Look To The Stars News: Women

Reese Witherspoon Launches Global Partnership To End Violence Against Women

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Reese Witherspoon joined forces with Avon in 2007 to help end violence against women and has continued to support the cause. On March 10, 2010, Witherspoon – along with the CEO of Avon – joined the State Department and Vital Voices to launch the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women during a breakfast meeting in the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Room.

The Global Partnership was formed to assist women that have been, or will be, affected by violence at some point in their life. This conference focused on the three most pervasive crimes against women: domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. A global action plan was developed, which included the advocacy campaigns being started in India and Argentina.

Melissa Etheridge And Rob Thomas Join Live Earth Run For Water

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Live Earth has announced that two-time Grammy Award-winner and one-time Academy Award winner for Best Song for the Al Gore documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” Melissa Etheridge, and multi-platinum three-time Grammy Award-winner Rob Thomas, will perform live at the Los Angeles and Atlanta Dow Live Earth Run for Water events, respectively.

The largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water), culminating with water education villages and live musical performances.

“I’m a long-time environmental advocate and believe strongly that it is our duty as a society and as individuals to preserve our planet and its resources,” said Melissa Etheridge. “I want to lend my name and time to this event because the global water crisis is an environmental issue that affects nearly one billion people on the planet and through this event we can raise awareness and money to help address it.”

“I am thrilled to be participating in this important event to bring clean, safe drinking water to the women and children around the world walking 6km every day to sustain their families,” said Rob Thomas. “I encourage the Atlanta community to come out on April 18th because together we can make a difference in the lives of so many.”

The events will take place in nearly 100 cities across 50 countries around the world on April 18, 2010, to raise awareness and funds to help solve the global water crisis. Jessica Biel, Peter Wentz, Angélique Kidjo, Alexandra Cousteau and Jenny Fletcher have already been announced to support events on April 18th. Additional artists announcement for events taking place in Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York coming soon.

Funds raised from the events will benefit Global Water Challenge, a coalition of non-profit organizations working to bring clean, safe drinking water to millions of people worldwide. This includes innovative projects that provide clean drinking water to communities in Haiti, Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. GWC has invested in previous projects with donations going towards improving access to water in schools and supporting local entrepreneurs who provide market-based solutions.

Beginning today, Live Earth will donate $1 for each U.S. registration received between now and March 23 for a special Haiti relief fund through GWC coalition partners CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Population Services International, and UNICEF to implement safe drinking water programs on the ground in Haiti. People interested in supporting the Haiti relief fund should register for a Dow Live Earth Run for Water run/walk event in the U.S. before March 23 via The Active Network at http://liveearth.org/run, using promotional code HAITI.

“The money raised from these events will help thousands of people in the developing world get access to clean drinking water. We look forward to investing these funds and impacting lives.” said Paul Faeth, President of Global Water Challenge.

The Los Angeles Dow Live Earth Run for Water event will be held in Exposition Park, near downtown Los Angeles, with the 6km course starting on Exposition Park Drive, turning onto Figueroa and traveling three kilometers toward downtown, turning around at 17th Street for the return three kilometers, and ending in the Water Village in Expo Park. Starting time for the run is 8:30 a.m.

More info on how you can be part of an event near you can be found here.

Stars Urge For Maternal Health In Amnesty Film

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:30:00 -0000

Celebrities including Keira Knightley, Annie Lennox, James Purefoy and Beverley Knight have called on the UK Government to make maternal and newborn health a priority in its international development assistance in a new short film released by Amnesty International yesterday (12 March).

The film, which premiered in the Houses of Parliament, is part of Amnesty’s campaign to ensure the UK government prioritizes maternal and newborn health care globally to enable all women access their basic right to health care. Entitled ‘Every day should be Mother’s Day’, the three-minute, star-studded film also features Dervla Kirwan, Colin Salmon and Jonathan Pryce.

“We’re delighted that so many celebrated artists are willing to stand with us on this very important matter,” said Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen. "We want the government to maintain a strong political will to improve maternal health around the world.

“Ten years ago, world leaders made a commitment to reduce the rate of maternal deaths significantly by 2015. With just five years to go, the world is way off track of us seeing this goal fulfilled. We must see greater political commitment from all leaders around the world to ensure that fewer women die as a result of inadequate health care or lack of information about their basic rights.”

Every year, approximately half a million women die because of childbirth related factors – mainly in poorer countries.

Earlier this week, a coalition of organizations including Amnesty, Save the Children and the White Ribbon Alliance, revealed that the rate of pregnant women dying in countries in the developing world is as bad – and in some countries far worse – than the rate of women dying in Britain 100 years ago.

Today Amnesty International also published a major new report on the rate of maternal deaths in the USA, where figures show that two to three women die in childbirth or pregnancy-related factors every day. These deaths occur because of a lack of health insurance, barriers to health care for those who speak little or no English or who live in poverty, and a shortage of health care professionals in rural and inner-city areas.

