Look To The Stars News: Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase Launches Annual GREEN Auction

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Here is your chance to hit the links with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray for a Caddyshack Golf Outing! Chevy & Bill will go on the block once again in support of GREEN Community Schools providing the chance for the lucky winning bidder and a guest to go golfing with these old friends and stars of the beloved Caddyshack film. Who knows what hijinks will ensue out on the links with these two?

Also up for grabs, a chance to join Howard Stern in the studio. The winner of this incredible experience will be able to sit in during a taping of the show and observe all the action. A meet and greet with the entire crew is included in this package. Once again, Chevy Chase will go on the Howard Stern show to talk about his latest acting projects including the acclaimed new NBC comedy, Community.

This year, Oprah Winfrey is also supporting Jayni and Chevy Chase’s Green School project with the lucky winning bidder receiving VIP tickets to a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show including a chance to go backstage and meet the talk-show queen backstage! Dave Matthews Band is in support as well offering lucky fans the chance to meet them backstage after a concert of choice in Summer 2010. Robert Downey Jr has graciously offered a pair of tickets to the premiere of his upcoming film Due Date also starring Jamie Foxx & Michelle Monaghan, and Stephen Colbert and Regis Philbin are offering the chance to meet them backstage of The Colbert Report and LIVE! with Regis & Kelly respectively, and acclaimed actor Dustin Hoffman is offering the chance to join him on the set of an upcoming film. You can also spend a day on the set of Community with Chevy Chase; meet Joel McHale backstage on The Soup; Take a 10 Day expedition to The Galapagos aboard the National Geographic Endeavor; or catch Jimmy Buffett in concert, plus many more being added daily.

The auction is running live at www.charitybuzz.com through November 18, 2009 with new experiences being added each and every day as so many of Jayni and Chevy Chase’s friends are supporting their environmental initiatives.

The GREEN Community Schools mission is to create long-term holistic partnerships between the school, local community residents, stakeholders, available resources and families to ensure that the community is environmentally aware and able to successfully practice and promote sustainability in their lives, communities and globally.   Jayni Chase has over 20 years of experience with Green education and environmental community action. She is tirelessly dedicated to providing underserved communities with the tools and resources necessary to create healthy learning environments and greener neighborhoods. The combined experience of Jayni Chase and the MGR Foundation has proven to be a powerful force for positive change.

You can access the auction here.

Artists & Writers To Swing For Charity Again

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Phoenix House is delighted to announce that once again they will benefit from the Artists & Writers Charity Softball Game.

The 61st annual Hamptons rite of summer will feature a lineup that includes: Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley, Carl Bernstein, Mort Zuckerman, Lori Singer, B. Smith, Dan Gasby, Greg Bello, Ken Auletta, James Lipton, Jeffrey Lyons, Juliet Papa, Edward Nahem, Kim Stolz, Bonnie Bernstein, Mark Ciardi, Rod Gilbert, Mike Lupica, Bert Sugar, Richard Reeves, and many more to come.

The event, which last year drew a crowd of over 2,000 spectators, will take place on August 15, 2009 in East Hampton’s Herrick Park. Celebrity batting practice will begin at 1 pm, and the Home Run Derby, sponsored by U.S. Sports Film Festival, will begin at 2 pm. The players will take the field at 3 pm. A donation of $10 is suggested for spectators. Students from the Phoenix Academy of Long Island will be selling hot dogs and other concession items.

“I was proud to serve as umpire for this event more summers ago than I care to admit,” said former President Bill Clinton, in a letter to the organizers. “I know firsthand how much fun it is, and how dedicated the players, spectators, and organizers are to being good neighbors and contributors to their community. Though the rivalry runs deep and winning is serious business, this (mostly) friendly competition truly represents America at its best, reinforcing our fundamental values of community, responsibility, and compassion.”

The Artists & Writers Charity Softball Game first started at a picnic in the summer of 1948, in Wilfrid Zogbaum’s front yard. The event has grown to include notable politicians, actors, musicians, publishers, editors, and television personalities, and is a beloved event of every East Hampton summer.

Over the years, spectators have watched as Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Chevy Chase, Jackson Pollock, and many others have battled on the ball field. The casual setting, dedicated fans, and a decidedly competitive match make for some great summer entertainment.

Phoenix House is one of the nation’s leading drug and alcohol treatment centers. In East Hampton, Phoenix House operates an outpatient center that offers group, individual, and family therapy; and in Wainscott, the organization runs the Phoenix Academy of Long Island, providing residential treatment to teens along with educational and vocational services.

