Look To The Stars News: Holly Robinson-Peete

Celebrity Apprentice To Raise Charity Cash Again

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:30:00 -0000

NBC and Donald Trump have officially announced the famous faces that will line up for charity in the new season of The Celebrity Apprentice this year.

Although the charities are yet to be announced, celebrity contestants will include Sharon Osbourne, Sinbad, chef Curtis Stone, Cyndi Lauper, Bret Michaels, Holly Robinson-Peete, Michael Johnson, former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich, Darryl Strawberry, Bill Goldberg, Summer Sanders, Maria Kanellis, Carol Leifer and Selita Ebanks.

Last year’s season of the show was won by Joan Rivers, who played for the charity God’s Love We Deliver.

Celebrity Apprentice 2010 will start on NBC on Sunday, March 14.

Bid On Celebrity Puzzle Pieces For Autism

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

In support of Autism awareness, Baby Swags has received over 40 celebrity signed puzzle pieces to show support for Autism Awareness and the charity ACT Today!.

Some of today’s hottest teen celebrities came out to show support, such as Tiffany Thornton and Allisyn Ashley Arm from the hit show, “Sonny With A Chance”, Jennifer Stone from Wizards of Waverly Place, iCarly star Jennette McCurdy and many more.

“We have asked each celebrity to sign his or her puzzle piece and return it to Baby Swags”, states Phyllis Pometta, founder of Baby Swags. “Once each piece was received, we framed it and have placed it up for auction with Charity Folks and 100% of the profits will go directly to benefit the non-profit charity organization, ACT Today!”

The celebrities attended the two-day, highly anticipated, Baby & Tween Celebration LA that was held on April 25 & 26, 2009. At this event, each celebrity had the opportunity to hand deliver their signed puzzle piece over to Baby Swags at their exclusive lounge; “The Rockin Lollipop Lounge”. By being present at this event, each celebrity was photographed while holding their ‘piece to the puzzle’.

The Baby Swags online charity auction will take place online and can be found at http://www.charityfolks.com/babyswags, where you will find signed puzzle pieces from supporters such as actress Holly Robinson-Peete, Pro-Skateboarder Tony Hawk, actress Jennie Garth, reality star Trista Sutter, singer Chris Daughtry, The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney, actor Jim Belushi, actor Joe Mantegna, singer Carnie Wilson and many others.

Baby Swags specializes in promoting pregnancy and juvenile related products by providing celebrity, corporate and charity gifting opportunities to entrepreneurial women. Baby Swags fully supports the work-at-home mom, their products and services to which they provide to and for the everyday mom.

ACT Today! is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase access to effective autism treatments. Their goal is to introduce and help facilitate early and on-going treatment by providing the necessary resources including guidance, referrals, funding and follow up to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families.

For more information on ACT Today!, visit www.act-today.org.

Stars Come Out For HollyRod Foundation

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0000

On Saturday, July 21st, the stars came out in support of DesignCare 2007, an annual fundraiser from The HollyRod Foundation to benefit adults and children battling debilitating disease and life circumstances.

Actress Holly Robinson-Peete and her husband, retired NFL quarterback and Best Damn Sports Show Period co-host Rodney Peete celebrated the 9th year of this popular fundraiser, hosting a star-studded couture fashion show, an electrifying musical performance, and both live and silent auctions at a beautiful private residence in Malibu.

The night was a huge success for the HollyRod Foundation, raising more than $350,000 with the help of comedians and live auctioneers, Chris Tucker & Cedric the Entertainer. Holly, Rodney, and celebrity supporters such as Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Eddie Murphy, Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy, Angie Harmon, Jason Seahorn, Sanaa Lathan, Quincy Jones, Amy Yasbeck, Blair Underwood and Gayle King were among those who enjoyed the breathtaking designs of Naeem Khan and danced to the funky sounds of Morris Day & The Time.

Cedric the Entertainer provided hilarious commentary for the live auction, where one special guest came away as a proud owner of the new Smart Car, which is not yet available in the U.S. and currently has a huge waiting list. Special honors were also handed out, as Maurice White, of the iconic, Grammy Award-winning music group Earth, Wind & Fire, received the Matthew T. Robinson, Jr. Award of Courage for the inspiration he provides to others as he valiantly battles Parkinson’s. The award is named after Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson Jr., who battled Parkinson’s Disease for over 20 years before succumbing in 2002, and inspired the formation of the HollyRod Foundation. Future NFL Hall of Fame inductee Jerome Bettis and television producers Yvette and Kyle Bowser also received awards in recognition of their commitment to providing invaluable aid to underserved individuals and groups.

