Look To The Stars News: Raven Symone

American Red Cross Announces Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

The American Red Cross is pleased to announce five new additions to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need.

New members to the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet include country singer and professional ballroom dancer Julianne Hough, Tony Award-winner and actress Anika Noni Rose, who lends her voice to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure “The Princess and the Frog” and appears in the HBO/Anthony Minghella television drama series,“#1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”, Hollywood Records artist and Disney Channel star Demi Lovato, who is supporting disaster relief via a Text 2 Help campaign throughout her summer tour, actress Sally Pressman from Lifetime’s “Army Wives” who will be supporting Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces, and actress Amanda Peet.

Peet has already made a personal commitment to support the Red Cross Measles Initiative. “As a mom, I feel privileged to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to vaccinate millions of children around the world through the Measles Initiative, a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. I commend the American Red Cross for tackling this global health problem in developing countries, where measles remains a leading cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. I am passionate about this cause and look forward partnering with the American Red Cross to ensure children worldwide have this life-saving opportunity.”

“The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes,” states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

The announcement of these celebrity supporters closely follows First Lady Michelle Obama’s official launch of the United We Serve initiative, a call for nationwide service to begin a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to meet community needs. The initiative spans throughout the summer and will culminate with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. During this time, the Red Cross will promote volunteer opportunities throughout its network of more than 700 chapters to help encourage community service.

“I am honored to be a part of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and help support an organization that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war and aid to victims of devastating natural disasters. Being part of this amazing organization will provide me with an opportunity to join its efforts to help others and encourage the American public to become involved with their local Red Cross and make a difference,” said Julianne Hough.

The Red Cross benefits from the involvement of public figures and celebrities dating back to World War I. Over the years, actors, artists, and sports figures committing their time and talents to the organization have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services nationwide.

This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Peyton and Eli Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, “Access Hollywood’s” Nancy O’Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Raven Symone, Elisabeth Rohm, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, and Daddy Yankee.

The Red Cross is honored to have Sherry Lansing, former chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Group, Paramount Pictures and former member of the Red Cross Board of Governors, to serve as National Celebrity Cabinet Chair.

Please visit www.redcross.org/celebritycabinet/ to learn more about the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

Raven Symone To Speak At Teen Summit

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Actress Raven Symone will be the keynote speaker of the Delaware Teen Summit on August 8.

The event will feature two days of activities that focus on the issues of teens. Events include a celebrity softball game on Saturday and the Delaware Teen Idol Finals. Raven will be at the morning session of the summit, which starts at 10 a.m. and is free to teens (13 to 18) and parents who pre-register.

“Helping teens make positive choices is incredibly rewarding, and I’m thrilled that I can participate,” Raven said.

The Summit is an opportunity for teens and their families (parents/guardians) to be exposed to current issues facing today’s teens. Teens will engage in interactive, open dialogue workshops facilitated by their peers on topics of interest such as underage drinking and prescription drug abuse, social networking sites, and the do not snitch code of silence phenomenon. The Summit will provide teens a voice to articulate these issues in their community and with their peers. Teens will learn information that will encourage positive and critical thinking skills and promote self-respect and self-esteem.

The event will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Wilmington. To find out more or to register, click here.

Keanu Reeves Wins Celebrity Motor Race

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

It was auto racing at its most thrilling as actor Keanu Reeves prevailed over a highly competitive group of stars of film, television and sports to win the Celebrity Category of the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. “The King of the Beach,” six-time Toyota Grand Prix winner Al Unser, Jr., finished first among all drivers and won in the Professional category, followed closely by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson.

Despite enjoying the lead for most of the race, world champion pro skateboarder Danny Way’s hopes of gliding into Victory Circle were dashed when he and Fonzworth Bentley, host of MTV’s “From G’s to Gents,” mixed it up in the ninth lap, giving Reeves the opening he needed to cross the finish line in his race-ready Scion tC only seconds before E! Entertainment Television’s Executive News Editor Ken Baker and comedian Carlos Mencia.

Actress/singer Raven Symone was the first of the drivers to discover – the hard way – how difficult the 1.97-mile street circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach can be to navigate, but the plucky Disney star remained as upbeat after the race as the jovial Mencia, who surprised everyone with his third-place finish among the Celebrities.

It was Reeves, however, who claimed to be “in shock” at his triumph. “It is such a great feeling,” said the new celebrity champ after the race. “Bentley and I had been going at it for most of the race, but when I got to the last lap and came around the fountain turn I almost couldn’t believe it. I figured, ’I’m just gonna go get it.’”