Look To The Stars Exclusive: Live Stream Of Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be involved in one of Hollywood’s premier charity Oscar parties this weekend. Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference will take place on Sunday, February 22, at the iconic Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, with a host of celebrities expected to attend. And Look To The Stars is streaming the event LIVE.

This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

Hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster, the Night To Make A Difference will attract stars such as Paris Hilton, Jessica Biel, Forest Whitaker, Slash, Alan Thicke, Ashley Tisdale, Brooke Burns, Cheryl Burke, Cheryl Ladd, Chevy Chase, Danny Boyle, Darryl McDaniels, Dee Wallace, Hilary Duff, Holly Robinson-Peete, Jaclyn Smith, Jane Seymour, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Ken Paves, Mario Lopez, Mel B., Melissa Gilbert, Rick Schroder, Suzanne Somers, Taraji P. Henson, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk and many more.

“The Night To Make a Difference party is to benefit the [”Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/402-leezas-place] and my own Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center," Olivia Newton-John told Look To The Stars. “But now it has morphed into a bigger night than just our two charities – it’s about everybody’s philanthropy and giving back. It’s a new era in America with the new Obama presidency, and it’s all about giving back, so we decided to make the night an evening about celebrity giving – like the theme of Look To The Stars.”

Other charities to be involved with the event are Jessica Biel’s Make The Difference Network, the Felix Organization, the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition, Cancer Schmancer Movement, Blessings in a Backpack, the Red Cross, TreePeople, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the David Foster Foundation, Smiles For Life, The HollyRod Foundation and many more.

“This event is truly different from the others and one of the aspects I am most excited about is the ability for viewers at home to be a part of the experience via the live webcast,” said Leeza Gibbons. “With Arquiva and Highwinds handling the technical wizardry, we are able to focus on our message of advocacy and philanthropy. Our hope is to inspire people at home and around the world to take action and knowing that we are able to reach a broad audience on the web means we truly have a chance to help create the change presented by our on-camera Hollywood celebrities. I think it’s what happens when Hollywood stars converge with technical stars like Arquiva and Highwinds. Our combination of being behind the scenes of movie’s most glamorous night along wtih it’s most passionate and purposeful stars takes the gold for best new web idea!”

The event kicks off at 4pm in Beverly Hills with Red Carpet arrivals. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website. And be sure to visit Look To The Stars’ special live stream of the event on Oscars night.

Chris Evert Charity Tennis Event Attracts Celebrities

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The 2008 Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic was held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, November 1-2nd, and once again proved to be a raging success – so much so, that tennis legend Chris Evert has now raised close to $20 million for charities!

The event kicked off with a Pro-Am at the Boca Raton Resort & Club tennis courts and attracted some new faces this year. Comedian Billy Crystal and 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres joined regulars such as Chevy Chase, Stone Phillips, Maeve Quinlan, Bud Collins, Vince Spadea, Alan Thicke, Jana Novotna, Gavin Rossdale, and Jon Lovitz.

Evert created the fundraising event to fight drug abuse and assist neglected and abused children in South Florida.

“What these treatment centers do is they get these women or men back into the mainstream of life, back on track, whether they’re gonna work, whether they want to go to school, whether they want to be great parents, whatever, it gets them back into mainstream of living,” says Evert. “Circumstances in life sometimes get you to a very low and a lot of people in the world, that’s how they reacted by turning to drugs and its not something that you should look down on and snub, it can happen to anybody.”

Chris Evert Charities partners with The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a public -private partnership administered with the State of Florida, to raise money for needy programs which otherwise would not be fully-funded by the State. The Ounce of Prevention Fund matches moneys raised through the Chris Evert/Bank of America Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic.

While Chris has been busy with her own work at Chris Evert Charities, she also donates her time and efforts to other worthwhile programs including: The Special Olympics, The March Of Dimes, The Martina Navratilova Youth Foundation, The Michael Bolton Charities, The American AIDS Foundation, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Red Cross and The U.S. Olympic Ski Team.

Chevy Chase To Host Waxman Gala

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

Written by Tim Saunders

Chevy Chase is to host the 11th annual Collaborating for the Cure dinner and auction in New York on November 20.

The event will benefit the Institute Without Walls cancer research programs supported by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, and attracts over 1200 people every year.

This year’s musical entertainment will be Steely Dan, and an auction will give attendees the chance to bid on private yacht cruises, wine and dine with celebrities, and stay in some of the world’s most exclusive hotels and lodges. These will be listed on CharityBuzz.com nearer to the big night.

Recent events to raise money for the foundation have garnered the support of the Eagles’ Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey, as well as the Counting Crows, Lyle Lovett, and John Fogarty.

Ticket information can be found at the Waxman website.

