Look To The Stars News: Robin Williams

American Idol Gives Back $67 Million

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0000

David Beckham, Bono, Annie Lennox and Carrie Underwood have all accepted cheques from April’s Idol Gives Back event on behalf of the charities they support.

The show raised over US$67 million for charities such as the Global Fund, Malaria No More, the Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, and the Children’s Defense Fund.

“I saw first hand with my visit to Sierra Leone with UNICEF last year how devastating malaria can be to a country,“ said Beckham, who was presented with US$12 million by Idol winner David Cook on behalf of Malaria No More. “This money will help buy millions of bed nets and also protect many people, particularly the young children who are most vulnerable.”

Annie Lennox was also delighted to receive $500,000 for the Treatment Action Campaign.

“This is just to express my gratitude to everyone on Idol Gives Back, for putting together a show with a difference, and for inviting me to be part of it,“ she said in a statement. “Because of this event, and the generosity of the viewers, who donated so kindly, I have been able to hand over a cheque for the amazing sum of $500,000 to Treatment Action Campaign, in South Africa. I can assure everyone that every single dollar contributed will go to excellent use, in the work to educate, assist and support people living on the frontline of the HIV/Aids pandemic, many of whom are women and children. Thank you so much.“

Bono received US$10 million on behalf of the Global Fund For AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“The Global Fund will keep thousands of people safe from HIV/AIDS because American Idol has donated $10 million,” said the U2 frontman. “That’s YOU people, who sent in your hard earned cash.”

The Idol Gives Back show featured appearances and performances by Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Miley Ray Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Sheila E., Fergie, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, and Reese Witherspoon, and pre-taped messages from David and Victoria Beckham, Kiefer Sutherland, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. Britney Spears, who couldn’t be at the event, donate $25,000 to the cause.

Comedians Are Most Amused For Prince Charles

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Robin Williams, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson lead the line-up of comedic talent that will perform at “We Are Most Amused” next month. The night of comedy will help celebrate Prince Charles’ 60th birthday, as well as benefit the Prince’s Trust.

Founded by Prince Charles in 1976 (using his severance pay of £7,400 from the Navy), the Prince’s Trust exists to help the UK’s troubled youth through support, training and personal development. With skill development, self confidence and a completed education – and even money for a start up business – young people with hopeless outlooks are now heading toward self chosen goals and achieving their real potential.

“We try to do things differently, to cut through the bureaucracy and the red tape,” said the Prince. “And I believe that approach has paid off.”

It has for most of the youths that pass through the Trust’s doors. Of the 40,000 youths that the Trust supported last year, 73% moved into employment, education or training.

This achievement, though, comes at a high financial price, so the proceeds from We Are Most Amused will be most welcome. The good news is that the tickets for the November 12 show at the New Wimbledon Theatre sold out in one hour, even though the roster is as yet incomplete. But with icons like Williams, Cleese and Atkinson on the docket, there is little doubt as to the quality that both the stand-up and comedy sketch performances will deliver.

College Students Stage Celebrity Shoe Auction

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of celebrities are baring their soles in a charity auction organized by college students in Scotland this week.

Robin Williams, Daniel Radcliffe, Zoë Wanamaker, Ewan McGregor, and Elton John are among the stars to donate their footwear to One Step Beyond, a charity made up of staff and students of Angus College at Arbroath.

The 19 pairs of shoes will be on auction until October 19, and proceeds will go to organizations such as Cancer Research UK, Cash for Kids, No More Landmines, and the Angus College Charitable Trust.

“The very first pair of celeb shoes that we got in were from Sir Elton John and he very kindly donated his 1975 original stage shoes to us, which are really quite fantastic so we’re hoping to get good bids for them,“ said auction organizer Kay Gilmour. “As well as that we’ve got shoes from Andy Murray, footballers’ boots such as Barry Ferguson’s, and Stephen Fry gave us his hairy monster slippers. We also have shoes from the US – we’ve got Robin Williams’ hand-made gold trainers which he signed for us and we’ve got Emma Thompson, who gave us a beautiful pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, which she wore when she was launching her movie Nanny McPhee in the States. We also have Jo Brand’s smelly plimsolls – as she calls them, not us – and a whole range of other stuff.”

