Look To The Stars News: Wayne Gretzky

Michael Jordan Celebrity Charity Golf Tickets On Sale Now

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000

The 11th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), hosted by ARIA Resort & Casino at Shadow Creek, returns to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year March 29-April 1, 2012.

Tickets are now on sale for one of celebrity golf’s most popular events, giving fans the opportunity to watch four days of competition with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

“ARIA and Shadow Creek are incredibly proud to welcome the return of the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational to Las Vegas,” said Bill McBeath, ARIA’s president and COO. “We loved opening Shadow Creek to the public for the first time earlier this year for this spectacular tournament and very much look forward to welcoming back Michael, his fans and his celebrity guests. Most importantly, we are honored to be a part of an event that raises money for a variety of important charitable organizations.”

Stars Donate Shoes To Celebrity Charity Auction

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity, has announced a complete line-up of A-list celebrities who decided to take off their shoes for a good cause.

What began as a staff shoe drive internally at NBCUniversal 30 Rock studios for the charity’s Japan relief efforts quickly caught on to stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Sir Elton John, sisters Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, John Krasinski, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mariska Hargitay, Yoko Ono, the TODAY show cast, and many more. Jennifer Wilson, an NBCUniversal employee who helped initiate the celebrity shoe auction, said it was the kindness of organizations like Soles4Souls during Hurricane Katrina that drew her to help.

“I’m a Louisiana girl with family in New Orleans, so I saw first-hand the destruction, pain, and uncertainty that comes with a natural disaster,” Wilson said. “I started this to help those that helped us.”

Michael Jordan Gets Celebrity Support For Charity Golf Invitational

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

This week, Jordan Brand partnered with the 10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational to celebrate the Las Vegas debut of the four-day charity tournament with a welcome celebration at HAZE Nightclub in ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter.

Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto

Kelly Clarkson And Bret Michaels To Perform At Muhammad Ali Celebrity Charity Event

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Muhammad Ali’s annual celebrity charity Fight Night is to return to Arizona this month.

Celebrity Fight Night XVII will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning superstar of country music Reba McEntire, who is returning for her sixth time as emcee. The black tie event will begin with cocktails and a silent auction with dinner, an exciting live auction and entertainment to follow. Billy Crystal will make a special introduction of Muhammad Ali and multi-platinum recording artist Matchbox Twenty will open the musical portion of the evening, followed by a performance from Grammy Award-winning vocalist Kelly Clarkson. Additional performers will include the Top 12 American Idol 2011 finalists, Bret Michaels, Jackie Evancho and Lee Greenwood, under the direction of David Foster – who is returning for his 12th consecutive year as the evening’s Musical Director.

This year, Muhammad Ali will honor Halle Berry, Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons, former NBA and NFL owner Red McCombs and No. 1 ranked LPGA Champion Cristie Kerr with the 2011 Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Awards. Kevin Costner & Modern West will perform at the official after-party immediately following the event.

Jordan and Friends Play for the Public

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The formerly private Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational is now open to the public.

Between March 31 – April 3, fans in the Las Vegas area will have the chance to see some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment at the premier celebrity golf celebration. Tickets are on sale now for the 10th annual event, hosted by ARIA Resort & Casino at Shadow Creek.

The four-day tournament will once again offer the parties, A-list entertainment and competitive golf that have earned the event its reputation as one of the best of its kind.

Andre Agassi And Friends Raise $8.5 Million At Charity Grand Slam

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

As reported by LookToTheStars.org last week, Andre Agassi hosted his star-studded Grand Slam For Children on October 9. The event saw a host of famous faces hit the stage, and raised a massive $8.5 million for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation’s educational work.

Among those to perform were Elton John, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Hudson, Rob Thomas, David Foster and Bill Cosby, and an auction feature items donated by Katie Couric, Michael Phelps, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, Robin Williams, Wayne Gretzky and many more.

The live auction saw a personal dinner with Robin Williams go under the hammer for 6 people at $100,000 each. Lars Ulrich’s drum lessons went for $35,000, and a trip with Freida Pinto to India went for $75,000.

Elton John And Friends To Rock Andre Agassi's Charity Bash

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Elton John, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Hudson, Rob Thomas, David Foster and Bill Cosby will perform at Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam for Children on October 9.

The annual event supports the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation’s efforts to transform education and benefits the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy (Agassi Prep), a K-12 public charter school in Las Vegas that strives to provide children with a first-class education. Hosted by tennis legend and philanthropist Andre Agassi and presented by Genworth Financial, the 2010 Grand Slam for Children will take place Saturday, Oct. 9 at Wynn Las Vegas.