Stars Paint Dogs For Parade And Auction

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Let loose the dogs of charity this Monday, October 13, as 25 life-sized fiberglass canines decorated by celebrities are paraded through the streets of New York.

The creations will be aboard a float in the annual Columbus Day parade, and will then be sold off in an online charity auction. Among the stars who have donated their artistic talents are Richard Gere, Chevy Chase, Glenn Close, Robert Kennedy Jr., Paul Shaffer, Martha Stewart, Vanessa Williams, Stanley Tucci, Cyndi Lauper, Rachael Ray, Robin Quivers, Dan Aykroyd, and Jane Goodall.

The auction – which will run until November 1 – will benefit Green Chimneys, an organization that operates a special education school, a residential treatment center for children, and a farm and wildlife rehabilitation center in Brewster.

The auction can be accessed through the Charity Folks website.

Agassi And Graf Host Hamptons Charity Dinner

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Tennis aces Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf played host and hostess of a dinner benefitting The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation last weekend.

This summer marks the Hamptons debut of tennis power couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, who have been vacationing in the posh Long Island community with their children. But it is not all fun and games. They are also there to raise awareness and funds for The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.

Last Saturday night, the couple hosted A Night in the Hamptons – a benefit dinner that drew the attendance of other celebrities such as Lorraine Bracco. Chevy Chase and Kelsey Grammar emceed the event, and singer Rob Thomas performed. “It’s inspiring, what he’s doing,” Thomas said of Agassi’s charity work.

The event also included a live auction, and an online auction runs through August 21.

The Agassi Foundation, founded in 1994, is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children through its support of recreational and educational programs, including Agassi Prep, a school for disadvantaged children in the Agassi and Graf family’s hometown of Las Vegas. More than 180,000 children have been touched by the Foundation’s funding of programs designed to enhance their character, self-esteem and career possibilities.

For more information on Agassi’s Foundation, click here.

Stars Swing For Charity

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Chevy Chase and Alec Baldwin took their chance to swing for charity on Saturday, August 16, when they competed in the annual Artists & Writers Softball Game in East Hampton.

In what started as an evenly matched game, Chase turned the tide in favor of the Artists team when it was down 2-0 to eventually win 4-2, their second win in two years. Baldwin acted as umpire for the game. This year marked the 60th anniversary of the annual game, a tradition started by artists including Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.

The event raised $60,000 for three charities – the East End Hospice, the East Hampton Day Care Centre, and Phoenix House – a facility that specializes in drug rehabilitation.

Chase and Baldwin were joined by celebrities such as Kim Stolz, Lori Singer, Mort Zuckerman, Jeffrey Lyons, and Mark Green. They join a long list of stars who have taken part in the game over the last 60 years, including Paul Simon, Christie Brinkley, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Alda, Pelé, and Bill Clinton. This year’s game was played in memory of actor Roy Scheider, a veteran of the Artists team, who died in February at age 75.

Andre Agassi Plans Star-Studded Galas

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik will join James Taylor for a special VIP event to raise money for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.

Andre Agassi’s 2008 Grand Slam for Children will take place on October 11 at Wynn Las Vegas and feature a concert by Grammy-award winning singer Sheryl Crow, with other performers to be announced soon. However, the gala will be preceded the previous night – October 10 – by a special show featuring Ondrasik and Taylor for Gold and Diamond sponsors.

The Grand Slam shows will follow the charity’s annual A Night In The Hamptons event on August 16 at Ross School. The evening will be hosted by Agassi and will include dinner, a live auction and a special performance by Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas. Emcees for the evening will be Chevy Chase and Kelsey Grammar. The event is limited to 35 table sponsorships at $35,000 each, with 10 seats per table. Individual seats are also available at $3,500 each.

The Andre Agassi Foundation – which focuses on changing the lives of at-risk children through programs that provide educational and recreational opportunities and has raised over $70 million to support these programs in the last 14 years – hopes this will be a very intimate event where sponsors can hear directly from Andre Agassi how the Foundation is working to effect change in public education and at the same time, have a fantastic evening for a great cause.

More information about the events can be found at the Andre Agassi Foundation website.

Captain Planet Fights For The Environment

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:52:43 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Captain Planet is back! And thanks to Ted Turner, the super hero who has battled eco-villains such as the radioactive Duke Nukem and toxic waste polluter Sly Sludge is once again fighting for the very Earth that we inhabit.

The cartoon hero made an appearance at a special auction held last week to celebrate Earth Day that featured guitars signed by Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, trips to Costa Rica and Turner’s Vermejo Park ranch, as well as a dinner with Turner himself. The auction was hosted by Chevy Chase, who set up the Centre For Environmental Education with his wife 18 years ago to strive for environmental understanding.

