Look To The Stars News: Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton Reveals Three Green Tips

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Mischa Barton has been doing a lot of thinking lately while experiencing spirituality and religion in India, and the 22-year-old star has come up with three ways she recommends for saving the planet.

In a new video posted on her official website, Barton talks about the way she integrates green living with her daily life.

“The three everyday tips I like for staying green are, one: conserving water around the house. Don’t leave water running for no reason – especially like when you’re brushing your teeth or taking a shower or whatever. Just not to waste water.

“Second one is when you go to the store these days, most stores have bags you can get that are reusable and bring them back as long as you remember them – which seems to be my only issue. I think that’s an amazing thing to do. It saves us paper and plastic and it’s much, much, much better for the environment.

“The third thing I think everyone should try and do a little more is bike and walk places because not only is it good for you and you get out there but it’s really good for the environment, especially places like L.A. where everyone drives. I have friends who drive hybrids and bio-diesel cars but you know they’re nothing like getting out there and going walking.”

Barton is a spokesperson for Climate Star, an organization that fights Global Warming through social and legislative activism. She is also an ambassador for Save the Children’s “One Water” campaign, which brings water to remote locations in Africa. Barton visited South Africa to help promote the work of Save the Children in September, 2008.

Mischa Barton Knits Hat For Ethiopian Child

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Mischa Barton has launched her new official website by posting a photo of a hat she knitted for a child as part of her work with Save the Children.

“I knitted [the] cap a few weeks ago, which was then delivered to Ethiopia and given to an expectant mother who was waiting to give birth in her incredibly primitive home,“ wrote Barton. “The baby was delivered with the help of a birth attendant that had been trained by Save the Children. The birth attendant put the cap on the newborn’s head in order to prevent hypothermia.“

The Knit One, Save One campaign was launched last month and asked some of Hollywood’s leading ladies to create one baby cap to keep a newborn warm during the first critical hours and days after birth. Stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Rebecca Romijn, Debra Messing, Lisa Edelstein, Vera Farmiga, and Patricia Arquette.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this effort to help the world’s babies survive,” said Rebecca Romijn, star of ABC Television’s “Ugly Betty” series. “I believe all moms should get to experience the joy of seeing their beautiful babies grow up and do great things in life.”

“Being a mother, I know how vulnerable a child is during their first few hours and days of life,“ added Debra Messing. “So when I was told that something as simple as a knit cap can help save a baby’s life by keeping him dry and warm, I was moved to act.”

Barton’s website also includes information about her recent trip to South Africa with the charity: “I visited a primary school in Soweto. Many of the children there are orphans or are infected with the AIDS virus. The kids and I read together, I helped serve them their lunch, and then after school my boyfriend at the time and I drove one of the little boys home. Just seeing where these children come from and the lives that they lead really opened my eyes to how much there is to be done in the world.

“It truly was a life changing experience and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with these children. I have every intention of returning in the near future.“

To see the hat Mischa knitted and its lucky recipient, click here.

Celebrities Support In My Name

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

will.i.am has worked with more than thirty other celebrities and activists to create an inspiring short film titled Be the Generation, part of the In My Name campaign to end poverty.

The film, which can be viewed at the White Band Action website, explains how people can end poverty in our lifetime if leaders are held accountable to their promises. It is part of a campaign organized by White Band Action ahead of next week’s emergency UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals in New York, and a host of activists and celebrities – including Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu , Annie Lennox, John Legend, Rahul Bose, Angélique Kidjo, Scarlett Johansson, Missy Higgins, Emmanuel Jal, Wyclef Jean, Kristin Davis, Fergie and Mischa Barton – have come together for the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) to challenge their leaders to keep their promise to halve poverty by 2015.

Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am has also penned a song for the campaign titled In My Name, which calls on world citizens to exercise their power and demand their governments keep their promises to the worlds poor. The song will be downloadable free of charge from September 25.