Celebrating its 15th year, the Grand Slam brings together international stars – from music to comedy – each year to build awareness and raise money for the Foundation. Dedicated to transforming education, the Foundation opened the Agassi Academy in 2001; in 2009, the public charter school graduated its first senior class with 100 percent of graduates accepted into college. The Foundation’s work is directly impacting students in Las Vegas, Agassi’s hometown community, but it has broader implications for education nationwide.

Luke Wilson To Host Charity Golf For LAPD Memorial Foundation

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Luke Wilson will host the annual charity golf tournament to benefit the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation in July.

Celebrities who have participated in past tournaments include Wayne Gretzky, Samuel L. Jackson, Eddie Van Halen, Chad Everett, James Woods, Joe Pesci, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Franz, Jack Nicholson, Chris O’Donnell, Neal McDonough and Mark Wahlberg.

Each year since 1970, the Memorial Foundation hosts the Los Angeles Police-Celebrity Golf Tournament. During the tournament, corporate sponsors are paired with celebrities and officers for a fun filled day of golf, great food, awards and camaraderie in a festive open house atmosphere that includes thirty Department displays and is attended by 5,000-8,000 spectators. Each year, over thirty celebrities from the sports, television and movie industry participate in the Los Angeles Police-Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Football Star Invites Celebrities To Charity Golf Tournament

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:30:00 +0000

A huge number of sports stars, actors and singers – including Rodney Peete – are to hit the greens near Dallas on May 15 for the inaugural Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament to benefit the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities – an organization that creates educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.

Stars invited to play include Don Cheadle, Kenny G, Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez, Ludacris, Chris Rock and many more.

Emmitt Smith is a Hall of Fame Footballer who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals. To find out more about the charity and the tournament, click here.

John Legend Headlines Four Seasons Of Hope Gala

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, a goodwill program benefiting children and families, held its eighth annual celebrity gala last night at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

“Live with Regis and Kelly” host, Regis Philbin returned for his fifth Samsung gala and was joined by NBC Commentator Bob Costas, who returned for his third gala.

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope recognizes the charitable efforts of sports, entertainment, and political notables, including former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Palmer, Jimmie Johnson, Boomer Esiason and Dan Marino through fundraising programs tied to business partners major retailers such as Best Buy, Sears, and the recently added Lowe’s as well as some of its regional partners.

Stars To Attend Charity Sports Spectacular

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The 24th annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular is to take place in LA this Sunday, June 7.

This year’s honorees are Laila Ali, Ryan Sheckler and Dwayne Wade, and celebrities expected to attend include Snoop Dogg, Joel Madden, Tom Arnold and many more.

The Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular has been heralded by the Los Angeles Times as the premier sports awards dinner in the country. This exciting charity event was established in 1986 in response to the promise of genetic research leading to the understanding of numerous genetic diseases found in children as well as adults.

LTTS Exclusive: Hollywood Knights Slam-Dunk For Charity

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ Delinda Lombado recently got the chance to talk to the CEO of Hollywood Knights International, whose celebrity basketball team is a leader in charity fundraising.

Back in 1973, David Mirisch was way ahead of the curve. As founder of Hollywood Knights International, he is credited with being the first (or at least most important) person to pair celebrities with fundraising, producing some of the first consecutive tennis and golf charity tournaments in Hollywood.

Now headed by David’s son Michael (who took the reins as CEO in 1992), Hollywood Knights International are still going strong and its Celebrity Basketball Team has become a symbol for fundraising world-wide.

Barry Manilow Stands Up For A Cure

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Fans of Barry Manilow will be excited about the new auction benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The charity is giving devotees of the singer two chances to meet Manilow backstage at concerts in Las Vegas and at the Nassau Coliseum. Both chances give you front row tickets to the shows.

The show at the Nassau Coliseum will take place on Valentine’s Day in February, and will be hosted by Kelly Ripa. The experience includes pre-concert reception with open bar (6pm) at Doolin’s Restaurant at the Nassau Coliseum plus 2 backstage passes and photos with both Barry Manilow and Kelly Ripa.

Tim Robbins To Play Charity Hockey Game

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Actor and activist Tim Robbins is to join an impressive list of hockey players and celebrities in a charity ice hockey game next week.