Adding his voice to the campaign, actor James Purefoy said: "It’s beyond belief to think that every minute one woman in the world dies because of childbirth or related issues. That’s why I’m supporting Amnesty’s call to ensure that a pregnant woman’s basic right to health care is not denied. "

Amnesty is also encouraging thousands of its supporters to send a Mother’s Day card outlining its calls to each of the three main party leaders – Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg – to maintain political commitment to maternal health in their global priorities. So far approximately 4,000 people have taken action online via www.amnesty.org.uk/mums.

Throughout the year, Amnesty along with other members of the coalition of organisations will be calling on the UK government to increase financing of maternal and child health in developing countries and to place maternal and child health at the heart of strengthening those countries’ health systems. It is also urging the UK to increase its commitment to supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights.

After taking part in the film actress Dervla Kirwan said: “Too many women are dying needlessly in childbirth or because of their pregnancy. Every day should be Mother’s Day – that’s why I’m committed to supporting Amnesty’s call to improve maternal health for all women.”

The film can be viewed at www.amnesty.org.uk/mums.

Tomiko Fraser Organizes Flash Mob For International Women's Month

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0000

In celebration of International Women’s Month, Supermodel/Host/Actor/Philanthropist Tomiko Fraser Hines is spearheading an all female flash mob awareness dance in conjunction with her organization — Tomiko Fraser Goddess Gathering – and Flash Mob America.

The event will take place on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the popular Universal City Walk in Los Angeles, with an after celebration to take place at 3pm at Falcon in Hollywood.

Flash Mobs are planned, surprise dance celebrations, meant to gain the attention of unsuspecting onlookers. The spontaneous dance celebrations have gained major attention recently after having been featured on shows such as; The Oprah Winfrey Show and more.

Tomiko Fraser Hines’ passion for women’s issues led her to create her organization—Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess Gathering—comprised of women from all walks of life working to better themselves and the world around them. Tomiko, through her gathering, works with women and young girls on such issues as; self-esteem and health and well-being.

After participating in Flash Mob America’s Janet Jackson Flash Mob, Tomiko thought it would be a great idea to work with Flash Mob America to bring awareness to International Women’s Month with a flash mob dance. When asked about the flash mob, Tomiko exclaimed, “I’m giddy with excitement about the first ever, all-female Flash Mob! This is going to be so much fun!”

The event – which is geared specifically for females — is expected to bring together females of all ages, sizes, ethnicities and physical abilities in a united effort to promote women’s empowerment, sisterhood, and shine a light on global issues that affect women. Invited celebrity participants include: Tatyana Ali, Queen Latifah, Joy Bryant, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Shaun Robinson, Latoya Luckett and more.

An after-celebration for the Goddess Flash Mob will take place at The Falcon in Hollywood: 7213 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. A portion of proceeds from the Goddess Flash Mob will benefit Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess Gathering and Women for Women International.

Annie Lennox Supports Minute For Mothers Campaign

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:50:00 -0000

In a release from her official website, Annie Lennox is supporting the Minute for Mothers campaign, an initiative set up by a coalition of leading charities including Save the Children, White Ribbon Alliance, Oxfam, Amnesty International and Mumsnet, which is joining forces with politicians and celebrities this week to hold a minute for mothers across the world.

The event in central London at 10.30am on March 12 sees 3,000 white roses laid across Old Palace Yard opposite parliament to represent the 3,000 pregnant women who will lose their lives this Mother’s Day weekend. Every minute of every day a mother-to-be from somewhere around the world dies simply because they don’t have access to the vital healthcare they need before and during childbirth.

If you can’t attend the event but would like to support it here are some ways you can take action online:

  * Send a virtual flower that acts as an e-action to the three main party leaders.  

Spread the word on Twitter by tweeting this message: Every minute a mother dies. Politicians need 2 b aware that #mothersmatter RT 2 make it a trend b4 Mothers day.

What was your — or your child’s — first word? Find out and update your Facebook status with it. Just the first word, nothing else. Poverty kills childhood. By updating your status you’re showing the world you support Save the Children’s campaign to end it.

Click here to visit the official website to find out more.

Annie Lennox To Walk The Bridge For Women

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0000

To honor the resilience of millions of women survivors of war around the world, Women for Women International is hosting a global campaign called Join me on the Bridge on International Women’s Day: March 8, 2010.

  Singer Annie Lennox will join thousands of people at 10am on Monday, March 8, at Victoria Embankment Gardens in London, where they will walk to the Millennium Bridge. There will be a women’s festival along the embankment and, at 12:00, they will join together on the Millennium Bridge. Along with other bridge events happening around the world on the same day, this event will be filmed and featured in a viral video to be produced and widely released following the campaign.  