“We are overjoyed by the show of support DesignCare received this year,” says Holly Robinson Peete of the exhilarating night, which included a check presentation from Anheuser-Busch, who pledged $200,000 in support of the HollyRod Foundation over the next two years. Since establishing the HollyRod Foundation in 1997 with Rodney, the annual DesignCare (formerly DesignCure) and Gridiron Glamour events have kept growing, drawing hundreds of supporters and raising millions to enhance the quality of life for adults and children all over the world facing devastating life circumstances.

The foundation recently expanded its mission to address more children’s issues, creating HollyRod4Kids. This organization is the brainchild of the Peete children, twins Ryan and RJ (9), Robinson (4) and Roman (2), and seeks to improve the lives of children living along the Gulf Coast who were affected by Hurricane Katrina and children in sub-Saharan Africa whose communities have been ravaged by civil war, famine and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Chris Tucker taking the mic from Cedric the Entertainer and donating $100,000 to the HollyRod Foundation. Tucker then put fellow actor/comedian Eddie Murphy on the spot by asking him to match his donation. Eddie complies.

Jim Carrey bidding $30,000 and winning a private dinner at the home of Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete hosted by fellow comedians Chris Tucker, Cedric the Entertainer, Sinbad and Chris Rock.

The fashions of Naeem Khan were such a hit that actress Angie Harmon matched the winning bid of $10,000 to take home a one-of-a-kind Naeem Khan design for herself.

Eddie Murphy and current love, Tracey Edmonds, skipping the red carpet and arriving just in time for the show.

The legendary Quincy Jones showing love and gratitude to Maurice White, the famous lead singer and founder of Earth, Wind & Fire who’s been struggling with Parkinson’s disease since the late 1990’s.

LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ lead host, Michelle Vink was on hand as a host of Leeza Gibbons' A Night To Make A Difference Fundraiser on Oscar night. Read her story below:

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

Those were the words from Harvey Milk from the Oscar-winning movie, Milk. Despite the uncertain state of the economy and the lack of faith we keep hearing about on the news, there was an overwhelming resurgence of hopeful optimism at the Oscars this year. Winning storylines like Slumdog Millionaire and Milk captured that very essence.

A new type of Oscar party

I recall reading that Slumdog director Danny Boyle placed the money to be paid to the 3 lead child actors in a trust until they complete grade school, and that the production company set up a driver to take the kids to school every day until they are 16 years old. When the movie was nominated for an Oscar alongside all the Milk nominations, I knew it would be a good year.

Soon after that I learned of a new type of Oscar party that Leeza Gibbons was coordinating, called A Night to Make A Difference. The timing was impeccable, and before I knew it I was invited to help host the event.

Michelle with Leeza and co-host, Russell.

Celebrity organisers with special causes

Leeza wanted to “take the global stage of Oscar Night and use it to put the focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.” With a team of volunteers and a production team fueled with the same passion, Leeza did just that. Helped by Olivia Newton-John, music legend David Foster, and several co-hosts, the team created “A Party with a Purpose.” This monumental event not only benefited Leeza Gibbons' Memory Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, but also raised awareness for philanthropy and inspired a feeling of hope. This inaugural event was streamed live here on LooktotheStars.org, and on other sites including Variety.com , LeezaGibbonsOscarEvent.com, Glam.com and ExtraTV.com.

With the aid of Jessica Biel and her Make The Difference Network, an opportunity was created for viewers to donate to the cause or just open the door for people to get involved in a charity that is close to their own hearts. Check out MTDN.com for more information on Jessica’s charity.

Jessica Biel – photo by Levi Walker

An all-star cast of celebrity givers

Celebrities who came out to support this event and celebrate Hollywood’s big heart included Laila Ali (who uses her celebrity to get kids excited about physical fitness), Mel B., Jessica Biel, Wilson Cruz, Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk, Paris Hilton, Slash & Perla Hudson (who donated a guitar to the auction), Kym Johnson, Mario Lopez, Melissa Gilbert, Jane Seymour & James Keach, Cindy Margolis, Terrell Owens, Holly Robinson-Peete, Suzanne Somers, Dee Wallace, Forest & Keisha Whitaker and many, many others. I was honored to interview Wilson Cruz (He’s Just Not That Into You) immediately following Dustin Lance Black's win for Milk and I was moved by his passionate desire for change.

Michelle talks to Teri Hatcher during the event.

