Look To The Stars News: George Lopez

CNN Hunts For Humanitarian Heroes

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Anderson Cooper will host the “CNN Heroes – An All-Star Tribute” event this weekend to find ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary deeds.

CNN launched its search for the most outstanding humanitarian in February, and has been showing weekly profiles of the finalists chosen from over 3,700 nominations from 75 countries. The Top 10 finalists have been chosen by philanthropic leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Magic Johnson, George Lopez, and Queen Rania Al Abdullah.

The Top 10 finalists for 2008 are:

Tad Agoglia, whose First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters.

Yohannes Gebregeorgis, who established Ethiopia Reads, bringing free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of Ethiopian children.

Carolyn LeCroy, who started The Messages Project to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents.

Anne Mahlum, who set up a program to transform the lives of homeless people by running with them.

Liz McCartney, whose St. Bernard Project has rebuilt the homes of more than 120 families affected by Hurricane Katrina for free.

Phymean Noun, who offers hundreds of Cambodian children who work in Phnom Penh’s trash dump a way out—through free schooling and job training.

David Puckett, who provides artificial limbs and braces and care to people in southeastern Mexico.

Maria Ruiz, who crosses the border into Juarez, Mexico, every week to bring food, clothing and toys to hundreds of impoverished children and their families.

Marie Da Silva, who funds a school in her native Malawi.

Viola Vaughn, whose “10,000 Girls” program is helping hundreds of girls succeed in school and run their own businesses.

The final winner will be selected by public vote.

“They all deserve to win,“ said Desmond Tutu. “Thanks for saluting these remarkable human beings.”

Voting takes place until November 19 at www.cnn.com/heroes. The awards ceremony will be filmed this weekend, November 22, and will be aired on CNN on November 27.

Clint Eastwood Honored at 53rd Annual Thalians Ball

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

On Sunday, November 2nd, Oscar Award-winning Actor/Director, Clint Eastwood was honored in grand ballroom fashion reminiscent of classic Hollywood with the Thalians Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Thalians recognized Eastwood for his lifetime of contributions to entertainment as well as his humanitarian accomplishments. In previous years, this annual ball has honored such legendary stars as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sally Field, Liza Minelli and Whoopi Goldberg. Among the celebrities present tonight were: Debbie Reynolds, Cloris Leachman, Jack LaLanne, civil rights attorney Gloria Allred, Elke Sommers, and Donna Mills.

Clint Eastwood has been the subject of much media attention of late for his recent Humanitarian Award by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)—the first award of its kind by the organization. In addition, all the attendees of this week’s Hollywood Film Festival received an enormous surprise when graced by the presence of Angelina Jolie who made the introduction to a tribute to Mr. Eastwood for his incredible contributions to film, television, and the arts.

With a Red Carpet & Cocktail Reception following a Dinner and Show featuring a live performance by Freda Payne, the Thalians’s Co-Founders, Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee presented an All-Star Salute and Shirley MacLaine presented the award. Comedian and actor George Lopez emceed the event.

Every year, this annual award gala at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills raises funds for the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The Thalian’s organization, founded in 1955, continues to raise over $500,000 annually to support the hospital through events and fundraisers.

Chairman of the Board, Ruta Lee also announced that the Thalian’s are looking for new representatives of Young Hollywood to start getting involved and to help carry on the legacy that began with young actors in 1955. She emphasized the importance of Young Hollywood to be involved in philanthropy and the responsibility of using their celebrity status to give back.

For more information on how to get involved in the Thalians organization and this spectacular annual gala, visit their website at thethalians.org.

Warning: Cute Fluffy Animal Alert

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It’s that time of year again, when bookstores and shopping malls are filled with calendars for the coming year. Well, here’s one that would make a perfect stocking filler this Christmas – the Animal Rescue Foundation’s 2009 Celebrity Pet Calendar.

What more could you possibly want in a calendar – this mix of cute fluffy animals and headliners from the world of entertainment is a sure winner. The calendar features a host of stars, musicians, athletes, and actors, including Trace Adkins, George Lopez, Ana Ortiz, Adam Sandler, Scott Adams, Paige Davis, Rob Schneider and many more – not forgetting their wonderful pets.