Last year, students at the school created a three-mile line of shoes and then donated all 20,000 pairs to charities in Africa.

The auction can be accessed through eBay.

Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Kids This Weekend

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, The Killers and David Spade will headline the 13th annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert in Las Vegas this weekend.

“I’m thrilled to have so many amazing performers donate their talents to help us help children,” said Agassi. “We look forward to celebrating with our partners what we’ve accomplished in Las Vegas with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and our future efforts to transform public education for underserved children nationwide.”

The concert will raise funds for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which provides recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. The concert will be preceded by an invitation-only concert tonight – October 10 – featuring James Taylor and Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik.

“This year the Grand Slam for Children is being held at Wynn Las Vegas, which offers a first-class, intimate experience for our guests,“ said Agassi. “The event is sure to be a hit with top exclusive entertainment at this beautiful venue.”

Since its inception in 1995, the Grand Slam for Children has been distinguished by its roster of entertainers, including Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Jerry Seinfeld, Stevie Wonder, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Robin Williams, Don Henley, Tony Bennett, Luther Vandross, Usher, Goo Goo Dolls, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, John Mayer, Ray Romano, Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Seal, Duran Duran and Josh Groban. More than 98,000 fans and VIP guests have attended the past 12 Grand Slam events, raising more than $70 million for charity.

Agassi’s 2008 Grand Slam for Children will take place tomorrow night, October 11, with musical direction by David Foster. More information about tickets can be found at the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation 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.

Harry Potter Features At Charity Auction

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:45:26 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Harry Potter fans listen up! A charity auction is giving one lucky bidder the chance to own a very special print signed by JK Rowling.

The auction, accessed through the Charity Folks website, has listed the special print of Peeves The Poltergeist as part of their current event benefiting Love Our Children USA, a non-profit organization that that honors, respects and protects children. Also available as part of the auction is a one-of-a-kind Michael Buble gift pack containing a signed CD, a black Michael Bublé hoodie sweatshirt, a Black Michael Bublé Ladies’ baby t-shirt, a black Michael Bublé Men’s t-shirt, a gray Michael Bublé Ladies’ baby t-shirt, and a pink Michael Bublé Ladies’ baby t-shirt. Robin Williams fans can also get in on the action by bidding on a leatherbound House Of D script signed by the actor.

Interested bidders had better get over to the auction quick – it ends tomorrow, April 30. And bid until it hurts …because children should never hurt!

Edward Norton Chats Online For Earth Day

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:46:27 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor and environmental activist Edward Norton will celebrate Earth Day 2008 today by taking part in a live online Q&A session about what is happening to the world and what people can do about it.

The session will be held at www.slate.com, and will start at 11:45am Eastern Time. Questions can be submitted to the Washington Post before the event, and topics can cover the range of environmental issues that Norton is involved with.

Norton’s passion has always been the environment, a cause he supports through regular substantial financial contributions to the Grand Canyon Trust (founded by his father), the Wilderness Society, and Earthjustice. Norton has also teamed up with oil giant and leading solar panel producer BP to develop the Solar Neighbors Program – every time a celebrity buys a solar system from BP Solar, one of Enterprise Community Partners’ low-income families gets one for free. So far, more than 25 systems have been purchased and donated – by the likes of Owen Wilson, Brad Pitt, Danny DeVito, and Robin Williams.

The actor will also host two episodes of National Geographic’s Strange Days on Planet Earth on PBS on Wednesday, April 23. The episodes, titled Dangerous Catch and Dirty Secrets, will delve into issues surrounding threatened ocean life and toxic groundwater respectively.

“If I bring anything to the series, it is to tell people stories of how your average daily activities create a ripple effect that goes out into the world and comes back in ways that you can recognize, whether it’s the price of fish, or that fact that you can’t eat it anymore,” said the 38-year-old actor. “Every action we take can cause ripples. And every ripple can turn into disturbing waves of change.”

