in the village of Pokhara, deep in the Pumdi Bhumdi hills, and learned about their studies, ambitions, and the world in which they live.

“I may be disabled, and might need assistance from others for everything I do,” said 10th-grader Sujan Dhakal. “Yet the world I see for myself is one where I can be of assistance to others and work for the betterment of my society and country.”

Bloom joined the students in recording a UNICEF-supported radio program entitled “Saathi Sanga Manka Kura” (Talking With My Best Friend). The drama dealt with the plight of a group of girls in a hostel with no female warden, and Bloom played a guest who offers advice to the girls.

“Talk about your problems,” he said during the program. “There’s no need to feel shy. It’s always good to talk about issues that concern you.”

Stars Prepare For Oscar Glory With Charity Parties

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:56:00 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The next few days will be busy for Hollywood’s elite, as they practice their speeches and iron their gowns in anticipation of the 80th Academy Awards to be held on Sunday, February 24. As always, part of the pizzazz of the event is the glamorous parties in the days leading up to the big night. And although many of these soirees give the rich and famous a chance to be seen in the right places, a few are designed to raise awareness and funds for causes other than fame.

Wednesday, February 20, will see the Fifth Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party hit Hollywood between the eyes, with an event formulated to promote “smart solutions to global warming”. The party, to be held at the Avalon in Hollywood, will feature performances by Damien Rice and Michelle Branch, as well as Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the stars of Oscar-nominated musical, Once.

A huge selection of stars are expected to attend the event, including Salma Hayek, Alicia Silverstone, Val Kilmer, Adrian Grenier, Dana Delany, and Josie Maran. There is also a strong possibility that committee members Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio may also attend.

Tickets to the party, available from the Global Green website, cost $250 for general admission and $5,000 for “green carpet” access and entry to the Patron Lounge, with all proceeds going to Global Green’s climate initiatives and their efforts to rebuild a green New Orleans.

Another big event in the next few days is the 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party, to be held at the Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, on February 24.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation gala is the most highly visible and successful fundraising event in Hollywood on Oscar night, and over the past 15 years has generated over $15 Million for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“This event is our most important fundraiser of the year,” the Foundation stated in a media statement. “Last year, we raised over $4.3 million, and we expect to exceed that record this year.”

The evening will begin at 4pm, with a special cocktail reception, followed by a formal dinner and a live screening of the Academy Awards. An auction, featuring items such as a vintage Corvette from Sharon Stone's collection, will also be held, and Sir Elton will perform for guests such as Victoria and David Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, and Elizabeth Taylor.

“With the loyal support of the Hollywood community, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party has raised significant attention and funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS over the past 15 years,” said Foundation Director Scott Campbell. “This year we hope to set the bar even higher and let the world know that we are as committed as ever to fighting this devastating disease.”

Absentee bids and more information on the event can be found at the Elton John AIDS Foundation website.

Celebrities Gather For Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Celebrities, artists, actors, industry executives, and environmentalists joined Global Green USA CEO Matt Petersen for the 5th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party last Wednesday, February 20, at the Avalon Nightclub in Hollywood.

The theme of this year’s event was “Time To Act: Reduce your Carbon Footprint today: Drive Green, Live Green, Vote Green”. The evening, emceed by HBO’s ‘Real Time’ host Bill Maher, raised $420,000 to benefit Global Green’s climate change initiatives, which include the green rebuilding of New Orleans.

“There are a lot of people in this town who talk a lot about (the issue), but these guys (Global Green) are actually doing something,” said Maher, who arrived at the event in a hybrid SUV.
Special performances by Grammy Nominated artist Michelle Branch, Oscar nominated artists Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, as well as Damien Rice and Michael Franti, were among the night’s highlights.

Salma Hayek, who serves on the local Global Green board, showed her support and said she is more focused on environmental initiatives since becoming a mother last September.

“I get a bigger fear of what kind of world she’s going to live in,” said Hayek on her way into the party. “Is she going to run out of water? What kind of water is she going to drink? It’s really scary and it’s not that far away if we don’t do something about it.”

