Look To The Stars News: Women

Beverley Knight To Perform At The Big Christmas Sing

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Hundreds of ice skaters will join three-time MOBO award-winner Beverley Knight in a free charity Christmas performance at 5.30pm on Thursday 3rd December, at the Natural History Museum ice rink in South Kensington, London.

Beverley will be performing songs from her new album, along with Christmas favourites for a sing-a-long with skaters and fans. The event is to launch The Big Christmas Sing, a fundraising initiative from charity Christian Aid encouraging people across the country to get together and sing to raise money for some of the world’s poorest people this Christmas.

Beverley Knight says: ‘Singing is a passion for me and millions like me, especially at Christmas. Hook up with your friends and get everyone singing their favourite songs for The Big Christmas Sing. It will raise money for some amazing projects around the world.’

Ice rink tickets cost £13 for adults, £8.50 for children. For tickets call 0844 847 1576. To sign up for the Big Christmas Sing, visit www.christianaid.org.uk/bigsing.

Wyclef Jean And Bono Receive ‘Ripple Of Hope Award’

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer Wyclef Jean, and (RED) founder/U2 front man Bono, were honored this week at a ceremony thrown by The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, where each were awarded the ‘Ripple of Hope’ Award.

“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”

Jean was honored for his work to inspire change in his native country of Haiti through his Yéle Haiti Foundation.

“It is an honor to receive this award for so many reasons,” said Jean, who was also the evening’s musical performer. “The Kennedy Family and Robert F. Kennedy have represented and fought for the rights of people around the world, and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for it. I am humbled by their work, and use it as an example in the work I continue to do in Haiti, the United States, Africa and around the globe. I look forward to working closely with Kerry Kennedy and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights in Haiti as a part of our Yéle Center.”

Bono was recognized for his efforts in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particular in Africa with the ONE Campaign, DATA and (Product) RED.

“Though we’re not usually that partial to Royals, growing up in Ireland in the 70s, the Kennedy family felt like an Irish royal family. Bobby Kennedy was a super-hero, an Irish scrapper who didn’t see any contradiction between hard-headed pragmatism and an idealism that challenged all of us to change the world. That’s why the Ripple of Hope award means so much. RFK was the blue print for our activism in the ONE campaign,” Bono said. “The image of Bobby that will forever be in my mind is of a man with his sleeves rolled up, hard at work and showing a hint of muscle. His life is an enduring challenge to all of us to do more, get beyond ourselves and send out our own ripples of hope to the world.”

The event was emceed by actor Peter Gallagher, and guests included: Matthew Modine, Matt McCoy, Joey Pantoliano, Gloria Reuben, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Governor Jon Corzine, Harry Belafonte, Martha Stewart, Bill O’Reilly, Ana Ortiz, Aasif Mandvi, Liya Kebede, Earl Graves, Terry Kinney, Rebecca Minkoff, Charles Nolan, Richard Plepler, Tom Freston and Orin Kramer.

The evening ended on a high note as Bono joined Wyclef on stage for a rendition of “Redemption Song,” after which Wyclef performed “Carnival” and brought the entire crowd of over 800 people – including Ethel Kennedy – to their feet singing and dancing.

Celebrities' Socks Appeal For Charity

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

MandMDirect.com is excited to introduce its limited edition ‘Socks Appeal’ charity sock range in association with Help for Heroes, The Andrew Flintoff Foundation, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust and The White Ribbon Alliance. The campaign is completely not for profit and all proceeds go directly to each charity partner, the perfect gift for Christmas.

Appearing in an exciting pictorial campaign, eight celebrity ambassadors have been styled in their chosen charity socks for Christmas. Help for Heroes is supported by Gemma Atkinson and Calum Best, The Andrew Flintoff Foundation by Freddie Flintoff and Jeff Brazier, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust by Violet Budd and Tamsin Egerton, and The White Ribbon Alliance is supported by Laura Bailey and Lauren Lavern.

Artist and illustrator, Duncan Cargill has created unique and exclusive designs specific to the theme of each charity, each with exciting illustrations and colour ways stylishly representing who they are and what they stand for. The socks are perfect Christmas gifts or stocking fillers and can be used to brighten up any outfit this Christmas. Each pack costs £9.99 available from MandMDirect.com from mid November.