Check the PBS website to find out what time to catch this amazing program.

Idol Gives Back On Wednesday

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:11:53 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It will be raining philanthropic celebrities on Wednesday night when American Idol Gives Back airs on the Fox Network. The “star clouds” are set to burst with a gala of music, fun, appearances, and surprises – all in the name of charity.

Idol host Ryan Seacrest will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which was taped in front of a lively audience at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, and producers expect this year’s event to raise over $100 million for charity.

“Tonight isn’t just about raising money,” said Brad Pitt, one of the many guests to attend the gala. “Sometimes, to help people, we’ve got to travel outside of our comfort zone to really understand another situation.”

Pitt’s Make It Right campaign, which he launched to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, is one of many good causes to benefit from the event, which last year netted over $76 million for charity. Other organizations to benefit this year include the Global Fund, Malaria No More, the Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, and the Children’s Defense Fund.

“It’s not about self-promoting,” said former Idol winner Carrie Underwood, who will perform on the show. “It’s not about singing your latest single. It’s not about trying to be the most downloaded whatever on iTunes. It’s all about getting people to call in and do something.”

Viewers of the show on Wednesday can expect performances by Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Miley Ray Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, and Sheila E., as well as a surprise duet between Fergie and Heart. The show will also be sprinkled with appearances from Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, and Reese Witherspoon, and pre-taped messages from David and Victoria Beckham, Kiefer Sutherland, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama will also be shown.

Clinton Asks Miners To Dig Deep

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:07:27 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Former US president Bill Clinton and Canadian mining financier Frank Giustra, partners in the new Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI), are asking the mining and financial community to dig deep into their pockets.

Invitations have been sent out for a March 1 event to be held in Toronto, where comedian Robin Williams and musicians Elton John, Shakira, and Burton Cummings are expected to perform. The cost will range between $25,000 and $300,000 per table, and proceeds will help CGSGI assist mining communities long after the industry leaves.

“When Frank Giustra brought forward the idea of having the world’s mining sector pull together in support of alleviating poverty and building sustainable local economies in developing countries, I knew it would only succeed if the industry was serious about being actively involved,” said Mr Clinton.

Donations to CGSGI from mining sector companies have amounted to nearly $350 million, including Giustra’s own pledge of $100 million. Lundin for Africa, the philanthropic arm of the Lundin Group of Companies, has also pledged $100 million.

“The Lundin contribution sends a strong signal that the resource sector is prepared to step up and take the initiative off the drawing board and turn it into a reality for developing countries around the world,” said Mr Giustra. “I firmly believe that this innovative partnership between the Clinton Foundation and the business community – and the mining industry in particular – will have a profound and positive effect on the lives of countless people in the developing world during the months and years ahead.”

Celebrities' Festive Gifts

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:21:24 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A pledge to walk one of the biggest man-made structures in the world, a successful celebrity auction, a tour of far away places, and a donation of time and energy were just some of the ways celebrities gave to the poor, the sick, and those unable to spend time with their families this Christmas.

Singer Olivia Newton-John met with the founders of Welsh breast cancer charity In The Pink over Christmas to discuss fund raising opportunities, and revealed her plans to walk the length of the Great Wall of China in April. Proceeds from the walk will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Australia, and the 59-year-old breast cancer survivor will also donate items to In The Pink to auction later in the year.

Meanwhile, socialite Kathy Hilton organized a charity auction over Christmas, featuring a selection of items donated by some of her famous friends. Mel Gibson’s jeans, Tom Cruise’s sunglasses, and an Ocean’s Thirteen script signed by the movie’s stars, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt, raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Christmas is my favorite time of the year,” said Hilton, mother of Paris Hilton. “I have worked with Make-A-Wish before, and I wanted to do something really special. Hopefully… I’ll make it an annual event.”

Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong, Kid Rock, and Lewis Black were also busy over the festive season, and joined current Miss USA Rachel Smith on a 14 show tour with the USO in Afghanistan.

The shows were well received by soldiers from all nations, stationed away from their homes and families this Christmas.

