Look To The Stars News: Susan Sarandon

Famous Faces Flock To Family Festival

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

A host of celebrities will gather at the annual Kids for Kids Family Carnival in New York in September to raise money for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

For 15 years, Kids for Kids has brought families together to rally in support of the Foundation’s fight against pediatric AIDS. In celebration of the Foundation’s lifesaving work, plans are under way to make this year’s carnival unforgettable!

Kids for Kids has moved to a new time and place, and will feature new and exciting components, but you can still expect your favorite attractions from years past — samplings from New York’s greatest restaurants, world-class artists and photographers, celebrities, and both old-fashioned and cutting-edge games and activities. Stars already confirmed to attend include Natalie Portman, Whoopi Goldberg, Helena Christensen, James Gandolfini, Heidi Klum, Rachael Ray, Julianne Moore, Petra Nemcova, Susan Sarandon, Meredith Vieira, and many more.

And that’s not all! The evening before the carnival, the Foundation will host a very special art auction featuring pieces by acclaimed artists Cecily Brown, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, and Tom Friedman.

The event takes place on Saturday, September 20, from 1pm to 5pm at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. More information and tickets can be obtained from www.pedaids.org.

More Stars Stand Up To Cancer

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Stand Up To Cancer has announced another selection of stars that will take part in their television extravaganza on September 5.

Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, and Scarlett Johansson have been confirmed to join Meryl Streep, David Cook, and Christina Applegate in appearing on the primetime television event that hopes to raise funds for cancer research. Lance Armstrong has already filmed a segment that will be shown during the one hour event which will be broadcast simultaneously on ABC, CBS and NBC.

Organizer Sherry Lansing is pleased with the celebrity support the event is getting, and is grateful for their assistance.

“It hasn’t been hard getting celebrity involvement,” she told Look To The Stars. “Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way and they want to stand up, just like everyone else.”

A star-studded PSA for the event – featuring Christy Turlington, Tobey Maguire, Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman, Keanu Reeves, and Casey Affleck – can be viewed here.

Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Party Rocks London

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Hyde Park was transformed into a giant birthday bash Friday night as 46,664 people joined “birthday boy” Nelson Mandela and a stellar lineup of entertainers to raise funds and awareness for his 46664 charity.

It had been raining on and off all day in London, but the skies cleared just in time for the once-in-a-lifetime lineup of musicians and entertainers to take the stage in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday. The event was hosted by an enthusiastic Will Smith, and performers included Jivan Gasparyan, Razorlight, the cast of Into the ’Hoods, Sipho Mibuze, Leona Lewis, Zucchero, Suzanna Owiyo and D’Gary, Sugababes, Annie Lennox (who performed with the Agape Children’s Choir), Emmanual Jal, Vusi Mahlasela, Jamelia, Loyiso, Johnny Clegg, Joan Baez, Eddy Grant, Kurt Darren, Simple Minds, Brian May and Andrea Corr, Amy Winehouse, 9ice and Bebe Cool, Josh Groban, Amaral, and Queen and Paul Rodgers. The renowned Soweto Gospel Choir accompanied many of the acts. Additional entertainers who introduced the musical acts included Quincy Jones, Lewis Hamilton, Geri Halliwell, Peter Gabriel, Stephen Fry, and Jerry Dammers.

After Jivan Gasparyan opened the show with an instrumental piece to accompany a moving series of photographs of Mandela, Will Smith took to the stage with his wife Jada and announced, “The party starts now.” An energizing performance by Razorlight set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Quincy Jones introduced crowd favorite Leona Lewis, who sang her two top hits “Better in Time” and “Bleeding Love.” Lewis wished Mandela a happy birthday and told a touching story of how she and her family used to sing songs about him when she was young.

Other birthday wishes came via a film of various celebrities who were unable to attend, including David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Crow, Morgan Freeman, and Susan Sarandon.

Smith returned to the stage throughout the show, revving the crowd with a surprise performance of his song “Switch,” which included rap verses from his hit television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Annie Lennox, a passionate HIV/AIDS activist and staunch supporter of Mandela’s charities, made a moving speech about a young girl she had met in Africa who was gravely ill with AIDS but was able to make a miraculous recovery thanks to proper treatment and care. Before and after images of the girl were shown on the large screens behind Lennox, who then performed a song with the Agape Children’s Choir. The crowd sang along as the lyrics “We are together… We are family” flashed across the screens.