“We can be the generation that ends poverty,” said will.i.am. “Politicians promised in 2000 to halve poverty in 15 years. They made this pledge in my name, now they must act to achieve it.”

“Governments must be held accountable for their people and their promises,” added Lennox.

To drive the message home, Kidjo and will.iam will perform ‘In My Name’ live outside the UN buildings in New York on 25 September. They will be joined by Queen Rania of Jordan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon, Ela Bhatt, Mary Robinson, Kristin Davis, Rahul Bose and activists from Africa, Asia and Latin America who will be amongst the first to sign their names to the “In My Name” pledge wall.

”If I put my name to something it means I am committed to its outcome,“ said Angelique Kidjo. “I want to see this sort of response from leaders and others with power to effect change. People living in poverty have waited too long and want to see tangible changes in their lives immediately.”

The White Band Action initiative is a global collaboration between the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, Oxfam, Save the Children, and Comic Relief. It is not being run by any single organization, which demonstrates the breadth of commitment to ending poverty and inequality.

“The time for action has never been more urgent,“ said Queen Rania. “Rising food prices have plunged 100 million more people into poverty, and the economic slowdown risks eroding political support for development.“

“We’re half way there, and thanks to people’s efforts and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, there has been real progress,“ added Kristin Davis. “There are more children in school. More people are getting essential medicines. But 30,000 children still die every day because of poverty.”

More information about the campaign can be found at www.whitebandaction.org.

Fashion For Relief A Huge Success

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Supermodel Naomi Campbell took to the runway on Wednesday for her 2008 Fashion For Relief charity catwalk show benefiting the White Ribbon Alliance.

Celebrity models who graced the catwalk included Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole, model Erin O’Connor, artist Tracey Emin, rock daughters Kimberley Stewart and Lizzie Jagger, the Sugababes, Cilla Black, and Olympic gold medalists Rebecca Adlington and Sarah Ayton.

The show – which took place at London’s Natural History Museum – was opened by the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sarah, and was watched by a star-studded audience that included Mischa Barton.

“This is what the fashion world is doing to give back," said Campbell. "I won’t ask people to do anything unless I think it’s really important. I only ask when I think it’s something they will be passionate about. All these people here tonight feel the same way.”

The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood is an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns.

“I do lot of work with Save the Children, and today I was doing press with them and they told me this charity is affiliated with theirs,” said Barton. “I learned up on it, and Naomi is doing a good thing with it. She has always been very friendly and caring to me. She’s really sweet."

Celebrities Love 2 Love T-Shirts

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Teen stars Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hudgens have designed T-shirts for a charity lifestyle brand.

Launched in 2003, 2 LOVE is an initiative that endorses “a message of love while benefiting charities that elevate lives through a range of celebrity-designed products. The company inspires young women to love themselves, and in turn spread the love to others. Their unique marketing initiative – designed to empower women and promote philanthropy – has struck a chord among Hollywood’s A-listers, who have signed on in droves to join the 2 LOVE mission”.

Those A-listers include Monique Coleman, Alyssa Milano, Ashanti, Molly Sims, Mischa Barton, Jessica Alba, Brittany Murphy, Mariska Hargitay, Alison Sweeney, Mena Suvari, and Michelle Branch, all of whom have designed products to raise money for charities such as Best Buddies International, the 1736 Family Crisis Center, UNICEF, the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Joyful Hearts, Step Up, and more.

As well as celeb-designed T-shirts, 2 LOVE is also soon to launch celeb-designed cosmetics, and next year will feature a fashion collection designed by costume designers from Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and many more hit shows.

To view the T-shirts currently on offer, visit the 2 LOVE website.

Handbag.com Launches Handbag Amnesty

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

www.handbag.com and Cancer Research UK have announced a new partnership with the launch of the first ever Handbag Amnesty.

