Look To The Stars News: Environment

Streisand Stages Comeback for Charity

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 21:49:50 +0000

Six years after a sell-out farewell concert, Barbra Streisand has announced that she will stage a 20-show charity tour of the United States in October.

Via her own Streisand Foundation, the singer plans to donate millions of dollars to environmental, education and women’s health organisations.

Her previous two scheduled concerts in 2000 at Madison Square Garden grossed over $14 million.

Explaining her return to the limelight, Streisand said, "The increasingly urgent need for private citizen support to combat dangerous climate change, along with education and health issues was the prime reason I decided to tour again.

“This will allow me to direct funds and awareness to causes that I care deeply about.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/80-streisand-stages-comeback-for-charity

Jackie Chan Reveals Charity Will

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 21:56:08 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

While at a press conference to raise awareness of the endangered South China tiger, Jackie Chan announced that he has bequeathed half of his fortune to charity.

“I admire the efforts by Buffett and Gates to help those in need a lot,” Chan said. “Like Buffett and Gates, I want to help people, but I don’t have as much money as they do.”

The action hero founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation in 1988, and it is this charity that will benefit from the will. Originally started to help needy children, the organization has since branched out to help victims of natural disasters, provide special medical care, and support the performing arts.

Earlier this year Chan was named by Forbes as one of the world’s 10 most generous celebrities. Recognising the 52-year-old’s passion for charitable causes, celebrities such as Tom Cruise have contributed funds to the Foundation.

Though constantly busy with film work, Chan also commits a large amount of his time to a number of other charities.

Save China's Tigers founder Li Quan said, “The tigers are very lucky to have the support of Jackie, who cares deeply about the Chinese tiger, which is on the brink of extinction. With less than 100 Chinese tigers remaining urgent action is required. Jackie hopes the poster campaign can raise much needed funds to help the tigers.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/86-jackie-chan-reveals-charity-will

Streisand Donates $1M to Climate Change Initiative

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:22:02 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Singer Barbra Streisand announced this week that she will donate $1M to former president Bill Clinton’s favourite charity, the Climate Change Initiative.

The initiative – part of the Clinton Foundation – aims to bring together a consortium of major cities around the world to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Streisand has been funding global climate change efforts since the late 80s, and she recently announced an October tour in aid of charity.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/100-streisand-donates-1m-to-climate-change-initiative

How To Make A Charity Quilt

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:36:58 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Canadian singer Nelly Furtado plans to raise funds for environmental group The Land Conservancy by auctioning a handmade patchwork quilt.

Furtado will make the centre square, and she is asking her fans to contribute their own creations for the rest of the project. Those fans whose panels are included in the quilt will receive an autographed photo of the singer.

More information is available at NellyFurtado.com.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/101-how-to-make-a-charity-quilt

How a trip to Africa changed Michelle Wright's life

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:16:14 +0000

Written by Greg Hitchcock

Canadian-born Michelle Wright's latest record Everything and More is clearly one of the happiest, most filled-with-gratitude country-ish albums you’ll hear.

Ironically, it came together when the 45-year-old singer and
songwriter, who has sold more than two million records, gave up her ambition to become an even bigger country star after getting involved with World Vision in 2002, when she went to Zambia and saw the AIDS crisis first-hand.

In June of 2002, Wright traveled to Zambia to film a television special for World Vision, the child sponsorship organization. It was a life-changing experience for her; Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and in some areas over 60 percent of the Zambian population is HIV positive.

“It’s changed my life. I saw first-hand how privileged I am,” Wright says on her mobile just outside Saint John, NB.

“For a long time, all I could focus on was my career, fighting the good fight by selling a million records, paying the mortgage and the good people that work with me,” she said.

Wright said all that changed for her after she went to the African
relief camps and saw massive suffering on an unimaginable scale. After that experience, she said she had to rethink her whole mission in life.

“I still have a lot of responsibilities here but now what is really
important to me is coming from a different place in my heart,” Wright said.“It’s so important, I usually have a World Vision sponsorship table at all my concerts.”

Wright followed up her Zambian experience with a trip to Honduras for World Vision in June 2004. She now sponsors both a Zambian child and a Honduran child, and continues to help out World Vision whenever and wherever she can.

Wright is no stranger to charity. She was the Honorary Chairperson for “Operation C.A.T. Scan”, a fundraising campaign that raised almost two million dollars for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham, Ontario (the hospital where Wright was born). The campaign raised money for the hospital to purchase its first C.A.T. Scan machine.

