Look To The Stars News: Peace

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.

Stars Flock To T-Shirt Launch For Invisible Children

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

GUESS and Vanity Fair Magazine unveiled special edition organic men’s T-shirts and women’s tank tops to benefit education and economic rebuilding in the war-ravaged African nation of Uganda last Thursday, October 21.

Held at the GUESS store in Beverly Hills, the event was hosted by Kristen Bell, Rachel Bilson and Peter Wentz and attracted stars such as AnnaLynne McCord, Ben McKenzie, Eliza Dushku, Rick Foxx, Chris Lowell, Shenae Grimes, Stephanie Jacobsen, Jeff Probst and many others.

The shirts are now available for purchase in all U.S. Guess stores and online at Guess.com. 100% of the proceeds from shirt sales will benefit Invisible Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth education and economic development in war-torn regions of Central East Africa.

Invisible Children was created by Jason Russell, Laren Poole and Bobby Bailey – who also attended Thursday’s event – after the release of their 2004 film “Invisible Children: Rough Cut,” a revealing documentary about the child soldiers of Northern Uganda. GUESS first partnered with the organization back in October 2006, when the daughters of Maurice Marciano, Olivia, 16 and Caroline, 18, were inspired to become involved in the noteworthy cause after seeing the filmmakers on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

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.

Kristen Bell To Host Charity Event For Invisible Children

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

GUESS – the American lifestyle brand famous for its trend-setting denim and unforgettable campaigns – and VANITY FAIR magazine, are excited to announce the launch event for a new line of organic t-shirts designed to make a difference: 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit Invisible Children.

This star-studded event will take place at the GUESS Rodeo Drive flagship store in Beverly Hills on Thursday, October 22, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by young Hollywood’s leading ladies, Kristen Bell and Rachel Bilson, with musical guest Peter Wentz accompanied by DJ White Shadow.

Three years ago, Caroline and Olivia Marciano—daughters of Maurice Marciano, Chairman of the Board and Co-founder of GUESS—approached their father about wanting to make a difference by supporting Invisible Children. Caroline, now a freshman in college, and Olivia, a senior in high school, came across Invisible Children while watching an episode of Oprah. The short segment made such an impact on the girls that they went to their father to see how they could get involved. Their father told them, “I will help you, but it has to be your project.” Three years later, GUESS is thrilled to unveil organic men’s T-shirts and women’s tank tops whose entire proceeds will go to benefit Invisible Children. Guests will have the opportunity to get a preview of the men’s and women’s Invisible Children T- shirts prior to their arrival in all U.S. GUESS stores and www.guess.com in early November. The design inspiration for the men’s T-shirt ($29) was drawn from the shape of Africa, which is printed on the front of the shirt. The gradient text, which highlights the daily strife of the children in Uganda, drives home the message of peace, love, and hope reflected in the colors of the Uganda flag. The women’s tank top ($26) features the LOVE logo with the “O” representing the globe. Both shirts will be manufactured by EDUN LIVE out of Uganda from 100% percent certified organic cotton, and will support sustainable socioeconomic development in that country.

“We are excited to celebrate the launch event for the third collaboration between GUESS and Invisible Children,” says Maurice Marciano. “Not only am I thrilled to see the GUESS name aligned with Invisible Children, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for war-affected people in Northern Uganda, but it means so much to me personally that my daughters, Caroline and Olivia, came up with the initial idea to partner with this organization, and have spearheaded the partnership since its inception in 2006.”

Throughout the event, guests will enjoy savory and sweet hors d’oeuvres as well as signature beverages while enjoying the musical stylings of Pete Wentz and DJ White Shadow. Large plasma screens displayed throughout the store will show footage from Invisible Children documenting the bustling streets and dancing children of Uganda, as well as shots of the Lord Resistance Army, and will remind guests how revolutionary this organization has been since its launch in 2003. Guests will receive a 20% discount during event hours with a minimum donation of $5.00 to Invisible Children.

British Celebrities To Run For Christian Aid

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

A host of British celebrities are set to take part in a run for fun being held in Newcastle, UK, this weekend.

Jerome Flynn (Soldier, Soldier), Tim Campbell (first ever winner of The Apprentice), Kara Tointon (most recently seen as EastEnders’ Dawn Swann) and boyfriend Joe Swash (Winner of I’m a Celebrity…2008) will dig out their training shoes and join Christian Aid’s team of 90 runners in this year’s Great North Run, to help raise vital funds for poor communities around the world.

The Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon, has more than 50,000 participants and takes place in Newcastle on the 20th September. All of the money raised by the Christian Aid team will go towards the charity’s overseas development work, helping to tackle poverty and injustice in 49 countries around the world.

Actress Kara Tointon said: “When I travelled to Zambia with Christian Aid, I met people who had next to nothing and saw how they are given medical and practical support which really does keep them alive. So, when I was asked to take part in the Great North Run and help people like those I met in Zambia, I knew I had to do it.”