Proceeds from the auction went to the Captain Planet Foundation, an organization established by Turner in 1991 and inspired by his successful, educational, and entertaining cartoon series. The Foundation provides a unique opportunity for schools and organizations around the world to present their environmental projects to the Captain himself to receive the seed money to grow their ideas into community service learning projects.

Celebrities Unite For Earth Day

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:32:47 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tomorrow, April 22, will see one of the largest global events uniting the planet against climate change to be held this year. Millions of evironmentally-minded people around the planet will hold events to celebrate the 38th annual Earth Day, a massive campaign focussing on global warming and raising awareness for a cleaner environment.

First held in 1970, and established by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement. All over the world, the day will see concerned citizens of the planet out in force, calling for action against global warming and a healthy, sustainable environment. Breakfasts, Scuba diving contests, celebrations, parties, wine and food festivals, marathons, and concerts are just some of the thousands of events that have been planned around the globe by the Earth Day Network, the driving-force behind the event.

One of the major campaigns being promoted in the US as part of Earth Day 2008 is the Call For Climate initiative, which encourages people to ring Congress and demand climate change action to be taken.

“It doesn’t take a doctor on Scrubs to tell you our climate is changing,” said Zach Braff, who has joined Kevin Bacon and Chevy Chase in recording messages encouraging people to support the campaign. “Earth Day Network wants you to call Congress on Earth Day, April 22, and ask them to take tough and fair action on climate change. Put this number in your phone now – 202 224 3121. That’s Congress. Ask your representative or senator to bring us a healthier climate.”

Washington DC has already kicked off its Earth Day celebrations with a huge concert held on Sunday, featuring performances by Jordin Sparks, The Roots, O.A.R. and more. Speakers at the event included Russell Simmons, Edward Norton, and Tom Friedman.

Also as part of Earth Day, the Waterkeeper Alliance is running a very special auction featuring celebrity experiences, exciting autographed items, and fabulous vacations. Be sure to visit the Charity Buzz website to bid on items such as a day on the set of Damages with Glenn Close, signed X-Files memorabilia from David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, a copy of The Comeback DVD signed by Lisa Kudrow, tickets to see Jack Johnson in Ohio, VIP tickets to see The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Dr Phil, as well as the opportunity to have lunch with Alicia Silverstone and MacGyver himself, Richard Dean Anderson. The auction runs until April 29.

For more information on Earth Day – and to find events in your area – visit the official Earth Day website.

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.

Baldwin Brothers Behind Breast Cancer Auction

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:23:15 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A private falconry lesson with Robert Kennedy Jr is just one of the more unusual items up for grabs in a new online auction this month, with the proceeds going to a charity set up by a brave woman who wants to benefit others affected by a deadly disease.

Actor William Baldwin is behind the auction, which is being held on the Charity Folks website until the end of October. Twenty unique and once in a lifetime items are on auction to raise funds for the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund, a charity set up by Baldwin’s mother after she underwent a double mastectomy in 1996. The 70 year old turned her tragedy into courage to assist other women who are affected by breast cancer, and the Fund, which has raised over $2.6 million since its inception, donates money to researchers investigating the causes, prevention, and treatment of the disease. Both William Baldwin and his brother, Alec Baldwin, sit on the board of the Fund.

“I was very lucky to get a significant number of people on board and committed,” said Baldwin, who approached many of his friends to donate items to the auction. “I think that sort of created somewhat of an aura, where people were like, ‘You know, I want to be in on this’.”

The 44 year old star of movies such as Backdraft and the current ABC series Dirty Sexy Money has certainly managed to attract an impressive amount of friends. Lots include a day on the campaign trail with Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, an afternoon playing pool with Baldwin and Chevy Chase at Chevy’s home, a walk-on role in the series “30 Rock” with Alec Baldwin, backstage passes to concerts with Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow, as well as front row seats to The Police live at Madison Square Garden in New York. Sting has also donated an autographed bass guitar, and Bruce Springsteen has supplied an autographed CD set. A number of vacation and dinner packages are also on offer.

The auction can be viewed at www.charityfolks.com/baldwin, and more information on the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund can be found at www.findacure.org.

Celebrity Auction Roundup, September 2007

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:27:03 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

September 2007 is shaping up to be a busy month for celebrity charity auctions, with proceeds going towards a variety of causes, including the disadvantaged, the sick, the environment, and an endangered species of seal.