“Afghanistan is sometimes called the forgotten war,” said one soldier who watched the shows. “We don’t get a lot of attention here, and conditions are pretty miserable. So it means a lot.”

The USO organized 52 celebrity tours in 2007 – which included over 300 shows.

And in Los Angeles, Jennifer Love Hewitt joined her new fiancé Ross McCall, as well as Melissa Joan Hart and Melissa Gilbert, to dish out dinners to the needy at the Los Angeles Mission.

“I have made it a point to come to the Los Angeles Mission at Christmas,” said the 28-year-old actress. “There are so many hurting people on the streets of our city, but when I’m here I get to see the smiles of the children and the great food for everyone. I come to give something back, but invariably I get more blessings than I give.”

Bid Now For Christmas Gifts

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:21:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and celebrities are doing their best to make holiday shopping easy this year. Several charity auctions have already kicked off to raise money for good causes, including one that may be eBay’s largest sale of celebrity items… ever!

The BID 2 BEAT AIDS online auction will open on December 1, World AIDS Day, and will feature over 1000 specially signed items, ranging from posters to iPods. The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity, and in the past has raised up to $175,000.

The array of memorabilia up for sale this year is simply colossal, with perhaps the most interesting items being a series of “Lend a Hand to LIFEbeat” cards that feature the handprints of over 100 celebrities. Stars such as Britney Spears, Jack Black, and Kathy Griffin traced around the outlines of their hands and decorated their artworks for the auction, and the finished products will make a unique addition to any Christmas stocking.

Also included in the auction is a selection of signed musical instruments. Rapper 50 Cent has donated the tambourines he used during his performance at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, and Metallica and the Foo Fighters have both donated guitars. There are also over 200 official RIAA gold and platinum record awards up for sale, from artists such as Annie Lennox, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Green Day. Rare tour crew jackets from Guns N Roses, Cher, George Michael, and Prince are also available.

There are a stack of autographed CDs and DVDs on offer in the auction, from Mariah Carey, Elton John, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5, Amy Winehouse, and Val Kilmer, as well as books signed by Madonna, Bill Clinton, Rosie O’Donnell, Martha Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Ethan Hawke. Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Elijah Wood, and Usher have all signed posters for the auction.

For those people after something a little different, the auction also includes an iPod designed by Yoko Ono, a box of cereal signed by Will Ferrell, Borat’s hat signed by Sacha Baron Cohen, and a Spiderman action figure autographed by Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

And if nothing mentioned so far whets your appetite, there are also signed items from Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Nelly, Joan Collins, John Travolta, Kanye West, The Cure, Jay-Z, Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham, Robin Williams, Hilary Duff, Jason Alexander, Jack Nicholson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adam Sandler, John Legend, Jessica Simpson, Whoopi Goldberg, Aerosmith, Denzel Washington, Good Charlotte, James Blunt, Jeremy Piven, Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Norah Jones, Razorlight, Wyclef Jean, and many more… far too many to list here.

More information and a full list of items can be found at www.bid2beataids.com.

As if this wasn’t enough choice for Christmas shoppers, there are also several other auctions and events on the go at the moment. The biggest of these is the 10th Annual Collaborating For A Cure Benefit Dinner and Auction, a massive black tie gala to be held on November 29. It also happens to be one of the highest grossing charity events held every year in New York, and last year raised over $4 million for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that has provided over $55 million in grants to cancer research, and has been instrumental in the development of new cancer drugs.

The gala dinner and live auction will be held at the 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue, New York City, and over 1200 guests are expected to attend. The host for the evening is Chevy Chase, and attendees will be treated to a very special performance by Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh, members of 70’s rock group, the Eagles.

Selected items up for auction on the night as well as online include dinner with Chevy Chase, the chance to play tennis with Andre Agassi, and a meet and greet with Aerosmith.

More information can be found at www.charitybuzz.com.

Also on the Charitybuzz website is an auction to raise funding for Stand Up For A Cure, an organization dedicated to lung cancer research and awareness.

The auction runs from November 28 until December 12, and features unique items such as the chance to have Andrea Bocelli perform in your own home, the opportunity to have Patti LaBelle host your cocktail party, and VIP tickets to see Céline Dion at Madison Square Gardens.

