Look To The Stars News: John McEnroe

Bette Midler Launches Charity Auction

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Bette Midler has launched a new online charity auction, and she wants YOU to be part of it.

“It’s just brimming with fabulous experiences donated by dear friends who share my deep concern about the environment!” she said. “With a tennis lesson with [”John McEnroe":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1182-john-mcenroe], a walk-on role with Steve Carell & Paul Rudd, lunch with Jann Wenner, a getaway to Richard Branson’s Necker Island, the chance to meet Cher, John Mayer, Tim McGraw – not to mention yours truly – we’ve got something for everyone!

“Proceeds benefit [”New York Restoration Project":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/864-new-york-restoration-project] (NYRP), a nonprofit I founded to clean & green New York City. We’ve turned 55 vacant lots into beautiful community gardens and planted more than 250,000 trees, and we’re just getting started, so I hope you’ll join in the merriment by placing a bid today!"

There are also once-in-a-lifetime opportunities featuring Daniel Craig, John Stamos, Melissa Etheridge, Carlos Santana, Jackson Browne, Jay Leno and many more.

The auction runs until November 13 and can be accessed here.

John McEnroe Leads City Parks Tennis Event

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

On Tuesday, September 1, the CityParks Foundation of New York City held its annual CityParks Tennis Benefit, co-chaired by Billie Jean King and John McEnroe. Held each year during the US Open, the event took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.

For the attendees, the evening was divided into four sections: reception and silent auction, dinner and awards presentation, live auction and then it was time for the evening matches. It gave CityPark donors time to bid on some great items, dine and socialize, as well as plenty of enough time to enjoy the evening matches.

Tennis legends were also on-hand during the event. John McEnroe and his band played during the reception and silent auction. During the dinner, Mary Carillo and Billie Jean King gave entertaining and inspiring speeches. Billie Jean talked about her deep connection with CityParks Tennis. She was one of the founding members and was very proud of what the organization has achieved. The speech section of the evening culminated with Carmen Ramirez receiving the Billie Jean King Junior Award and with Benjamin Doller receiving the Vitas Gerulaitis Community Service Award. Ms. Ramirez from Queens, New York, is a 17-year-old who has been a student of the CityParks program for seven years. She gave an inspiring speech about how the program has influenced her life. She has big dreams. Thanks, in part, to CityParks, she plans to attend college on a tennis scholarship.

During the reception, John McEnroe made sure he reminded the attendees about why they were there. While his band was playing, he encouraged the audience with lighthearted but earnest requests to participate in the silent auction and to donate generously to the CityParks Tennis program. He even offered a personal lesson. His encouragement must have been successful because the benefit raised over $300,000 for the program. This is the second highest amount in the event’s history.

The annual event raises important funds for CityParks Tennis. CityParks Tennis celebrates its 20th year anniversary this year. The program is a free youth instructional program that serves over 7,500 children in parks throughout New York City. It is one of the largest municipal tennis programs in the country. CityParks Tennis provides free tennis lessons to thousands of New York City’s kids ages 5 to 16. The program reaches over 7,500 kids in 40 parks in all five of New York City’s boroughs. The program encourages kids to be physically fit and develop self confidence. The program is available to kids at all skill levels from beginner lessons to organized tournaments.

The program has been massively successful. It has an advanced training academy, which offers talented youth in financial need the chance to bring their game to a higher competitive level. Hundreds of graduates from this program have earned college athletic scholarships, as well as sectional and national rankings. The program has also produced two players who have gone on to play on the junior level at the US Open.

To learn more about the CityParks Tennis program and to donate, click here.

King, McEnroe Support Youth Sports Program

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:14:00 -0000

Yesterday saw Billie Jean King and John McEnroe raising funds for CityParks Tennis, a free youth instructional program that serves over 7,500 children in parks throughout New York City each season.