Naomi Campbell's Bag Raises Charity Cash

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last month, Look To The Stars brought you news that supermodel Naomi Campbell had donated a Hermes “it” bag to help raise funds to fight deaths in pregnancy, which hit more than half a million women each year.

We can now reveal that the bag raised US$31,500 at the auction, with proceeds to go to the White Ribbon Alliance, an organization established in 1999 as an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in developing and developed countries.

The Hermes Birkin bag was named after British singer and actress Jane Birkin, who sold her own bag in 2007 for US$108,000 dollars to benefit a human rights group.

All You Need Is Love At Starbucks For Charity

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0000

The holidays are all about giving, and Starbucks is passionate about supporting communities in which they do business. As part of the ongoing partnership between Starbucks and Bono’s (RED), this holiday season customers will have the opportunity to turn all of their purchases (RED)!

Beginning November 17, 2009 through December 1, 2009, when customers spend $15 on any purchase in participating Starbucks U.S. and Canada stores, Starbucks will automatically turn their purchase (RED) with a $1 U.S. donation to the Global Fund on their behalf. And as a thank you, customers will receive a copy of the exclusive “All You Need Is Love” Holiday CD for free with the qualifying (STARBUCKS)RED purchase. The CD features tracks from Playing for Change, John Legend, U2 and the Dave Matthews Band.

To date, Starbucks has generated contributions equaling more than 5 million daily doses of antiretroviral medicine through the purchase of select (STARBUCKS)RED products and will continue working with their customers to help improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Additionally, on December 1, Starbucks will commemorate World AIDS Day by donating 5 cents U.S. from EVERY handcrafted beverage sold that day as well as $1 U.S. from every (STARBUCKS)RED product purchased in stores.

Rainn Wilson Steps Out Of The Office For Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

When he’s not on set of NBC’s “The Office,” Rainn Wilson spends some of his time supporting the Mona Foundation.

The Kirkland-based charity helps women and children around the world. The foundation is currently working in 15 different countries.

He said, “It finds schools and orphanages and institutes that are already working, that are founded on a grassroots level in these different countries whether it’s the Amazon, Panama, Tanzania or Haiti, then provides the financial support to grow in an organic way.”

Wilson recently returned from a trip to Haiti, where the charity provides financial support to a school and its students outside Port au Prince.

Jennifer Aniston And Courteney Cox Join Up For The Congo

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

“Friends” co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox have teamed up to head a campaign to fight for women’s rights in the Congo.

They are supporting OmniPeace, an humanitarian fashion brand, which aims to stop violence against women in Congo. Mary Fanaro, the woman who runs the fashion brand, is a friend to both Aniston and Cox.

Cox said, “OmniPeace was created to give back. I can’t think of a better way to support my best friend and all the work that she and OmniPeace do to donate to causes supporting peace, education, human rights and the end of extreme poverty by 2025. Mary’s passion is so contagious and wonderful. It has taught me that anything is possible with enough perseverance and tenacity.”

Aniston and Cox are urging technology fans in the United States and Europe not to buy electronics that contain materials sourced from “conflict mines.” The industry is at the center of violent fighting.

The two women joined Sheryl Crow earlier in the year to raise awareness for the charity. As of now, they’re bringing a new campaign to the attention of Hillary Clinton.

Nicole Kidman Takes Anti-Violence Message To Kenya

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Kidman is reportedly to travel to Kenya to raise awareness of women affected by domestic violence.

 The Australian actress wants to tour the African country as part of an initiative launched by the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Kidman will visit the Kenyatta Hospital and a school this week as part of her role as a goodwill ambassador for the organization.
 
“[African women] need and deserve our support,” she said. “Not with a box of band-aids, but with a comprehensive, well-funded approach that acknowledges that women’s rights are human rights. It is time for policies that intentionally involve society’s key communities – from health and education departments to the police and judiciary – to deliver on that commitment. To succeed, it requires political will at the highest levels.”

Last month, Kidman addressed Congress about domestic violence on behalf of UNIFEM.