She was also Celebrity Spokeswoman for the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games and contributed to the Power of Peace CD celebrating the 50th anniversary of CARE.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/111-how-a-trip-to-africa-changed-michelle-wrights-life

Steve Irwin Killed While Filming

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 19:30:29 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Conservationist Steve Irwin, died today after being fatally pierced through the heart by a stingray barb.

“Today the world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest Dad’s on the planet. He died doing what he loved best, he left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind, he would’ve said ‘crocs rule’,” said John Stainton, a close friend and producer of Steve Irwin’s Film Company, Best Picture.

“He was one of my best, closest friends, we’ve been together for 20 years, we’ve been shooting documentaries for fifteen years, I’ve never known a more professional man in my life and a more passionate person on wildlife and conservation issues,” Stainton said.

Discovery Communications founder and chairman John Hendricks commented, “Steve was a larger-than-life force. He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe.”

Irwin’s show, “Crocodile Hunter” aired on the company’s Animal Planet network, and the company is now looking at creating the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund to support wildlife protection, education and conservation, as well as aid Irwin’s Australia Zoo and provide educational support for his children.

Irwin founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, which later became Wildlife Warriors Worldwide. He is survived by his wife, Terri and his two children, Bindi (8) and Bob (2 1/2).

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/113-steve-irwin-killed-while-filming

Irwin supporters give $1.5m to charity

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:49:59 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Following the death of popular Australian wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Steve Irwin on 4th September, an estimated 300m viewers worldwide watched the televised memorial service.

50,000 fans showed their support directly by pledging time or money to Irwin’s conservation charity Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, donating a total of 1.5m Australian Dollars.

The charity’s executive manager Michael Hornby, said that while the donations have been overwhelming, it is sad that it has taken his friend’s death to bring the issue to the fore.

“So many new people have got engaged for the first time,” he said.

“That gives us a sense, I guess, of authority or conviction that we can go and talk to decision makers now and let them know that environmental issues are now on top of the agenda because Steve made it that way.”

Hornby added, “We need to make sure that we provide sustainable programs that make the most impact on our environment for the better for the future.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/123-irwin-supporters-give-1-5m-to-charity

Pitt and Jolie Donate Millions to Charities

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

Written by Myrlia Purcell

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

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

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

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

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

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/124-pitt-and-jolie-donate-millions-to-charities

Google.org Operating as a For-Profit Charitable Organization

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:09:47 +0000

Written by Robert Powers

Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have brought together all of their company’s charitable efforts in the form of Google.org, an organization that works to solve problems associated with poverty, disease, and the environment worldwide while simultaneously relying on a for-profit business model.

Officially founded at the end of 2004, after Google’s stock began to be traded publicly, Google.org – the self-described “philanthropic-arm of Google” according to its website – has since made $7 million in investments and grants as of September 15, 2006, and was recently reported to have been given a $1 billion start-up fund.

The philanthropy’s unorthodox for-profit status means that the company will have to pay taxes, but would allow for greater freedom when it came to implementing a company project.

One of Google.org’s first projects to have been announced is the development of a hybrid car that runs on a mileage of at least 100 mpg. Given the for-profit status of Google.org, the organization would be able to pay for the car’s design, form a company to sell the cars, ensure financing by forming partnerships with venture capitalists, and would even be able to hire lobbyists to persuade members of Congress to pass laws that would grant tax credits to consumers that purchase the hybrid cars.

Though if you’re worried about what a for-profit mentality might do to a charitable organization, Larry Brilliant, executive director of Google.org, told The New York Times, “We’re not doing it for the profit.” He mentioned that while he would like company projects to turn a profit, it wouldn’t really matter if they didn’t. “If we didn’t get our capital back, so what? The emphasis is on social returns, not economic returns.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/137-google-org-operating-as-a-for-profit-charitable-organization

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Sachs Appeal - Who is Jeffrey Sachs?

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

Written by Myrlia Purcell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/139-sachs-appeal---who-is-jeffrey-sachs

Charity Founded by Steve Irwin to Sell Wristbands Benefiting Wildlife

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 07:12:09 +0000

Written by Robert Powers

Though Steve Irwin was tragically killed in September diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, his legacy will live on in charities that work to help save endangered wildlife.

The charity he co-founded in 2002 with his wife, Teri, the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide (WWW), has announced a plan to sell green wristbands with the words “Wildlife Warrior” embossed on them.

Michael Hornby, fund manager for the WWW, has said that the planning for the sale of the wristbands had been in the works for six months, but “with the untimely passing of our good mate, Steve,” he said, “I guess this project has brought on added meaning.”

The wristbands coincide with the sale of a DVD that feature Irwin’s memorial services, which, when they were being broadcast live from the Australia Zoo, could be seen worldwide.

All proceeds from the wristbands and the DVD will go to benefit the WWW directly.