And if you still can’t find a suitable gift, have a look at the Have A Heart Auction on Charitybuzz. All proceeds from the auction, which features the chance to meet Avril Lavigne, a copy of “An Inconvenient Truth” signed by Al Gore, and a “Godfather II” DVD signed by Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, will benefit HEART, an organization that aims to foster compassion and respect for all living beings.

But you have to be in quick, as the auction ends on November 29.

12th Annual Andre Agassi Benefit Concert Raises More than $9 Million for Children

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:01:30 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The 12th Annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit Concert presented by Genworth Financial proved to be a raging success last weekend, raising more than $9 million for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. The AACF raised $8.1 million through ticket sales and a silent auction, while Charles Heers, owner of Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas pledged an additional $1 million to bring the total to $9.1 million.

“I am grateful that there are so many people dedicated to helping kids,” Agassi said. “I’m thrilled with the turnout from the public, the generosity of our sponsors, donors and bidders, and the commitment and talent of the performers who so graciously give their time to the Grand Slam. It was one of the greatest nights of the year.”

The star-studded concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 6th attracted more than 8,200 fans who enjoyed live music by Tony Bennett, Kelly Clarkson, Matchbox Twenty and George Wallace. Several surprises throughout the night included performances by Jerry Seinfeld, the Goo Goo Dolls and Hall & Oats. Fans were also treated to a fantastic performance from Carlos Santana and Matchbox Twenty front man Rob Thomas, who teamed up to close the evening with their multi-Grammy Award- winning hit “Smooth.”

A pre-concert reception and live auction was held for VIP sponsors, who bid on a variety of items including a Porsche Cayenne from the Sopranos signed by James Gandolfini and Edie Falco Robin Williams’ movie premiere and after-party; an in-home food and wine pairing for 12 with Emeril Lagasse an evening at a Six Flags park for 500 friends; and vacation packages such as a Costa Rican getaway with private tennis lessons from Agassi and Stefanie Graf.

The two most noteworthy auction items were the Porsche Cayenne and a Dale Chihuly chandelier. The 2005 Porsche Cayenne SUV, which was plucked from the set of the Sopranos, fetched $100,000. The vehicle once driven by ‘Carmela Soprano’ boasts a 4.5-liter V8 engine, as well as a 350-watt, 14-speaker Bose stereo and only has 6,758 miles on it. Richard and Theresa Beauchamp from Steamboat Springs, Colorado placed the winning bid for $90,000, but auctioneer Jack Williams added $10,000 of his own money to bring the total price to $100,000. The Beauchamps’ new ride comes complete with a bronze plaque bearing the signatures of Sopranos stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco.

Perhaps earning the highest bid of the night was the Mercato del Pesce di Rialto Chandelier, sculpted by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Chihuly created the chandelier during his two years of work in Finland, Ireland, Mexico and Italy, where the chandelier was then suspended over the canals and piazzas of Venice. The historical piece is six feet wide and six feet tall and is composed of approximately 126 glass elements. Final bid: $250,000.

Since its inception in 1994, the Grand Slam for Children concert fundraiser to benefit the AACF has raised more than $70 million for charity. Specific charities benefiting from the AACF fundraiser include the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a model charter school in West Las Vegas; Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club; Assistance League of Las Vegas’ Operation School Bell; Boys Hope/Girls Hope of Nevada; Child Haven; Cynthia Bunker and Joy McClenahan Memorial Scholarship Fund; I Have A Dream Foundation; Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars presented by Inner-City Games; Las Vegas Philharmonic’s Youth Concert Series; Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp; and YMCA of Southern Nevada.

The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation is a 501©(3) not-for-profit public charity created to provide recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. The Foundation strives to assist those underprivileged, abused and abandoned children who may be deprived of basic options in life. The AACF also offers a combination of emotional, physical and academic programs designed to enhance a child’s character, self-esteem and career possibilities. For information, visit http://www.agassifoundation.org.