The Festival Cup charity hockey game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto will take place on September 5, and will feature teams consisting of stars such as Alan Thicke, “Juno” director Jason Reitman, D.B. Sweeney, and Cameron Bancroft, as well as professional NHLers Joe Thornton, Jason Spezza, Curtis Joseph, Matt Stajan, Robyn Regehr, Mike Cammalleri, Andrew Ference, and Sean Avery.

The game – which will kick off the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival – will benefit Right To Play, an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play as a tool for the development of children and youth in the most disadvantaged areas of the world.

Sports Stars To Raise Money To Cure Paralysis

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Sports luminaries and philanthropy icons will be recognized when they gather at the 23rd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner on Monday, September 22, at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Bob Costas has been named the Master of Ceremonies for the event which will benefit the Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis, a nonprofit organization that serves as the national fundraising arm of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis – the world’s largest, most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center.

This spectacular annual event is expected to sell out to over 1,300 guests and raise millions of dollars for spinal cord injury research. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner, which will include a live auction of one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia and other unique items.

Tiger Woods Joins Sports Stars In Auction

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Sports stars Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretzky have donated items to an auction to benefit a Canadian charity that offers programs such as music therapy and physio-occupational therapy to more than 400 children a year.

Overlooking the shores of Okanagan Lake in Vernon, British Columbia, The Rise is a resort community that features a golf club, a private beach, a winery and vineyard, and a spectacular array of sought-after Okanagan real estate. This year it will hold its third Moonlight Serenade Charity Gala to raise money for the North Okanagan Neurological Association, an organization that aims to strengthen the abilities of children with special needs and enhance opportunities for them to participate in their community.

The Gala will include an auction that features an autographed photo donated by golf legend Tiger Woods and a jersey from “the greatest hockey player ever”, Wayne Gretzky. NHL stars Trevor Linden and Sidney Crosby have also donated signed jerseys to the auction.

Wayne Gretzky Helps Sick Single Mother

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is leading the fight for a young single mother battling a chronic disease by donating items to a new online auction.

The 47-year-old Canadian ex-hockey player – once named the “greatest player of all time” in Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the NHL – has put a signed jersey up for auction, and has been joined by a raft of current and former all-stars and Hall of Famers including Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, Brendan Shanahan, Steve Yzerman, Patrick Roy and Evgeni Malkin. Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has also gifted a signed picture to the cause.

The proceeds from the auction will go to Katie Thomas, a 33-year-old geneticist from Denver, Colorado, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2007. Unresponsive to traditional treatment, Katie is now showing progress in a unique clinical trial that is not covered by her health insurance, and the money raised will go towards her continued treatment.

Celebs For Kids Makes A $7 Million Challenge

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Dozens of celebrities including actors Matt Damon, Cheech Marin, and Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr are helping to raise funds for a research centre dedicated to pediatric rheumatology at Canada’s B.C. Children’s Hospital

Inspired by Karim Chandani, founder of Celebs for Kids in partnership with the Arthritis Society of Canada and Lupus Canada, the $3.5 million project – the Ross Petty Research Chair in Paediatric Rheumatology – will address the enormous lack of knowledge about Lupus in both the medical field and the general public, and the fact that there is currently no such research or treatment facility in Canada.

According to lupus sufferer Dr Jan McCaffrey, lupus is difficult to diagnose or treat because it affects every patient differently and has only a fraction of the research or public awareness compared to that of other well-known diseases. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy body systems and tissues, resulting in pain and organ damage. McCaffrey says, “If I had to write a bumper sticker for doctors and lupus with a view of helping diagnose patients sooner, I would say, ‘If it doesn’t make sense, think of lupus.’”

Santana Plays Four Seasons Of Hope

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:36:00 +0000

Guitarist and music legend Carlos Santana gave a special live performance to 650 guests at the seventh annual Four Seasons of Hope charity gala in New York on Sunday night.

The gala, hosted by Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor, and Live With Regis and Kelly’s Regis Philbin, recognized the charitable efforts of sports, entertainment, and political celebrities, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Palmer, Joe Torre, Boomer Esiason, and Dan Marino. The evening, which included an auction, raised over $1.1 million for a host of children’s charities, including the Arnold Palmer Foundation, the Boomer Esiason Foundation to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis, the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, the Dan Marino Foundation, the Jason Taylor Foundation, the Michael Strahan Foundation, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, and the Milagro Foundation.

“It is so rewarding to be able to come out and work with a first-class organization such as Samsung on a night like this,” said Santana. “We had a great crowd and were able to raise a lot of money for the charities Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope program supports. It’s not often you get such an eclectic group of athletes and celebrities together in one room, but when you do, special things happen and we were able to help a lot of children and families in need in the process.”

