Look To The Stars News: Jane Kaczmarek

Smile Train Performs 250,000th Cleft Repair In China

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity with over 2,200 partner surgeons operating in over 1,100 partner hospitals in over 80 countries, today announced that it has performed its 250,000th cleft repair surgery in China, since it began operations there in 1999. All 250,000 surgeries have been performed by local Chinese surgeons.

Smile Train was founded in 1999 with the mission of providing every child born with a cleft the same opportunities in life as a child born without. The charity has a large number of celebrity supporters, many of which used their star-status to increase the organization’s profile last year. Among the many efforts during the year, Dean Cain, Tatyana Ali and Erik Estrada appeared on The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards to help raise awareness for Smile Train by highlighting a recent trip they took to Mexico with the charity. Additionally, Erik Estrada continued his mission to support Smile Train by choosing to dance for the charity on the Univision hit show Mira Quien Baila! raising over $10,000. Lastly, comedian Jimmy Pardo continued the giving trend with his Third Annual PARDCAST-A-THON.

Other celebrity supporters include Robin Williams, the late Walter Cronkite, Hilary Swank, Colin Powell, Jane Kaczmarek, Sammi Hanratty, Kevin Connolly, Stephen Colbert, Christie Brinkley, Helena Bonham Carter and many more.

Jane Kaczmarek Hosts Charity Gala For Downtown Women's Center

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:05:00 +0000

On Monday, three hundred guests gathered for the Downtown Women’s Center’s (DWC)14th annual gala, MADE with LOVE, to raise nearly a quarter million dollars for the Los Angeles based nonprofit that serves women facing homelessness and poverty in downtown’s Skid Row.

The event celebrated DWC’s dramatic expansion of critically needed permanent housing and supportive services and their new social enterprise MADE by DWC.

J.J. Abrams And Friends Help Beat The Odds At Charity Event

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The Children’s Defense Fund California hosted its 20th Annual Beat the Odds Awards on Thursday, December 2, honoring five incredible Los Angeles area high school students who “beat the odds” – Jonathan Calderon, presented by J.J. Abrams, Hsiao-Wei Monica Banks, presented by Elisabeth Shue, Wilson Khauv, presented by Josh Holloway, Erica Limón, presented by Sofia Vergara and Giovanni Soto, presented by Zoe Saldana.

Children’s Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman – along with Hollywood supporters and co-chairs Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams, Ruth-Ann Huvane & Kevin Huvane, Carol & Frank Biondi, Jane Kaczmarek, Stacey & Charles King and Laura & Casey Wasserman – celebrated these high school “stars” for overcoming tremendous personal obstacles in order to achieve academic excellence. Other stars in attendance included Carol Leifer, Conan O’Brien and Jeff Probst.

Macy Gray to Perform at Autism Benefit

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:03:00 +0000

American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, Macy Gray is a proud supporter of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), and as such, she will help celebrate CARD’s 20 year anniversary with an exclusive mini-concert at their Gala.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), which strives to provide effective treatment to children with autism around the world, will celebrate in style on September 25 in Los Angeles with a gala benefit to include a cocktail hour, a silent auction, a seated dinner with performance by Grammy-Award Winner Macy Gray, and a post dinner party with live entertainment with DJ Crash.

Members of the gala committee include: Annette O’Toole, Antonio Sabato, Jr., Camryn Manheim, the Dixie Chicks, Joe Mantegna, Leeza Gibbons, Howie Mandel, Jane Kaczmarek, Kelsey Grammer and Lou Diamond Phillips, among others. 

Michael McKean Wins $1 Million For Charity In Jeopardy Final

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Actor Michael McKean (“Laverne and Shirley” and star of Broadway’s “Superior Donuts”) prevailed as champion of the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament during the weekend — winning $1 million for his charity the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF). This is the biggest amount ever awarded to charity in “Jeopardy!” history. It is also the largest single donation ever received by the IMF.

Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas, affecting an estimated 750,000 people worldwide. McKean became passionate for the cause when his friend, musician Lee Grayson, passed away from myeloma eight years ago. Regarding today’s victory, McKean said, “If some breakthroughs can be made or more research can be done due to this win, it would be incredible. There are so many amazing people at IMF who do great work.”

According to Susie Novis, president and co-founder of the IMF, McKean’s donation will be used for a special fund in honor of McKean and Grayson. “The money will fund research to find a cure and to help patients and their families through education,” Novis said. “His win has shown us how empowering being informed can be — it can change the lives of people all over the world!”

Dana Delany Gives The Clothes Off Her Back To Fight Child Hunger

Fri, 07 May 2010 14:30:00 +0000

A cast of celebrities have rallied together to donate items for a star-studded online auction for ConAgra Foods Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally campaign benefitting Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger relief organization. The auction, which is now live, will run through Tuesday, May 18 on actress Jane Kaczmarek’s Clothes Off Our Back celebrity auction site.

Featured items include a signed pair of skates from Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, a Christian Dior dress worn by Dana Delany on an episode of “Desperate Houswives,” Stephanie Pratt’s birthday dress featured on an episode of “The Hills,” signed CDs from Sugarland and Kellie Pickler, as well as multiple garments from Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Kathy Ireland, Alison Sweeney and Brenda Strong, among others.