The event will take place in many cities around the world, click here to find the event closest to you and take part in a global movement that says NO! to war and YES! to peace and hope.  

Visit www.womenforwomen.org to find out more.

Exclusive Photo Feature: Olympians' Hearts of Gold

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:34:00 -0000

We have witnessed the amazing physical feats of the US Team in the Olympics, and now the Olympians want to share some of the other wonderful ways they use their time and strengths. Look To The Stars is honored to bring you news of their charity work, with thanks to NBC/USOC for providing the images.

Chad Hedrick (Long Track Speed Skating – won a bronze medal)
Competes on Friday and Saturday, February 26th & 27th

Chad hosts an annual golf tournament for to benefit the TX Special Olympics.

“I’m a very proud supporter of Texas Special Olympics!”

Angela Ruggiero (Hockey)

Former Director: New York Islanders Project Hope
Athlete Advisory Board Member: Women's Sports Foundation
Athlete Ambassador: Right To Play
Athlete Advisor: Momsteam.com
Member: 350.org

Rachael Flatt (Figure Skating)

“I have partnered with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), which is the nation’s oldest children’s literacy organization. It is a blend of two of my passions…education/reading and volunteering. I hope that I am a good example of the phrase ‘student-athlete’ and that it is possible to combine the two and be passionate about both! I have also found more opportunities to volunteer in the past two years and I feel that it is very important to give back to the community at large."

Johnny Spillane (Nordic Combined)

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Todd Lodwick (Nordic Combined)

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (Todd’s son, Finn, was diagnosed with epilepsy at 5 months)

Julia Mancuso (Alpine Skiing – won 2 silver medals)

WWF Climate Change

Don’t miss the following athletes, appearing in the Figure Skating Exhibition on Saturday, February 27th!

Evan Lysacek (Figure Skating – won a gold medal)

Celebrity board member for Ronald McDonald House

Co-produced and hosted a skating show that raised $90K for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a memorial fund for a friend who died of cancer.

Meryl Davis & Charlie White (Ice dancing – won a silver medal)

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
American Cancer Society
March Of Dimes
The Humane Society

Hannah Teter (Snowboarding – won a silver medal)

Hannah started a maple syrup company, Hannah's Gold. The proceeds of the maple syrup sales provide water to a Kenyan village and helps AIDS afflicted mothers and children acquire land. She also donates the prize money she wins from racing to the village and visits often.

Emily Cook (Freestyle Skiing)

Emily is very involved with Right To Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sports programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
She traveled to Amman and Aqaba, Jordan with the organization in April, 2009.

Gretchen Bleiler (Snowboarding)

Gretchen works with ‘Climate Project’ and the NRDC on building awareness around environmental issues. Her Oakley signature line of clothing is eco-friendly, and she works with all her sponsors to create eco-friendly sponsors when possible.

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Ice Dancing)

Created a fundraising ice show, “Tanith & Ben: Home for the Holidays,” which benefits the American Cancer Society, and an ice show, “Skate-Aid,” which raised over $40K for the American Red Cross tsunami relief.

Steve Nyman (Alpine Skiing)

Helped build an orphanage in Haiti (Steve was involved with aid in Haiti before the earthquake), and is involved with Team Darfur & A Child's Hope Foundation.

Erin Pac (Bobsledding – won a bronze)

Race for the Cure (Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

Johnny Weir (Figure Skating)

Elton John AIDS Foundation
Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
UNICEF

Noelle Pikus-Pace (Skeleton)

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Lindsey Jacobellis (Snowboarding)

ASPCA – Started her own effort to benefit the ASPCA, called Hats 4 Hounds. She knit 101 hats to sell, and all the sales proceeds went to the ASPCA.

You can continue to show your support for the US Olympians by helping to support their causes and charities, and you can find a wealth of information on the athletes at NBCOlympics.com or TeamUSA.org.

And, don’t forget, the US Olympic Committee is a 501©(3) organization and needs continuous support in order to keep sending the best athletes to the Olympic Games!

Peter Buffett Joins Angélique Kidjo For Charity Single

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0000

Emmy-award winning musician and philanthropist Peter Buffett has teamed up with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Grammy award-winning musician Angélique Kidjo, to release “A Song For Everyone” on February 12. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit the Batonga Foundation, an organization founded by Angelique to advance education for girls in Africa.

Fans of Peter’s pop/rock and new age-influenced music can expect to be pleasantly surprised by the new dimension that Angelique’s signature worldly sound brings to the single. Writing in their respective native tongues, the uplifting, vibrant song has lyrics in both English and Yoruba.

Peter and Angelique encourage fans to share the music with friends and support the Batonga Foundation simultaneously, by using the “gift” function on iTunes or Peter’s online store at www.peterbuffett.com/store.