Irwin’s eight year-old daughter, Bindi, has in a way become the unofficial face of the campaign. Speaking at her father’s memorial service said that she wanted to help save animals “just like he did.”

She more recently called the wristbands “super cool” and said that, “green is the color of nature, and if you wear one it will show that you are really into wildlife and that you are going to make a difference, like my daddy did.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/151-charity-founded-by-steve-irwin-to-sell-wristbands-benefiting-wil

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:32:59 +0000

Written by Charles Harder

Stars and food converged at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood last night for a party launching The Hollywood Cookbook — a beautiful 271-page hardcover collection of sumptuous recipes, each accompanied by a large photo, from the personal kitchens of 20 celebrities and 6 world-class chefs. Five dollars from each purchase benefits 20 important charities dear to the hearts of the celebrity contributors.

The cookbook covers the spectrum of food and beverage, from appetizers, soups and salads, to main courses, desserts, and even cocktails. Michael J. Fox's Barn Dance Chicken, and Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford's Savory Fall Stew are just two of the 107 creative and simple dishes that can be duplicated in any kitchen regardless of culinary skill level. Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Joachim Splichal, Nick Stellino, Michael Cimarusti and Rocco DiSpirito also contributed recipes to the book.

At the event, the students of Kitchen Academy prepared and served 20 recipes featured in the cookbook, each one tastier than the last. This reporter’s favorite: Door Knob Sweet Potato Balls (an appetizer) from designer Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Yum!

Chef Jamie Gwen’s movie-star looks and talk-show host’s presence kept attendees laughing and entertained as the event’s emcee. The evening included a cooking demonstration by actor Greg Grunberg, and an informal awards ceremony. Eric Close of TV’s Without a Trace gave a heartfelt tribute to his charity, Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, which pairs abused children with rescued horses and adult leaders at 24 wilderness ranches around the U.S. and Canada, to help restore the heart, soul, mind and strength of the kids.

Written by screenwriter Jackie Zabel and actress Morgan Most, and published by Silverback Books, The Hollywood Cookbook is a perfect holiday gift (retails for $35, but presently is featured at Amazon.com for only $23). The event was co-sponsored by Maurice Le Croix Swiss Watches and The Kitchen Academy.

Celebrities & Charities: Thora Birch (Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation), Michael Chiklis (The Children's Lifesaving Foundation), Eric Close (Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch), Mark Dacascos (Reel Angels), James Denton (Cure Autism Now), Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan (The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research), Afton Fraser & Brendan Fraser (P.S. ARTS), Greg Grunberg (Pediatric Epilepsy Project), Anne Hathaway (Lollipop Theater Network), Paige Hemmis (Habitat For Humanity), Ron Howard (Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America), Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford (Clothes Off Our Back), Esai Morales (TreePeople), Don Most (City of Hope), Bob Saget (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Marlo Thomas (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), Kerry Washington (Step Up), Treat Williams (Save the Children), Alicia Witt (The Art of Elysium), and Kelly Wolf & Scott Wolf (Camp Heartland).

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/158-the-hollywood-cookbook-launch-party

Kevin Bacon Launches “SixDegrees.org”

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:02:12 +0000

Kevin Bacon has launched SixDegrees.org, a new web site that builds on the popularity of the “small world phenomenon” to create a charitable social network and inspire giving to charities online.

Bacon started the network with celebrities who are highlighting their favorite charities – including Kyra Sedgwick (Natural Resources Defense Council), Nicole Kidman (UNIFEM), Ashley Judd (YouthAIDS), Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes Off Our Back), Dana Delany (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Robert Duvall (Pro Mujer), Rosie O'Donnell (Rosie's For All Kids Foundation), and Jessica Simpson (Operation Smile) – and he encouraged everyone to be celebrities for their own causes by joining the Six Degrees movement.

“SixDegrees.org is about using the idea that we are all connected to accomplish something good,” said Bacon. “It is my hope that Six Degrees will soon be something more than a game or a gimmick. It will also be a force for good, by bringing a social conscience to social networking.”

The game, ‘Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,’ made the rounds of college campuses over the past decade and lived on to be a shorthand term for the small world phenomenon.

Bacon created SixDegrees.org in partnership with the nonprofit, Network for Good, AOL, and Entertainment Weekly. Through SixDegrees.org, which builds on Network for Good’s giving system for donating to more than one million charities online and AOL’s AIM Pages social networking service, people can learn about and support the charities of celebrities or fundraise for their own favorite causes with their own friends and families. Bacon will match the charitable dollars raised by the top six non-celebrity fundraisers with grants of up to $10,000 each.