“This field had the crowd cheering through the entire race,” said Les Unger, Toyota Motor Sales USA national motorsports manager. “Each of the celebrities and the pros were hungry to take home the trophy this year, and they brought their best to the show. Throughout training and practice, they were intensely focused but they also enjoyed the experience, which is exactly what the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is all about.”

In the Professional Category, Unser overcame the pros’ 30-second handicap by the eighth lap and held off the scrappy Benson and Southern California Toyota Dealer representative Tom Rudnai, president of Longo Toyota in El Monte, Calif., who came in third overall. The 2008 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race winner, ESPN/ABC pit reporter Jamie Little, came in fifth among the Pros.

Mencia echoed the feelings of the rest of the drivers, concluding by complimenting Unser, saying, “It was humbling to be in this thing with a guy [like Unser] who has dominated this track for so many years, and still he made us feel great about being here, smiling and giving us tips. He was always smiling…even when he passed us on the track he was smiling!”

Toyota will donate $5,000 to Racing for Kids in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer’s charity of choice. Racing for Kids is a national non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, Calif. Toyota has donated $1.7 million on behalf of the race and it participants and various children hospitals since 1991.

Additionally, a $15,000 donation was made in conjunction with the annual “PEOPLE Pole Award.” Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award was given to Danny Way, this year’s pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session. Way selected the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) as his charity, to support ASEC’s mission of progressive eco-education and empowering people to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Way is hoping the funds generated by the “PEOPLE Pole Award” will enable ASEC to build a “green” skate park for kids in Hawaii.

Keanu Reeves To Race For Charity

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actors Keanu Reeves and Luke Wilson are among the many stars set to take to the race track in this year’s Toyota Pro/Celebrity Grand Prix.

The celebrity race has been held every year since 1977, and has attracted stars such as Gene Hackman, Jason Bateman, Rick Schroder, Stephen Baldwin, Donny Osmond, Sean Patrick Flanery, Nancy Lieberman, Daniel Goddard and Josh Brolin. Last year’s race was won by ESPN/ABC pit reporter for NASCAR Nationwide Jamie Little.

Every year, Toyota donates $5,000 to Racing for Kids, a non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Southern California, in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. The car company has donated close to $1.6 million to various children’s organizations since 1991.

This year’s participants will drive Scion tCs in a 10-lap race, as part of the 35th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, on April 18. Other celebrities taking part this year include Adrien Brody, Alex Trebek, Tyson Beckford, Raven Symone, Jon Hamm, Tim Daly, Eric Close, 24’s Mary Lynn Rajskub, comedian Carlos Mencia and E!’s Ken Baker.

More info about the event can be found here.

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One of the biggest celebrity charity auction events of the year is currently gearing up for its launch on December 1.

Bid2Beat AIDS is an annual event that will feature over 1000 items from top stars such as 50 Cent, Adam Sandler, Adrian Grenier, Aerosmith, Alec Baldwin, Amy Winehouse, Antonio Banderas, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Common , Death Cab for Cutie, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hanson, Hilary Duff, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Blunt, James Earl Jones, James Morrison, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z , Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Johnny Depp, Kanye West, Kirsten Dunst, Ludacris , M.I.A., Madonna, Mariah Carey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Raven Symone, Razorlight, Rihanna , Sacha Baron Cohen, Sharon Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Wyclef Jean, and many, many more. Also up for grabs will be VIP tickets to concerts and backstage visits with stars like Bernadette Peters, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Joan Rivers, and Michael Feinstein.

The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity. The first three BID 2 BEAT AIDS auctions raised nearly $250,000, and this year’s looks set to be the biggest yet.

More info about the auction can be found at the Bid2Beat AIDS website, and the auction will go live on World AIDS Day here.

Look To The Stars will keep you posted as the items are announced.

Divas Simply Sing For Women With AIDS

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

The 18th annual DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING! Concert takes place in the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills this weekend.

Hosted by Sheryl Lee Ralph, the show promises to be a magical evening of song and entertainment that will benefit the Women Alive Coalition. The event will feature a host of the most talented women in the entertainment business – including Patti LaBelle, Patti Austin, Miki Howard, Angie Stone, Raven Symone – united in a benefit concert to continue the courageous battle against HIV/AIDS.

In 1990 Sheryl Lee Ralph established the Diva Foundation and created DIVAS Simply Singing! as a loving memorial to the many friends she had lost to HIV/AIDS. For 18 consecutive years, the Diva and her friends have come together to raise their voices in song and commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Each diva performs one song with the sole accompaniment of a concert grand piano.