City Parks Foundation’s annual CityParks Tennis Benefit, co-chaired by Billie Jean King and John McEnroe, was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Held each year at the US Open Tennis Championships, the event features a cocktail party, dinner, silent and live auction, and tickets to the evening’s matches. The festivities this year opened with live music by John McEnroe and his band.

Additionally, CityParks Tennis student Carmen Ramirez, age 17 from Queens, NY was presented with an award of excellence by Billie Jean King and City Parks Foundation Board President David Moore. Ms. Ramirez joined CityParks Tennis seven years ago at Juniper Valley Park in Queens and joined the Reebok Junior Tennis Academy last year, allowing her to further advance in the sport. The Reebok Junior Tennis Academy is a free, annual scholarship training program for New York City juniors with intermediate or advanced playing ability.

CityParks Tennis, one of the largest municipal tennis programs in the country, provides free tennis lessons and activities at 40 parks citywide to children ages 5-16. CityParks Tennis also features an advanced training academy, which offers talented youth with financial need the opportunity to bring their game to a higher level of competition. Hundreds of academy graduates have earned college athletic scholarships and sectional and national rankings. Two graduates of the academy have played in the junior division at the US Open.

Tennis Pros Tutor Teens

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:31:00 -0000

Kids in NY were treated to tips from tennis stars Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams in NY last week.

Fans and youth from New York Junior Tennis League, Athletes for Charity, New York City Parks Foundation and Mentoring USA were on hand to learn from the pros at Nike’s 2009 unveiling of the US Open’s ‘look’.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring the thrill of the US Open directly to tennis fans in New York,” said tennis icon John McEnroe. “Providing a platform for kids to experience the beauty and power of this game and meet their tennis icons is incredible.”

A temporary court was set up for the event at 23rd Street and Broadway, where a youth representative from each organization returned balls from a tennis simulator set to mimic pro shots. The representative who performed best was granted a donation for their local group.

McEnroe Serious About Standing Up To Cancer

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Tennis great John McEnroe is joining the fight against cancer, becoming the latest ambassador for Stand Up To Cancer.

McEnroe, 50, has witnessed his father’s strength against the disease over the last five years. In an interview with CBS News, he says of his father, “He’s a tough guy. I thought he was indestructible, but things happen.”

The 7-time Grand Slam winner and Stand Up To Cancer are encouraging men to get tested for prostate cancer with a simple blood test starting at the age of 40. He tells people, “Be proactive, instead of reactive.”

In an interview with FOX News, he encourages wives to push their husbands to get tested, joking that men won’t even stop to ask directions.

1 in 6 men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

“When my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, it was a big wake up call for me. I was really surprised by the prevalence of this disease,” said McEnroe… “I am hoping my story and involvement in this campaign may help a few more guys start managing their risk.”

Free screenings will be available across the US during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, Sept. 20-26. These are organized through the Prostate Conditions Education Council. Colin Powell is a spokesperson for this organization.

“I personally have battled prostate cancer and won,” Powell states. “Early detection is the best weapon we have against this silent killer.”

For more information on prostate cancer and what you can do fight it, visit ProstateCancer.com and ProstateConditions.org.

Andre Agassi To Play Kennedy Funding Invitational

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Tennis legend Andre Agassi, a favorite among fans and players throughout his 20+ year career, will appear at The Kennedy Funding Invitational, a charity tennis tournament to raise awareness and funding to fight breast cancer.

The fourth annual event will be held July 8-12 at Dellwood Country Club in New City, NY. In addition to Men’s and Women’s tournaments, the Cole Schotz Celebrity Match has become a highlight of the annual festivities. The Celebrity Match will be on Sunday, July 12 at 4:00 pm.

A limited number of tickets are available to the Andre Agassi match at $100 each. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Seating is limited and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the tournament matches are free and can be obtained by visiting the tournament’s official website at www.thekennedyfundinginvitational.com.