Peter Gabriel introduced Emmanual Jal, a former child soldier in Sudan who sang a song dedicated to the British aid worker who rescued him and 150 other children. Gerri Halliwell introduced trailblazing South African music legend Johnny Clegg, who performed a duet with Joan Baez.

Immediately following this performance was the highlight of the night. Will and Jada Smith introduced the “birthday boy” himself, and Nelson Mandela was escorted onto the stage to thunderous cheers and applause. The concert performers gathered on stage and, together with the nearly 50,000 people in attendance, sang “Happy Birthday.”

Mandela waved to the crowd and made a brief, moving speech. “We say tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it’s time for new hands to lift the burdens,” he said. “It’s in your hands now, I thank you.”

Eddy Grant and Kurt Darren followed up Mandela’s appearance with “Give Me Hope Johanna,” a song Grant wrote during South Africa’s apartheid regime. Simple Minds performed, having also performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1988; and celebrated English humorist Stephen Fry introduced Brian May and Andrea Corr. The most highly anticipated performance of the evening came next, as a recently hospitalized Amy Winehouse teetered onto the stage in platform heels to perform her hit songs “Rehab” and “Valerie.”

After a politically-fueled performance by Nigerian artist 9ice and Ugandan musician Bebe Cool – who appeared on stage in bright orange prison jumpsuits emblazoned with “46664” – Josh Groban sang with Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Spanish artists Amaral performed an acoustic number, and then Mandela and the audience were treated to a video of "U2’s”:http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/245-u2 Bono and The Edge singing Stevie Wonder’s peppy rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

The penultimate act was Queen and Paul Rodgers, who performed a fan-friendly medley of Queen’s greatest hits, including “The Show Must Go On,” “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions.” The crowd sang and clapped along thunderously.

The concert’s finale featured anti-apartheid campaigner and musician Jerry Dammers, who organized the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. Dammers and Winehouse led the entire line-up of performers and the crowd in singing Dammers’ anthem “Free Nelson Mandela.” Formerly sung in protest against Mandela’s imprisonment, the song took on a celebratory tone and was a fitting end to an historic event.

All proceeds from the concert will go to 46664, the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s campaign for global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

To send birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela – who turns 90 on 18 July – visit www.happybirthdaymandela.com. Proceeds from this birthday card campaign go to Nelson Mandela’s charities.

Celebs Design Bags For Mother's Day

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:19:28 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Yoga bags designed by celebrities such as Courteney Cox Arquette, Martina McBride and Patricia Arquette are up for grabs at eBay Giving Works from May 5-15, 2008, to raise funds for women battling breast cancer. Swarovski has partnered with The Libby Ross Foundation and celebrities to create the decorative yoga bags using Swarovski jewels, with the proceeds going to help the Foundation’s yoga program.

The Libby Ross Foundation offers the “OM Yoga Program” to women who have had, or are undergoing surgery, radiation or chemotherapy for breast cancer in a bid to promote healing and a sense of well being. The program helps women get back in touch with their bodies through breathing techniques and gentle movements.

Other celebrities stretching out their creative talents include Melora Hardin, Kim Raver, Leah Remini, Ali Landry, Brooke Burke, Nancy O’Dell, Hoda Kotb, Debi Mazar, Cheryl Hines, and three mother-daughter teams, Susan Sarandon and her daughter Eva Amurri, Miley Ray Cyrus and her mother Trish Cyrus and Hayden Panettiere and her mother Lesley Panettiere.

The world’s leader in cut crystal is also donating $75,000 to The Libby Ross Foundation’s OM Yoga Program from the sales of its pink ribbon charm and pink heart necklace, which can be purchased at retailers or online.

“Swarovski’s gift this year will help us bring the Yoga Program to more women than ever before. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day — helping bring peace and strength to mothers, daughters and sisters everywhere who are fighting this disease,” said Lori Ross, co-founder of the Libby Ross Foundation. Ms Ross lost her mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Ross, to breast cancer on July 24, 1998.