A responsibility to help

Rex Lee said of using his celebrity status for good, “For whatever reason, people out in the world pay attention to us, and if I say I support Olivia Newton John and building a new cancer center out in Australia, people listen. There is a responsibily in that.”

Michael Buble expressed his feelings on helping others, too, saying, “I think most people hopefully have compassion and empathy. We’ve been blessed, and we should help.”

Michael Buble and Paris Hilton – photo by Levi Walker

Manuela Testolini, founder of In A Perfect World, talked about giving back, saying, “It’s mutually beneficial. The thing that unites us despite our circumstances is the desire to create better world.”

Making a difference with makeovers

Another special touch to the event was the five women that were “hired” as extras from the LA Women’s Shelter. Celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves supervised red carpet makeovers for these women, providing hair, makeup and wardrobe. Shoes were donated by Jessica Simpson. The women were given life coaching lessons and a boost of confidence to help them show others that change is possible, that we can always reinvent ourselves (just like Madonna), and that there is always room for a second chance.

“Help other people”

While on the red carpet, Jane Seymour said, “It’s not just the Oscars, but giving back and helping other people. It’s about what you can do to help other people right now. The more we help other people, the better it will be for all of us. My mum always used to say to me, ‘When life is tough, go out and help other people’ […] Every single person on this planet can make a difference – it’s just an act of kindness.”

David Foster and Jane Seymour – photo by Levi Walker

So despite what we have been hearing on the news, it looks like there are a few of us out there that still believe in hope. Thank you, Leeza — it truly was a party with a purpose.

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 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.

Leeza Gibbons And Olivia Newton-John Present A Night To Make A Difference

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be a sponsor of an exciting event that is set to take Oscar night by storm. Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster are bringing together a host of celebrities for A Night to Make a Difference to focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.

The star-studded and inspirational event will be held at Beverley Hills’ exclusive and iconic Mr Chow, which will be transformed into a “living set” as it provides a backdrop for a very special interactive Oscar viewing party. 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.

The list of Ambassadors of Change is long and includes Laila Ali, Jessica Biel & Make The Difference Network, Cindy Crawford, John Paul DeJoria, Fran Drescher, Hilary Duff, David Foster, Leeza Gibbons, Melissa Gilbert, Erin Gray, Tony Hawk, Slash & Perla Hudson, Larry King, Ali Landry, Mario Lopez, Gloria Loring, Darryl McDaniels, Dr Phil & Robin McGraw, Olivia Newton-John, Holly Robinson-Peete & Rodney Peete, Jane Seymour, and Amy Smart.

“We call it a “party with a conscience” and it happens live on the internet (via EXTRAtv.com and Glam.com)," Leeza Gibbons told Look To The Stars. "Our correspondents are the stars themselves who have been inspired or moved to action by Hollywood’s example and leadership. We will create a “living set” inside Mr. Chow and cut live to our “Glam lounge” where lifestyle reporters will give viewers ways to take Hollywood’s example for confident building looks . We’ll also show how Hollywood beauties (ranging from classics like Audrey Hepburn to contemporaries like Angelina Jolie) have used their beauty to make a difference in the world. We will feature the ways in which Hollywood is leading the charge in the green movement and demonstrate how Hollywood’s huge heart has become a catalyst for good all over the world."

The event will even be carbon neutral, and a tree will be planted in honor of each attendee to erase their carbon footprint.

“Of course , we will have plenty of fun too!” said Leeza. "David Foster is our entertainment director and he is delivering A-list performers. We will have fans interact with our guests to get inspired and learn that together we are stronger than anything than threatens to tear us apart. Favorite Oscar moments, favorite Oscar hosts, and of course, plenty of fashion and flair! It’s all part of our Night To Make A Difference, which is a benefit for the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and Olivia Newton John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia."

The Night To Make A Difference takes place at Mr Chow, 344 N Camden Drive, on February 22. Dinner guests will be treated to a specially planned and prepared 10-course dinner featuring Mr. Chow’s world famous cuisine while watching the Oscars, and there will also be a special celebrity auction.

The event is expected to sell out. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website.

And be sure to stay tuned to Look To The Stars for more coverage of this exciting event.

Holly Robinson-Peete Supports Skechers Charity Campaign

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

Skechers successful “Nothing Compares to Family” campaign has enlisted the help of numerous celebrity families representing many genres of the entertainment spectrum. Recently, the cross-generational brand has procured the assistance of mother, actress, and author Holly Robinson-Peete and her four children.