Other celebrity supporters in attendance included Oliver Stone, Entourage actor Adrian Grenier, Sophia Bush, actress Dana Delany, Las Vegas star Molly Sims, Josie Maran, Mia Maestro, actor Christian Slater, Governor Bill Richardson, Radha Mitchell, Lost actor Ian Somerhalder, actor-turned-model Jason Lewis, Alexis Arquette, Eric Mabius, Anna Getty, Bahar Soomekh, Tate Donovan, Esai Morales, Norman Lear, Julie Benz, Kevin Weisman, Lady Victoria Hervey, Leonor Varela, Mark DeCarlo, Tamara Mellon, Q'orianka Kilcher, Vanessa Branch, Walton Goggins, Elisabeth Rohm, Tia Carrere, Taylor Dayne, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Kenneth Johnson.

This election year, Global Green USA used the party to highlight their 2008 message of “Drive Green. Live Green. Vote Green.”

“Our homes and transportation represent the biggest opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint – but the most important thing to green this year is our vote,” said Global Green CEO Matt Petersen. “The next President of the United States has the power to solve the climate crisis; they will only be successful if the public – and the media – demand action on climate change.”

Goldie Hawn Swings A Sporran For Israel's Water

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:15:07 +0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actress Goldie Hawn was in Glasgow, Scotland, recently as guest speaker to over 500 supporters of the Jewish National Fund (JNF).

The JNF is addressing the chronic water shortage by building reservoirs and dams in Isreal where annual rainfall only occurs between November and March. The reservoirs store both surface run-off and treated waste water for the irrigation of a land that is 2/3 desert.

Founded in 1901 for the purpose of purchasing land for agriculture and new communities, the JNF is still buying and building, and also planting trees. In efforts to reclaim land, the organization is involved in cleaning up Isreal’s riverways, draining marshes, creating parks, caring for the environment, and turning useless land into thriving resources for its population.

“It’s a little chilly, but it’s great to be here,” Hawn told fans outside the Glasgow fundraiser. “I love Scotland.”

The event raised $200,000 for the Gazit reservoir in the Galilee.

Jennifer Connelly Makes Her Children Drink Bad Water... For Charity Ad

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:50:35 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Jennifer Connelly has appeared in a new commercial on US television, highlighting the need to provide clean drinking water to millions of people around the world.

The star of films such as Blood Diamond and Dark Water joined Terry George – director of Hotel Rwanda – to make the Public Service Announcement for Charity:Water, an organization that aims to bring clean and safe water into impoverished communities.

“We wanted to bring the harsh reality we saw in Africa home to our friends,” said advert creator Nigel Lythgoe. “The reality that millions of women and children walk miles each day to collect murky green water from swamps. Water that kills kids. We wanted to put an end to it.”

In the PSA, which had its first airing during last week’s Idol Gives Back TV special, Connelly is shown collecting water from stagnant ponds in Central Park and giving it to her children to drink.

The charity hopes the commercial will encourage people to donate to their well drilling projects in Africa, India, and Central America. To find out more, watch the advert and visit the Charity:Water website.

Look To The Stars News: Water

Jay-Z To Raise Awareness Of Global Water Crisis

Related past articles

Pitt and Jolie Donate Millions to Charities

Related past articles

Sachs Appeal - Who is Jeffrey Sachs?

Related past articles

Vanity Fair Charity Issue Edited By Bono

Related past articles

Clooney, Damon Keep Helping Africa

Related past articles

Big Shoes To Fill For Blue Planet Run

Related past articles

Jewel in the Water

Related past articles

Mel Gibson Plans Costa Rican Donation

Related past articles

Swank on Wigs and Water

Related past articles

Damon Is Back for ONE X ONE

Related past articles

Brad Pitt Leads Zero Energy Housing Project

Related past articles

Damon and Affleck Travel to Africa

Related past articles

Celebrity Auction Roundup, September 2007

Related past articles

Brad Pitt Sets Sights On New Orleans

Related past articles

Celebrities Hit The Snow For Charity

Related past articles

Hilton Donates Family Fortune To Charity

Related past articles

NBA's Shawn Marion To Host Charity Poker Event

Related past articles

Celebrities Listen For Disadvantaged Children

Related past articles

Natalie Portman - Beauty, Brains, And Heart

Related past articles

Sir Edmund Hillary - The Passing Of A Legend

Related past articles

Orlando Bloom Visits Nepal

Related past articles

Stars Prepare For Oscar Glory With Charity Parties

Related past articles

Celebrities Gather For Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

Related past articles

Goldie Hawn Swings A Sporran For Israel's Water

Related past articles

Jennifer Connelly Makes Her Children Drink Bad Water... For Charity Ad

Related past articles