Look To The Stars News: Randy Jackson

Star-Studded Event Honors CNN Everyday Heroes

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

This year’s CNN Heroes event featured a host of famous presenters including Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez and Julia Louis Dreyfus.

Presented by Anderson Cooper, the third annual event honored the top 10 CNN Everyday Heroes of 2009, and was taped in front of an audience of 2,500 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Performances by Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood and R&B singer Maxwell enhanced the evening, which took place on November 21 and will be broadcast on CNN on November 26.

The winners of the awards were selected by a panel that included Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Malaak Compton-Rock, Kirk Cameron, Masi Oka, Shakira, Ted Turner and Colin Powell.

The honorees – as listed by CNN – were:

Brad Blauser is providing hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Since 2005, his Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed nearly 650 free pediatric wheelchairs to children in need.  
Roy Foster started Stand Down House to help veterans struggling with addiction and homelessness in Florida. Since 2000, his program has provided life-changing services to nearly 900 veterans. 
Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Through creative fundraising, his nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries. 
Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women. With mobile mammography vans, her group has provided more than 500 free screenings in Miami, Florida. 
Zimbabwe native Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young victims of sexual abuse. The organization has rescued more than 35,000 girls since 2001.  
 School bus driver Jorge Munoz is helping hungry New Yorkers make it through tough times. Since 2004, he has handed out more than 70,000 meals from his mobile soup kitchen in Queens — for free.  
Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company’s 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums. 
 Budi Soehardi founded a children’s home in one of the poorest areas of Indonesia. Today, Roslin Orphanage in West Timor provides food, shelter and education to more than 45 children.  
 Derrick Tabb started The Roots of Music to give young people an alternative to New Orleans’ streets. His music education program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students. 
Jordan Thomas, 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, lost both of his legs in a boating accident in 2005. Since then, his Jordan Thomas Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to provide prosthetics for children in need.

Each of the top 10 Heroes receives $25,000, with the top Hero – Efren Peñaflorida – winning $100,000.

“With the recognition they receive on our stage,” said Anderson Cooper, “they’ll be able to help thousands and thousands of people. Through their efforts, lives will be changed and lives will be saved.”

To find out more about the winners, visit the CNN Heroes website.

Randy Jackson To Attend Charity Photography Exhibition And Fundraiser

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Intruessence.com Founder Nicholas Pratley will be joined by celebrity friends Randy Jackson, Sarah Jane Morris, Fuchsia Kate Sumner and others for a special charity event tomorrow night, October 23.

Pratley will welcome guests to a special cocktail reception in celebration of the Los Angeles debut of his latest collection of fine art photography. Inspired by light and the essence of nature, animals and flowers, Pratley’s collection is a showcase of his philosophy that songs, art and films created with a certain intention, encode that energy and deliver the vision of the artist to others.

Guests will share in Pratley’s vision of light and energy in an elegant and intimate setting, with special shopping opportunities provided by the Visionary Eco Chic Airsteam Gift Store. Signature cocktails by Blue Angel Vodka will be served alongside hors d’oeurves by the West Hollywood staple, O-Bar.

A Limited Edition Photo Book signed by artist Nicholas Pratley will be available for sale at the event. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on a unique, couture image signed by the artist at the Silent Auction.

The Intruessence World Fund, of Nicholas Pratley’s Intruessence.com, supports The Strongheart Fellowship, a groundbreaking social-entrepreneurship program designed to help bright, resilient young people from extremely challenging circumstances around the globe develop into compassionate, innovative problem-solvers and leaders that can affect significant social change. For more information on The Strongheart Fellowship please visit www.thestrongheartfellowship.org.

The event will take place at 431 North Orange Drive in Hancock Park, Claifornia, starting at 6:30pm.

Christina Applegate's Charity To Benefit From Celebrity T-Shirts

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Actors, musicians and athletes have designed and autographed one-of-a-kind “I Love. . .” t-shirts to be auctioned off to benefit Christina Applegate’s foundation Right Action For Women.

The auction is in connection with Lee National Denim Day on October 2, one of the largest single day fundraisers for breast cancer in the country.

Celebrities who have lent their support include: Fergie, apl.de.ap & Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas, the cast of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” Ashley Tisdale, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Jennifer Morrison, Carrie Ann Inaba, Gabrielle Union, Fran Drescher, Tiffani Thiessen, Tim Daly, and Melissa Gilbert. The tees will be auctioned off on charityfolks.com. Bidding begins today and will end on October 2. Proceeds will benefit Right Action for Women.

“I’m overwhelmed by so many familiar faces who have designed a t-shirt to help Right Action for Women which is all about getting high-risk women screened appropriately for breast cancer,” said Applegate. “I’ve been honored to be this year’s Lee National Denim Day ambassador and this t-shirt embodies the spirit and power of the campaign.”