NHL Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine Scores Xbox 360 Kiosks For Charity

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:30:21 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Many people may recognize Pat LaFontaine as one of only three players in NHL history to skate for all three teams based in New York – the Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and the Rangers. Prior to his career being cut short due to post-concussion syndrome, he had already set numerous NHL records, and off the ice he was changing lives through his charity work.

In 2000, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society bestowed the Patriot Award on LaFontaine in recognition of his contribution to military morale throughout his career.

In April 2003, LaFontaine was recognized with the International Humanitarian Award by the Gift of Life Foundation, an organization promoting the cure and treatment of children suffering from heart disease in third world countries.

And today, inspired by the many kids he visited in hospitals during his NHL career, LaFontaine devotes most of his energy to the Companions in Courage Foundation, which he founded to build interactive game rooms in children’s hospitals throughout North America.

“It doesn’t get any better than the Hockey Hall of Fame,” LaFontaine told NHL.com Thursday. “But there is nothing more gratifying or more personal or more important for anybody than to give back to others who need it, especially kids.”

LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage Foundation is redefining the standard for charitable work through technological advances, thanks to a boost from Microsoft Corporation, who is distributing 400 mobile Xbox 360 gaming stations to more than 100 hospitals. His vision? To unite patients at various children’s hospitals together in cyberspace, and perhaps help them connect with their heroes.

“How lucky a person am I to have three healthy kids, a great wife, to have played the game I love for 15 years in the National Hockey League, and because of that I’m able to do the things I love to do now,” said LaFontaine. “I can be around my kids and create this foundation to have an impact through a great team of people with courage. To make an impact on a daily basis for kids going through tough times is a great thing, and I’m very proud of it."

In an exclusive sit-down interview with NHL.com, LaFontaine explained the Xbox endeavor and how his charitable work has become his true passion.

“We have been building these Lion’s Den rooms, which are safe havens for kids to escape to” said LaFontaine about Champions of Courage. “ They have this great feel to them when you walk in and only kids with a special key can get in. No doctors. No nurses. It’s a safe haven where they can go play Xbox 360. They have computers and plasma screens with age-appropriate movies already downloaded. They have this cool videoconference pod that allows them to talk to their heroes, their teachers, their grandparents. They are these really cool rooms, just awesome. The exciting thing about it now is Microsoft just helped us launch these Xbox 360 kiosks. The kids that can’t go to a Lion’s Den room – if they can’t leave their rooms or are being prepped for surgery – we can now bring these 360 kiosks to them and they’re still connected. For the first time ever, we have created this online private gaming network. Microsoft is building over 400 of these machines for us. We have contacted all 30 NHL teams to see if they’re interested in getting these kiosks for their local affiliated children’s hospital. The great thing about them is they have these little cameras on them so that on occasion a celebrity can say hello, have a little chat, and play a game.”

The Xbox 360 kiosks were launched on Wednesday at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian in the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Anaheim, and the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Celebrities and athletes that lent support to the project included Susan Sarandon, Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Michael Lombardi (Rescue Me), and Dr. Mehmet Oz (_Oprah_).

In Anaheim, the launch was also a major success. “It was great because Scotty Niedermayer grabbed Brad May and Todd Bertuzzi and went out there to play games with the kids,” said LaFontaine in his interview. “In Seattle we had Marcus Trufant, the Pro Bowler (Seattle Seahawks), and Jeff Nelson (former Major League Baseball player). All of us were playing games with kids live at the same time under this network. The beauty is that it’s only going to grow. These kids are now on this private gaming network. It’s never been done. It will just connect other kids in other children’s hospital, or they can play a game with an athlete, a hero. It can also be a stand-alone unit as well because there are two controllers. I’m amazed at the technology. Our hope is throughout to bring these machines throughout North American and then build more Lions Den rooms."