Skechers’ commitment to family attaches each ad to a family-related charity of the celebrity’s choice. The HollyRod Foundation (www.HollyRod.org) serves as the namesake and supported charity of Holly Robinson-Peete. The organization is devoted to providing medical, physical, and emotional support to families enduring the debilitating effects of life circumstances. Parkinson’s disease has been a long-time focus of the organization. A new focal point of the foundation is Hollyrod4kids. This initiative is the creation of the Peete children, fraternal twins Rodney and Ryan Elizabeth 11, Robinson 6 and Roman 3. Hollyrod4kids serves to improve the quality of life of children that have been distressed by circumstances beyond their control and to help the families of children affected by Autism access affordable treatments and therapies.

“Skechers is a true family brand that is embraced by everyone from kids, tweens and teens to adults,” affirms Kristen Van Cott, VP Global Licensing. “Holly Robinson Peete along with her children and the HollyRod Foundation sincerely reflect what Skechers is all about as a brand.”

The campaign ad runs through 2009 and can be found in celebrity weekly glossies and will also appear in lifestyle magazines.

Rockers Go Bowling For Autism

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Here’s your chance to see some of your favorite rock stars in a setting not normally associated with rock ‘n’ roll decadence: a bowling alley.

The VH1 Classic Rock Autism Celebrity Bowl-Off will take place tomorrow, November 13, at the Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood, and will be hosted by actress Holly Robinson-Peete, NFL legend Rodney Peete, and former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. Rockers expected to put their best bowling skills on show include Meatloaf, Slash, and members of Velvet Revolver, Camp Freddy, Anthrax, Great White, Ratt, Warrant, Lit, L.A. Guns, Candlebox, Nelson, Cinderella, and many more.

The evening will benefit three autism organizations: The HollyRod Foundation , ACT Today!, and The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.

“Since launching VH1 Classic’s Rock Autism initiative last year, we’ve received overwhelming interest, feedback and assistance from people whose lives have been affected by autism,” said Tom Calderone, President, VH1. “We’re so proud to partner with hollyrod4kids, ACT Today! and the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation on Rock Autism’s first-ever large-scale event. We also appreciate all of the artists, celebrities and music fans who are coming out to support what’s sure to be a fun and successful night.”

The event will also feature an auction that includes items such as signed guitars from Linkin Park and Tom Petty, as well as the chance to play the Rock Band 2 video game against a surprise rock legend.

More information about the event can be found at the VH1 Classic Rock Bowl-Off website.

Get Ready For The Carousel Of Hope This Weekend

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Carousel of Hope Gala will take place this weekend to raise money for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

Presented by Jay Leno, the gala will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 25, and will honor Denzel Washington for his charity work.

This year celebrates 30 years of helping children with diabetes through the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. Held every two years, this is the 18th Carousel of Hope. From its inception in 1978, the Ball has raised over $70 million.

The gala will feature performances from Josh Groban, the Jonas Brothers, Katharine McPhee and many more under the music direction of David Foster. The guest list is expected to be huge, with stars such as Tom Arnold, Melanie Griffith & Antonio Banderas, Halle Berry, Valerie Bertinelli, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bo Derek, Geena Davis, Daisy Fuentes, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammar, Tom Hanks, Taraji P. Henson, Anjelica Huston, Magic Johnson, Dr. Phil McGraw, Holly Robinson-Peete & Rodney Peete, Nicole Richie, Jane Seymour, Nicollette Sheridan, Forest Whitaker and James Woods all expected to attend. Clive Davis, Quincy Jones and Sidney Poitier will take part in Denzel Washington’s presentation.

The evening will feature a silent auction that includes an array of eco-friendly shirts donated by Guess and signed by Jason Bateman, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Will Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Cuba Gooding Jr., Whitney Houston, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Lee, Jared Leto, Bill Maher, Steve Martin, Jack Nicholson, Ray Romano, Maria Shriver & Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rod Stewart, Usher and many more. There will also be handbags signed by Joan Collins, Courteney Cox, Cindy Crawford, Dakota Fanning, Mariska Hargitay, Fergie, Susan Sarandon, Britney Spears and Racquel Welch, as well as items from Trace Adkins, P. Diddy, Marcia Cross, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Andie MacDowell, Alyssa Milano, Eva Longoria, Dolly Parton, Priscilla Presley, Denise Richards, Joel Madden, Sharon Stone, John Travolta, Carrie Underwood and many more.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit clinical care and research at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (BDC) where over 5,000 children and young adults receive specialized care.