Taking place throughout the month of September – www.handbag.com’s dedicated handbag month – and climaxing in October, the Handbag Amnesty will give women across the country the opportunity to bid for the designer handbag of their favourite celebrity including, just to name a few, Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Dame Shirley Bassey, to raise money to help beat cancer.

www.handbag.com and Cancer Research UK are asking celebrities to make space in their wardrobes by donating one of their designer handbags to the Amnesty. The bags will then be auctioned on eBay from Friday 3rd – Sunday 14th October to tie in with Breast Cancer Awareness month. Open to everyone, all proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK, the largest single funder of research into breast cancer, one of the most common cancers in the UK.

Some of the other celebrities who have donated handbags are America Ferrera, Annie Lennox, Ashlee Simpson, Geri Halliwell, Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scarlett Johansson.

The Handbag Amnesty, however, is not just about celebrities. www.handbag.com and Cancer Research UK are also asking members of the public to donate a handbag that is still in good condition to their local Cancer Research UK shop. Good handbags always sell like hot cakes in Cancer Research UK’s nationwide chain of charity shops.

Claire Higgins, Head of Marketing at www.handbag.com, says: “As the leading lifestyle website for women in the UK, we are in the unique position of being able to reach more than 1.5 million women across the country. 44,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK so we are very proud to be working with Cancer Research UK to help make a difference – not only by raising a lot of money to fund research into preventing breast cancer, but also by helping to raise much needed awareness of the illness.”

Paul Farthing, Director of High Value Relationships at Cancer Research UK, says: “We’re delighted to be working with www.handbag.com to launch Handbag Amnesty. The auction of celebrity handbags will be an exciting way to raise funds for our vital research into breast cancer. We also hope that by encouraging supporters to donate their own favourite handbag, and other unwanted quality items to our shops, we will be able to raise even more to help beat cancer.”

For more information and a full list of celebrities taking part, please visit www.handbag.com/amnesty

Star Goodies Up For Grabs In Charity Auctions

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Television Academy Foundation is offering an array of exclusive items and experiences to bidders through a special online charity auction hosted by eBay Giving Works.

All proceeds from the auction – which can be accessed through the eBay Giving Works website – will benefit the educational outreach programs of the Television Academy Foundation, as well as the preservation efforts of the Archive of American Television, whose aim is to create an interactive encyclopedia of television history.

A wide range of items are available, including bikes signed by Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, VIP tickets to The Daily Show and signed memorabilia from Jon Stewart, a set visit to CSI: New York, VIP tickets and meet and greets to Jimmy Kimmel Live, and signed memorabilia from the casts of Saving Grace, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, Rescue Me, Law and Order, King of the Hill, Smallville, and Battlestar Galactica.

The auction runs until September 4.

Also running at the moment is the Celebrity Bric-A-Brac charity auction raising funds for AMREF UK – the leading health development organisation in Africa, saving and transforming the lives of some of the poorest and most marginalised people in Africa.

Items up for offer include Ian McKellen’s slippers, Mischa Barton’s handbag, Lily Allen’s dress, and memorbilia signed by Noel Gallagher, Will Young, and Jodie Kidd.

But you must be quick, the auction – which can be accessed through eBay – ends on September 1.

Alicia Keys Holds Charity Ball In London

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Alicia Keys hosted a gala in London last week to raise cash for orphans suffering from HIV/AIDS in Africa, and attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz.

The lavish ball – held last Thursday – raised money for Keep A Child Alive, the charity Keys co-founded to provide life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to children and their families with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Guests such as Kelly Rowland, Mischa Barton, Russell Brand, and Jennifer Hudson each paid over $2,000 to be part of the ball.

“Any time you’re helping someone is very important and, of course, when children are involved," said Hudson. "I feel like your celebrity is not about the fortune or the fame. But if you can’t help anyone then it’s in vain, it’s pointless.”