You can donate to Kara’s run by clicking here

Actor, TV presenter and reigning ‘King of the Jungle’ Joe Swash said: “When I was asked to do the Great North Run for Christian Aid, I immediately got Kara involved as I thought it would be a great thing for us to do together. Besides, thirteen miles shouldn’t be as hard as eating all those witchety grubs in the jungle. We’re both looking forward to running, and saying hello to everyone on the route.”

You can donate to Joe’s run by clicking here

Tim Campbell, Entrepreneur, CEO of The Bright Ideas Trust and first winner of The Apprentice, said: “When Christian Aid asked me to run the Great North Run, I was honoured to support a cause that is so close to my heart. Knowing that the money will go to deserving projects in some of the world’s poorest countries, I relished the opportunity to run with thousands of others in one of the greatest running events in Europe. At the Bright Ideas Trust we understand that business can empower socially excluded individuals to work their way out of their current situations. Some of the small business schemes in the developing world not only do this but also stop people from dying.”

You can donate to Tim’s run by clicking here

Jerome Flynn said he was persuaded to dust off his running shoes by his sister, who works for Christian Aid in the North East. ‘I wanted to encourage my sister, who has been thinking of running this iconic half marathon for several years’ explained Jerome, who is based in the south-west. ‘Hopefully, we’ll be able to celebrate completing the race together, even though our training has been 350 miles apart. I’m delighted to be able to support Christian Aid at the same time because fighting poverty is something my sister and I are both passionate about; I particularly like Christian Aid’s approach, working with local people, regardless of race or faith.’

You can donate to Jerome’s run by clicking here

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Great North Run or other challenge events visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/events call 020 7523 2248 or email events@christian-aid.org.

Jude Law Launches Peace Day Video Contest

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Peace One Day’s annual International Day of Peace will take place on September 21, and actor Jude Law is encouraging people to enter a new video competition to celebrate the initiative.

World Peace Day has been held on September 21 annually since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The initiative came from an idea by Jeremy Gilley, who founded his non-profit organization – Peace One Day – in 1999. Since then he has amassed an impressive list of supporters, including Chris Martin, Sir Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie, Alan Rickman, and Michael Douglas.

This year’s World Peace Day will be preceded by a concert featuring Lenny Kravitz and Kasabian in Paris, and the organization has launched the video competition to help spread the word of peace. All you have to do is create a video showing how you will be making a difference on World Peace Day, no matter how big or small the action whether it’s bringing people together; making amends with someone; organizing a football match; doing something in the home, the workplace, the community; or simply offering your take on what peace means to you.

“Show us what Peace means to you,” said Jude Law. “It doesn’t have to look professional, just have a go. Share it with the world on Peace One Day’s YouTube channel. We’ll select the most inspirational finalists and then you’ll decide the winner. The prize is a state-of-the-art HD camera and a day with Jeremy Gilley learning the art of documentary filmmaking.”

The competition ends on September 30, and more info can be found here.

Lenny Kravitz To Headline Peace Day Concert

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kasabian and Lenny Kravitz have been confirmed to play at a one-off gig at the Paris Le Grand Rex to mark Peace Day next month.

“I’m delighted to support Peace One Day once again to take the message of Peace Day to the people,” said Kravitz. “Peace One Day is all about uniting the world, and music can drive that message. I’m pleased to be carrying the torch for POD this year.”

The show will take place on September 19 – two days before Peace Day – and will also feature Keziah Jones, Ayo, Olivia Ruiz and Charlie Winston.

“These things are so intense, such hard work, with so much at stake,” said Jeremy Gilley, founder of Peace Day. “Take last year’s event at the Albert Hall. Introduced by [”Jude Law":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/145-jude-law], with live performances from Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox and John Legend, with a surprise appearance from Lenny Kravitz, it was pretty mind-blowing but you can imagine how nerve-wracking it was bringing it all together. Underwriting something so big when you are such a small organization is quite a responsibility. Our margins are really tight and, just covering our costs takes an awful lot of hard work. More than anything, we rely on the good will of the artists themselves; their time is so precious and I am eternally grateful to all of them for their unerring support. Standing on the side of the stage watching Annie Lennox singing for Peace One Day was an incredible moment for me.

“With a matter of weeks to go, an awful lot of people are working incredibly hard to pull off an event that exceeds all expectations. An estimated 250 million people around the globe saw last year’s concert. We can’t yet give any details away but let’s just say that we are aiming for something even bigger and better to commemorate our ten-year anniversary. I can feel the insomnia coming on already…

“Our goal is to reach three billion people with the message of peace one day by 2012. It’s not a pipedream, it’s a strategic process, but we all need to get involved.”

For more information and tickets, click here.

Barbra Streisand To Launch Massive Charity Auction

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Barbra Streisand is set to auction many of her personal items for charity.

Julien’s Auctions will host the auction, to be held October 17-18, with more than 400 items to go under the hammer.

“What good does it do in storage,” said the 67-year-old. “Let someone else enjoy it. These things, they’re not forever. We pass them on and reap the benefits for something important.”