Fergie Headlines Avon Foundation For Women Gala

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

The ninth annual Avon Foundation for Women Gala on October 27 honored exceptional women and men for their efforts fighting breast cancer and domestic violence at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

The event was hosted by award winning actress and Avon Honorary Chair Reese Witherspoon with a special musical performance by Fergie.

More than 550 guests attended the event and raised $2 million to benefit breast cancer research and access to care and domestic violence education, prevention and victim support programs.

Along with Reese Witherspoon and Andrea Jung, presenters included Patrick Dempsey, Courteney Cox, Lauren Conrad and Suze Orman.

Emily Deschanel To Hold Q&A For Charity

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0000

The Screen Actors Guild will present a special screening of the hit TV show Bones in Los Angeles tonight, followed by a Q&A session with actress Emily Deschanel.

An actress with talent and poise, Emily Deschanel has built an impressive list of credits in her career, challenging herself with each new role.
 
An animal rights activist passionately involved with the charity Farm Sanctuary, Dechanel works to end cruelty to farm animals and promotes compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. She is also involved with The Humane Society and Women for Women International.  Deschanel was born in Los Angeles and received her B.F.A. in Theater from Boston University.

The Screen Actors Guild encourages interest in acting and improving the acting skills of interested persons though educational seminars, workshops, tapes and films.

This event starts at 7pm tonight, October 27, at the SAG Foundation Actors Center at 5757 Wilshire Avenue. For more information, click here.

Nicole Kidman Takes Anti-Violence Message To Congress

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:00 -0000

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman and Mallika Dutt, anti-violence group Breakthrough’s Executive Director, supported the call for a comprehensive approach by the United States to address ending violence against women yesterday.

Kidman and Dutt, speaking to members of the U.S. House of Representatives Sub-Committee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight, emphasized the urgency to invest in women, partner locally and provide resources for effective programs in developing countries.

They joined Ambassador for Women’s Global Issues Melanne Verveer, Congresswoman Janice D. Schakowsky, Vice-Chair of the Women’s Caucus, and former Congresswoman and President of Shared Hope International Linda Smith in supporting the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), which represents an unprecedented commitment by the U.S. government to create a comprehensive strategy to reduce violence in countries that have severe levels of violence against women and girls.

Today’s hearing provided Kidman an opportunity to amplify the voices of the women she has met through her work with UNIFEM and share their stories. Speaking of women survivors of violence from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kosovo by whom she was inspired, Ms. Kidman observed: “These champions need and deserve our support. Not with a box of band-aids, but with a comprehensive, well-funded approach that acknowledges that women’s rights are human rights. It is time for policies that intentionally involve society’s key communities — from health and education departments to the police and judiciary — to deliver on that commitment. To succeed, it requires political will at the highest levels.”

Breakthrough’s Executive Director Mallika Dutt spoke about her organization’s multimedia campaign in India that mobilizes women to take a stand and engages men in addressing violence against women. The campaign was supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which is managed by UNIFEM.

“In villages and towns in every corner of the world, women are challenging social and cultural norms and laws that made them second-class citizens,” Dutt said. “Through strong leadership and local partnerships across a range of actors, the International Violence Against Women Act could have a direct and immediate impact on saving the lives of millions of women and girls.”

Goodwill Ambassador Kidman will continue to shine a light on ending violence against women solutions and stories during her upcoming field mission to Kenya, where UNIFEM will launch its global advocacy action initiative Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women. The innovative web platform is a call for action, which will spotlight efforts on the ground and is designed to contribute towards the high-profile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s multi-year campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women.

LTTS Exclusive - The 2009 Noble Awards

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

I had the honor of attending “The Noble Awards” on their first annual show honoring charities and their celebrity supporters.

On Sunday, October 18th at The Beverly Hilton, “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush hosted the premiere of this special event honoring Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a list of celebrity honorees from Brett Ratner to Teri Hatcher.

Guests were treated to live performances from names like Brian McKnight and Benji Madden and the famed 8-year-old piano prodigy, Emily Bear. The night was supported with a star-studded cast of performers, honorees and guests that all believe in using the power of their voice in the name of philanthropy and charity. No detail was too small for this event. The award sculpture itself was the vision of Antonio Banderas and came to life at The Art of Elysium workshop with personal touches from the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.