Applegate is currently serving as ambassador for Lee National Denim Day which benefits the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). The campaign encourages people to wear their jeans on Friday, October 2, in exchange for a $5 donation to support crucial breast cancer research. Visit denimday.com to sign up.

“Christina is such a powerful leader in the fight against breast cancer, it’s no surprise her peers are standing up to show their support for her and the fight to end this disease once and for all,” said Liz Cahill, VP of Marketing and Communications for Lee Jeans. “We’re thrilled to see the positive response and hope to see Americans follow her lead by joining us for Denim Day this October 2.”

As part of the fundraising campaign, the limited edition “I love life” t-shirt is available for purchase on denimday.com. denimday.com/. Five dollars of every $19.99 purchase will benefit Right Action for Women.

Since its inception in 1996, Denim Day has raised more than $75 million to fight breast cancer.

Stars Gather For Brent Shapiro Foundation Event

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug and Alcohol Awareness will hold a star-studded benefit in Hollywood tomorrow night, September 12.

The private party at an undisclosed residence will be attended by many of the celebrity supporters of the charity, including Larry King, Jessica Alba, Sean Combs, Denzel Washington, Barry Bonds, Rod Stewart, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Lindsay Lohan, Brody Jenner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Karina Smirnoff, Lionel Richie, Sylvester Stallone, Brent Bolthouse, Danny Masterson, Adrian Grenier, Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, Bruce and Kris Jenner, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Cheryl Tiegs, Jayde Nicole, Jacquelyn Smith, Nicky Hilton, Carolina Bacardi, Esai Morales, Ashley Hamilton and many others.

Brent Shapiro was the son of Robert Shapiro, who was an attorney on OJ Simpson’s defense team in 1995. Brent – who had battled with addictions most of his life – died in 2005 at the age of 25. It is the vision of the Brent Shapiro Foundation to fight the stigma of addictions through education, and help parents communicate with their children on addiction issues.

To find out more about the organization, visit the official website.

LTTS Exclusive: Aviation Angels

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Rachel Zeskind

Look To The Stars’ Celebrity Ambassador Rachel Zeskind recently had the chance to find out about Aviation Angels, a philanthropic iniative that has a number of celebrity supporters.

What one passionate man and Hollywood can do in the heart of Los Angeles’ most gang riddled areas to make an impact on the community and the future of Compton’s youth is astounding. In fact, it is almost unbelievable that kids who had no escape from gang violence and drugs have found a safe haven, a realistic hope and a new direction for their future by just looking up to the sky.

Founder, Robin Petgrave

Robin Petgrave, a top Hollywood pilot and successful entrepreneur, changed his aeronautical course drastically after re-evaluating his dreams for the future and the future of the next generation. He had achieved the ultimate success; both financially as well as by reaching the top of his field. That’s when he decided to change his mission. Robin said ‘Why don’t I make my business helping these kids’, and that’s exactly what he has done.

He not only created an after school program – Aviation Angels, where kids ranging from 6 to 18 can use computers, learn about aviation, train as pilots, learn healthy community skills, and even have an opportunity to work towards building up a college fund – but also inspired these kids to explore and go after a whole new future, one that would have never been available to them if it weren’t for Robin and his program. Since it’s start, Robin’s program has had four teens set seven world records in aviation.

Aviation Angels

The program’s goal and message is strong and clear: to empower today’s youth. Today’s youth is faced with many hurdles such as gang and domestic violence, and many other types of dangers, which prevent them from reaching their full potential. The Aviation Angels is a group of advocates that want to help bring these children of tomorrow to a higher ground utilizing tools such as Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and other types of positive programs that will enrich their lives.

The program is partially financed by Robin’s business, Celebrity Helicopters, which captures some of the most intense aerial shots seen on television and in films today. Turning to the Hollywood community for support, a number of celebrities joined forces with Robin to grow the after school program as well as open a museum, Tomorrow’s Aeronautic Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Celebrities such as Randy Jackson, John Schneider (Dukes Of Hazard), Michael Dorn (Star Trek), Christine Devine (Channel 11 News), Richard Gant (Rocky V, Nutty Professor, NYPD, Smallville), Frank Lozano (Producer, Director, Videographer), Justin Urik (How High), Lou Gossett Jr (Roots, Iron Eagles, The Punisher), Billy Zane (Back To The Future, Orlando, Posse), and Omarosa (Celebrity Apprentice) have pulled together in order to help these programs gain exposure as well as to roll up their sleeves and pitch in by donating their time to inspire these youngsters.