Every cent helps: 2 downloads buys a girl a math set; 3 downloads buys a girl lunch during the school day; 5 downloads buys a girl a textbook; 10 downloads buys a girl a school bag or uniform; and 1,000 downloads pays school fees for an entire classroom of 45 girls to go to school for a year!

The Batonga Foundation gives girls a secondary school and higher education so they can take leadership roles in Africa. They are doing this by granting scholarships, building secondary schools, increasing enrollment, improving teaching standards, providing school supplies, supporting mentor programs, exploring alternative education models, and advocating for community awareness of the value of education for girls by addressing gender prejudice. The foundation currently has an active presence in the countries of Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sierra Leone. The name “Batonga” stems from a word Angelique made up as a response to taunts when she was going to school— the boys didn’t know what the word meant, but to her it was an assertion of the rights of girls to education. To donate to the foundation, please visit www.batongafoundation.org/donate.

“Collaborating with Angelique was a wonderful surprise – her passion, energy and commitment – both to her music and in support of girl’s education was incredibly inspiring,” says Peter Buffett.

Angelique states, “Our ancestors fought for our freedom and the pride of human kind. Each one of us has a responsibility to hold the torch and pass it on intact to the next generation.” She hopes to give the next generation of young African girls the chance to realize their dreams and create a better future for their children through her work with Batonga.

 Peter’s social action site, IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, has recently partnered with DoSomething.org and is currently working towards a site re-launch this spring. Fans can visit Do Something’s “Celebs Gone Good” blog to see behind-the-scenes video of Angelique and Peter, at www.dosomething.org/celebsgonegood.

Kelly Ripa Hosts Charity Cake Off

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:30:00 -0000

The flour was flying recently as self-proclaimed baking enthusiast Kelly Ripa and accomplished master baker and cake decorator Buddy Valastro, from TLC’s “Cake Boss,” joined forces at Manhattan’s trendy Chelsea Market to bake lavishly decorated cakes for a cause. The pair teamed up with Electrolux Appliances to host Kelly’s Cake Off in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

“Call me a hopeless romantic, but I love Valentine’s Day,” said Ripa, who in addition to her duties as mom, TV personality and Electrolux brand ambassador, is also head of the bake sale committee at her kids’ school. “It’s a great time to show you care – both for the people you love and the causes close to your heart.”

On February 9, five teams of baking enthusiasts were invited to take part in Kelly’s Cake Off, where they used what they learned from Ripa and the Cake Boss, to decorate their own cakes.

“I couldn’t believe the results!” said Valastro. “And it makes it all the sweeter that it’s all for a good cause.”

Starting today, exclusively at Kelly-Confidential.com, people can cast a vote for their favorite cake from Kelly’s Cake Off. For every vote cast, Electrolux will donate $1 to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) as part of its $500,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.

Visitors to the website can get in on the cake decorating action, too. People can decorate and send a special virtual cake to a friend, family member or someone they love. For every cake sent, Electrolux will donate another $1 to OCRF. Plus, Buddy’s top cake decorating tips are available — sure to inspire baking enthusiasts and novices alike.

And, to encourage people to help spread the word, everyone who logs on to the site and sends a virtual cake will be automatically entered for a chance to win every baker’s dream: a stylish new Induction Range from Electrolux.

“Electrolux is getting behind OCRF in a big way again this year – with great initiatives to get people involved in supporting the cause and the launch of our new Induction Range,” said Kevin Scott, Electrolux Major Appliances President and CEO, North America. “In fact, we’re donating $100 to OCRF for each range sold this month.”

The new induction range is perfect for melting chocolate and cooking delicate foods and sauces, more responsive than gas, and eco-friendly, too. To learn more about the new range and how you can help support OCRF, visit electroluxappliances.com.

In 2008, Ripa announced a two-year initiative between Electrolux and the OCRF, and has since been involved in a number of campaigns.

Naomi Campbell To Be Awarded For Charity Work

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:30:00 -0000

Supermodel Naomi Campbell will be presented with a special award by ELLE fashion magazine for her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry and her work as an ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance.

A limited edition cover of the magazine has been produced, and the model will join the magazine at a special dinner party in London to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.

Previous winners of the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award include designers Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Anya Hindmarch and Stephen Jones.

The White Ribbon Alliance is a charity that campaigns to stop women in the world’s poorest countries dying in pregnancy and childbirth.

The WRA dinner party initiative asks you to invite your friends around for a charity dinner party. In return your friends sign up to the Million Mums Campaign and make a small donation to the WRA. To help make the dinner party beautifully stylish and a night to remember, ELLE have teamed up with Britain’s hottest designer Erdem to create a unique party pack, including bespoke invitations, table name-cards and napkin ring holders – all of which are downloadable at ELLEuk.com.

More information can be found here.

Meanwhile, the supermodel hosted a Fashion For Relief event at New York Fashion Week on February 12 to raise money for Haiti.