In just its first three years, The Kennedy Funding Invitational has raised $3 million to benefit The Leslie Simon Breast Car and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and theBreast Center at Nyack Hospital. Past participants in the Celebrity Match have included former tennis greats Pete Sampras and John McEnroe.

This year, Agassi takes the spotlight at The Kennedy Funding Invitational. Known for his aggressive play and flamboyant style, Agassi was a favorite among fans and players throughout his 21-year career, winning an Olympic Gold Medal and a total of 68 titles. He is one of only five male players to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles and the only men’s player to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles on three different surfaces. He was ranked the Number 1 player in the world during both 1995 and 1999 and consistently ranked among the top 10 throughout his career. Now retired from competition, he is focused on the work of his Foundation. The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. At the center of the Foundation’s mission is the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a K-12 charter school located in Las Vegas’ most socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhood. More information is available at www.agassifoundation.org

Stars Go Downhill For Charity

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Alec Baldwin was one of a host of stars spotted on the ski slopes at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Sports Invitational in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Waterkeeper Alliance during the weekend.

The annual event raises funds to protect North American and Canadian waterways, and regularly raises over $1 million. The event was first held in 1986, and has gone on to become one of the most popular celebrity skiing events, attracting stars such as Pierce Brosnan, Christie Brinkley and Tim Robbins.

This year’s event is believed to have been attended by Glenn Close, Beau Bridges, Tom Cochrane, Peter Fonda, John McEnroe and Chad Lowe. Also spotted making their way down the slopes were ER star Juliana Margulies, former Beverly Hills 90210 actor Ian Ziering, Olympic gold medalist Al Joyner, Sopranos actor Joe Pantoliano and environmental warrior and actor Ed Begley Jr..

“For the Canadian groups, this has been the primary fuel for our growth in Canada,” said Mark Mattson, president of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and the Canadian representative to Waterkeeper Alliance’s board of directors. “Kennedy has put more and more money into our groups. The event has really built a base in Canada to bring people in to get to know Kennedy and his message.”

Michael Jordan Golf Invitational Set For This Month

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

The eighth Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI) will be held this year at the luxurious Ocean Club Golf Course from Wednesday, January 21, to Sunday, January 25, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

MJCI consistently brings in an incredible array of talent from the worlds of sports and entertainment to compete on the course and participate in various events – all in the name of charity.

“I love golf and I love the Bahamas, I can’t think of a better location than the Ocean Club Golf Course and Atlantis, Paradise Island for my eighth annual golf tournament,” said Michael Jordan. “January is the best time of the year to be in the Bahamas. The weather is fantastic and the competition is always fierce. I hope to see you there!”

Over $500,000 will be dispersed to the following:

Butch Kerzner Summit Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The James R. Jordan Foundation

Forty additional charities will be designated by celebrity participants.

In its first six years, over $3 million has been donated to various charities.

In 2008 the golfers competed for a purse of $200,000 that was donated to the charity of their choice.

One of the highlights last year was a concert at Atlantis featuring Ashanti, Fat Joe, The Pussycat Dolls, and the O.J.s. Some of the other stars in attendance were Spike Lee, Kid Rock, Boris Kodjoe, Alan Thicke, Stephen Baldwin, John McEnroe, Stone Phillips, Mario Lemieux, Dave Annable, Flex Alexander, Angie Everhart, Dan Jensen, Brandie Chastain, Dennis Haysbert, Connie Chung and Maury Povich.

For more information, contact Dusty Ann Williams at the MJCI Tournament Office: Telephone 561.964.0382, Email: dwilliams@jpse.net.

Family Fun Days For Everyone This Weekend

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Two charity events are taking place on opposite sides of the Atlantic this weekend.

New Yorkers who want to get on their bikes can join Full Metal Jacket star Matthew Modine on his Bicycle For A Day campaign. The 49-year-old will be among cyclists pedaling off from lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport on Saturday, September 20, to raise awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions and to demonstrate the many simple things that each of us can do everyday to accomplish a cleaner world.