Proceeds from the auction – to be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel – will go to the Streisand Foundation, which gives grants to “national organizations working on preservation of the environment, voter education, the protection of civil liberties and civil rights, women’s issues and nuclear disarmament” and has given large donations to programs related to women’s health.

Among the beneficiaries will be City Year, which Streisand said “brings together a core of diverse young leaders that provide vital resources to youth in local neighborhoods”; the Clinton Foundation (“We gave a big chunk to the climate change initiative”); and the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Health Center, which supports cardiac research for women.

“For decades women have been treated based on medical research done on men,” said Streisand. “So it’s about time that proper research be done and communicated to women so they’ll be more informed about their health.”

Auction lots include a wicker chair from her sunroom, a baby grand piano, many designer dresses, costumes from films such as “Funny Lady,” “The Way We Were” and “Meet the Fockers,” an old phonograph she bought when she was 18 and “one of the first pieces of furniture I ever bought: A dental cabinet. That’s hard to part with actually. I wish I had room for it. I don’t.”

Selections from the auction will be on public view aboard the Queen Mary 2 during its trans-Atlantic cruise this month and then in Ireland, New York and Beverly Hills.

“The community is better served if I get rid of it and give all the proceeds to my foundation, which does really good work,” she said.

To view the lots and find out more, visit the Julien’s Auctions website.

Desmond Tutu Calls For Action In Burma

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu is calling on people to sign a petition to the U.S. and U.K. Ambassadors to the United Nations asking for a UN Security Council Commission of Inquiry and a global arms embargo on Burma.

The timing on this is crucial: the United States (and United Kingdom) have an unparalleled opportunity to take action. In August and September, the UK and US will serve consecutively as President of the UN Security Council. The UK and US ambassadors to the UN, John Sawers and Susan Rice, have the power to propose a Security Council resolution creating this investigation (also called a “Commission of Inquiry”).

About six weeks ago, 55 members of Congress sent a letter to the Obama administration urging him to call for an official UN Security Council investigation into crimes against humanity in Burma. So far, the administration’s verbal calls for change in Burma are falling on the deaf ears of Than Shwe’s military regime.

Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient, recently echoed the calls of the 55 members of Congress, stating: “Burma’s generals are criminals, and must be treated as such. Than Shwe should be held accountable for abominable atrocities: his soldiers rape ethnic women and children, they torture, mutilate and murder at will. In eastern Burma, more than 3,300 ethnic villages have been destroyed, more than in Darfur. Civilians are deliberately targeted and shot on sight. The UN must establish a commission of inquiry, with a view to compiling evidence for prosecution. Failure to do so amounts to complicity with these crimes.”

Congress and Tutu aren’t the only ones calling for urgent action. The former United Nations expert on human rights in Burma, made the exact same call in an article in the New York Times stating: “The Security Council must establish a commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity and impunity in Myanmar. The Security Council took similar steps with regard to Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The situation in Myanmar is equally as critical.”

At the same time, five of the world’s leading judges — including those that served on the International Criminal Tribunals on Rwanda and Yugoslavia — just released a report calling for an end to crimes against humanity in Burma, and urging the UN Security Council to create a commission of inquiry.

The United States and United Kingdom have an unparalleled opportunity this August and September to help stop crimes against humanity in Burma. To sign the US Campaign for Burma petition, click here.

Black Eyed Peas Unveil Music Academies

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:30:00 -0000

The Adobe Foundation and The Black Eyed Peas Foundation will unveil two new state-of-the-art music and multi-media academies for youth in Oakland and Redwood City, California.

The collaboration focuses on giving youth access to multi-media production tools for video, dance, music and art. Through the creation of digital media, teens are given the opportunity to comment on critical issues and inspire social change in their communities.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug.1, Grammy award-winning recording artists The Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie – will officially open the first integrated Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy located in Redwood City at the Mervin G. Morris Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula. A second Academy will be housed in a new facility operated by Art In Action, a local non-profit youth leadership program in Oakland. Both academies will begin offering services starting in the fall for youth up to age 19. An estimated 200 Bay Area youth will participate in the academy programs annually.

“As a group, music has given us amazing opportunities. With the Peapod Foundation, we want to give back to inner-city kids so they can realize their potential through artistic and digital expression,” says will.i.am, who grew up in the projects in Boyle Heights, Calif. “Together with the Adobe Foundation, we are giving more kids a chance at a better future.”

The academies will incorporate a high-tech curriculum developed by Adobe Youth Voices with the latest professional-grade multi-media production software – including Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection Suite, donated by Adobe Systems Incorporated, and professional music studio tools for a state-of-the-art recording facility donated by the Peapod Foundation. In addition to mentoring in the performing arts, youth participants will receive structured multi-media training in video, audio, photography, design and art, enabling them to creatively express their points of view on vital issues and contribute to social change in their communities.