“People give to charity because someone they know or respect asks them. So charities are increasingly looking to their supporters – not just themselves – to raise awareness and money online. That means both celebrities and everyday people can make an enormous difference for people in need,” said Bill Strathmann, CEO of Network for Good.

SixDegrees.org harnesses two important online trends: the exponential growth of social networks and the increasing interest in using the web for raising money for charity among family and friends. Through SixDegrees.org, people can upload their own photos and stories and fundraise for the charity of their choice with their own charity badges and AIM Pages.

To kick off the launch of SixDegrees.org, Bacon will attend opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, where he and other celebrities will be encouraging charitable giving. Entertainment Weekly is celebrating SixDegrees.org and Kevin Bacon at its third annual Sundance Festival Opening Weekend Party on January 20 at Jean Louis in Park City. At the party, guests will be able to learn more about SixDegrees.org and celebrities will be encouraged to donate their “swag” to benefit charity. Items will later be listed on eBay using eBay Giving Works.

There will also be a representative from SixDegrees.org in Entertainment Weekly’s Main Street photo studio throughout the week so that when celebrities come to be photographed for the magazine, they can learn more about the organization and find out how they can get involved. Bacon will also be feted at an AOL reception where he will tape an episode of Moviefone.com’s Unscripted with Bradley Whitford, a SixDegrees.org participant and star of “An American Crime” premiering at Sundance.

“AIM Pages and Six Degrees are the perfect pairing as the immense popularity of social networking and the importance of individual giving converge. We look forward to building an important network of good-deed-doers via AIM Pages to benefit the scores of charities associated with Six Degrees,” according to Marcien Jenckes, VP/GM, Instant Messaging & Social Media, AOL.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/174-kevin-bacon-launches-sixdegrees-org

Stars Send "Cool" Texts

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:32:09 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Scissor Sisters and Sienna Miller have joined the Global Cool SMS Initiative, and will be rewarding fans who sign up for the campaign with “cool” text messages every month.

The celebrities will send subscribers two text messages a month offering energy-saving tips to help consumers in the fight against global warming.

Others who have joined the charity’s campaign include Rosario Dawson and Josh Hartnett.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/202-stars-send-cool-texts

Hungry For Harrison

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:07:02 +0000

Written by Jill Marie Elliott

Harrison Ford can be bought! You can place the winning eBay bid to dine with the humble humanitarian. The highest bid for the lunch for two currently stands at over $10,000, with three days left in the auction.

Proceeds will benefit the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, whose mission is to preserve biological diversity in the living environment by inventing and implementing business and educational strategies in the service of conservation.

Ford has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for more than a decade.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/204-hungry-for-harrison

Spinal Tap Reunite for Live Earth

Fri, 04 May 2007 21:33:04 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Spinal Tap will reunite onstage this July at the Live Earth event in Wembley Stadium, London.

The legendary spoof heavy metal band, led by comedians Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean, gained a following through their ‘mockumentary’ This is Spinal Tap, and have teamed up once again with director Rob Reiner to support the music extravaganza by creating a Live Earth-related short film.

The short film features characters Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls talking about their “charity” work, such as raising funds to help underprivileged ferrets, as well as updating fans on the career paths the musicians have taken.

To view the film online, learn more about the Live Earth or purchase concert tickets, visit the Live Earth website.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/212-spinal-tap-reunite-for-live-earth

Oprah Tops Celebrity Philanthropy A-List

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:24:00 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A list of the 30 largest public donations made by celebrities in the past year puts Oprah in the top spot.

The Giving Back Fund, which encourages and advises on celebrity philanthropy, compiles its list each year. President Marc Pollick said, “Encouragement-by-example is the main reason for the Giving Back 30 list.”

Oprah gave $58.3 million to Oprah's Angel Network and her recently-opened Leadership Academy.

Of the other celebrities high on the list, Barbra Streisand was in fourth spot, having given $11.75 million through her Streisand Foundation.

Tiger Woods took fifth place, giving $9.5 million to organisations including the Tiger Woods Learning Center funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Giving Back’s Marc Pollick praised an increasing trend in celebrity donations, saying, “Ten years ago when Slate magazine first published the Slate 60 reporting on the most generous American philanthropists, the last donor on their list gave $5 million. This year the last donor donated $30 million to charity. This is the type of growth we are hoping to inspire within the sports and entertainment community. One cannot help but be influenced by the generosity of his or her peers.”