The Noble Awards was an inaugural awards show that launched the beginning of a perennial movement that will encourage each and every person to give back and take action in the world today.

Each year they will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. Some of this year honorees included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner for DoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds for Stand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden.

Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children. It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital. A moment that was also extremely moving was when his twin brother [”Benji":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1901-benji-madden] (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication. Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) looked on lovingly while her Father introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much. The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital."

I was lucky enough to experience the vision of the Founder/Executive Producer, Janeen Mansour, prior to the event and watch it develop from an idea to a reality.

“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them,” she said. “Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”

The Noble Awards are a testament to what Hollywood can achieve when it uses its voice to celebrate positive change. This event showcased just a few of the many celebrities and individuals dedicated to making a difference in the world today. It is my hope that it will serve as an inspiration to others to get involved in their charity, community or cause that has meaning to them. Being a volunteer takes less time than your yoga class and can cost you less money than your Latte. But the experience will stay with you a lifetime.

To the children, the volunteers, the unnamed angels, the celebrities, the founders, the team behind this event and to all of the people that donate their time and passion to making a difference on a daily basis, this celebrates you.

Inaugural Noble Awards Celebrate Hollywood Philanthropy

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars was proud to be part of the inaugural Noble Awards on Sunday, October 18 – an event that honored a host of charities and the celebrities that support them, elevating awareness of the significant impact of their work.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the event honored Morgan Freeman with a lifetime achievement award, as well as Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

Lionel Richie was on hand during the ceremony to present an award to Joel Madden, who attended the event with Nicole Richie and his brother Benji.

“I want to welcome him to our family and present this Noble award to a guy I love very much – Joel Madden!” said Lionel as he introduced Joel to the crowd.

“They are just as much a part of it,” said Madden, paying tribute to Nicole and Benji. “Nicole does just as much as I do with Art of Elysium and all the charities we work with. And so does Benj – Benj actually does more then I do, and he plays the guitar better then I do, so he is a little more entertaining for the kids.”

Madden later Twittered about the emotions he felt as he accepted his award: “Just left the NOBLE awards. Got an award that was really for the people at the Art of Elysium. Awesome folks and I’m humbled to know them. By the way got totally choked up when I got my award. I hate thinking about kids in the hospital, they should be getting the awards not us.”

The award itself was designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Morgan Freeman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work and dedication to over a dozen non-profits. Freeman’s diverse charitable efforts include working with American Red Cross, Artists for a New South Africa, the Campaign for Female Education, Earth Biofuels, Grenada Relief Fund, Mississippi Animal Rescue League and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman has also done PSAs for Sierra Club, and a number of Entertainment Industry Foundation campaigns, covering issues like colon cancer prevention, health care reform and volunteerism.

“I think so often we don’t know that our gestures matter,” said Teri Hatcher, who was also honored. “I think when you get involved in your local community charity you really do see you make a difference and it’s empowering for you.”

Look To The Stars was at the awards, and we will bring you more about the fantastic event over the coming days.

Kaiser Chiefs Join Concert For CARE

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

British band the Kaiser Chiefs have been added to the bill for this year’s Concert For CARE.

The Kaiser Chiefs have had a whirlwind past five years; three Top 5 albums, numerous hit singles, and 2009 saw them sign off with a hometown showing at this years Leeds Festival. Since that performance, the band have decided to take some time away from the spotlight, slowly beginning work on album four. Having worked with David Arnold in the recent past, the Kaiser Chiefs are delighted to make an exception to their time off the road and lend a musical hand to ‘Concert For CARE’.

Music and Comedy giants – such as Gary Barlow, Rob Brydon, Damien Rice, David Walliams and more – will join together in a one off event for aid agency CARE International. This one-off live event will take place at London’s Brixton Academy on November 2.

‘Concert for CARE’ is the brainchild of David Arnold, one of Britain’s most successful film and television composers and ambassador for CARE International (CARE). CARE works in 70 countries and helps 55 million people to find ways out of poverty each year.

Announcing the line up David Arnold said: “I have wanted to do this concert from the day I met a 20 year old woman in Rwanda who was orphaned at 14, is HIV positive and has to look after her two younger brothers. Without CARE’s support she would be unable to keep them in school, feed them or keep a roof over their heads. I have asked my colleagues from the music and comedy world to get together to help raise money and awareness of the amazing work CARE does all over the world.”