One of the most anticipated auctions of the year, the Chevy Chase Green School Auction, kicked off on September 6, and runs until September 20 on www.charitybuzz.com. This is the fourth year the auction has been running, with proceeds going to the Centre For Environmental Education Online. CEE Online is a non-profit organization set up 17 years ago by actor Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni, and grew out of their belief that for environmental understanding to change, it must begin with the education of children. This year’s fundraising will benefit initiatives involving sustainability, the science of climate change, and the support of healthy food in schools.

There are 43 items on auction, with the most popular being a lunch with Bill Clinton and Chevy Chase for two people. This was expected to raise $35,000, but is already attracting bids of over $45,000. Other popular items are a day on the set of a movie with Cameron Diaz (expected to reach $10,000), and backstage passes to The Rachael Ray Show in New York, including a meet and greet with the star, a personal tour of the studios, and a set of signed cookbooks and Rachael Ray cooking utensils (valued at $2,500). Simon Cowell has donated tickets to American Idol to the auction, and other lots include a tour of Martha Stewart’s garden, the opportunity to spend an afternoon filming with Daryl Hannah for her environmental website, and the chance to meet Ben Stiller at the world premier of his next movie.

Another major auction underway on the Charitybuzz website is The Christie Brinkley Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools, Healthy Environment Auction. The 53 items up for sale will benefit the New York Coalition For Healthy School Food and Wellness In The Schools.

Lots include the chance to meet Bill Clinton (valued at $50,000), a backstage meet and greet with Alicia Keys (expected to raise $1,500), VIP packages to see Dr. Phil McGraw, signed photos of celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, as well as a variety of dinner and vacation packages. The auction runs until September 27.

Also on auction at Charitybuzz is a very special chalk drawing of Princess Diana, by Russian born artist, Zohar. This exquisite work of art was commissioned in 1990 by the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own), of which the Princess was Colonel-in-Chief, and is expected to raise $275,000 at auction. Proceeds will go to The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation, and will provide support to those suffering from Aids, cancer, and the effects of landmines.

Ebay has several auctions running in September, as part of their Giving Works initiative. The most popular of these is a vehicle belonging to Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie. The 4 Wheel Drive Hummer H2 has belonged to the singer since 2005, and is expected to reach $65,000 at auction. Proceeds will go to Global Green USA, an organization that works with governments and individuals to create a sustainable and secure future for the planet. More information is available at www.globalgreen.org, and the auction can be viewed at www.ebay.com/fergie.

Five double tickets to a concert featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant in Tennessee on September 27 are also up for auction. The VIP packages include a pre-show reception, front row seats at the gig, a meet and greet with the stars, and an autographed Hatch Show print commemorating the event. Proceeds are going to Community High School, a facility for teenagers in recovery from alcohol and drug addictions, operated by Creative Recovery Communities. The ticket packages are expected to reach $500 each, and the auction runs until September 18. It can be viewed at www.givingworks.ebay.com.

Finally in September, a special auction is to be held to benefit the plight of the Canadian Harp Seal. Thousands of these creatures are clubbed to death annually for their pelts, and several celebrities have banded together in an effort to stop the slaughter. An auction is to be launched through www.harpseals.org, in association with eBay, and will include a pair of autographed pants worn by Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist, Slash, as well as Tiffani Amber Theissen’s parasol and signed CDs from KD Lang and Shania Twain.

Return of the Secret Policeman's Ball

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:56:11 -0000

Written by Hannah Coone

In 1979, John Cleese headlined the first of a series of performances entitled ‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball’. The show was to raise awareness of Amnesty International UK, which it certainly achieved. Amnesty International UK stated that after the first 3 shows, public awareness of AIUK increased by 700%.

The first show starred other members of Monty Python, Billy Connolly, and it also gave Rowan Atkinson his big break. The Secret Policeman’s Ball was then made into a feature-length film.

In 1987, musical acts were added to the line-up, starring such artists as Kate Bush, Bob Geldof and Duran Duran.

Now, after 17 years, the Ball is finally returning, with a whole new line-up. Eddie Izzard, Chevy Chase and Jennifer Saunders are just a sample of the impressive names amongst the acts this year, as well as music performances by Gorillaz and The Magic Numbers.

The show, to be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall on October 14th and broadcast on UK’s Channel 4 shortly after, will involve stand-up comedy, sketches and music and will be given an update with animations and podcasts.

Lisle Turner, of Amnesty International UK, comments on this event, “It’s never been more important to stand-up for humanity and human rights and as it was a generation ago, the ball is our secret weapon to rally the troops.” Turner goes on to say, “We’re doing it now because the world needs a poke in the eye, it needs laughter, and frankly, it needs more balls.”

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