The full list and information about how it was compiled can be found at givingback.org. This site has previously reported on many of the list’s featured celebrities and their donations; a comprehensively linked version of the list appears below:

Position	Celebrity	Donation	Cause(s)
1	Oprah Winfrey	$58,300,000	Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, Oprah's Angel Network, and other groups
2	Geoffrey Beene	$44,000,000 (bequest)	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
3	Jack and Marie Lord	$40,000,000 (bequest)	Hawaii Community Foundation
4	Barbra Streisand	$11,750,000	Streisand Foundation, numerous civil liberties, environmental, and civil rights organizations “dedicated to democratic values”
5	Tiger Woods	$9,500,000	Tiger Woods Learning Center, Earl D. Woods Sr. Scholarship Fund, and other Tiger Woods Foundation programs
6	Rosie O'Donnell	$5,700,000	Katrina Relief efforts including Renaissance Village (a temporary shelter for Katrina victims), day care centers, a rehabilitation center in San Antonio, and a Habitat For Humanity sub division in Baton Rouge
7	Martha Stewart	$5,000,000	New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital for a center on healthy aging
8	Carmelo Anthony	$4,282,000	CAF Youth Center in Baltimore, AAU Basketball, Syracuse University Recreational Center, and other charities
9	Pat Boone & Shirley Boone	$3,000,000	Pepperdine University for the Graduate School of Education and Psychology Center for the Family
9	LeRoy Neiman	$3,000,000	The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to support a Master’s class in figure drawing
11	Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt	$2,415,000	School and Community Center in Swakopmund in Namibia, Daniel Pearl Foundation, Namibian hospitals, Doctors Without Borders, Global Action for Children and others
12	Nicolas Cage	$2,000,000	Amnesty International for a fund to help child soldiers
12	Dwayne Johnson (“The Rock”) and Dany Garcia Johnson	$2,000,000	University of Miami to name new Alumni Center living room
12	Paul McCartney	$2,000,000	Adopt-A-Minefield
12	Arnold Palmer	$2,000,000	Pledged to the Arnold Palmer Foundation ultimately to benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
16	David Geffen	$1,600,000	David Geffen Foundation
17	Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol	$1,300,000	The Gunnery to help pay for a new dormitory in memory of their son Teddy killed in a plane crash
18	Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg	$1,250,000	Boston University to renovate facilities
19	Andre Agassi	$1,070,000	Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
20	Tiki and Ronde Barber and family	$1,000,000	University of Virginia to support the McIntire School of Commerce, the Virginia Athletics Foundation, Childrens Hospital, a scholarship fund for African-American students, the Young Alumni Council, and to challenge young alumni to participate in the capital campaign
20	Bob Barker	$1,000,000	Georgetown University to endow a fund at its law school that will focus on the study of animal rights
20	Gloria Estefan	$1,000,000	The Miami Project
20	Dr. Phil McGraw & Robin McGraw	$1,000,000	Dr. Phil Foundation
20	George Steinbrenner & family	$1,000,000	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for Boshamer Stadium for baseball
20	Tony Stewart	$1,000,000	Victory Junction Gang Camp
20	Denzel Washington	$1,000,000	Save Africa's Children
27	Mike Sexton	$560,000	Special Olympics, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, Children, Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, Ohio State University, and other charities
28	Lance Armstrong	$500,000	Lance Armstrong Foundation
28	Dolly Parton	$500,000	Fort Sanders Medical Center
28	Elizabeth Taylor	$500,000	New Orleans AIDS Task Force to purchase mobile medical unit for AIDS sufferers in New Orleans

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/221-oprah-tops-celebrity-philanthropy-a-list

Elton's Charity To Raise AIDS Awareness In India

Mon, 21 May 2007 13:32:12 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Sir Elton John has joined with CARE International UK and other leading international aid agencies to put food at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS in India.

A £500,000 ($1 million) contribution from the Elton John AIDS Foundation is crucial to ensuring the success of the new Balasahyoga project, which aims to improve the quality of life of children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and their families in India’s Andhra Pradesh state by providing care, support and treatment services.

The project will help 150,000 people affected by HIV and AIDS get better access to food and nutrition, as well as a chance to build sustainable livelihoods.

Sir Elton said, “If we have learned anything from this epidemic over the past 20 years, it is that success is only possible with collaboration. I hope this project will serve as a model for public/private partnership of HIV and AIDS treatment and care in India.”

Geoffrey Dennis, Chief Executive of CARE UK warns that it is almost impossible to fight the HIV virus without effective nutrition. Malnourished people have weaker immune systems and are much more susceptible to infection. To stay strong children infected with HIV can need as much as twice the amount of food that healthy children need.

“The fight against HIV cannot be won using drugs alone. Some anti-retroviral therapies are only effective when taken on a full stomach, so drug treatments must be run alongside programmes which ensure those affected have access to reliable food supplies. The need for food might soon overtake the need for anti-retroviral treatment in some areas of the world”, he added.