Every cent of the millions raised through their efforts goes to help men, women, and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The show takes place on October 11, and more information can be found at the Divas Simply Singing! website.

Honeys We Love: Finesse Mitchell

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

For this week’s Honeys We Love column, Look to the Stars contributor Delinda Lombardo caught up with comedian/actor/writer Finesse Mitchell in an effort to pick his brain about gender equality, dating advice and inspiration.

Aside from entertaining fans around the world as a regular on Saturday Night Live (2003-2006), he recently penned his first ‘dating advice’ book Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much and also dishes out honest relationship advice in Essence magazine. Mitchell has also appeared in such films as Mad Money, Who’s Your Caddy and The Comebacks, and proves that there are some mighty fine men out there who are more than willing to help women get along with each other while not dating “crazy.”

Finesse, tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind your column in Essence Magazine? You seem to be giving some great dating advice to women?

At first I think my aspiration was “this will be fun”, an opportunity to get some stuff off my chest, as well as talk to some other guys and figure out what they want to say and tell women, because it’s so hard – in my opinion – to communicate honestly with women. Sometimes we have such a hard time communicating how we feel to people we really love and care about because either they can’t take it or we’re afraid we’re going to hurt their feelings. So I figured it would be fun to be that guy, the one to shoot it straight from the hip and make you laugh at the same time. But you also get something from the advice; women will enjoy hearing it from a man more so than their girlfriends telling them something.

Was that also the idea behind your book ‘Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much’?

Yeah. My book is more of a ‘big brother’ book for all women who don’t have a big brother or who don’t have that good guy friend they can bounce stuff off of.

There seems to be a lot of cattiness when it comes to women getting along with each other. What can we do to combat this? Where does it come from?

There are so many women who make it blatantly obvious they are intimidated or feel insecure or don’t know how to communicate with other beautiful women – so much so that the other woman is automatically the enemy and it becomes a competition now. I’m talking about women who give other women the evil eye when they walk in the room – that’s a huge turn off for men, not just because it’s a jealously trait, but because it shows insecurity about yourself. I think that’s a problem when it comes to a person’s personality and communicating with people in general. Men who have anything going for themselves attract all types of women, so they want a women at their side that can handle a room, that can handle interacting with other women they don’t know – women of different ages or races.

Which women in your life have been the most influential and why?

My mother, just because she was my kindergarten teacher and she stressed on me the importance of education and prioritizing – [she] changed my entire life. Also, the women I’ve dated from my college years up until now, all those women were very special because they helped create the personality that I have now. Sometimes relationships don’t work out just because of timing or you’re too young, but once you get it, you get it. You can get it and be really bitter because someone broke your heart, or you can date a woman and leave the experience with ‘you know what, I know what I did wrong’, and you’re a better person for it. And those are the women you still want to be friends with to this day and recognize that even if you don’t want to date them, you learned a lot from that relationship.

Who do you currently feel is a good role model for young women to look up to?

Raven Symone. She’s perfect. I mean, she has ten times more money than some of the other girls on the scene right now, and you never hear about her getting in trouble. And Scarlett Johansson, I think she’s great.

Are there any male celebrities, aside from yourself, that you feel are making a positive impact?

Different people can know the same person but know him in a different capacity. Now, I love Chris Webber and there are things I personally know about him and there are things I don’t know. But, what I do know and love about him is who has a bigger heart – so, when you see somebody that talented and serious about giving back, the point is, he’s doing it. It’s a huge example for everybody who is in the league (NBA) making that kind of money or any entertainer that has that type of popularity – or every business person – they can really look at somebody like Chris and say, ‘what am I doing, I have just as much money, what can I do?,’ so I think he inspires people that way.

What is the one talent you would most like to have?

I would love to be able to sing. If I could sing I wouldn’t tell one joke. If I could sing I’d be so sexy!

What is your most treasured possession?

My relationship, because I’m putting so much into it. I really believe in it and it’s changed my whole life. So I guess my most treasured possession right now is the woman I’m dating because if something happened to her I would go crazy.

You must have some guilty pleasures?

Poker. And I love to watch the news. I’m fascinated with the election this year. I’m always watching people, whether it’s for work or if I’m just interested, I like to surround myself with positive people.

Speaking of politics, if you were President of the United States, who are the three women you would insist on running the Oval Office with you?

My wife, Condolezza Rice, and Hillary Clinton. Someone who can appeal to my heartstrings, someone who I think is smart as a whip and someone who I think is very political. You can guess which women are what!

If Nike were to produce a Finesse Mitchell Signature shoe, what would it be called?

They would call my shoe the ‘Equalizer,’ because I’m on the same level as everybody else and we are all equal.