10th Annual Design Care Event Attracts Celebrities

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Actress Holly Robinson-Peete and her husband, former NFL player Rodney Peete, held their 10th annual “Design Care” event benefiting The HollyRod Foundation – which raises money for adults and children battling debilitating disease and life circumstances including Parkinson’s Disease and autism – on July 19.

The Design Care event is an evening of fashion, music and charity. What started as a gathering of 150 people at the home of Holly and Rodney has grown to a guest list of 500 people. To date, DesignCare has raised over $2 million.

This year, the HollyRod Foundation honored Cedric the Entertainer with the 2008 HollyRod Humanitarian Award; businessman James Warsaw with the Matthew T. Robinson Award of Courage; and philanthropist Lisette Ackerberg with the Angel on the Path Award. The first annual Champion Award was presented by hollyrod4kids to Jason “JMac” Mc Elwain – the teen basketball player with autism.

The live auction led by John Salley featured exclusive items such as a Smart Car courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, a trip for two to attend a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago, and a MotoPure H12 diamond encrusted Bluetooth headset among other luxurious items.

Celebrities in attendance included Vanessa Williams, Amy Yasbeck, Lisa Renna, Cheri Oteri, Eric LaSalle, and Regina King, and recording artist Maxwell performed at this year’s event.

The foundation was founded in 1997 in honor of Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1982 at age of 46.

Cindy Crawford Hosts Mothers Day Spa For Ronald McDonald House

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:26:03 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of Tinseltown’s brightest female stars turned out for an early Mothers Day charity fundraiser event in Los Angeles today, April 29, to salute mothers staying at Ronald McDonald House.

Cindy Crawford, Dayanara Torres, June Ambrose, and Tamia hosted the “spa and wellbeing” event, and treated mothers with sick children to manicures and neck and shoulder massages, make-up tips, and consultations provided by JAFRA Cosmetics International Inc., as well as gift bags filled with beauty items.

“It will be very special to watch these incredible mothers take a break, relax, and enjoy the day,” said Crawford. “We know that the presence of families helps in the healing process for children. These moms give so much love and support to their children during such a difficult time, and in honor of Mother’s Day, this is a nice way to show our appreciation for all the sacrifices they make for their families each and every day.”

The stars took part in the event as Celebrity Friends of Ronald McDonald House (RMHC), part of the charity’s existing Friends of RMHC volunteer program which includes a network of 30,000 volunteers that allows RMHC to serve millions of children each year. Other celebrities involved in the program include Hayden Panettiere, Holly Robinson-Peete, and Wayne Brady. The celebrity program was launched in 2007, during McDonald’s annual World Children’s Day fundraiser for RMHC, and is designed to heighten awareness for the charity and inspire people to take action by actively donating their time, resources, or funds.

“Mothers who depend on the Ronald McDonald House to be a ‘home away from home’ while their children receive treatment at nearby hospitals often form a special bond with one other,” said Wai Ling Eng, RMHC Global Board Trustee. “I’m delighted to be part of this event that salutes these strong women and gives them a chance to further their connection with other mothers going through a similar experience.”

Today’s event at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House followed the opening of a newly-built auxiliary property, which added 40 additional hotel-style bedrooms to the facility. The expansion means the charity can now provide low cost, often free, lodging to 75-families per night; an increase from the previously accommodated 35-families.

Holly Robinson-Peete Gets Behind Parkinson's Disease Book

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:56:16 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new book featuring inspirational stories from sufferers of Parkinson’s disease has got some celebrity help.

Holly Robinson-Peete has written a forward for “Proud Hands”, the new book that is a combination of personal photos and stories submitted by 28 patients and caregivers across America to provide encouragement to the more than 1 million people in the U.S. who are affected by Parkinson’s disease, and the actress will also launch the book at the annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk on April 26 at Central Park in New York City. In addition, several storytellers from “Proud Hands,” and representatives from Teva Neuroscience and the American Parkinson Disease Association, will be there to talk about the importance of learning to live well with the condition. Participants attending the Unity Walk will also be able to reserve a copy of “Proud Hands” at the Teva Neuroscience booth.

“It’s efforts such as this one made by Teva Neuroscience that allows my organization, The HollyRod Foundation, to continue serving the Parkinson’s disease community throughout the United States," said Holly Robinson Peete. “The ‘Proud Hands’ book is a great way to create awareness about a disease that affects the lives of so many people and, at the same time, give hope to those who have the disease.”