The HIV virus has reached epidemic levels in Andhra Pradesh. To fight it CARE International, along with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Family Health International (FHI), the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) have joined forces.

Sir Elton has commended NACO for its vision and leadership in inviting world class partners such as CHAI, FHI and CARE International to join them in Andhra Pradesh in delivering a holistic package of services to those that so desperately need them.

“I am proud that my own Foundation can complement CIFF’s funding of this project by contributing the vital ingredient of sustainable food security”, he said.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/229-eltons-charity-to-raise-aids-awareness-in-india

Madonna Pens Song For Live Earth

Thu, 24 May 2007 15:09:08 +0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Madonna has written a song in support of the Live Earth concert series, at which she will be one of the growing number of big-name performers.

The single “Hey You” is a collaboration with Pharrell Williams, and will only be available for download; all proceeds will benefit the event. MSN initially offered the first million downloads for free, and pledged to donate 25c for each download.

Madonna will be performing in London as part of the global concert series, which will take place on July 7th.

Live Earth was organised by Al Gore to raise global climate change awareness.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/235-madonna-pens-song-for-live-earth

Hill, McGraw and More Become Cartier LOVECHARITY Ambassadors

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:29:00 +0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Djimon Hounsou, and Eva Mendes are among the list of 2007 Cartier LOVECHARITY Bracelet Ambassadors.

The Cartier LOVE bracelet was introduced more than 30 years ago, and has risen to be one of the most coveted jewelry designs in the world. In 2006 alone, more than $1.2 million was donated to eight global charities from the sales of its LOVECHARITY bracelet, spurring the company to create a new LOVECHARITY bracelet for 2007. The goal is to exceed last year’s donations as a number of new celebrities join the endeavor.

The 2007 LOVECHARITY bracelet features an 18K white gold miniature LOVE bracelet graced with the word LOVE and accented with two signature screw motifs. It is set into a knotted silk cord available in various colors, with each cord designating support of a unique cause. The bracelet costs $475 with $100 per bracelet benefiting its corresponding charity.

The complete list of the 2007 Ambassadors and their corresponding charities includes:

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have a chocolate brown bracelet for the Neighbor's Keeper Foundation
Djimon Hounsou has a deep copper bracelet for SOS Children's Villages
Eva Mendes has a navy bracelet for The Art of Elysium
Julianne Moore has a lavender bracelet for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
Rihanna has a sea foam green bracelet for Believe Foundation
Usher has a gold bracelet for the Usher's New Look Foundation
Rachel Weisz has a lilac bracelet for The Constant Gardener Trust
Elie Wiesel has a yellow bracelet for The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

The 2006 LOVECHARITY Bracelets will also be available through the year, supporting YouthAIDS (Rosario Dawson) ; the Salma Hayek Foundation (Salma Hayek) ; USA Harvest (Scarlett Johansson) ; Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television Graduate Division / Tisch School of the Arts/NYC (Spike Lee) ; Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (Edward Norton) ; UNICEF (Sarah Jessica Parker) ; The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Liv Tyler) ; and Mercy Corps Gulf Coast Recovery Fund (Michael Stipe).

Cartier’s second annual LOVE DAY is scheduled for June 8, and on this day 10% of all sales from the complete LOVE collection will benefit partnered organizations.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/242-hill-mcgraw-and-more-become-cartier-lovecharity-ambassadors

Conservation International Hosts 20th Anniversary Dinner

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 07:25:02 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, and Meredith Brokaw (the wife of Tom Brokaw) were just some of the celebrities and business leaders present at the Conservation International 20th Anniversary Chicago Fundraising Dinner on June 14th. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel, the event raised over $1 million for Conservation International projects.

The evening was opened by CI board member Paula Crown, who declared that the event was officially “carbon neutral”. Guests dined on a selection of locally-grown organic cuisine, and were treated to a pre-recorded video message from former vice-president, Al Gore. During his presentation, Mr Gore emphasized Conservation International’s work, and also spoke of the importance of conservation and leadership in reducing the effects of climate change.

The business sector was also represented at the dinner by Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart, whose company is working with Conservation International to protect and restore the diverse ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. Key speaker of the evening was Walter Isaacson, CEO of the Aspen Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering leadership and open-minded dialogue.

Harrison Ford has been a board member of Conservation International for over 10 years, at one time serving as vice chairman, and is now on the executive committee. He has been actively involved in the organization’s design and growth, and has personally donated 389 acres of his private land in Wyoming to conservation efforts.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/254-conservation-international-hosts-20th-anniversary-dinner

Music Legends Bring Farm Aid to New York

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:55:41 +0000

Written by Nadia Lias

What other better way to raise awareness and funds than having a fun filled annual concert loaded with country, blues and rock music? Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews seem to be doing a great job in creating such fun with a cause.