These beautiful, large full-color calendars measure 12 1/2” x 9 1/2” and are only $15. All proceeds go to programs run by the Animal Rescue Foundation, a charity founded baseball manager Tony La Russa and his wife in 1991 after they rescued a stray cat that ran onto the field during an A’s-Yankees game.

The calendars are available from the ARF website.

Bob Hope's Belongings Auctioned For Charity

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity auction featuring over 800 items belonging to the late great Bob Hope was held over the weekend.

More than US$600,000 was raised in the auction, which will be distributed to charities that were important to the comedy actor, who died in 2003.

An autographed photo of Lucille Ball – complete with blacked out teeth – was sold alongside a signed photo of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, cufflinks from Richard Nixon, and a handwritten letter from Bing Crosby. But the most interest was reserved for the executive desk that sat in Hope’s Toluca Lake office for more than 50 years.

“Presidents sat in front of it, Mr. Hope conducted countless meetings from behind it,” said Darren Julien from Julien’s Auctions. “Everyone cheered when it sold. It wasn’t the most expensive item, but it was the most exciting sale.”

One of the eager bidders at the auction was comedian George Lopez.

“They were both fanatical golfers,” said producer Ann Lopez, George’s wife. “George hosted the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic for two years. He wants to wear the hats on the course to keep Mr. Hope out there in spirit, still golfing.”

A large proportion of the proceeds will go to the United Service Organization. Hope was a huge supporter of the USO, and headlined over 60 USO tours for American troops stationed overseas.

Eva Longoria To Tee Off For Her Heroes

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Eva Longoria will be in Texas on October 18 for the second annual Eva’s Heroes Celebrity Golf Tournament.

“I just drive the golf cart,” Longoria told Conexión. “I go to each hole and talk to everyone. I’m spread really thin that day so I wouldn’t have time to play.”

Following the success of last year’s event, Eva’s Heroes is hosting the event at the Resort Course at La Cantera in San Antonio to benefit the organization’s mission of enriching the lives of those with developmental challenges. The day’s event will also include a fashion show hosted by Mario Lopez.

“San Antonio has embraced Eva’s Heroes with open arms and we are fortunate to be part of a community that cares so much,” said Longoria. “After the tremendous success of the first golf tournament, Eva’s Heroes is ready for another wonderful event in San Antonio.”

Last year’s goal was to raise $200,000 for programs and enrichment centers that will provide unique after school experiences for developmentally challenged children and young adults. And with the help of Ana Ortiz, Robert Gossett, Kyle Maclachlan, Jesse Borrego, Lupe Ontiveros, Rita Verreos, and George Lopez, that aim was easily reached. This year will feature appearances from Kyle Maclachlan and Mark Wahlberg.

Tickets for the event are available here, and cost $600 for individual golfers and $100 for spectators.

Celebrities To Raise Stakes For Africa Again

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The 2008 ‘Ante Up For Africa’ Poker Tournament at the World Series of Poker will be held on July 2 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The tournament is the brainchild of actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke, who created the event to raise money and awareness for the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

“After the success of last year’s tournament, we are looking forward to another exciting year while raising awareness for an ongoing crisis,” Duke said. “It is exciting to bring the world of poker and entertainment together, and we are once again asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to our charities.”

Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $700,000, thanks in part to the stellar list of celebrities, athletes, and poker professionals who participated.

Confirmed to participate in this year’s event are Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Kevin Pollack, Cheryl Hines, George Lopez, Joe Trohman from Fall Out Boy, and more.

“The poker community has a unique opportunity to help ease the suffering in Darfur,” said Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP commissioner. “The stars are coming out for this special event once again and we encourage everyone to register early before we sell out.”

Two charities will benefit form this year’s Ante Up For Africa showdown – the ENOUGH Project and Not On Our Watch.

ENOUGH is joint initiative of the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress, which aims to end crimes against humanity in Darfur, Northern Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The organization also hopes to prevent future mass atrocities around the world.

Not On Our Watch, which was founded by George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, strives to focus global attention and resources on putting an end to mass atrocities around the world. It takes its name from the book authored by Cheadle and John Prendergast, and draws on the voices of celebrities, cultural leaders and activists to help bring the crisis to the public’s attention and generate humanitarian assistance for the nation.