“The Adobe Foundation and the Peapod Foundation share a vision for empowering youth to address social issues that directly affect them,” said Michelle Mann, executive director of the Adobe Foundation. “The launch of these two academy sites is just the beginning of our journey. It’s exciting to make such a direct, tangible impact by inspiring youth to demonstrate their potential and take action in their communities.”

Following the Redwood City academy opening, The Black Eyed Peas will make a special appearance to kick off Adobe Youth Voices Live! The event is the closing session of the first annual Adobe Youth Voices Summit, a three-day digital immersion experience bringing together 100 international youth (ages 14-19) and educators from underserved communities around the world.

The Adobe Youth Voices Summit at Stanford University (July 30 – Aug. 1) will focus on all aspects of digital media, including filmmaking, photography, animation and design, with workshops designed to empower youth to create media for social change and cultivate a deeper sense of social and civic engagement.

Summit highlights will include: an opening keynote by David Nakabayashi, creative director of the Industrial Light and Magic Art Department, mentoring in creating collaborative media projects using Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Elements; a visit to Dreamworks Animation, makers of popular movies such as Shrek and Madagascar; and a keynote by Black Nature, a musician and aspiring filmmaker with the Refugee All Stars.

Youth participants will document their own travel and experiences at the summit through videos shot with Flip Video Ultra Camcorders donated through the Flip Video Spotlight program. They will have the opportunity to enhance their films with skills learned during the summit.

The summit will conclude with Adobe Youth Voices Live! an invitation-only event at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco the evening of Saturday, Aug. 1. In addition to the Black Eyed Peas’ appearance, the event will include exhibitions and screenings of youth media work developed during the summit.

More info can be found here.

Matt Damon Joins Entourage For Charity

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Matt Damon will make a cameo appearance on the latest season of Entourage to promote a charity he is involved with.

“It wasn’t hard to get him,” Entourage executive producer Doug Elin told TV Guide. “Matt came on the phone with me and wanted to do something that focused on his charity, [charity:ONEXONE}, which helps kids all over the world.”

Damon will join NBA star LeBron James in the episode, which features Damon forcing Adrian Grenier’s character to donate more to the charity than he intended to.

“The joke is that Matt is very passionate about his charity—almost in a stalkerish kind of way,” said Grenier. “Vince [Grenier’s character] becomes [intimidated] by his intensity. He ends up bullying Vince into giving much more than he should.”

Damon has hosted several galas for ONEXONE, and undertaken several overseas visits to promote the charity’s work. ONEXONE is well known for supporting, preserving and improving the lives of children in Canada and around the world. ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and abroad. Established less than four years ago by Joelle Adler, it has already raised over $5 million and created partnerships with major corporations and foundations, such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net.

The episode will screen as the finale of Entourage’s sixth season finale on October 4.

Celebrities Raise Hope For Congo

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Linda St Cyr

Selena Gomez, star of Disney Channels Wizards of Waverly Place, is busy with many other stars in the hope of raising awareness for the Congo. They are doing so through charity events and fundraising efforts for RAISE Hope For Congo.

RAISE Hope For Congo is hoping to raise awareness about the violence perpetuated against Congolese women, increase news coverage and protect and empower women in the Congo.

Selena Gomez is just one of the many stars becoming an activist for RAISE Hope. Robin Wright Penn is another activist for RAISE Hope. Her moving letter is printed on RAISE’s website and details why she involved herself in the campaign to end the violence against Congolese women and girls. Other stars who have become activists include Mia Farrow, Emile Hirsch, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Javier Bardem, Joel Madden and many more.

RAISE Hope For Congo wants to raise awareness but would also like to wipe out sexual violence, torture and other atrocities by using the 4P method; Peace, Protection, Punishment and Prevention. This is the four ingredients needed to stop the massive violence happening in the Domestic Republic of the Congo.

The motto of RAISE Hope For Congo – which is an initiative of the ENOUGH Project – is “Enough is Enough! Congo is not hopeless. There are solutions. Together, we can stop the violence. Where there is hope there can be peace.”

VIP Tickets To Mandela Day Concert Available

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation announced this week that a number of extra VIP tickets are available for the Mandela Day concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The concert forms part of the celebrations for Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday on July 18, 2009 at 8pm.

Mandela Day serves as a global call for people to recognize their individual power to help change the world for the better.

The concert will feature performances by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean and many more. Special guests include Whoopi Goldberg, Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon and Susan Sarandon.

The concert is the culmination of a week-long series of events in New York to celebrate Mr Mandela’s life. Activities include a gala fundraising dinner and a Ralph Appelbaum-designed installation of Mr Mandela’s life and the work of his many 46664 ambassadors.
Both events take place at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall.

Tickets are limited and on sale now. Prices range from $95 to $250 and can be bought online from Ticket Master, Live Nation and The Garden, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Ante Up For Africa To Hit Las Vegas Tomorrow

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:33:00 -0000

Ante Up For Africa will support Refugees International’s efforts for the displaced people of Darfur and all of Sudan as part of its charity celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas on July 2, 2009.