Joe Pesci Joins Charity Golf Tournament

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:45:35 +0000

Actor Joe Pesci and former NFL players Sterling Sharpe and Kordell Stewart have joined the line-up of celebrities for the 2008 BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament on May 15, while actors Samuel L. Jackson, David James Elliott, Kevin Sorbo, and Lucas Black have withdrawn.

“We are very excited to have Joe Pesci and Kordell Stewart joining the field for the first time and to have Sterling Sharpe return,” said Darin MacDonald, tournament director of the BMW Charity Pro-Am. “It is unfortunate to hear about Samuel L. Jackson, David James Elliott, Kevin Sorbo and Lucas Black, but we understand. They had committed to play, but apparently the shooting schedules of their new movies have changed. We understand that their work takes precedence, and we wish them all well with these productions.”

The celebrities now scheduled to compete in this year’s BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament are Joe Pesci, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Kurt Russell, Catherine Bell, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Ty Gretzky, Dave Coulier, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, Michael Pena, Sterling Sharpe, Kordell Stewart, Jason Dohring, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Javier Colon, Steve Azar, Gary Valentine, Mark Rypien, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, George Rogers, Ben Wright, and Jennifer Mills. Winnings from the tournament will go to the winner’s charity of choice.

Fore!! Celebrities Hit The Green For Charity

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:19:05 +0000

BMW’s Golf Charity Event will be televised live on the Golf Channel from the Bright’s Creek Golf Club, N.C., on May 15-18, 2008. It will be the only U.S. Nationwide golf tournament where amateurs, celebrities, and pros gather together for charity.

The professional winner of the overall 72 hole event will take home $117,000 from the total purse of $650,000, which is one of the largest purses on the Nationwide Tour. Amateurs and celebrities will compete for individual prizes and cash donations to the charity of their choice out of the beneficiaries selected by South Carolina Charities. The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, and the Spartanburg Community College will also benefit from this event.

The first seven tournaments have raised more than $5.7 million for 80+ area charities.

Steve Nash Celebrity Roast a Success

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:03:03 +0000

On October 12, 2007, at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho, Steve Nash hosted his inaugural Celebrity Roast to benefit the Steve Nash Foundation. More than 200 guests shelled out $1,500 each to attend a poolside dinner, celebrity shoot-out, a silent & live auction, and special concert by Grammy winner John Legend.

“Roast me, toast me,” said Nash before the event, “Our new platform in Phoenix is education, primarily for at-risk kids.” Nash, who was just named one of 2007’s Most Caring Athletes by USA WEEKEND, remains humble and sincere even when being roasted by his celebrity guests. Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky took to the stage and roasted his fellow Canadian. “In Canada, for basketball, Steve has done what Tiger Woods has done for golf in the US,” praised Gretzky. Nash was also praised by Raja Bell, Sun great Eddie Johnson, his coaches- Dick Davey from Santa Clara University and Sun’s coach Mike D’Anotoni, and former Sun Dan Majerle, who was the first to arrive: “Steve is a great guy,” said Majerle. “He’s been called the greatest basketball player ever to come out of Canada. But can anybody name anybody else? Seriously?” asked Majerle. Suns teammate Raja Bell: “Phoenix has benefited tremendously from having him (Nash) here and will continue to do so,” Bell said. “He’s a tremendous asset to the city.”

Guests enjoyed a four-course poolside meal prepared by celebrated chef Charles Wiley while listening to Grammy Award winner John Legend perform. Legend set the ambiance with his smooth vocals and piano playing before taking part in the ‘celebrity shootout’. Hugo Boss president and CEO Tony Lucia offered to donate $200 for every basket made during the chaotic 45-seconds. NBA players and celeb’s lined up to take shots, but Legend was a bit hesitant. “I like to follow the games, especially during the play-offs,” said Legend. “But, I only occasionally play because I’m not that fast or that tall.” After a little prodding, Legend took the ball and contributed two of the 40 shots made, raising a total of $8,000 from Lucia.

Stars Deliver For Literacy Charities

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 10:43:34 +0000

Kate Winslet, Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Pryce and Phil Collins are among 40 celebrities who have donated their time and artistic skills to the UK Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope campaign.

The stars have each decorated an envelope in order to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust, and the unique framed art is available on eBay until the 20th of October.

This is the third year that the campaign has taken place, and organisers are hoping it will be as successful as last year’s auction, which raised over £11,000 for the Trust.