Geoffrey Dennis, CARE International UK chief executive, said: “We are really proud to have David Arnold as a CARE Ambassador. The money raised from the concert will mean that we can continue to help some of the world’s poorest people.”

Tickets are priced £30 and can be purchased from www.ticketweb.co.uk.

To find out more, click here.

Naomi Campbell And Louis Vuitton Join Forces For Women’s Health

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

March 2010 will mark the 100th anniversary celebration of International Women’s Month, and Naomi Campbell has teamed up with Louis Vuitton to help bring awareness to maternal mortality and safe motherhood initiatives.

The supermodel has selected a sleek signature Vuitton bag to raise funds for the White Ribbon Alliance, an organization dedicated to reducing preventable maternal deaths. Vuitton has pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from sales of the bag to the alliance.

Campbell serves as a global ambassador of the alliance, and has promised to donate all proceeds from the upcoming auction of her Hermès bags. The yet to be named Vuitton bag will retail for about $2,789 and will be available at all of Vuitton’s 439 network stores.

Look To The Stars Helps Promote Hollywood Philanthropy At Noble Awards

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look to the Stars is pleased to announce that we will work year-round with The Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.

The inaugural Noble Awards, taking place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18, has announced five new award honorees. The Blind Project, The Lollipop Theater Network, Padres Contra el Cancer and Playing for Change will be honored along with six previously announced charities. In addition, Morgan Freeman will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The two-hour event, hosted by “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the significant impact of their work.

Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org). During the ceremony, each will be presented with an award sculpture, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum will provide live musical performances throughout the evening.

“We are delighted to present these eleven distinguished charities and their celebrity supporters with the inaugural Noble Award,” stated Janeen Mansour, creator and executive producer of The Noble Awards. “With the presentation of The Noble Awards, our goal is to turn the spotlight back onto these celebrities and charities to provide recognition, to educate, to inspire, and to encourage even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large.”

Morgan Freeman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work and dedication to over a dozen non-profits. Freeman’s diverse charitable efforts include working with American Red Cross, Artists for a New South Africa, the Campaign for Female Education, Earth Biofuels, Grenada Relief Fund, Mississippi Animal Rescue League and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman has also done PSAs for Sierra Club, and a number of Entertainment Industry Foundation campaigns, covering issues like colon cancer prevention, health care reform and volunteerism.

“The Entertainment Industry Foundation is pleased to be a part of the inaugural Noble Awards,” said Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of Entertainment Industry Foundation. “We are honored and so proud to present our dear friend and exceptional actor Morgan Freeman with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding charitable work and ongoing contributions to so many important social causes.”

The Noble Awards will kick off the “Be A Noble” Movement, a perennial effort to encourage each and every person to “Be A Noble,” and inspire them to give back and take action with a purpose on a global scale. Some of these initiatives include:

Look to the Stars will work year-round with The Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.

As part of next year’s Cup with a Cause program, 7-Eleven, in collaboration with The Noble Awards, will produce a series of celebrity-designed coffee cups featured in stores nationwide. A minimum of $250,000 will go towards each participating celebrity’s charity of choice. During The Noble Awards’ cocktail hour, guests will be asked to design cups as part of the program.

Participant Media and Takepart.com, the official “action” platform for the Awards, have partnered with the “Be A Noble” Movement to provide the Foundation with a web platform to showcase the work of all the organizations they are honoring throughout the year.

ONEHOPE Wine has bottled an award-winning varietal of wine to be labeled “NOBLE.” 100% of all proceeds from each bottle will go towards the “Be A Noble” Movement, to be distributed among the honored charities.

Rumblefish Jewelry will design a jewelry line based on The Noble Awards and “Be A Noble” Movement, where a percentage of sales will be donated to Noble charities.

Additional partners include EIF/iParticipate, The Hollywood Reporter, Audi, Beverly Hilton, Mobile Cause, Rosenthal and GoodSearch.

As the film industry has the Oscars, television the Emmys and the music industry the Grammy Awards, the charity community and its most dedicated Hollywood supporters will gain global recognition with the staging of The Noble Awards. Produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a non-profit organization, the first annual awards will take place on October 18, 2009. The Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round movement to BE A NOBLE to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service. For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.