LaFontaine admits he had no idea that technology could be so effective in reaching these kids and explains the inspiration for Champions of Courage, “We just thought maybe some video games and interaction. I had met some special kids. There was this really special one named Robert. I would go to his room in isolation in the early ‘90s. We played video games. Really, the impetus for starting the foundation is the nurse grabbed me one day and said; ’Thank you for coming to play video games with Robert.’ I was like; ’He’s my friend, I’m having fun and this is great. This is the least I could do.’ She started crying and saying; ‘No, I don’t think you get it. This is the only time this boy smiles.’ I never forgot it. Robert passed away six months later and I speak to his parents to this day. There was another young boy named Eric, another one of those special, courageous young boys. Eric was fighting cancer. He used to call me and say; ‘Hey, you have to get me a goal and an assist tonight.’ It was an order. I tell you, nine times out of 10 it inspired me somehow to fulfill that order."

And when asked what meant more to him, his Hall of Fame ring, or the launch, LaFontaine didn’t hesitate: "By far [Wednesday]. I wear this Hall of Fame ring with the utmost respect, but at the end of the day they’re not going to ask me how many goals I scored or how many assists I got. They’re going to ask me; ’What did you do with your life?”

LaFontaine’s complete (and heartfelt) interview can be read at www.nhl.com. In it, he further explains how Champions of Courage’s partnership with Microsoft came to fruition, and shares his thoughts on the further use of technology in reaching out to needy kids

Celebrity Auctions Tackle The Big Issues

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:29:11 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Thirteen of the hottest celebrities in Hollywood are creating a buzz with an internet auction taking place in October, in order to raise awareness of one of the biggest and most pervasive threats to life on Earth.

Ebay Giving Works, eBay’s program dedicated to charity listings, is hosting an online auction for the WWF, with 100% of the proceeds going to the World Wildlife Fund’s global conservation initiatives, especially those involved in the fight against climate change.

The auction, which runs from October 3 -12, features a series of 100% organic T shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Hotter Than I Should Be”. The shirts, which have created much interest in the media and Hollywood as a unique way to spread the message that the Earth is warming, have all been signed by a multitude of celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson, Orlando Bloom, Rachael Ray, Harrison Ford, and Cate Blanchett.

“Global warming is the single biggest threat to our environment today,” said John Donoghue, Senior Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund. “We’re thrilled with the overwhelming celebrity support we’ve received, and we are confident this auction will not only garner funds for our work, but will encourage individuals to take action in their own lives to stop climate change.”

The WWF is a leader in the field of climate science, and is a strong and persuasive advocate for the reduction of harmful greenhouse emissions and the increase of energy efficient technologies. For more than 45 years, the non-profit organization has been working to protect nature, and now provides cutting edge scientific research into areas of concern. With a dedicated team of experts in over 50 countries, the WWF focuses on 4 particular areas of impact: creating responsible global warming policies, working with businesses to reduce carbon dioxide levels, implementing adaptation plans to help the planet respond to climate change, and protecting the forests that help mitigate climate change.

The “Hotter Than I Should Be” online auction looks set to provide some much needed funding to the WWF’s ongoing research. Many of the shirts have already reached bids of over $300, with Orlando Bloom’s attracting bids close to $800. Other celebrities who have lent their signitures to the cause include Candice Bergen, Gisele Bundchen, Kevin Bacon, Paul Newman, Charlie Sheen, Cindy Crawford, and Susan Sarandon.

Unsigned “Hotter Than I Should Be” T shirts are also available with donations of over $50 to the WWF, and more information about the auction can be found at www.worldwildlife.org.

Also up for auction on eBay Giving Works in October is a series of pink rubber bath ducks, signed and decorated by celebrities such as Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Lucy Liu, and Matthew McConaughey.

The auction has been organized by Munchkin Inc, the makers of award winning infant and toddler products, as part of their Project Pink breast cancer awareness program, and runs from October 1 to November 4. All proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas, dedicated to education and research into the causes, treatment, and the search for a cure to breast cancer.

Other celebrities to design and sign rubber duckies include Brooke Shields, Desperate Housewives’ Marcia Cross, Charlie’s Angels’ Jaclyn Smith, and former First Lady Barbara Bush. The auction is hoped to raise over $30,000, and more information can be found at www.munchkin.com/projectpink.

Look To The Stars News: Susan Sarandon

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