Genworth Financial is a leading insurance holding company, serving the lifestyle protection, retirement income, investment and mortgage insurance needs of more than 15 million customers, and has operations in 24 countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and 17 other European countries. For more information, visit http://www.genworth.com.

Celebrities Go To The Dogs Over Auction

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:41:16 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Looking for something a little different to give the special pet in your life? Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron may be able to help, as they are some of the stars donating items for the upcoming “Celebrity Collars For Dollars” auction, starting June 23rd.

The event aims to raise funds for Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit organization dedicated to freeing dogs that are permanently chained and mistreated.

Bidders will have the chance to buy pre-used dog collars belonging to the canine friends of celebrities such as Robin Williams, who has donated three collars from his pets Gabby and MabelMae, three autographed photos, three signed DVDs, and an autographed Dogs Deserve Better calendar.

Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, has been enjoying preparations for the auction over the last few months, and has been touched by the generosity shown by the stars involved.

“It’s been great fun opening the mail from celebrities to see what they’ve donated,” she said. “Candice Bergen, who did not have a collar to send, had her assistant call to say they were sending a specially signed photo to DDB… and gave a generous donation for chained and penned dogs.”

Other items up for sale include autographed photos of Dolly Parton, a signed copy of Bill Maher’s book Polite Musings From A Timid Observer, and Martha Stewart has autographed a copy of the Dogs Deserve Better Calendar for the event.

Online bidding will run for 10 days, finishing on July 3rd, and can be accessed through www.dogsdeservebetter.org.

Stars Auction Face Time For Charity

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:05:58 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Successful bidders in a forthcoming auction will win one-on-one meetings with the likes of Richard Gere and former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan.

Organised by CharityBuzz, the auction will benefit the Robert F Kennedy Memorial, a non-profit group that provides funding to human rights causes.

Breakfast or tea for four with Greenspan and his wife is expected to raise at least $5,000, while other big names offering their time for the cause include Robin Williams, Larry King, skater Tony Hawk, and former CIA spy Valerie Plame.

Bidding ends on April 6th.

Comic Relief Brings Laughter to New Orleans

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:12:33 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams are back to host the 20th Anniversary of the US Comic Relief event this Saturday, November 19th. After an eight-year hiatus, the beloved event has returned to raise funds for New Orleans and the people still suffering from the effects of last year’s hurricane. Comedians such as Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Ray Romano and Roseanne Barr have joined the cause.

The show will take place at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas as part of The Comedy Festival, with tickets starting at $95. For those unable to attend in person, the three-hour concert will appear simultaneously on HBO and TBS from 9pm to Midnight EST.

This year a special Comic Relief concert has been scheduled in New Orleans to coincide with the regular Las Vegas show. The event will be held at Harrah’s Fulton Street promenade and is free to the public. Wayne Brady is the host of this show, and he will be joined by entertainers such as Louie Anderson and Tom Arnold.

Since 1986, Comic Relief has raised more than $50 million, with 100% of the proceeds going to programs such as aiding the homeless and helping victims of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Much of this year’s proceeds will go to a local non-profit group which is rebuilding New Orleans’ traditional narrow, rectangular houses for low-income families.

Priceless Piano on Auction at the David Foster and Friends Charity Gala

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 11:44:29 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Over 60 superstars have signed David Foster’s one-of-a-kind Yamaha grand piano, which will be auctioned live and via the internet during the 2006 David Foster and Friends Gala.

The piano has been used in dozens of major performances including shows in Las Vegas, a recent performance at David’s home by Barbra Streisand, Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night to benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, and Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam for Children benefitting underprivileged and abused children through the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.

Some of the celebrities who have signed the piano are Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Sting, Tim McGraw, Robin Williams and Donald Trump.

Foster says, “My favourite songs have been performed on this piano by the original artists. It has been with us for some truly great events at some spectacular venues. I am thrilled that its legacy will help improve the lives of families and children in need.”

The piano will be on public display at the River Rock Casino Resort in Vancouver until September 10, the night of the gala. All proceeds go the the David Foster Foundation and will benefit families of children in need of organ transplants.

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