The tournament is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on July 2.

Artists Come Out To Shake the Blues

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:17:52 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

The charity Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) held its annual concert and auctions on Thursday November, 15, 2007 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. The “Shaking the Blues” benefit supports ANSA’s work fighting HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and Africa, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Treatment Action Campaign, a grassroots organization at the forefront of South Africa’s fight against AIDS.

Among the celebrities in attendance were Blair Underwood, Eric Benet, Anthony Anderson, Alfre Woodard, Heroes star Jimmy Jean-Louis, and Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. Event chairs include Jackson Browne, Morgan Freeman, Samuel L. Jackson, George Lopez, Carlos Santana’s wife Deborah, Alfre Woodard and Forest Whitaker.

Not only was a baseball signed by Hall of Famer Dave Winfield on hand at the silent auction, but Dave and his wife Tonya attended the event. Close friends with Samuel and Latonya Jackson, the Winfields hope to personally visit South Africa soon.

The musical line-up featured stirring performances by The Roots and friends, Erykah Badu with Edith Funker, Nikka Costa, Doyle Bramhall II, Keb Mo, and Taj Mahal. The Roots roused the crowd with a rendition of Bob Dylan’s Masters of War, and the audience rose for Erykah Badu’s performance of her classic On and On.

In keeping with many other recent celebrity events, acknowledgement was given to the writers’ strike; James Pickens Jr spoke of supporting the writers before he introduced the grand finale performance by Taj Mahal.

Movie and K-ville star Anthony Anderson served as auctioneer for the live auction. As Blair Underwood battled for a diamond earring lot, Anderson comically referred to him only as “the man with the orange leather jacket on”. Underwood’s counter-bidder upped the ante, requesting a date with her opponent be included along with the earrings, which she won at $9,000. Not only did Underwood accept, but he promised it would be a dinner at the world-famous restaurant Spagos.

To encourage higher bids on a private lunch with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anderson jokingly suggested that the winner could take a picture with Tutu and put it on Myspace.com to be the envy of their friends. The lunch went for $15,500.

Los Angeles-based non-profit organization ANSA was originally founded in 1989 by noted members of the entertainment community, with an initial goal of supporting the struggle against apartheid. Over time, the organization’s focus has shifted to the fight against the African AIDS pandemic, advancing democracy, and equality in South Africa.

The effort to raise money is not over. If you want help the cause their are several items available at the online auction. To bid on the online items: www.charityfolks.com/ansa.

ANSA Shakes the Blues With Stars in Los Angeles

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:42:33 -0000

On Thursday, November 15, 2007, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) will host “Shaking The Blues,” a star-studded benefit, at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The evening combines the power of music and activism to shake off our blues – from the personal to the global – and make a difference in the world. The event will feature blues-influenced musical artists as well as a multi-cultural array of renowned entertainers who are donating their time and talents to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the US and Africa.

The event begins with a pre-show cocktail party for major donors at 6 PM. Shaking The Blues performances start at 7:45, immediately followed by a VIP after-party. Those confirmed to appear include Erykah Badu, Nikka Costa, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal Trio and The Roots, with Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson serving as the event’s musical director. Additional highlights include appearances by George Lopez, Jurnee Smollett, Blair Underwood and other special guest stars soon to be announced.

Shaking The Blues, which continues ANSA’s tradition of presenting one unique and extraordinary major fundraiser annually, is chaired by Dianna Cohen & Jackson Browne, Myrna Colley-Lee & Morgan Freeman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson & Samuel L. Jackson, Ann & George Lopez, Deborah Santana, Alfre Woodard & Roderick Spencer and Keisha Nash-Whitaker & Forest Whitaker Host committee members include J.J. Abrams, Gillian Anderson, Johnny Clegg, Danny Glover, Dulé Hill, Quincy Jones, Norman Lear, Lebo M, Alexandra Paul, Chris Rock, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Alice Walker, Denzel Washington and other luminaries.