Joined by celebrity models such as Helena Christensen, Sarah Ferguson, Kelly Osbourne and others, Campbell used the event to pay her respect to designer Alexander McQueen, who died last week.

Dresses and outfits from the event will be auctioned online at NET-A-PORTER from March 15, with proceeds going to CARE.

Mary J. Blige Swaps Music For Charity Fashion

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Singer Mary J. Blige has put the down the microphone and teamed up with fashion designer Catherine Malandrino to create a new line of t-shirts to benefit the singers charity, Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN).

The t-shirts, which help raise awareness for the empowerment of underprivileged women, have a low cut neck and will feature lyrics from Blige’s songs, including the phrases “I’m Love” and “I’m Power.”

They will be available at Malandrino’s boutiques as well as Bloomingdale’s in New York starting on February 17.

  "As a designer, I feel I have a role to play," Malandrino said in a press release. “What I want is to free women. Femininity is a strength and not a weakness.”  

Blige says the shirts not only support a great cause but also provide a unique look.   

“Even better, every woman can feel beautiful and comfortable rocking these Ts just about anywhere,” said Blige. “Catherine . . . offered to create a t-shirt collection that would celebrate being women, being strong and being free. These are not your average t-shirts.”

To find out more about FFAWN, check this out.

Amanda Annan Talks Charity With Richard Branson

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:30:00 -0000

British supermodel, host and actress Amanda Annan's impressive resume of projects span motivated producer, dramatic actress, compassionate philanthropist and a down to earth beauty with a heart made of gold. Not only did she team up with Sir Richard Branson for a charity project in Kenya, but she also founded her own charity ETC.

This beauty worked with Sir Richard Branson on a charity project in Kenya, rebuilding a school for the Masai Mara tribe that was abandoned and disheveled. The renovation will be captured in a documentary called ‘Equation of Change’, which Richard Branson will narrate and will also feature an interview with Branson by Annan.

Besides her work with the Masai Mara tribe, Annan also lends her time to the charity CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education), an organization that raises money for women’s education in 5 African countries. “We provide money, uniforms, school fees, and hostels to help the quality of life for the girls and especially to help relieve the financial burden of their parents so they are more apt to encourage them to stay in school.”

Amanda also founded her own charity ETC (Educate the Children) that focuses on emphasizing the importance of education, as well as making it available for disadvantaged children. “Charity has to be about passion”.

To watch Amanda Annan interviewing Richard Branson, click here.

Celebrity Fashion Show To Inspire Women Tonight

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0000

Later tonight, Thursday February 11, The Heart Truth will bring the Red Dress to life once again on the runway at New York Fashion Week with the debut of the Red Dress Collection 2010. This spectacular event reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action, and CBS will televise the event live.

Join CBSNews.com on the opening night of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC for a front row seat and backstage pass to one of the hottest shows. About 20 A-list ladies, including Kim Kardashian, Felicity Huffman, Kristin Chenoweth, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Heidi Klum, Jewel, Joan Collins, Jordin Sparks, Raven Symone and many more, team up with the top designers to showcase the latest collection of red hot dresses and to let women know that heart disease is their #1 health threat.

CBS News’ Lonnie Quinn and Cali Carlin will host the event live on CBSNews.com. They will also take some of your questions for the stars from the chat room and social stream during the show.

A selection of dresses worn in the show will be up for auction at www.clothesoffourback.org. Proceeds benefit the Foundation for the National Institute of Health for heart health awareness and research.

The Heart Truth is an awareness campaign created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. It is designed to warn women about their number one health risk, heart disease, and the need to take action against its risk factors.

The Heart Truth created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action.

To watch the event live at 7pm EST, click here.

Starbucks Teams With Bono's (RED) For Charity

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Beginning Feb. 8, 2010, Starbucks will serve hot beverages to customers in a limited-time cup – departing from its iconic white design – at participating U.S. stores to celebrate a major milestone through its partnership with Bono's (RED): Starbucks has generated funding for the Global Fund equivalent to more than 14 million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa.

These limited-time cups encourage Starbucks customers to revisit www.StarbucksLoveProject.com, a global site that launched over the holidays bringing people together from around the world for one purpose, love. Now customers can return to the site and create their own Valentine’s Day-inspired LOVE drawing and for every drawing submitted, Starbucks will make a five cent contribution, up to one million submissions, to the Global Fund. The contributions will build on the achievements through Starbucks partnership with (RED) by using the inspiration of love to help make a difference in the world.

By teaming with (RED), Starbucks is working together with customers, reaching out to the communities where its coffee is grown, helping to improve the lives of those living with HIV. Overall, (RED) partners and events have generated $140 million for the Global Fund to HIV/AIDS programs in Africa that have reached more than 5 million people.