Idol Gives Back Is Back!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

After a one year hiatus, Idol Gives Back is set to rock for charity once again.

The American Idol special will air April 21, 2010, and will benefit national and international charities including Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.

“I am very pleased to announce that we will be doing our third Idol Gives Back on April 21, 2010,” said Simon Fuller, Idol creator and CEO of 19 Entertainment. “This is our opportunity to reach out and support the people of America and around the world who need our compassion and generosity to improve or even save their lives. America will undoubtedly prove once again what a remarkable and generous nation it is. For American Idol to be able to facilitate this kind of initiative makes me very proud.”

“Idol Gives Back” has raised over $140 million since its inception in 2007. The event regularly attracts appearances by major stars such as Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and many others – including 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama. The show last aired in 2008.

Bono And Friends Rock Carnegie Hall For Charity

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

U2’s Bono and The Edge led an assortment of stars – including Courtney Love, Lou Reed, Scarlett Johansson, Rufus Wainwright and Lady GaGa at the massive (RED)NIGHTS charity concert in New York on Sunday, October 4.

Held at Carnegie Hall, the concert will benefit Bono’s (RED) charity to eliminate AIDS in Africa, and follows the successful (RED)NIGHTS concerts that were held earlier this year, featuring Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy, The Veronicas and many others.

The musicians reportedly took part in some massive jam sessions during the concert, playing David Bowie’s Jean Genie and The Velvet Underground’s ‘Sweet Jane’.

Viola Davis To Attend Friendly House Luncheon For Women In Recovery

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0000

On Saturday, October 24th 2009 Oscar nominated actress Viola Davis will host the annual Friendly House Luncheon. This star studded event at the beautiful Beverly Hilton Hotel will raise money and awareness about the oldest home for women in recovery in the country – Friendly House.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the luncheon and Friendly House will be honoring two individuals who exhibit great leadership and public service to the community. Founder and Editorial Director of C Magazine and Publisher and President of Santa Barbara Magazine, Jennifer Smith Hale will be awarded 2009 Woman of the Year. This successful business woman has captured California Style in her award winning magazines and gives back to her community through her philanthropic endeavors. Jennifer’s tireless efforts and leadership empower and create opportunities for women to see possibilities in their lives. New York Times bestselling author, Christopher Kennedy Lawford will be awarded 2009 Excellence in Service. Through Christopher’s extraordinary literature and his continuous activism, Christopher strives to make a difference helping others overcome substance abuse problems and living with hepatitis C.

Currently celebrating its 59th year in service, Friendly House has successfully treated thousands of women for alcoholism and drug addiction. No individual has ever been turned away due to lack of funds, however, Friendly House receives no state, federal or local funding. The organization thrives on annual events produced by their Board of Directors to promote and support their cause.

Proceeds from the luncheon and silent auction will go directly to Friendly House, continuing its ongoing mission to help women recover from the deadly disease of alcoholism and drug addiction. For ticket information please contact Cynthia Short at (213) 389-8810.

Moby To Donate Concert Proceeds To Charity

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Musician Moby has announced that he will donate the profits from his upcoming shows in California to help those affected by domestic violence.

Moby hopes to raise between $75,000 and $100,000 from three shows in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles and donate the money to charities that help victims, following July’s decision to cut all funding for California’s domestic violence program.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a lot of money,” Moby told the Associated Press. “But it’s going to directly harm the women who benefit from these programs.”

Moby was disgusted to hear of the ruling to cut the funding, and has witnessed domestic violence at its worst.

“My mother was in a long relationship with a guy who was very, very abusive and at one point I had to stop him from stabbing her to death,” said the singer. “The more I know about domestic abuse, I’m really grateful that it wasn’t worse.”

Actresses To Be Honored For Sports And Charity

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0000

As previously reported by Look To The Stars, the 2009 Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards and the Diamond in the RAW Foundation have announced two-time Golden Globe winner Jamie Lee Curtis and Super Middleweight Champion Laila Ali among top honorees. Curtis will be awarded the Action Icon Award for her achievements in film and Ali will be awarded the Dare2bDifferent Award for her achievements in sports and her involvement in charity work.