“Last year, ANSA was honored to host the 75th birthday celebration for our dear friend and advisor Archbishop Desmond Tutu said ANSA’s Executive Director Sharon Gelman. “He embodies the belief that justice and love will ultimately triumph and maintains a remarkable sense of humor, even in the face of enormous challenges. It is activists like him who inspire us to shake off the blues and take action to fix our world. That’s the spirit of Shaking the Blues, which promises to be one of ANSA’s best events ever.”

Proceeds from the event will support ANSA’s work in the US and Africa. ANSA will also donate a portion of the proceeds to the Treatment Action Campaign, the grassroots organization that is at the forefront of South Africa’s fight against AIDS.

Tickets range from $45 to $100, and are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and (213) 480-3232. For major donor and VIP tickets, ranging from $250 to $75,000, contact Blue Room Events: (310) 491-1401.

A Shaking The Blues online auction of one-of-a-kind items and experiences from President Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, J.J. Abrams, Dulé Hill, and many others, launched October 29 at www.charityfolks.com/ansa.

ANSA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization working to combat HIV/AIDS, safeguard voting rights and democracy, advance human rights and equality, and assist and empower AIDS orphans and other at-risk youth. By working in partnership with effective grassroots organizations and pivotal movements on the frontlines of these issues, ANSA makes a substantial difference. Founded in 1989 to support South Africa’s quest to end apartheid and build a new democracy, ANSA is now dedicated to eradicating social and health inequities that are the legacies of apartheid, segregation, and generations of poverty. In the past decade alone, ANSA has raised $9 million for effective African programs, shipped 70 tons of medical supplies and books to impoverished communities, and educated millions of adults and young people in the US, South Africa, and across the African continent about HIV/AIDS and voting rights. For more information go to www.ansafrica.org

Eva Longoria’s Heroes

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 21:15:59 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actress Eva Longoria launched her first annual Celebrity Golf Tournament in October to raise funds for her nonprofit charity, Eva’s Heroes. Biting her nails down to the last minute, Longoria said she was overjoyed by the outpouring of support.

Joined by fellow stars the likes of Ana Ortiz, Robert Gossett, Kyle Maclachlan, Jesse Borrego, Lupe Ontiveros, Rita Verreos, Mario Lopez and George Lopez, who provided entertainment as well as celebrity pull, the goal was to raise $200,000 for programs and enrichment centers that will provide unique after school experiences for developmentally challenged children and young adults.

Having grown up with an intellectually disabled sister, Longoria considers her sister her hero. “She has given me so much inspiration and hope to face everyday with the strength and courage she has had her whole life. She has never seen herself with a disability and only sees the good in everyone and everything.”

Longoria saw first hand throughout her life the growth that individuals with developmental disabilities can achieve through special programs and interaction, and is now determined to make them available nationwide through her own Eva’s Heroes Enrichment Centers. The first one will open in San Antonio very soon, and will serve 30 children.

“Her heart is in the right place,” said comedian George Lopez. “She’s the most beautiful person.”

Stars Raise The Stakes For Darfur

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:44:33 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Las Vegas is to host a star-studded poker tournament on July 5 to raise much needed aid for the current humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

The Ante Up For Africa event will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, and will see “Ocean’s 13” stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon compete in the high stakes world of Texas Hold ‘Em against a host of other celebrities.

The event has been organised by actor Don Cheadle and professional poker player Annie Duke, and will coincide with the annual World Series of Poker. The pair hope the event will generate funds to help the “millions of people who must roll the dice every day in their struggle to survive (in Darfur).”

The Ocean’s 13 actors are expected to join fellow celebrities Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, George Lopez, Willie Garson and many others in the all-night tournament. There is also the opportunity for non-celebrities to pitch their skills against the stars, as anyone over the age of 21 can enter the tournament for a $5000 “buy-in”.

“While a donation is not required to enter,” said Duke in a recent press release, “we are respectfully asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to the ENOUGH Project and the International Rescue Committee – organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur.”

Don Cheadle, an accomplished poker player himself, is co-author of Not On Our Watch, a book about the crisis in Darfur, and co-founder of the non-profit organization of the same name. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the film “Hotel Rwanda”, which tells the story of the government-sanctioned slaughter of more than a million people in Rwanda in 1994, and has spent the last two years heavily involved in humanitarian causes.

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