Farm Aid is back, and on September 9, it will continue its mission to create awareness of the importance of family farms at its concert in Randall’s Island, New York. Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival is not to be missed, promising superb tunes from great lineups, 100% delicious family farm food and homegrown fun.

Founded in 1985, Farm Aid was created to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land producing fresh, healthful food for everyone. Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million for the good cause. For more information on the concert visit the Farm Aid website.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/260-music-legends-bring-farm-aid-to-new-york

Live Earth Offers An Evening With Spinal Tap

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:44:28 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A dinner with a difference is for sale on Ebay. The organisers of Live Earth are auctioning a special meal with members of rock group Spinal Tap, as part of their lead-up to the Live Earth concerts on July 7.

The spoof heavy metal band has reformed to perform their new single, “Warmer Than Hell”, at the Live Earth event in London, and one lucky bidder and their guest will have the chance to accompany band members Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins, and Derek Smalls (the alter egos of comedians Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer) to an evening of culinary delights, fine wine… and interesting conversation.

Also attending the dinner will be film director Rob Reiner, creator of the 1984 “mockumentary” This Is Spinal Tap.
“They’re not that environmentally conscious,” joked Reiner about the band. “But they’ve heard of global warming. Nigel thought it was just because he was wearing too much clothing, and if he took his jacket off it would be cooler.”

Bidding for the once in a lifetime dining extravaganza started at $2000, and is expected to eventually sell for over $5000. Proceeds from the auction will support the Alliance For Climate Protection, who hope to auction off other Live Earth memorabilia after the concerts. They have already confirmed that Derek Small’s Spinal Tap bass guitar will be up for sale on Ebay on July 12.

The Live Earth concert is a big step for the band, who are not used to performing at “real” charity gigs. In the past, Spinal Tap has been linked to fictitious organizations such as “Save The Ferret”, whose mission is to provide Ceaser salads to underprivileged ferrets, and “On Your Toes”, a foundation for those who suffer from misshapen feet.

Also as part of the Live Earth events, Rob Reiner has directed a new short film chronicling the trials of reuniting Spinal Tap for the first time since 2001’s “Back From The Dead” tour. The film shows the band rehearsing for the upcoming concert, and explains what the band members have been doing since their bitter breakup. It reveals that Nigel has been raising miniature horses to race, but cannot find jockeys small enough to ride them, David is now a hip hop producer who also runs a colonic clinic, and Derek is in rehab for internet addiction.

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and is being shown in connection with various Live Earth events. It can also be viewed on the Live Earth website.

The Spinal Tap dinner auction runs until July 9, and can be viewed at www.ebay.com/liveearth.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/272-live-earth-offers-an-evening-with-spinal-tap

eBay Busy With Charity Auctions

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:27:49 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ebay Giving Works, the program set up by the internet giant dedicated to charity auctions, is busy this month with an influx of musicians selling items for good causes.

Country singers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw lead the charge by offering a brand new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon on the eBay site. All proceeds from the auction will go towards their Neighbor's Keeper Foundation, the non-profit organization they founded in 2005 to provide funding for community based charities.

The winner of the auction will also receive a trip for two to Las Vegas, two tickets to Hill and McGraw’s Soul2Soul concert on August 4, backstage passes with an opportunity to meet the singers, and autographed photos.

The Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation has already raised over $1 million for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the jeep is expected to raise at least another $35,000. The auction runs from July 4 to July 14, and can be found at www.ebay.com/jeepsoul2soul.

Other musicians with items for sale this month include rock group Incubus, who have made 25 VIP packages available for their up-coming sell-out tour in America. Proceeds from the online auction will go towards the band’s Make Yourself Foundation, which funds various causes and charities around the world.

Some fans are already bidding over $400 for the packages, which include tickets to their shows, the chance to meet the band backstage, and autographed photos.The auction runs from June 11 to July 16, and is found at www.ebay.com/incubus.

Rockers Linkin Park are offering 1 VIP package to each show in their upcoming Projekt Revolution tour – 28 dates in all. Each package includes two premium tickets to the venue of your choice, a backstage meet and greet with the band, and an autographed poster.

The auction will support Music for Relief, an organization set up by the band to help victims recover and rebuild after natural disasters. It was established in 2005 to provide aid for those affected by the tragic tsunami in South Asia, and has also raised over $2 million for Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims. The auction runs from July 5 to August 9, and can be viewed at www.ebay.com/musicforrelief.