Peete has dedicated herself to helping people live since she founded The HollyRod Foundation – which provides medical, financial, emotional, and physical support to sufferers – with her husband, Rodney, in 1997. They established the foundation after the death of her father, Matt Robinson, who battled the disease for many years.

The book is available at www.proudhandsbook.com for $15, and the proceeds will go to the American Parkinson Disease Association to assist the organization in its research, support, and education initiatives.

The Magnitude of Fortitude - When Parkinson’s Patients Feel Their Lives Are Crumbling, The HollyRod Foundation Provides Stability

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:08:00 -0000

Written by Jill Marie Elliott

It is a tremor that will send shockwaves through nearly 60,000 families in the U.S. this year. However, it will not be registering on the Richter scale; the shift in their world will be caused by the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. They will join the estimated 1.5 million afflicted Americans, along with their loved ones, who feel the reverberations of a disorder that leaves physical destruction, emotional devastation and financial ruin in its wake. Out of this rubble, a resolve emerges to research and fund a cure amongst the chaos.

For many, the first rumblings of Parkinson’s Disease are noticed in slurred speech, muscle stiffness, a shuffling gait; for actress Holly Robinson-Peete, it was noticing her dad walking with a limp while dropping her off at college in 1982. Upon returning home for Christmas of that year, Holly was told of his Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. At the age of 46, this was the onset of his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease.

His name may not sound familiar, however many know Matt Robinson as the man who swept our cares away. His role playing the original Gordon on Sesame Street endeared us to this gentleman who would go on to write and produce for some of televisions best-loved comedies, including Sanford & Son, Eight is Enough, and The Cosby Show.

“When my father got sick, our whole world fell apart,” expressed Holly in a 2002 iParenting.com interview.

Even though Matthew had a successful career in the entertainment business, there was a substantial financial strain created by the medical needs of the disease. Fortunately Holly and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and the rest of Matthew’s supportive family alleviated that stress. Moved by so many patients they encountered who did go without the physical, emotional and financial support, the Beverly Hills humanitarian husband and wife team were determined to create an organization that dealt straight-on with these issues. The HollyRod Foundation for Help and Hope was founded in 1997 in honor of Matthew T. Robinson, Sr.

The HollyRod Foundation joined forces in 2002 with the Center for Parkinson’s Research and Movement Disorders at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, in establishing The HollyRod Compassionate Care Program. This partnership enables HollyRod to provide individual patients with financial and medical assistance, along with other services and care as needed.

HollyRod is a lightning rod for charitable celebrities. The foundation presents two annual phenomenal fundraisers to raise money and awareness throughout the year. The star-studded DesignCure and Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show & Brunch feature haute ensembles and cool entertainment!

Decked out in dynamic fashion designs from ESCADA, models took to the catwalk, delighting DesignCure 2006 invited guests such as Chris Rock, Star Jones Reynolds, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Angie Harmon and Samuel L. Jackson. The auction this year included a set of three guitars autographed by members of U2, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin! Boxing legend and three-time host of DesignCure Sugar Ray Leonard had the distinction of joining former honoree, famed fighter Muhammad Ali,
when he was presented with the HollyRod Foundation Humanitarian Award for his knockout charitable efforts. The summer evening ended on a high-note with a musical performance by Grammy winner Jill Scott. In its eight years of existence, DesignCure has raised over one million dollars.

The Gridiron Glamour fundraiser fuses fashion & football together in an event held during Super Bowl week. In the past, the event has showcased the top fashion designs from Saks Fifth Avenue couture collection. The hottest trends & threads were worn by a team that included supermodel and hostess Niki Taylor, singing sensations Patti LaBelle, Kelly Rowland and Marc Anthony, sport stars Rick Fox, Serena Williams and Jason Sehorn and Hollywood personalities Daisy Fuentes, Nancy O'Dell & Carmen Electra!

The 2007 Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show & Brunch will be held in Miami, Florida on February 3rd. In addition to money raised for the HollyRod Foundation, the fundraiser bestows a non-profit organization in each Super Bowl city to serve as local beneficiary of the event. The 2007 recipient is The Honey Shine Foundation, a non-profit mentoring program providing positive experiences that nurture the mind, body and soul of girls 6 to 18 years old in at-risk situations.

Mr. Robinson passed away from Parkinson’s Disease in August 2002, twenty years after being diagnosed. His spirit lives on in HollyRod’s ever-strengthening commitment to fostering help & hope to Parkinson’s patients, and their families and caregivers.

That’s one wave of compassion we can all roll with.

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