27-year-old Alicia Keys, who stunned the audience by performing a duet of the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams and REM’s Everybody Hurts with Annie Lennox at the gala, helped found Keep A Child Alive after visiting South Africa in 2003 and witnessing the effects of the AIDS pandemic firsthand. She told BBC Newsbeat that people need to remember that AIDS is a global problem.

“It scares me… it really does. Thinking of myself, thinking of younger generations, my brother’s generation. We have a lot to really be careful about and it’s such a major thing that we have to be cautious. But we can totally avoid it by practicing safe sex and, if you can, just abstinence. And definitely being aware of what’s going on so that you know that you want to protect yourself every time, all the time."

The ball raised almost $700,000 for the charity.

Sir Elton John's White Tie And Tiara Party Hits The Beach

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Once a year Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish throw open the doors of their exquisite Berkshire home to a sparkling array of celebrities for their annual White Tie and Tiara Ball, and last night was no different as a staggering number of stars filed into the singer’s house for this year’s much-looked-forward-to event.

More than 600 guests turned up to the beach-themed party, each paying around US$6,000 for the dinner, auction, and concert. This year’s performance came from Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, and attendees included Bill Clinton, Elle Macpherson, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Caine, Simon Cowell, Rod Stewart, Mischa Barton, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Gordon Ramsay, Tracey Emin, Roger Federer, Natalie Imbruglia, Kelly Osbourne, and Jemima Khan.

Sir Elton decorated his lavish garden with palm trees and sand for the party, which raised money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last year’s event raised over $12 million for the cause, and the White Tie and Tiara Balls have made over $50 million since 1998.

Lindsay Lohan Wants You To Swap Clothes

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:32:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Lindsay Lohan wants to swap her clothes… for charity.

The 21-year-old star of Mean Girls, Herbie Fully Loaded, Just My Luck, and The Parent Trap is encouraging shoppers in the UK to swap their unwanted clothes at the Visa Swap Shop store in Covent Garden, London, in support of TRAID – Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development.

“I am so excited to be involved with this year’s Visa Swap event,” said the actress. “The concept of swapping clothes, getting something for nothing and refreshing your wardrobe appeals to everyone. Ethical stories continue to dominate the news agenda and it’s great when fashion projects benefit charities.”

It is the second year the initiative – which involves people swapping their old clothes for points on their Visa card – has been run, and Lohan has already taken part in a photo shoot for the program. Last year’s campaign was headed by Mischa Barton.

“I had such a great time at the Visa Swap campaign shoot,” said Lohan. “The clothes I wore were all vintage designer pieces which you just don’t see every day!”

More information on how to get involved can be found on the TRAID website.

Mischa Barton Joins Nicole Richie At Children's Carnival

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:34:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The sun shone on a host of familiar celebrity faces attending a special charity children’s carnival in LA during the weekend.

Mischa Barton joined Nicole Richie and Joel Madden at the “A Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival” in Brentwood on Sunday afternoon to raise funds for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and there was face painting and fun galore as the stars mingled with some of their youngest fans. The former OC babe sported a pair of pink angel wings for the event, and even read a children’s book – Olive My Love – to a bunch of kids who were eager to see their heroes in person.

The annual event, which has raised over $25 million over the last 18 years, also drew a plethora of other special guests, including Robin Williams, Blair Underwood, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Denise Richards. This year’s carnival was expected to generate a further $1 million for the charity.

Celebrities Kept Busy With Charity Initiatives

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:34:57 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Philanthropic celebrities have been more than busy lately, helping charities through a series of unique and exciting initiatives and events.

Although the current Hollywood writers’ strike is keeping the 2008 Academy Awards up in the air, model Heidi Klum has announced she will press ahead with her plans to donate the red dress she intends to wear at the Oscar ceremony to charity.

The donation is part of the Red Dress Program, an initiative between Diet Coke and the National Institutes of Health’s The Heart Truth to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

“Heidi Klum’s participation helps make this program even bigger, and gives consumers a great way to become involved and learn more about a crucial women’s health issue,” said Caren Pasquale Seckler, Group Director for Coca-Cola North America. “Through the Diet Coke Red Dress Program, we’re asking consumers to help us support women’s heart health and giving them the chance to win a one-of-a-kind red dress worn to the Oscars by Heidi Klum.”