“In its second year, The Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards will honor the fearless and outstanding achievements of action-oriented women within the entertainment industry and stunt community,” stated La Faye Baker, stuntwoman and co-creator of The Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards. “We are excited to have Jamie Lee Curtis and Laila Ali among our top honorees, as well as several other outstanding women from the stunt community.”

The Diamond in the RAW Foundation is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and expose at-risk teen girls to a multitude of careers in the entertainment industry, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Angela Meryl, Taurus World Stunt nominee with credits including “Obsessed”, “Kill Bill”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and “Grey’s Anatomy” will be awarded the Diamond in the RAW Award. May Boss will be honored with the Helen Gibson Award for her career as a veteran stunt woman and work in films including “Money Train” “The Story of Will Rogers”, “Blazing Saddles”, and “Police Academy”. The Special Achievement Award will be given to Mary Albee, whose credits include “Crossing Jordan”, “Ugly Betty”, “Seven Feet Under”, and “Murder She Wrote”. Given posthumously, Svetla Krasteva will be honored with the Gone But Not Forgotten Award for her work in films such as “Rush Hour 2”, “Peter Pan”, “The Ring”, and ’Lethal Weapon".

Additional award categories include the Gem Award, Jewel Award, Mentorship Award, “Wow” Stuntwoman Award, and Dynamic DUO Award, which are nominated by the stunt community and members of the Screen Actors Guild.

“Extra” correspondent Jeannie Mai and TV Guide Channel’s Patrick Stinson will serve as co-hosts for the 2009 Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards. Special celebrity guests include, star of such shows as, 2009 Emmy Award Winner-Grey’s Garden,Tony Award Winner and 2009-2010 Screen Actors Guild President Ken Howard, Sean Patrick Flannery, star of the “Young Indiana Jones” film series; Lee Meriwether, best known for her role as Catwoman in the original “Batman” film; Louis Mandylor, co-star of the hit film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”; actress Erica Hubbard from “Lincoln Heights”; Shirly Brener, co-star of “War, Inc.” and “The Dunwich Horror”; actress and stuntwoman Zoe Bell, who worked on the recent box office hit “Inglourious Basterds”; Dale Dye, actor and tactical advisor to Steven Spielberg; pro skateboarder Lauren Perkins; Robin Shou, star of the “Mortal Kombat” films; Diana Lee Inosanto, actress and goddaughter to legendary martial arts legend Bruce Lee..and many more!.

The Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards. will take place Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A reception and silent auction will kick off the event at 11:00 a.m., followed by the luncheon and awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Tickets for the Awards are available for purchase at www.DiamondintheRAW.com.

Naomi Campbell Donates Bag To Charity Auction

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Model Naomi Campbell has donated a Hermes “it” bag to help raise funds to fight deaths in pregnancy, which hit more than half a million women each year.

Campbell gave the pale green alligator Hermes “Birkin” bag to French auctioneers Artcurial for a White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood auction to be held on November 10.

The Alliance was established in 1999 as an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in developing and developed countries.

Somaly Mam Foundation To Host Star-Studded Charity Event Tonight

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:39:00 -0000

The second annual Evening of Hope and Dreams to benefit the Somaly Mam Foundation will be held in Los Angeles tonight, September 29.

The evening, featuring a special live performance by American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi and inspirational words from Somaly Mam, will raise funds and awareness for the Foundation’s Survivor Services, Advocacy and Awareness programs, and recognize leadership in anti-trafficking. SMF will honor entrepreneurs and activists Jeff & Mei Sze Greene with the Voices for Change Award for their commitment to the cause of human trafficking and their special contribution to helping the Somaly Mam Foundation grow into the organization it is today.

The guest list for the event, to be held at the home of Jeff and Mei Sze Greene in Beverly Hills, includes Bill Maher, Daryl Hannah, Lisa Ling, Jane Seymour, Ron Livingston, Sarah Larson, Donald Faison and many more.