“The idea behind my project Bicycle for a Day is to help people understand that there is something they can do,” he said. “In fact, just one simple thing they can do every day to become part of the solution. If everybody does this one thing, the cumulative effect could be tremendous. The environmental situation is a great opportunity for us all to work together to find solutions. Bicycle for a Day is just that – citizens of the world joining together globally and acting locally.”

Celebrity supporters of the campaign include Heather Graham, John McEnroe, Lara Flynn Boyle, Liev Schreiber and Liam Neeson, and anybody interested in joining the fun can visit www.bicycleforaday.org for more information.

A day of fun of a different kind is set to take place in the UK on September 21. The Day for Heroes Family Fun Day will go off with a bang in the Detling Show Ground near Maidstone on Sunday, and will feature British boyband McFly.

Celebrities, artists and the military are joining forces to give families a day out to remember, whilst raising essential funds for Help for Heroes. Compered by Cheryl Baker and Shaun Williamson, the day will be packed with entertainment and thrills. A parachute display team of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment will open the show with a spectacular entrance. There will also be 20 free funfair rides – including the ultimate experience reverse bungee power shot – and entertainment including military-based attractions such as aircraft simulators, parachute display teams and a challenging inflatable army assault course.

Help for Heroes was launched in October 2007 in response to the desire of ordinary people to do something practical to help our wounded servicemen and women. Celebrity supporters of the charity include TV show hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May (Top Gear), Prince Harry and Prince William, Simon Cowell, and Sharon Osbourne. David Beckham is also a supporter, saying: “I am incredibly proud and grateful for the commitment and work that our armed forces do for our country. I support the campaign fully.”

For ticket information and more information, visit www.dayforheroes.com.

McEnroe Mouths Off For Charity

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:31:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former tennis star John McEnroe returned to the courts this week to raise money for breast cancer care.

The 49-year-old battled it out with 1998 Australian Open winner Justin Gimelstob at Dellwood Country Club in New York on Monday to raise money for the breast cancer care centers at Englewood and Nyack hospitals. And in a brilliant return to form, McEnroe defeated the 31-year-old Gimelstob 10-6 in a super-tiebreaker.

“Whenever I go on the court, I play to win. So if I didn’t think I could play, I wouldn’t play,” said McEnroe. “I can play pretty well for about an hour, so I figure I should be able to finish him off in that time frame.”

It actually took the legend a little longer than that to pull off the win – half an hour longer in fact – but he did it with style and even threw in a few of his trademark referee abuses for good luck. He also rolled up his sleeves and pulled at the back of his shorts to imitate Rafael Nadal to raise a few laughs.

“I’m in a pretty lucky position that I can come out and have some people be somewhat interested in what I say or do still at this age,” he said. “I try to set an example as far as tennis being a sport you can play for a long time.”

Gimelstob also acted as auctioneer at a special charity auction as part of the event, with items such as two hours in Arthur Ashe Stadium, an Andy Roddick signed game-used racket, and even a quick doubles match with McEnroe and Gimelstob up for grabs.

The event also included a number of other matches spread over 5 days, and netted $1,125,000 for the hospitals.

John McEnroe To Sell Andy Warhol Painting For Charity

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former tennis star John McEnroe is selling an Andy Warhol portrait of himself and ex-wife Tatum O’Neal for charity next week.

The portrait – painted in 1986 when McEnroe paid over $30,000 at a charity auction to have his image captured by the artist – is expected to raise at least $687,000 at Sotheby’s in London on July 1, with proceeds going to Habitat For Humanity.

The acrylic on silkscreen portrait was painted from a photo Warhol took of the pair at their house – an event McEnroe wrote about in his 2002 autobiography: ``Was I overly impressed? A bit star-struck? Maybe. Maybe Tatum was too. It’s a funny thing when two well-known people meet: There’s an immediate magnetism, because you seem to have so many things in common — not least of which is that you both instantly feel liberated from what the rest of the world usually demands.’’