The dress will be made available as part of a contest at www.mycokerewards.com, and for every sweepstakes entry, Diet Coke will donate $1 (up to a total of $250,000) in support of women’s heart health research and awareness.

Klum will also hit the catwalk on February 1 during The Red Dress Collection Fashion Show at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The show will feature a range of dresses created by top fashion designers to show their support of the Heart Truth campaign.

Comedian Stephen Colbert has also recently made a donation to charity, with $171,525 being gifted to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a charity that assists injured service members and their families.

The mock talk show host raised the money through the sale of his “WristStrong” bracelets, which were made available as part of his “Wrist Awareness” campaign started when he broke his wrist last June.

The tongue-in-cheek campaign saw celebrities such as Katie Couric, Brian Williams, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wearing the bracelets. It followed the sale of the cast from Colbert’s broken wrist, which raised $17,000 for the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Another well-known figure to make a donation to charity lately was Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons, who gifted $300,000 to the Diamond Empowerment Fund last week.

Simmons established the Fund in 2007 to provide resources for education programs designed to motivate Africans in countries where diamonds are mined. The donation comes from money raised from the Simmons Jewelry Green Initiative, a collection of bracelets made from green malachite and rough diamonds. Beyoncé Knowles, Vanessa Hudgens, and Mischa Barton are all reported to be owners of the bracelets.

In a completely different sort of initiative, singer KT Tunstall and Blur bassist Alex James are among celebrities teaming up to write an upcoming children’s book for charity.

The musicians will join a host of stars recruited by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for the initiative. Each celebrity will write ten lines of the story before passing it on to the next person to continue.

The final product will be revealed in a one-off reading session before being auctioned off later in the year.

And finally, British television personality Jonathan Ross has challenged comedian Jimmy Carr to a celebrity doubles tennis match that will see the entertainers paired up with 1997 US Open finalist Greg Rusedski and 1987 Wimbledon winner Pat Cash.

The match – which will take place at London’s Albert Hall on March 14 – is part of Sport Relief 2008, a fundraising initiative from Comic Relief. Money raised will go towards helping vulnerable people living in the UK and the world’s poorest countries.

Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Hailed For Charity Work

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:54:20 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

The stars came out in early September not only to celebrate the marking of the 75th anniversary of Save the Children but to hail the former U.S. Commanders in Chief George Bush Sr and Bill Clinton for their humanitarian efforts worldwide. The specific work recognized was the presidents’ efforts to raise money for the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Katrina.

Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was also recognized. The foundation has given $110 million to Save the Children over 11 years in an effort to help reduce child mortality rates in 18 developing countries, said Foundation spokesman Mike Kiernan. Save the Children was created in 1932 to ensure the well-being of children worldwide, including 12 and more than 50 countries.

Academy Award-nominated Samuel L. Jackson was the master of ceremonies at the event, which took place in a tent outside of the renowned Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. A long list of dignitaries and a who’s who of Hollywood attended the event, including Julianne Moore, Drew Carey, Mischa Barton, Edie Falco, and Blythe Danner. Representing Save The Children on the night were Mark Kennedy Shriver, vice president and managing director of the charity’s U.S. programs, and Charles MacCormack, president and CEO.

The evening also featured Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a group of musician who lived in refugee camps after fleeing the tumultuous environment of their homeland. The band’s leader, Reuben Koroma, worked with Save the Children in the camps where he encouraged the children to express their experiences through music and dance.

The work of Save the Children has made significant inroads in countries around the world. The organization states that most children are polio free, that the number of children who can read and write has increased by almost 50 percent, and that half as many children age five die each year now compared to in 1960.

Look To The Stars News: Mischa Barton

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