VIP packages continue to be the theme with Beyoncé Knowles' auction at www.ebay.com/beyonce.tour. Two winning bidders will have the opportunity to watch her up-coming New York and Los Angeles shows from front row seats, meet Beyonce backstage, and receive autographed photos. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Survivor Foundation, an organization the singer started with her family in 2005 to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. The auction runs from June 8 to July 24.

Not to be outdone by the younger generation, several classic rock acts are also running online auctions at eBay this month.
Sting and The Police are offering a series of ticket packages, which include meet and greets and autographed memorabilia. All proceeds from the auction benefit MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy.

MusiCares focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues, especially those that have a direct impact on the health and welfare of the music community.
One of the VIP packages to meet the band has already sold for over $1500, and bidding for the others closes on July 6. The auction can be viewed at www.ebay.com/grammys.

Finally this month, former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page is auctioning the double neck Gibson guitar he used on the 1971 Led Zeppelin IV tour. This is the guitar he played “Stairway To Heaven” on for every night of the tour, and 10% of the proceeds will go to MusiCares. The auction runs from July 23 to August 2 on eBay.

Ebay also expects to offer a large selection of signed Live Earth products after the Live Earth concerts on July 7.

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/275-ebay-busy-with-charity-auctions

Live Earth Rocks the Planet

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:16:25 +0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They came, they rocked, they conquered. 07/07/07 saw the Live Earth concerts take place on 7 continents, and the event will go down in history and in people’s hearts as one of the greatest spectacles ever staged.

The nine concerts held around the globe attracted hundreds of thousands of music lovers, and another 9 million internet streams – a world record internet audience. Many more are expected to watch replays over the next few weeks.
Concert-goers partied for a total of 22 hours at the events organized by Al Gore to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

“You are Live Earth,” Gore told the crowd in New Jersey, on a stage made from recycled tires. “Today 2 billion of us have come together in over 130 countries… Times like these demand action.”

Despite the rain and low temperatures, 30,000 fans in Hamburg enjoyed stunning and energetic performances by Yusuf – formerly known as Cat Stevens – Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias, and former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. German comedian Elton joked about the inclement conditions with the comment “We’re here to fight against global warming in such c—p weather.”

It was also a cold affair in Antarctica, where a previously unknown band Nunatak – made up of polar researchers – played for 17 fellow scientists, allowing Gore to keep his promise to hold concerts in all seven continents.

45,000 people turned out in warmer circumstances in Sydney, where they were treated to performances by Jack Johnson, Toni Collette's band The Finish, and a newly reformed Crowded House. Sydney was the first of the concerts to open, and was followed by Japan, where thousands rocked to performances by Linkin Park, Rihanna, and a host of local acts.

Johannesburg, experiencing its first snow in ten years, swayed to the rhythms of some of their best known local acts, as well as an intense performance by Joss Stone.

It was a smaller and quieter affair in Washington, where a subdued crowd was entertained by a few lesser known blues and hip hop acts.

The most popular concerts were held in London and New York. The newly refurbished Wembley Stadium was rocking under the weight of 70,000 concert-goers, all enthralled by stellar performances from the Beastie Boys, Kasabian, Metallica, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 1980’s comedy rock act Spinal Tap reformed for the event to perform their new single, “Warmer Than Hell”, and there was also a touching performance by singer/songwriter Terra Naomi. Naomi wrote the track “Say It’s Possible” after seeing An Inconvenient Truth, and was asked personally by Al Gore to perform it at Live Earth.

The finale of the Wembley show was a set by Madonna, which included “Hey You”, the song she wrote especially for Live Earth. She also thanked Gore “for giving the world the wake-up call it so badly needs, and for starting the avalanche of awareness that we are running out of time.”

Over 50,000 people crammed Giants Stadium in New Jersey to join Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Kevin Bacon for a night to remember. Cool rhythms from Alicia Keys and the Dave Matthews Band gave way to rockier beats later in the evening from Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, and Jon Bon Jovi. The show ended with Sting and The Police performing a duet of their hit, “Message In A Bottle”, with rapper Kanye West
.
The free show in Rio De Janeiro, almost cancelled over security concerns, drew a crowd of 600,000 to listen to sun-drenched performances by Lenny Kravitz and Macy Gray, and the show in Shanghai was also a success.

The Chinese crowd were made aware of the International Energy Agency warning that China could become the top emitter of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by later this year.

The Live Earth concerts were a great day’s entertainment for those who witnessed them, and only time will tell if they achieved their goals.

“Thank you for coming to Live Earth,” said Al Gore as the concerts ended. “Harness the energy in your hearts and help us solve the climate crisis.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/281-live-earth-rocks-the-planet

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