The celebrity auction is one component of an integrated marketing campaign led by ConAgra Foods that launched in March to raise funds for Feeding America. The goal of the Neighborhood Rally campaign is to draw attention to and support for the issue of child hunger in America, which affects children throughout the United States, in neighborhoods large and small.

Celebrities Play Jeopardy For Charity

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Charity Invitational is well under way, and will be taping its semi-final and final rounds this weekend in Los Angeles.

The competition started last September, with contestants such as Dana Delany, Doug Savant, Hill Harper, David Duchovny, Anderson Cooper and a host of other famous faces playing the game show for charities such as UNICEF, the American Cancer Society, the Scleroderma Research Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and more.

The first round of semi-finals are due to air on May 3, with the final line-up consisting of Jane Curtin (UNICEF), Pat Sajak (Veitnam Veterans of America), Harry Shearer (Common Ground Foundation), Michael McKean (International Myeloma Foundation), Isaac Mizrahi (Good Shepherd Services), Charles Shaughnessy (1736 Family Crisis Center), Neil Patrick Harris (Food on Foot), Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes Off Our Back) and Cheech Marin (the Hispanic Scholarship Fund).

Stars Beat The Odds For Children

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0000

The Children’s Defense Fund hosted a star-studded charity gala last week.

The 19th annual Beat The Odds Awards honored young people who have overcome adversity to achieve academic excellence. Spotted attending the event at the Beverly Hills Hotel on December 3 were Jennifer Garner, Conan O’Brien, Jane Kaczmarek, Jennie Garth and many more.

The Children’s Defense Fund has worked for 35 years to provide a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.

Alison Sweeney Hosts Celebri-Tree Charity Open House

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Hallmark Cards, Inc. and actress Alison Sweeney (“Days of our Lives,” “The Biggest Loser”) recently hosted the Celebri-Tree Holiday Open House to support Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

During the event at Sweeney’s Hollywood home, celebrity guests and their families personalized such items as Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, Recordable Cards, DVD Greetings and Hallmark’s new Recordable Storybook “The Night Before Christmas.” A selection of those personalized items are now available for purchase — just in time for Christmas — online at www.clothesoffourback.org; all proceeds will go directly to Feeding America. The online auction ends Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

“As a member of the Entertainment Council of Feeding America, I’m passionate about finding unique ways to help raise awareness and support for their cause. The opportunity to host this event with Hallmark couldn’t have been more perfect,” Sweeney said. “Anyone can join America’s fight against hunger by bidding on their favorite celebrity’s personalized holiday items from Hallmark.”

Celebrities Slip Into Red Dresses For Women's Heart Health

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

New York Fashion Week kicked off with a celebrity bang during the weekend with the 7th annual Red Dress fashion event for The Heart Truth.

Stars such as Katie Couric, Tori Spelling, Patricia Arquette, Brittany Snow, Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duff, Jennie Garth, and Vivica Fox all strutted their stuff on the catwalk at the show in fashions created by America’s top designers for women’s heart health.

The Heart Truth is an awareness campaign created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. It is designed to warn women about their number one health risk, heart disease, and the need to take action against its risk factors. The organization created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women.

Feed America With George Clooney's Bowl

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 +0000

A host of your favorite actors and musicians have autographed bowls for a new charity auction to raise money for the hungry.

The Fill A Bowl, Feed America campaign is being run in conjunction with Clothes Off Our Back, the celebrity charity auction site founded by Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek.

Now is your chance to eat from quality bowls signed by stars such as George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Adam Sandler, Rascal Flatts, Paris Hilton, Sacha Baron Cohen, Maroon 5, Wyclef Jean, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Annie Lennox, Ben Harper, Josh Groban, Jordin Sparks, Carlos Santana, Sarah McLachlan, Richie Sambora, and many more.

Fergie Designs Star For Charity Auction

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie was in New York yesterday to unveil the new Swarovski star for the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and now you can bid on a special Swarovski star designed by the songstress in a new charity auction.

www.clothesoffourback.org has just launched the new auction to benefit children’s charities such as Feeding America, The Art of Elysium, Hope North, and H.E.L.P. Malawi. Joining Fergie in designing crystal stars for this unique auction are Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Garner, Teri Hatcher, Kate Walsh, Kristin Chenoweth, Jane Kaczmarek, Forest Whitaker, Maria Bello, and many more.

To celebrate the auction, participating Swarovski stores across America invite you to join them for light refreshments tonight, November 13, between 6-8pm. All attendees will have the opportunity to win two celebrity stars designed by Maria Bello and Kristin Chenoweth, and will also have a chance to win one of two Swarovski gift packages including: a choice of celebrity star ornament, a 2008 Swarovski Annual Edition Christmas Ornament and a Swarovski Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Topper. Plus, with any purchase of $75, you will receive an exclusive Swarovski crystal snowflake T-Shirt, while supplies last. Money raised from the raffle will also benefit Clothes Off Our Back. Click here to find a participating store near you.