The event is hosted by WSOP Bracelet Winner and Celebrity Apprentice Star Annie Duke and Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Brad Garrett planning to attend. Professional poker players and Refugees International supporters Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, and Phil Hellmuth will also be participating.

“We are grateful to Ante Up For Africa for shining a spotlight on the ongoing crisis in Darfur and generating such significant support for the people who have been forced from their homes by this conflict,” said Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International. “An event like this makes it possible for Refugees International to continue to demand action from the world’s leaders to provide basic assistance and protection to refugees in Sudan and around the world.”

Ante Up for Africa is a non-profit organization that raises funds for the survivors of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan and to support activism dedicated to resolving this crisis. Its successful charity poker event has raised over $2 million since it began in 2006. Beneficiaries of this year’s tournament include Refugees International, the ENOUGH Project and others. ESPN will televise the 2009 Ante Up For Africa Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament on August 11.

“It is important to me to show people that it is possible to make a difference for the people of Darfur,” said Annie Duke, one of the founders of Ante Up for Africa. “I am thrilled that this event has become such a success and that it will generate support for efforts by Refugees International, the Enough Project and others to end the crisis in Darfur.”

In 2009, Annie Duke played for Refugees International on NBC’s hit reality show “Celebrity Apprentice.” As a contestant on the show, she raised $700,000 for Refugees International.

“We have been privileged to work with Annie Duke and her friends and to witness the incredible generosity of the professional poker community,” continued Bacon. “We can’t thank Annie enough for her commitment to refugees around the world and for her work for peace and justice.”

Refugees International is a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. The organization does not accept any government or UN funding to strengthen the independence of their advocacy. For more information, go to www.refugeesinternational.org.

Ante Up For Africa is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need. For more information about Ante Up For Africa, please visit www.anteupforafrica.org.

Affleck, Damon and More To Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:00 -0000

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer, and top poker professional Phil Hellmuth have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament July 2 at the 40th annual World Series of Poker.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are expected to go all in for the 3rd Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Celebrity-Charity poker tournament.

Annually, the largest celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas, the event is accessible for the public to play with their favorite stars or watch as spectators. A full house of celebrities will join Academy Award Nominee, Don Cheadle and “Celebrity Apprentice Star” and WSOP Bracelet winner Annie Duke at the event taking place during the 2009 WORLD SERIES OF POKER® (WSOP) at Rio in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 2 at 2 PM.

This No-Limit Hold’em poker tournament has an entry fee of $5,000 and provides entrants the opportunity to walk away with a six-figure payday. The event allows players to rub elbows with top Hollywood stars, athletes and poker professionals while contributing to a great cause.

Celebrities and athletes will join poker’s most notable players to raise public awareness and funds to support the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Among those confirmed to participate, subject to availability, are Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Brad Garrett, Cedric the Entertainer, Charles Barkley, Danny Masterson, Hank Azaria, Herschel Walker, Jason Alexander, Kenny Smith, Marlon Wayans, Montel Williams, Reggie Miller, Tia Carrere, Sarah Silverman, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Cheryl Hines, Mekhi Phifer, Rob Schneider; Poker Professionals Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, Tiffany Michelle, Erik Seidel and Phil Hellmuth with more to be confirmed.

The tournament will feature a fast-paced structure designed to complete the competition within five hours. Seating for the tournament is open to anyone age 21 or older.

This event, as is every World Series of Poker tournament, is open to the public for viewing and admission is free. The event will take place in the famed Amazon Ballroom in the Rio Convention Center, just one day prior to the start of the WSOP Main Event, the game’s most prestigious poker event.

Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke, who has more than $4 million in tournament winnings, are committed to raising both public awareness about the tragedy in Darfur and funds to aid its victims. As the world’s richest sporting event, the WSOP awarded more than $180 million in 2008 and attracted participants from a record 124 nations.

In the previous events, many of the in the money finishers volunteered to donate half of their winnings to the charity. Proceeds from the event will go to the ENOUGH Project and Refugees International, organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur.

More information about the tournament is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com. If you would like more information regarding the organization, please log onto www.anteupforafrica.org and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/anteupforafrica.

ABOUT THE WSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport’s top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2008, the event attracted 58,720 entrants from 124 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas and awarded over $180 million in prize money. The creation of the new delayed Main Event final table more than doubled ratings on ESPN year-over-year. In December, 2008 the WSOP was named the 7th most admired sports brand in North America by the Turnkey Team Brand Index trailing only the more established NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and PGA Tour among sports properties. In addition, the WSOP has formed groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent in 2007 of the World Series of Poker Europe. For more information on the World Series of Poker, please visit our website at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

ABOUT ANTE UP FOR AFRICA
Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein. We are dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need. To date, Ante Up For Africa has raised close to $2 million for the cause and has donated to organizations such as Not On Our Watch (NOOW), ENOUGH and The International Rescue Committee. For more information, please log onto www.AnteUpForAfrica.org.