On any given day, not only do the children of Compton and the public in general have access to the museum, but the Tuskegee Airmen themselves who drop by to help carry on their legacy and history to tomorrows generations. The Tuskegee Airmen who are involved in the Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum are Otis Cowley, Levi Thornhill, Lee Archer, Col. Charles McGee, Edward Tillman, Ted Lumpkin, Burton Lowe, Jerry Hodges, Franklin Henderson, Lowell Stewart, Bob Maxwell

The Tuskegee Airmen

Until recently when both the museum and Robin’s program, Aviation Angels, gained some sponsorship from UPS, Southwest Airways and Boeing it was Robin’s own personal sacrifices that kept the lights on and the propellers spinning. Now, little by little, with the support of Hollywood and the Tuskegee Airmen, not only are lives changed everyday but also the program continues to grow despite all the odds.

For more information on Robin, the Tuskegee Airmen, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and these programs visit:
www.tamuseum.org
www.obap.org
www.tai.org
www.nbcfae.org

Celebrities Sign iPods For Charity Auction

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Tonic.com has announced the launch of a new charity auction series. Leading celebrities from the worlds of music, film, television, and fashion have contributed an autographed iPod loaded with their personal playlist to be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Music Rising, a campaign founded in 2005 to replace lost or destroyed instruments of musicians in the Gulf Coast Region after the hurricane disasters.

Over seventy celebrities will participate in the auction series including U2’s The Edge, former President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Beyoncé Knowles, Cher, Donna Karan, Warren Buffett, Christy Turlington, Britney Spears, Michael Stipe, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Ben Affleck, Ellen DeGeneres, Estelle, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Scarlett Johansson, Peter Wentz, Randy Jackson, will.i.am, Kevin Bacon, Gisele Bundchen, Marc Jacobs, Ed Burns, Samantha Ronson, Nick Lachey, Petra Nemcova, Mandy Moore and many others.

Each celebrity was given a new iPod which they each autographed and Tonic pre-loaded with a playlist of ten to twenty of the celebrities’ favorite songs. Beginning February 12 between one and five separate iPod auctions will simultaneously launch every week on eBay; playlists will be revealed to the public on both tonic.com and eBay when auctions are launched.

“Music Rising is honored to be the charitable beneficiary of Tonic’s innovative iPod auction series,” said Bob Ezrin, Co-founder of Music Rising. “My visits to New Orleans gave me a firsthand look at the devastation which tragically destroyed the lives of thousands. Every person who wins an iPod bid will directly be helping ensure that one of the Gulf Coast’s greatest assets, its music, will rise again.”

“Everyone who has ever wondered what songs their favorite celebrities listen to in their home or on the road won’t have to wonder much longer,” said Pankaj Shah, CEO and Founder of Tonic. “We’ve compiled pre-loaded, autographed iPods from countless iconic celebrities to share with the public. By bidding on an autographed iPod, you’ll be helping to aid in the continued rebirth of the Gulf Coast Region. The Celebrity iPod Auction Series is Tonic’s first major campaign of 2009 to offer consumers an opportunity to create social good and we’re thrilled to rally people behind a great cause.”

Beyoncé Gets Help from Her Sister For Charity Concert

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Beyoncé Knowles will join her sister Solange on stage next week for a concert to benefit victims of Hurricane Ike.

The Hope For The Holidays concert will take place at the Houston House of Blues on December 9, with proceeds being distributed by the Survivor Foundation to hurricane victims in Texas.

‘It is an honor for our family to be able to give back to our hometown with a holiday concert that will air on Fuse,’ said the sisters’ father and manager Mathew Knowles. ‘Tina [their mother] grew up in Galveston and still has family and friends there, and we’re fortunate to bring Beyonce and Solange together to support the efforts of The Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund through the Survivor Foundation.’

The one hour concert special will premiere exclusively on Fuse on Sunday, December 21st, at 10PM ET.

The concert follows a special gala being held in Hollywood later tonight, December 4. Watering The Seeds of Life: A Benefit for the Victims of Hurricane Ike will be held at The Kress on Hollywood Blvd. Joining Beyonce at the event are stars such as Dane Cook, Roddy Piper, Ariel Teal Toombs, Tom Green, Ryan Cabrera, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Randy Jackson, Josh Henderson, Jay Advis, Alan Thicke and many others.

Randy Jackson To Host Webcast Chat On Diabetes

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Amercian Idol’s Randy Jackson is to host a special live Web event about Type 2 Diabetes.

The music industry veteran – who suffers from diabetes – will join Dan Jones, the immediate-past president of the American Heart Association, to host a live webcast to share information and offer advice on how to better manage type 2 diabetes.