Hope North To Benefit From Celebrity Clothes Auction

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Clothes Off Our Back has just launched an exciting new auction to benefit Hope North.

Clothes Off Our Back, founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford, is currently holding an online auction with clothing, accessories & memorabilia from the Emmy Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Fashion Week & more. This auction includes items worn by Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Scarlett Johansson, Neil Patrick Harris, Jorge Garcia, Tommy Hilfiger, Helen Mirren and many others. The auction ends on October 21, and all proceeds will benefit Hope North along with three other charitable organizations.

Hope North is a 40-acre campus in northern Uganda where refugees, orphans and escaped child soldiers find a place to call home. With an accredited secondary school and vocational training center, this safe and vibrant cultural setting provides a haven for resident students to rebuild their lives through education and job training. A monthly donation as little as $10 can help these youth develop the skills and strength to build Uganda’s future after a brutal 22-year civil war.

Celebrity Fashion Up For Grabs

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Anybody interested in celebrity fashion should head over to www.clothesoffourback.org in the next few days to bid on some of the fabulous items up for grabs in the name of charity.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance has an exciting range of clothes and memorabilia up for auction on the site, including the Badgley Mischka dress that Comedy For A Cure honoree Teri Hatcher wore to the “American Idol” Season 7 Grand Finale, a green Max Mara wrap dress, smoky quartz & sterling silver earrings, and autographed photo from “Dexter” star Julie Benz, a “Chuck” t-shirt autographed by the show’s star Zachary Levi, a “CSI:NY” white lab coat autographed by Melina Kanakaredes, and the Theory dress that “Access Hollywood” correspondent Shaun Robinson wore to last year’s Comedy for a Cure event when she was the show’s emcee.

Bidders should be quick, as the auction ends on July 8.

Celebrity Designed Corsets On Auction

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:06:00 +0000

Some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities have teamed up to design a series of corsets to be auctioned off in October.

Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, and Jessica Biel are just some of the stars who have submitted designs for the 4th annual Frederick’s Of Hollywood Celebrity Corset Auction. The event, which is being run in conjunction with the internet charity auction site Clothes Off Our Back, will raise money for a variety of children’s charities, including Feeding America, a non-profit organization that benefits the hungry, The Art of Elysium, which uses art to help the sick, and World Education, a charity that provides training to underprivileged children around the world. Some of the proceeds will also go towards research into autism.

“In previous years, we got $18,000 for Charlize Theron’s corset and $10,000 for Nicole Kidman’s,” said Frederick’s of Hollywood’s Erin Dominguez. “Each year we set the bar higher and hope to get more.”

Celebrity Portraits Up For Auction

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:25:15 +0000

Autographed portraits of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars are up for auction on the internet this month, as part of the “Stars For A Cause”: charity Gala to be held in September.

George Clooney, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are just some of the legends who have been immortalized in the works by acclaimed artist, Nicolosi. Painted using acrylic on canvas, these pop-art style portraits are both colorful and dynamic, and have been exhibited in London and Los Angeles, as well as at the Cannes Film Festival and on the cruise liner, the Queen Mary II.

Proceeds from the auction will go to The Prince’s Trust, a UK based charity that helps young people overcome barriers by providing training, mentoring, and financial assistance. Joanna Lumley, an ambassador for the Trust, is one of the stars featured in the collection. The Hollywood Museum will also benefit from the auction.

Kevin Bacon Launches “SixDegrees.org”

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:02:12 +0000

Kevin Bacon has launched SixDegrees.org, a new web site that builds on the popularity of the “small world phenomenon” to create a charitable social network and inspire giving to charities online.

Bacon started the network with celebrities who are highlighting their favorite charities – including Kyra Sedgwick (Natural Resources Defense Council), Nicole Kidman (UNIFEM), Ashley Judd (YouthAIDS), Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes Off Our Back), Dana Delany (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Robert Duvall (Pro Mujer), Rosie O’Donnell (Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation), and Jessica Simpson (Operation Smile) – and he encouraged everyone to be celebrities for their own causes by joining the Six Degrees movement.

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:32:59 +0000

Stars and food converged at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood last night for a party launching The Hollywood Cookbook — a beautiful 271-page hardcover collection of sumptuous recipes, each accompanied by a large photo, from the personal kitchens of 20 celebrities and 6 world-class chefs. Five dollars from each purchase benefits 20 important charities dear to the hearts of the celebrity contributors.

The cookbook covers the spectrum of food and beverage, from appetizers, soups and salads, to main courses, desserts, and even cocktails. Michael J. Fox’s Barn Dance Chicken, and Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford’s Savory Fall Stew are just two of the 107 creative and simple dishes that can be duplicated in any kitchen regardless of culinary skill level. Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Joachim Splichal, Nick Stellino, Michael Cimarusti and Rocco DiSpirito also contributed recipes to the book.

At the event, the students of Kitchen Academy prepared and served 20 recipes featured in the cookbook, each one tastier than the last. This reporter’s favorite: Door Knob Sweet Potato Balls (an appetizer) from designer Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Yum!