Lauren Conrad Has A Heart For Charity

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Hills star Lauren Conrad recently helped launch a charity bracelet to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

The star was in New York on February 2 to help launch the Have A Heart bracelet, a “goldtone bracelet that features Lauren’s signature faves hearts on one side and the m.powerment by mark emblem on the other.” Proceeds from the bracelet will go to m.powerment by mark, the charitable arm of Mark Cosmetics – partnered with the Avon Foundation – that helps educate young women about the potential for abusive relationships.

To view or purchase the bracelet, click here.

Usher Inspires Children To Help Haiti

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0000

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, music legend and humanitarian Usher urged young people worldwide to mobilize and utilize their resources to help the victims.

Days after the disaster- on January 18, 2010- Usher announced a partnership with the United Nations Foundation to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Through Usher’s non-profit, Usher's New Look, Usher challenged young people worldwide to raise $5 each to help the United Nations’ emergency response in Haiti.

Immediately after hearing Usher’s call to action Will Smith, NFL star athlete with the New Orleans Saints, called on his fans—especially young people in New Orleans to answer Usher’s call to action. “As our own Katrina recovery continues, the plight of Haiti today is too familiar for those of us in New Orleans to ignore. All of us should be compelled to help. That’s why I’ve joined Usher to help raise money for Haiti’s recovery efforts,” said Smith.

Smith has not only asked his fans to join the effort, but he has personally contributed $20,000 to send a mobile health clinic to Haiti on behalf of the world’s youth.

“This mobile health clinic will ensure that the UN Foundation can continue relief efforts beyond the initial response and recovery,” said Shawn H. Wilson, President of Usher’s New Look. “In times of crisis it is important to look beyond immediate needs towards sustainable solutions. Young people understand this, which makes the mobile clinic a fitting contribution on behalf of this group.”

Thousands of youth responded from 17 countries, with many examples of commendable youth-led service projects for Haiti. In India, an 11 year old girl named Makayla G. Gilliam-Price made beaded bracelets to raise money for Usher’s New Look’s Haiti relief efforts. In Malaysia, youth leaders from the ‘Power of 10Sen’ group are mobilizing 400,000 youth to raise small donations in their schools and communities. Additional examples include Sophie, a young girl in Belgium that worked with her classmates to create and sell artwork to raise donations. Kimberly Mcmillian at the Benjamin Franklin Senior High School in New Orleans raised $2500 by organizing a day where all students could wear Saints hats to school for a small price.

Mobilizing youth is made easier with tools such as the One Economy toolkit www.pic.tv/willsmith, located on Will Smith’s website, www.thewillsmith.com youth can inspire adults and peers alike to become involved.

By teaming up with the United Nations Foundation, young leaders around the world have directly supported Haiti relief and recovery efforts through the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, which disbursed $25 million immediately following the earthquake. Youth are directly helping the UN help Haiti by supporting humanitarian relief efforts including search and rescue operations, the provision of food, shelter, clean water and medical care, and now the recovery and rebuilding process.

In the months ahead, the UN’s life-saving work will continue, including delivering food and water to millions of Haitians, providing jobs to more than 200,000 people, ensuring women and children are safe and mitigating diseases such as measles and malaria. These are just a few of the daunting tasks that lay ahead but the UN is rising to the challenge, thanks to support for people around the world and, in particular, young leaders who are engaging their families, schools and communities to help the UN help Haiti.

Young people can continue to report on their efforts and accomplishments by logging on to twitter and Facebook and share their fundraising activities and successes with pictures, videos and statements. The ‘Powered By Service’ twitter page will be used to recognize and track efforts. For each dollar raised, youth are being encouraged to tweet their efforts @powerbyservice to demonstrate their commitment.

For information on fundraising for Haiti, please log ushersnewlook.org, thewillsmith.com or poweredbyservice.org.

Naomi Campbell To Help Haiti Through Fashion

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Naomi Campbell will hold a Fashion For Relief event at the New York Fashion Week on February 12 to benefit Haiti earthquake relief.

Hosted by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, the star-studded event will feature actors, musicians and celebrities walking the runway in various looks created by some of fashion’s top designers and to be later auctioned online at NET-A-PORTER from March 15, with proceeds going to CARE.

“I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Haiti; so many have been killed and severely affected by the earthquake – women and children in particular are most vulnerable in disasters,” said Campbell. “Fashion is universal, personal and touches everyone. Our aim is to use this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week catwalk to reach people and help raise crucial funds to help save the lives of women and children.”
Fashion for Relief was first held in 2005, and raised money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. It has since become a regular and eagerly anticipated fixture of Fashion Weeks around the world.

“Fashion for Relief only works if everyone comes together and makes it work,” Campbell said.

Tickets are on sale from Ticketmaster.

Preity Zinta Becomes A Voice For Widows and Children

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta became a brand ambassador for The Loomba Trust earlier this month in order to bring global attention to the plight of millions of widows and their children, something she feels is long overdue.