Forest Whitaker Gets Behind Mandela Day

Fri, 15 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Forest Whitaker joined a host of celebrities at an event yesterday to raise awareness of Mandela Day, an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.

Yesterday’s event was held in Los Angeles and was attended by stars such as Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Marisa Tomei, Sharon Stone, Noah Wyle, Alfre Woodard and Viola Davis.

Nelson Mandela has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African. The annual celebration is being created to inspire others to embrace Nelson Mandela’s values as they seek to improve their lives through service to their communities. 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation are calling on people around the world to support the creation of an official Mandela Day, to be held annually on July 18, Mr. Mandela’s birthday.

This year, the celebration includes a series of special events in New York City involving many of the charity’s global ambassadors from the worlds of entertainment, music and film.

46664, the campaign that bears Mr. Mandela’s Robben Island prison number, was originally launched to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Working alongside the other Mandela organizations, it is now expanding its focus to champion Mr. Mandela’s broader humanitarian work. A centerpiece of 46664’s activities will be the celebration of Mandela Day each year, and funds raised from Mandela Day will support the ongoing work of 46664 and the Nelson Mandela charitable organizations.

For more information, visit MandelaDay.com or follow at http://twitter.com/mandeladay.

Oprah Gets Behind The Invisible Children

Wed, 06 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

In 2003, three guys from Southern California with a passion for filmmaking took a trip to the Sudan in search of a story. Instead, they ended up in Uganda where they learned that over 30,000 children had been kidnapped to fight for the rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Their film, Invisible Children, is a moving and powerful documentary about one of Africa’s longest running wars and how thousands of people are being brutally and viciously attacked by the rebel army and fleeing their villages without any sign of hope.

The filmmakers – Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole – first screened ‘Invisible Children’ on June 22, 2004 at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego to friends and family of the filmmakers. Not long after, students across the United States were passing along DVDs of the documentary and wanted to know how to help the children in northern Uganda.

“The world knows that they are just a rebel army, but in truth they are children,” says Poole in the film.

Due to overwhelming public response, the filmmakers co-founded the nonprofit Invisible Children Inc. – an awareness and development organization about the great humanitarian crisis of child soldiers.

And the organization took it to the streets, where last week, what started with one volunteer camped out in front of Oprah’s Harpo Studios, soon turned into a crowd of thousands begging Oprah to hear their voices. And she did.

She’s urged viewers to visit the Invisible Children website and watch the 36-minute film. Activists outside the studio thanked Oprah and cheered as they were given a plug by one of the worlds most powerful and influential women.

The films opening credits explain the title: “They are Invisible because no records are kept of their numbers or age. Their own armies deny they exist. They simply vanish.”

To join the movement, watch the film or simply learn more about how to help the children of Uganda escape this outrageous humanitarian crisis, please visit Invisible Children.com.

Usher Supports Nothing But Nets

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

R&B artist Usher is the latest celebrity to lend his support for the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign.

“I am proud to be a part of an exciting partnership with the United Nations Foundation and its Nothing But Nets campaign,” he said, urging underprivileged youths to become more pro-active in global issues. “This initiative sends an important message: youth, regardless of their backgrounds, can make a difference in this world by taking action through service to save lives. Anyone can make a difference. All it takes is $10 to send a net and save a life.”

Chaired by Ted Turner, the Nothing But Nets campaign aims to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Last week, in anticipation of World Malaria Day on April 25, Turner challenged more people to join the campaign.

Pete Wentz Comes To The Rescue

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fall Out Boy’s Peter Wentz played a special gig in Washington DC on Saturday, April 25, to raise money and awareness of Invisible Children, and blogged in the Huffington Post about why the cause is so close to his heart.

“Invisible Children is staging an event called the RESCUE, in 100 cities across 10 countries worldwide. Thousands of people are going to symbolically ‘abduct’ themselves and stand in solidarity with all the abducted children forced to fight as soldiers,” he wrote before the gig. "In turn, every group will be ‘rescued’ by a celebrity, politician, local luminary — someone who will make noise and bring the media out. I will be there, in Washington, D.C. standing in solidarity with thousands of other people so that these kids in Uganda will be noticed. And if no cultural leader shows up in one particular city, then everyone in the surrounding cites that were rescued, will take a bus to join them. This will continue until every participating city is rescued. Now, this could take days, or even weeks, but it’s going to happen.

“I thoroughly believe that after April 25th, the world will see a shift in consciousness, and things will be different. You will be changed, or at least you’ll have a hell of a story to tell. Go to therescue.invisiblechildren.com and watch their new film called The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers to learn more about the specifics of why this is the next step. Then sign up. This is your chance to be a part of something great, not for the glory, but for the courage it takes to stand up for justice.”

Invisible Children is an organization that draws attention to the issue of kidnapped child fighters in Uganda and the Congo.

