Look To The Stars News: Gloria Gaynor

Beyoncé Honored For Charity Work

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Beyoncé Knowles was honored at a special gala on Saturday night for her charity work.

The Diamond Ball raised money for the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, an organization whose mission is to create awareness and generate funds for Miami Children’s Hospital, and featured performances by Smokey Robinson, Gloria Gaynor, and seven-year-old pianist Ethan Bortnick, who was playing to show his appreciation for the hospital for treating his younger brother’s heart troubles.

Tables for the concert cost up to $11,000, and profits went directly to the only licensed specialty hospital in South Florida exclusively for children.

The list of charities Knowles supports is both long and varied, but perhaps the greatest contribution she has made is the Survivor Foundation, an organization she founded with fellow Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The foundation’s accomplishments are many, including the Music World Cares Christmas Carnival that enabled over 300 low-income households to enjoy a fun-filled day of food, entertainment, a visit from Santa Claus and free toys from the toy giveaway. The singer also held a series of food drives before her concerts in 2006 to collect the food that was so desperately needed by victims.

'Growing Up With Loukoumi' Author Grants 3 Dream Days

Fri, 16 May 2008 10:58:19 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

When children’s book author Nick Katsoris released his book Growing Up With Loukoumi he also launched a national contest where kids were given the chance to win a day in their dream career. Based on his award-winning children’s book and celebrity-narrated CD, the ‘Growing Up With Loukoumi Dream Day’ recipients have been named.

The book, which teaches children they can be anything when they grow up if they believe in themselves, held over national 200 Dream Day events at schools, libraries and bookstores where thousands of children entered the contest by drawing themselves in their dream career

The first winner is a 9-year-old girl from Long Island who wants to be a Mars Rover Engineer. Thanks to the contest, on May 25th she’ll visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA to witness the Phoenix spacecraft actually land on Mars, tour the facility and meet a Rover engineer.

The second winner, an 8-year-old boy from New York who dreams of becoming a soccer star, is off to play soccer at Giants Stadium with the NY Red Bulls.

And the third winner is a ten-year-old girl from Colorado who wants to be a television chef. Her prize? She’ll cook with acclaimed CBS-TV Chef Tony Tantillo, and also meet Rachael Ray on the set of her hit show.

Contest judges included the narrators on the Growing Up With Loukoumi CD: Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Gloria Gaynor, CBS News Anchor Alexis Christoforous, Guiding Light star Frank Dicopoulos, and American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis. The panel also included actress Florence Henderson, Fox-5 Anchor Ernie Anastos, Make-A-Wish Foundation VP Jennifer Maher, and promotional sponsor iParenting Media’s Editor-in-chief Elisa All.

The Growing Up With Loukoumi narrated CD includes an original song, “Believe,” by Gloria Gaynor. $2 from the sale of each book/CD benefits a national children’s charity.

More Music Against AIDS

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:26:47 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

After thirteen years of the annual One Mighty Weekend parties being held at The Walt Disney Resort in Florida, founder and producer Johnny Chisholm is bringing the show to Europe, with the first of four European events set to take place at Disneyland Resort Paris June 29 and 30.

This year’s shows once again benefit the non-profit Elton John AIDS Foundation. According to EJAF Executive Director Scott Campbell, these contributions are a huge help for the Foundation’s work in the worldwide fight against AIDS. The 2006 OMW generated $50,000 for the cause, and this year’s goal is to raise at least the same per show.

One Mighty Weekend has grown into America’s largest gay and lesbian celebration. It looks like it might grow into Europe’s as well – according to JustCircuit.com, the European party community is cancelling plans to attend the Madrid Pride events in lieu of Paris.

The Florida event held at the start of June featured diva Kathy Griffin and “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer. Paris headline performers are Gloria Gaynor and just-announced Mariah Carey.

Meanwhile, Elton John headlined a free concert in Kiev in an effort to bring attention to Ukraine’s AIDS problems. He performed to a 200,000-plus audience, including past and present top government officials. The concert was broadcast live on Ukrainian television.

EJAF has funded over $2.6 million in HIV/AIDS related projects in the Ukraine over the past six years. Mr John is also, with singer Olena Franchuk’s ANTIAIDS Foundation, launching a five-year project to help HIV-positive children and their families.

Look To The Stars News: Gloria Gaynor

Beyoncé Honored For Charity Work

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