“I fully understand and empathize with the problems faced by widows,” said Zinta. “My mother was widowed when I was only thirteen.”

Social discrimination, financial instability, human trafficking and physical and mental abuse are some of the concerns for women who have become disadvantaged and marginalized through the loss of a spouse. The Loomba Trust has been running programs in India, South Africa, Kenya, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to provide support and assistance to widows through various means, including literacy education, training and employment.

“Development programs with specific focus on widows and their children are vital for the improvement of women’s status in society,” says Zinta, “and of their protection against the worst cases of exploitation and abuse.”

Campaigning in support of the creation of an International Widows Day, The Loomba Trust says, “There is hope that interest in widows and their plight will trigger gender sensitive reform of national laws and policies and help in eradicating anti-widow superstitions, traditions and social practices which should have no place in today’s world.”

“The recognition would be instrumental in encouraging emancipation of widows,” says Raj Loomba, founder and chairman, “and also draw the attention of governments to their challenges.”

Eva Longoria Donates To Female Education Charity

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30:00 -0000

CAMFED – the Campaign for Female Education – received a special surprise last week when Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria rang and pledged a donation of $37,000.

Longoria – a Chase Community Giving board member – made the grant to help support girls through high school in Zimbabwe. Chase donated a total of $62,000 to CAMFED during a recent charity competition.

To watch a video on how CAMFED will use the money, click here.

Download Music To Bring Relief To Haiti

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

In partnership with the United Nations Foundation, Habitat For Humanity and the Dave Matthews Band's Bama Works Fund Haitian relief effort, Music for Relief is working to provide immediate aid with food, water, and emergency medical supplies, and long-term sustainable housing solutions for the people affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th at 4:53pm.

To help, people can download a mixtape of nine original songs by Linkin Park, Slash, Alanis Morissette, Peter Gabriel, Hoobastank, The All-American Rejects, and Enrique Iglesias. There is no set price for the album. However, donate what you can and donate generously as this catastrophic natural disaster requires that the world step up to help.

Music for Relief is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing aid to victims of natural disasters and the prevention of such disasters. Since its inception in 2005, Music for Relief has raised over $3 million for victims of multiple disasters across four continents and planted over 810,000 trees to help reduce global warming. Music for Relief was found by the band Linkin Park.

To find out more, go to MusicForRelief.org.

Lady Gaga Helps Bono Fight AIDS In Africa

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

Lady Gaga is set to launch a new line of headphones, and proceeds will help in the fight against AIDS in Africa.

On Thursday, January 7, she joined Dr. Dre at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Lady Gaga is working with Product RED, and the idea was thought of after a conversation she had with Bono at the Vevo launch party back in December.

She said, “All the money that RED will make off these headphones will go directly to helping people who are affected by the AIDS epidemic in Africa.”

According to RED, at least $5 from every pair of headphones (designed by Dr. Dre) purchased is contributed to their Global Fund. His headphones will be available for sale in February, and more announcements will be made about Lady Gaga’s soon.

When her headphones are available, people who buy them will also receive a special version of Lady Gaga’s hit song, “Poker Face.”

Nicole Kidman Breaks Ground To Combat Violence Against Women

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:30:00 -0000

Actress and Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman helped to break ground on Friday on a new centre located in San Francisco to combat violence against women, part of an initiative between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and Family Violence Prevention Fund.

According to UNIFEM, data suggests that up to 70 per cent of women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime.

“There is no doubt that ending violence against women remains an urgent issue and belongs on centre stage,” says Ms. Kidman, who has served as Goodwill Ambassador for UNIFEM since January 2006.

“Solutions require action and investment, and strong partnerships like the one we’re announcing today between UNIFEM and Family Violence Prevention Fund,” she added. The latter works to prevent violence within the home and in the community and to help those whose lives are devastated by violence.

Among its activities, the new International Centre to End Violence aims to serve as a crossroads where activists and leaders from across the globe meet to share experiences and lessons that advance policies and solutions to end violence against women and children.

“We are proud to be a partner to this path-breaking global centre. It will be a space which will open doors to many whose voices are yet unheard, where practitioners, activists and survivors will share and learn from each other, and contribute to solutions on the ground,” said Inés Alberdi, UNIFEM Executive Director.

Didier Drogba Talks Charity

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is currently representing Les Elephants in Angola at the African Cup of Nations, but there’s more than soccer on his mind – he’s eager to address issues of health care in his home city of Abidjan, where he intends to build a hospital as the first major project for the Didier Drogba Foundation.

“To open the hospital would be the best achievement of my life, that would be my contribution to Ivory Coast. The minimum I can do is to make them feel important. ”

The often misunderstood player hopes more fans take notice of his charity work off the pitch.