To find out more about Finesse Mitchell, visit www.athlebrities.com.

There'll Be Feuding And Fighting Between Celebrities... All For Charity

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:32:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity Family Feud is set to invade primetime next week, when it premieres on Tuesday, June 24, on NBC.

Hosted by Al Roker, the familiar show will get a star twist when 24 celebrity “families” front up to do battle on behalf of their favorite charities. First up in next week’s maiden broadcast are Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T and family – playing for Unity 2 – going up against Team Rivers, led by the queens of the red carpet, Joan and Melissa Rivers, playing for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

During each episode of the new series, four celebrity families will be pitted against each other in tournament-style fun and games, with the winners from each round moving on to the final round — where they’ll compete to win up to $50,000 for their designated charity.

Other stars to compete on the show will include Vivica Fox, Raven Symone, Kim Kardashian, and teams from The Office and My Name Is Earl, and charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the USO, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation will benefit.

Red Cross Announces The 2008 Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:36:18 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The American Red Cross unveiled their 7th annual National Celebrity Cabinet yesterday, February 28, with 15 new members from movies, sports, and television.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk will join former Beverly Hills 90210 and Dancing With The Stars alum Jennie Garth, Heroes’ Masi Oka, Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley, House M.D.’s Lisa Edelstein and Kal Penn, Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz, Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramirez, Scrubs’ Judy Reyes, Everyone Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton, Hairspray’s Brittany Snow, two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, New York Yankee Robinson Cano, NFL star Matt Leinart, and Life Coach Iyanla Vazant in the 2008 Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, part of a mobilizing force to urge people to perform extraordinary life-saving acts in dire circumstances through the assistance of the Red Cross.

“I am extremely honored to participate in the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, especially at a time when we have the ability to do so much for people around the world who have endured such tragedies,” said new member Jennie Garth. “The Red Cross brings help and hope to those in need and has done tremendous good for so many different people on a global level. I believe this is a time when we can educate others and the Red Cross allows for the opportunity for each individual to contribute to the effort. I am grateful that I am able be part of this amazing organization.”

The 47 members of the 2008 National Celebrity Cabinet will be “on-call” to donate their time, skills, passion, and energy to help the Red Cross highlight their important initiatives and response efforts. It will be chaired once again by Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures and member of the Red Cross Board of Govenors.

“This is my sixth year serving as chair for the Celebrity Cabinet,” she said. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a meaningful cause with such talented people.”

The Red Cross has benefited from the involvement of public figures and celebrities since World War I, and over the years actors and artists have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services nationwide. Cabinet members pledge their support for a one year term, although many members of the current National Celebrity Cabinet, including Heidi Klum and Leeza Gibbons, have been involved for over five years.

“The Red Cross is a volunteer driven organization that provides humanitarian help to those in need,” said Klum. “It is an honor for me to participate in their celebrity cabinet and encourage all individuals to become involved with their local Red Cross.”

Members of the 2008 National Celebrity Cabinet will be involved in one of the country’s largest volunteer networks and will promote awareness of Red Cross services by participating in public service advertisements, as well as donating their time, money and blood, aiding in disaster relief, and lending a helping hand to those in need. Returning members include Jackie Chan, Sara Evans (who recently organized an auction as part of her involvement), Jamie Lee Curtis, Patti LaBelle, Jimmy Smits, Marlee Matlin, Nancy O’Dell, Jane Seymour, Peyton Manning, Jimmie Johnson, Rascal Flatts, Julianne Moore, George Foreman, Marcia Gay Harden, Elisabeth Rohm, Eli Manning, Daddy Yankee, Chayanne, Aisha Tyler, Pierce Brosnan, Amy Grant, Miley Ray Cyrus, Kristen Bell, Pat Green, Dwayne Johnson (AKA The Rock), Dr. Phil McGraw, Raven Symone, Niki Taylor, Burney Lamar, and Bradley Whitford.

The American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet was developed in 2002 as part of the Entertainment Outreach Program.

Look To The Stars News: Raven Symone

American Red Cross Announces Celebrity Cabinet

Related past articles

Raven Symone To Speak At Teen Summit

Related past articles

Keanu Reeves Wins Celebrity Motor Race

Related past articles

Keanu Reeves To Race For Charity

Related past articles

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Related past articles

Divas Simply Sing For Women With AIDS

Related past articles

Honeys We Love: Finesse Mitchell

Related past articles

There'll Be Feuding And Fighting Between Celebrities... All For Charity

Related past articles

Red Cross Announces The 2008 Celebrity Cabinet

Related past articles