“They’re a movement of people who literally gave up everything because they believed in humanity. They put their money where their mouth is. I watched the film Invisible Children: Rough Cut a while back, about kids sleeping in the streets in Northern Uganda — hundreds of them — because they feared being abducted by rebel leader Joseph Kony and forced to fight in his rebel militia, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They’re kids. Except no one told them they were, so they carry AK-47s, kill their parents and murder, rape and terrorize their own people on command. In the past two decades, 30,000 of them have been abducted. This is a reality neither you nor I could ever begin to understand. It was one of those times in my life where I was given a choice — continue ignoring the issue because it wasn’t in front of me, or forget about myself and do something.”

The RESCUE events around the US also featured appearances by Kirsten Dunst,Kristen Bell and Ryan Gosling.

Stars To Hit The Tables For Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

PokerStars is proud to be hosting the first Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Europe charity poker tournament, being held as part of the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final tonight, April 27.

The event has attracted a star-studded field of celebrities and pro players, all helping to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Confirmed celebrities include: Nelly, Boris Becker, Jason Lewis, Benji and Joel Madden, ‘Heroes’ star James Kyson Lee, boxer Vladimir Klitschko, Christina Milian, The Dream, Daniel Negreanu and Joe Hachem.

The tournament will take place April 27, the day before the start of the Grand Final. All prize money will be donated to Not On Our Watch and the ENOUGH Project – both of which provide valuable aid and assistance for victims of the Darfur crisis.

More info available at PokerStars.com.

Ted Turner Responds To Ashton Kutcher For World Malaria Day

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Following Ashton Kutcher’s Twitter Battle with CNN last week that resulted in Kutcher donating 10,000 mosquito nets to charity, Ted Turner – chairman of the United Nations Foundation – has challenged him yet again.

“Congratulations Kutcher, your Twitter followers really came through for you,” said Turner in his video message. “But World Malaria Day is only the beginning. We need to send more nets and save more lives. And you don’t have to be [”Bill Gates":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/21-bill-gates] or Oprah Winfrey to make a difference – you just need $10. If 10,000 more people joined the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, I’ll have you and Demi over for lunch at Ted’s Montana Grill in Atlanta. Hope you like Bison Burgers…"

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. While the UN Foundation has been working with the UN to fight malaria for years, it was a column that Rick Reilly wrote about malaria in Sports Illustrated, challenging each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed nets — and the incredible response from thousands of Americans across the country — that led to the creation of the Nothing But Nets campaign.

World Malaria Day is on Saturday, April 25. Ted Turner’s video message can be viewed here.

Nicole Richie Raises Awareness About Atrocities

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Richie has posted a video on her website encouraging people to support two charities in their work raising awareness of atrocities in the Congo.

“I’m about to tell you a true story about a place where babies and grandmothers are being raped on a daily basis, and the reason they are being raped is directly connected to the purchases of our cell phones, of our laptops and of our iPods,” she says in the video.

Richie also interviews John Prendergast from the ENOUGH Project and Kinberly Pinkson from the EcoMom Alliance about the fact that mining of minerals we use in our lives every day is escalating violence in the country towards women and children.

“The number one weapon out there is not guns, its not knives, it is rape,” said Richie. “They are raping these women. Not only is it rape, they are being raped in front of their husbands and children, their children are being killed… they’re being told to eat their children. This stuff is really inhumane. This is the worst stuff that I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Richie has set out four things you can do to help stop the violence in the Congo:

1. Join the Movement at www.raisehopeforcongo.org.
2. Text “CONGOPLEDGE” (one word, no spaces) to ACTION (228466) or visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to endorse the Conflict Minerals Pledge.
3. Send emails to the industry leaders and ask them to be a leader on this issue by signing the pledge. Visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to send your emails now.
4. Call the White House switchboard at 202.456.1414 or write to President Obama at www.whitehouse.gov and ask him to appoint a special envoy for the Great Lakes region.

To watch Richie’s video in full, click here.

Leonardo DiCaprio Busy With Charity Events And Auctions

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

Written by Tim Saunders

Julia Louis Dreyfus is to host the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Gala in Southern California this month, and guests such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert Redford have already been confirmed.

The event will take place at the Beverly Wilshire on April 25, and will feature music by Maroon 5 and Rosanna Arquette. A short film featuring DiCaprio and Redford that outlines the accomplishments of NRDC’s Southern California office will also be shown.

“You can be tough doing bad things, and tough doing good things. NRDC, in my opinion, is tough doing good things,” said Robert Redford. The legendary actor, filmmaker and environmental advocate has been an NRDC trustee for more than 30 years. The group’s Southern California office, one of the first LEED Platinum green buildings in the world, was dedicated to Mr. Redford in 2003, which he said “fills me with an enormous sense of pride.”

“NRDC is probably the most effective environmental organization in the world,” said Leonardo DiCaprio, an NRDC trustee. “[They are] willing to take on major corporations and the government itself to hold them accountable for the environmental policy that’s out there.”

More information about the event can be found here.

DiCaprio has also launched an auction to celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

The star is auctioning memorabilia including signed costumes from his films and the chance to accompany him to the premiere of his latest film.