Somaly Mam established the SMF in 2007. At 12 years of age, Mam was sold into sexual slavery by a man who posed as her grandfather. In 1993, after over a decade of rape and torture, she escaped and fled Cambodia. In 1996, she went back. There she created a non-profit organization called AFESIP (Agir pour les Femmes en Situation Precaire or Acting for Women in Distressing Circumstances) to work with local law enforcement to raid brothels and reintegrate trafficked women into society. To this day, despite threats and assaults from traffickers looking to deter her work, Mam continues to fight so that others might be spared the fate she once endured. She has successfully helped more than 4,000 women and children escape the brothels.

To find out more, visit www.somaly.org.

U2 To Turn The Night RED For Charity

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

U2 will join a host of performers including Scarlett Johansson, Courtney Love, Maria McKee, Shane MacGowan, Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright plus other special guests for a special concert to benefit Bono’s (RED) on October 4.

The concert follows the successful (RED)NIGHTS concerts that were held earlier this year, featuring Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy, The Veronicas and many others.

The concert will take place at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall and, as with all (RED)NIGHTS shows, a portion of the proceeds from the concert goes directly to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Tickets are available at CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800, www.carnegiehall.com and the box office.

Noble Awards Set To Honor Celebrity Humanitarians

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

As the film industry has the Oscars, television the Emmys and the music industry the Grammy Awards, the charity community and its most dedicated Hollywood supporters will gain global recognition with the staging of the inaugural Noble Humanitarian Awards, to take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18. And Look To The Stars is proud to support it.

The two-hour event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the impact of their work.

The organizations to be honored at this first-annual ceremony include The Art of Elysium, Best Buddies International, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, DoSomething.org, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Keep A Child Alive, The Salvation Army, Stand Up To Cancer and Women’s Sports Foundation.

Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Jessica Biel (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Alicia Keys (Keep A Child Alive), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org), with others currently being confirmed. During the ceremony, each will be presented with the trophy award, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Other performers and presenters will be announced closer to the event.

With nearly two decades of experience across entertainment, fashion and charitable projects, Janeen Mansour is creator and executive producer of the Noble Humanitarian Awards. Mansour, who has interviewed many celebrities, was inspired to create a dedicated award show for the charity community after interviewing the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and learning about her significant charitable work.

“Celebrities have long given their time to charity, championing causes they feel passionate about. Their support draws media coverage, and organizations benefit. With the Noble Awards, we aim to turn the spotlight back onto these celebrities and charities in an effort to provide recognition, to educate, to inspire, and to encourage even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large. It’s an annual celebration of service and volunteerism,” explains Mansour.

A team of entertainment veterans join Mansour in producing the Noble Humanitarian Awards. They include Ziad Batal (Executive Producer), founder of All 4 Media, one of the most prominent film and television production companies and creator and producer of dozens of reality, talk and sports programs in the Middle East; Michael Seligman (Producer), President & CEO of Seligman Entertainment, Inc, whose 35 years of work includes the Oscars, the Emmy’s, AFI’s, Kennedy Center Honors and Stand Up To Cancer; Tisha Fein (Producer), whose three-decade experience includes the Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, World Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, Movies Rock and Stand Up to Cancer.

The Noble Humanitarian Awards are produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a non-profit organization. With the staging of the first annual awards on October 18, 2009, the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round campaign to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service. For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.

Lisa Snowdon Completes Charity Parachute Jump

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Model and TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon has completed her first parachute jump for charity – with the support of former boyfriend George Clooney.

Snowdon jumped from 13,000 feet to raise money for the Help A London Child scheme and the Shooting Star Hospice earlier this week. Last week, Look To The Stars revealed that George Clooney had donated $19,000 to the initiative.

“What a feeling,” said Snowdon. "When I got to the skydiving centre I was really nervous, it looked so high up. I don’t think I realized how high it was. My nerves were building when we went up in the plane and I felt really sick – it seemed to take forever to get up there. When we got up to 13,000ft the red light went on, then the yellow light which means it’s time to go and I freaked out.

“I had my legs dangling out of the plane and it felt so unnatural then suddenly we were out. We did this crazy back double somersault and I could see the bottom of the plane, it was the most surreal thing I’ve ever done. It happened so quickly I didn’t worry about the parachute. The freefalling was wild, it was just brilliant.”

Snowdon also took part in last week’s BGC Charity Day, which raised money for charities such as Barnardo’s, Breast Cancer Care, Help for Heroes and The Variety Club.

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