“When I am in England we are only playing games, people don’t have time to ask what we do when not playing football, questions are about the games,” Drogba told Chelsea’s official website. “It is difficult to know what we are doing, it is sad that people don’t understand me but it is never too late.” 

Drogba, who left the Ivory Coast when he was six, has never forgotten where he came from and where he calls home.

“I left Ivory Coast when I was six. When you leave when you are young it makes you stronger, you always think about going back, about your country when you left. Every time I had the chance to come back, even if I spent seven years without coming, I missed it. That’s why I’m really proud of my country.”

  Last month, Drogba joined Product RED, Nike and several other players from the Premier League to Lace-Up to Save Lives.

Celebrity Little Black Dresses On Offer For Charity

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:30:00 -0000

Now is your chance to get your hands on some little black dresses owned by some of Hollywood’s most beautiful women.

With the mantra “Giving Back is Always in Style,” Little Black Dress Wines – the official wine of awards season – continues its tradition of auctioning off some of the most coveted little black dresses (a.k.a ‘LBDs’) of the red carpet with an upcoming auction (January 11 – March 8, 2010) benefiting two great charities that resonate with stylish women – Dress for Success, the international non-profit organization which promotes career development for disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and Clothes Off Our Back Foundation which hosts charity auctions showcasing today’s hottest celebrity attire.

Little Black Dress Wines reached out to fashionable leading ladies of the big and small screen, asking them to donate an LBD and/or lightly used accessory for its upcoming auction. Notable women committed to this year’s efforts include Glenn Close, Mary J. Blige, Sherri Shepherd, Elizabeth Mitchell, Carrie Ann Inaba, Ashlee Simpson, Samantha Harris, Giuliana Rancic, Eva LaRue and Cheryl Hines among others.

Since kicking off its popular LBD auctions in 2007, more than 50 of Hollywood’s most well-known stars have helped raise over $100,000 for charity including Sharon Stone, Tina Fey, America Ferrera, Jenna Fischer, Jaime Pressly, Edie Falco, Felicity Huffman, Julianne Moore, Nicollette Sheridan, Kim Cattrall, Nancy O'Dell, Teri Hatcher, Lisa Kudrow, Chloe Sevigny, Angie Harmon, Jane Seymour, Laura Linney and many more.

“Through partnerships with Dress for Success and Clothes Off Our Back Foundation Little Black Wines is proud to give back as we encourage fashionable women to ‘Accessorize Responsibly’,” said Kim Charney, Brand Manager, Little Black Dress Wines. “We’re thrilled to host for a third year our celebrity LBD auction to celebrate awards season. With generous donations from some of today’s hottest Hollywood actresses, we look forward to another successful year raising money for our worthy charitable partners.”

Beginning January 11, 2010 to March 8, 2010, fans nationwide can log on to www.littleblackdresswines.com to bid on LBDs and accessories of some of the most famous women in Hollywood. All auction proceeds will benefit programs supported by Dress for Success and Clothes Off Our Back Foundation.

Little Black Dress Wines is a favorite wine brand among the fashionable set in Hollywood, most recently featured as the “official wine” of the American Film Institute’s AFI FEST 2009. The brand was prominently featured and enjoyed by an impressive “who’s who” of celebrities and industry insiders at the premiere of A Single Man, directed by legendary fashion designer Tom Ford, and starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Ginnifer Goodwin.

Reese Witherspoon Tackles Domestic Violence

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:35:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actress Reese Witherspoon, as honorary chairwoman of Avon Foundation, spoke to British politicians earlier this month in conjunction with charity Refuge's campaign launch, Four Ways To Speak Out, about domestic violence against women.

According to Avon, two women are killed each week in England and Wales by current or former partners, and one in four women will be victims of domestic violence at some point. However, Avon research shows that most people don’t know of anyone who is suffering from such abuse, due mostly to the shame felt by surviving victims, which keeps them from talking about it. It is a well-kept secret that shouldn’t be.

Witherspoon has called upon the UK government to improve services for victims. “There remains what can seem like an impenetrable wall of silence around violence,” she said, “and we must all play a role in breaking this silence.”

Refuge’s campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse is their latest attempt to keep domestic violence on the political agenda. You can add your name to the petition here.

Justin Timberlake Tops Celebrity Givers List

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Justin Timberlake has been named celebrity charity earner of the year, outstripping favorites such as Bono and Oprah.

According to website The Daily Beast, the SexyBack singer raised $9.3 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in 2009. Second place went to Madonna, who raised $5.5 million for Raising Malawi, followed by Pamela Anderson ($4.8 million for PETA), Oprah ($4 million for Oprah's Angel Network), and Bono ($3.5 for the ONE Campaign).

To read about The Daily Beast’s methods for working out the rankings, and learn the full top 50 – which also features Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, George Clooney and Salma Hayek – click here.

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