During this session, Randy Jackson and Dr. Jones will discuss information on type 2 diabetes and its link to cardiovascular disease, Randy Jackson’s personal struggle with type 2 diabetes, their involvement in The Heart of Diabetes campaign, tips on how to better manage type 2 diabetes, and educational information and tools available through The Heart of Diabetes program.

2008 marks the second year Jackson has teamed up with the American Heart Association to encourage people with type 2 diabetes to enroll in The Heart of Diabetes campaign.

“I know first hand the impact this difficult disease can have on someone’s life,” Jackson said. “That’s why I’m encouraging folks to log onto IKnowDiabetes.org and enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program. When they enroll, they will learn more about how I personally manage type 2 diabetes and get some great educational information and tools to help them manage their disease more successfully.”

For the past seven years, The Heart of Diabetes campaign has educated the public about the connection between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for those with type 2 diabetes.

“People with type 2 diabetes may feel overwhelmed by the many lifestyle changes they need to make in order to effectively manage the disease,” said Dan Jones. “The aim of The Heart of Diabetes program is to offer people easy-to-follow information and advice for how to best work with their healthcare provider to establish a treatment plan and get one step closer to achieving their own individual treatment goals.”

The live webcast takes place on October 14. Visit the Heart of Diabetes website to register.

Melissa Etheridge, Kelsey Grammar, Matthew Perry - A Week Of Charity Events

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Is the change of seasons bringing you down? Are you bored with waiting for winter to roll in (or, for you in the Southern Hemisphere, are you getting impatient for summer to hit)? Well, this week sees three great events to put a “spring” in your step.

Later tonight, September 30, singer and breast cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge is kicking off the Hard Rock Café’s month-long Pinktober campaign with a show in Universal City.

Pinktober is the ninth annual breast cancer awareness campaign launched by Hard Rock Café, and will feature special Pinktober parties and live music events at Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels around the world raising awareness and money for local, national, and international charities, such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A huge range of music events are listed on the official Pinktober website, as well as awesome pink merchandise. Hard Rock Hotels will also be donating 25% of every room rate to breast cancer research.

After a late night tonight, you’ll have to be up early in the morning to catch the USO of Greater Los Angeles’ Fourth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament. The event – to be played at Trump National Golf Club, One Oceans Trail
Drive, Palos Verdes – will feature a range of familiar faces, including Kelsey Grammar, Home Improvement’s Richard Karn, John Ratzenberger, Michael Reagan, Mickey Dolenz, and Kevin Farley.

Tee Off is at 8:30am, and the event will raise funds and support operational programs at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX and the USO Centers at Palm Springs and Ontario, California International Airport. These USO Centers serve as recreation and service areas for American troops and their families on the move to and from duty stations worldwide. The centers serve more than 55,000 troops annually and have been increasingly active due to the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And finally, keep your calendars open for Saturday, October 4. That’s the night of the 11th Annual Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner and Concert, hosted by Matthew Perry.

The evening will take place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and promises to feature a talented line-up of performing musical guests, including Ed and Dean Roland of Collective Soul, Terri Nunn of Berlin, and many more. Guests expected to attend the event, chaired by Randy Jackson, include Joely Fisher, Brad Garrett, Bianca Kajilich, Sara Rue, John Schneider, and Bradley Whitford.

Due to the new venue hosting this year’s event, concert only tickets are available at an affordable price which includes a California wine tasting party. All guests will have the chance to enter the draw for three luxurious vacation giveaways, as well as a diamond raffle where one lucky drinker will win a diamond from Simon G. Jewelry!

For more info – and tickets – visit the Lili Claire Foundation website.

American Idol Announces Second Annual Charity Show

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:37:27 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

American Idol fans and readers of Look To The Stars should mark April 9 in their diaries, as that is the date set for the second annual “Idol Gives Back” charity show.

The Fox Network announced the date yesterday, and the guest lineup already includes Bono, Brad Pitt, Miley Ray Cyrus, Fergie, Carrie Underwood, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox, Reese Witherspoon, Snoop Dogg, and Chris Daughtry, with more names to be added in the next few weeks.

Last year’s show, emceed by Ellen DeGeneres, raised a phenomenal $76 million to benefit underprivileged children in America and overseas.

American Idol is fast becoming a vehicle for good deeds. In 2007, former Idol winner Carrie Underwood visited children in Johannesburg, Clay Aiken took a trip to Mexico with UNICEF, and Idol judge Randy Jackson toured New Orleans and the region devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Jackson worked with programs backed by Save the Children, and because of that trip has been named the organization’s first U.S. programs ambassador.

Mark Shriver, managing director of US programs for Save the Children, said “Idol Gives Back” is crucial for raising awareness about children in poverty and quickly provides money to programs that help.

“American Idol is fantastic for raising the visibility of poverty in the U.S.,” he said.

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