The sale will be part of Sotheby’s contemporary art auction that will be held during the second week of the Wimbledon tennis championships. The painting can be viewed at Sotheby’s website.

Klitschko Gives At-Risk Children A Fighting Chance

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:36:35 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko is donating at least half a million dollars to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation programs for at-risk children in New York’s Bronx.

The Laureus Foundation offers a range of activities for local, disadvantaged children. Before learning to box, the children learn life skills and values, and participate in academic enrichment programs. They are also provided with a positive place to escape from the harsh realities of a depressed home and street life where absentee parents, substance abuse, and domestic violence are common.

Klitschko’s gift to Laureus comes from two sources. The first $350,000 comes from his fan base, who responded to his offer to embellish the robe he would wear for his championship heavyweight fight with the names of all who donated to Laureus in his name. A further $150,000 has already been offered for the robe, under auction until next month, and is expected to rise.

Laureus plans to use the money for a larger facility nearby so that the boxing program can reach a greater number of children. It will also be used to help fund an onsite computer tech centre, tutoring, health and nutrition education, a dance program, and upgraded sports equipment.

Their motto of “using sport as a tool for social change” has attracted the attention of other great athletes, like Boris Becker, Nadia Comaneci, Michael Johnson, John McEnroe, Katarina Witt and over 40 others who make up Laureus’s World Sports Academy. The Academy’s task is “to foster the development of sport, around the world through the development of a social programme” under the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Bono's Charity Auction Raises $42.6m for (RED)

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:11:22 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Sotheby’s was seeing red last week as Bono and artist Damien Hirst organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity. And by by the end of the night, the U2 frontman had rallied deep-pocketed bidders to make the AIDS charity auction a raging success to the tune of $42.6 million.

“It is a historic night for artists” said Bono, “An extraordinary night in New York City. I am very moved.”

The U2 frontman was flanked by celebrity pals as he led the guests in a sing-along of the Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’. “I see myself as a servant for Africa,” Bono said, “Tonight is about the awareness of AIDS and the medical treatment that can strongly aid in the demise of this disease.”

Throngs of celebrity bidders were on hand to snatch up items such as a steel and glass cabinet by Hirst called ‘Where There’s a Will There’s a Way,’ which fetched $7.15M. The cabinet was filled with drugs to treat HIV.

“I have watched people dying for lack of these pills,” Bono said after the sale. “I actually can’t quantify how many people that will keep alive. It’s not just the money we made tonight, it’s the excitement around the issue.”

Model Christy Turlington bought Francesco Clemente’s ‘Red Flower on Scorched Earth’ for $155,000, even though it was valued at $70,000.

“When I first saw the catalog, I loved this piece the most,‘’ Turlington said after the sale. "It was completely impulsive.’’

Bono seems to inspire the best of people, so it’s no surprise that most auction items were sold for well above their estimated value.

“Tonight we got serious about love, and not just the love of art, but the love of our brothers and sisters suffering from Aids in the poorest places on the planet,” he said.

A work by London street artist Banksy sold for $1.7M, though it had been valued at no more than $350,000; Murakami’s ‘Red Flower Ball’ was estimated at $700,000, but sold for $1.5M; Richard Prince’s ‘Untitled’ sold for $1.6 million even though the top estimate was $900,000; and Andreas Gursky’s ‘Pyongyang IV’ was valued at $300,000, but adding Bono into the mix led to a final bid of $1.4M.

“I’m never going to be cynical ever again for a while,” Bono said. “We’ve helped change the world a little bit.”

Among those on hand to support the cause were NBC news anchor Brian Williams, R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe, Queen Noor of Jordan, actor Dennis Hopper, tennis star John McEnroe, supermodel Helena Christensen, actor Ed Burns and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons.

Proceeds from the sale, which was organized at no cost by Bono’s charity organization (RED), will go directly to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs run by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Look To The Stars News: John McEnroe

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