“By bidding on these items at ebay.com/globalgreen, people will help [”Global Green":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/138-global-green] combat climate change and pursue important environmental imperatives, such as greening our nation’s schools, housing, cities and more," he said.

Stars Call On Their Heroes To Join Rally

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden has joined a video campaign organized by the Invisible Children organization to raise awareness of The Rescue, a global rally that takes place on 25 April.

The campaign allows people to upload videos to YouTube and call on their role models to take part in the rally, which aims at drawing attention to the issue of kidnapped child fighters in Uganda and the Congo.

“Of all the people that I could think of, I thought Emile Hirsch,” said Madden in his video. “He actually really cares about Africa. He means it.”

Madden joins a host of stars who are lending their support to the rally, which will feature events in over 100 cities around the world. Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Bell are both due to appear in events in LA, while Ryan Gosling will appear in New York and Peter Wentz is due to take part in Washington DC.

To find out about events near you or to upload your own video, visit the Rescue IC website. Or to view videos made by Madden, Kristen Bell and others, click here.

Green Is The Color For Corey Feldman

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Corey Feldman’s band Truth Movement is to play at the Key Club in Hollywood on April 10 at an event hosted by Ed Begley Jr..

Green Is The Color aims to create an “atmosphere of learning and communication about the environment, ranging from Fuel technology to alternative sources of energy.” Proceeds from the night will go to Global Green, and the evening will feature guest speakers such as Kevin Vickery – who is the co-producer of the award winning new film FUEL – and a live auction that includes a Fender Squire Stratocaster signed by Feldman’s band.

Tickets to the show are available for $20 by clicking here. To read Look To The Stars’ exclusive interview with Corey Feldman, click here.

British Soap Star Gets Quizzing For Christian Aid Week

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -0000

British actress and Eastenders star Kara Tointon is helping put the fun into fundraising by backing this year’s nationwide Quizaid during Christian Aid Week (10 – 16 May 2009), which aims to raise vital funds for the world’s poorest communities.

Last year Quizaid raised a brain-busting £185,000 for Christian Aid’s overseas development work in 49 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. This year the charity is challenging the great British public to use its grey matter to raise £225,000.

Organizing Quizaid couldn’t be easier with the charity providing packs with all you need including question cards, posters, invites, answer sheets and a certificate for the winning team. All quiz organisers will be entered into a draw for a year’s supply of chocolate courtesy of the fair trade company, Divine Chocolate. There is a similar draw for those that participate in Quizaid.

‘I hope all the pubs, clubs and community halls up and down the country get quizzing for Quizaid," says Kara. "Having seen some of Christian Aid’s work myself in Zambia, where I saw children who have been orphaned by HIV given homes and care, I know how vital this money is.’

In a bid to get even more people quizzing, four new levels of questions have been introduced – Brainiacs, Average Joe’s, 11-18 year olds or under-10s. Just choose which category your participants fall into and then pick from subjects such as sport, music, geography, pot luck, history and maths. The emphasis is on having fun while raising money for a great cause.

To request a free Quizaid pack, log on to www.christianaid.org.uk/quizaid or call 0808 000 5005. Get your friends, family or work colleagues together at home, at school, in the office or in the pub, charge everyone £2, then get quizzing!

Look To The Stars News: Peace

Beverley Knight To Perform At The Big Christmas Sing

Related past articles

Stars Flock To T-Shirt Launch For Invisible Children

Related past articles

Idol Gives Back Is Back!

Related past articles

Kristen Bell To Host Charity Event For Invisible Children

Related past articles

British Celebrities To Run For Christian Aid

Related past articles

Jude Law Launches Peace Day Video Contest

Related past articles

Lenny Kravitz To Headline Peace Day Concert

Related past articles

Barbra Streisand To Launch Massive Charity Auction

Related past articles

Desmond Tutu Calls For Action In Burma

Related past articles

Black Eyed Peas Unveil Music Academies

Related past articles

Matt Damon Joins Entourage For Charity

Related past articles

Celebrities Raise Hope For Congo

Related past articles

VIP Tickets To Mandela Day Concert Available

Related past articles

Ante Up For Africa To Hit Las Vegas Tomorrow

Related past articles

Affleck, Damon and More To Ante Up For Africa

Related past articles

Forest Whitaker Gets Behind Mandela Day

Related past articles

Oprah Gets Behind The Invisible Children

Related past articles

Usher Supports Nothing But Nets

Related past articles

Pete Wentz Comes To The Rescue

Related past articles

Stars To Hit The Tables For Ante Up For Africa

Related past articles

Ted Turner Responds To Ashton Kutcher For World Malaria Day

Related past articles

Nicole Richie Raises Awareness About Atrocities

Related past articles

Leonardo DiCaprio Busy With Charity Events And Auctions

Related past articles

Stars Call On Their Heroes To Join Rally

Related past articles

Green Is The Color For Corey Feldman

Related past articles

British Soap Star Gets Quizzing For Christian Aid Week

Related past articles