Look To The Stars News: Petra Nemcova

Stars Help Honor Sean Penn's Work In Haiti

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

A host of stars were out in Beverly Hills in the weekend to celebrate Sean Penn and his work with the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

A swag of celebrities – including Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Orlando Bloom, George Clooney, Demi Moore, Diane Lane, Josh Brolin, Petra Nemcova, Emily Watson, Hilary Swank, Harvey Weinstein, James Gandolfini, Rumor Willis and many more – turned out at the Montage Hotel on Saturday to watch Penn be awarded the Cinema For Peace Honorary Award for his work in Haiti.

The event also featured a huge celebrity charity auction that saw one of Angelina Jolie’s rings go under the hammer for $60,000. Damien Rice bought one of Bono’s guitars for $475,000, and Julia Roberts’ husband, Danny Moder, forked out $50,000 for the chance to work with Penn in Haiti.

Celebrity Charity Gifts That Give Twice

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Looking for a gift to top all gifts this holiday season? Leading charity auction site charitybuzz.com is offering access to hundreds of once-in-a-lifetime celebrity experiences.

The site’s “Gifts That Give Twice Holiday Auction” features lots ranging from the chance to meet Christina Aguilera on set at The Voice to the chance to hang with BB King backstage.

Auction proceeds support the work of hundreds of nonprofit organizations around the world, such as the the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, Tibet House, True Colors Fund, GO Campaign and more.

Sean Penn Honored At Happy Hearts Fund Celebrity Charity Gala

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

More than 500 guests from over eight countries gathered on Saturday night in New York City to celebrate the Happy Hearts Fund Land of Dreams: Haiti event and to recognize “Heart of Gold” honoree Renee Haugerud and “Lifetime Achievement” honoree Sean Penn.

Photo: Petra Nemcova, Founder and Chairwoman, Happy Hearts Fund and evening performer Wyclef Jean.

Meet 50 Cent And John Legend For Charity

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Leading online charity auction site Charitybuzz.com has teamed up with hip-hop and R&B superstars 50 Cent and John Legend to raise funds for New York Restoration Project and Happy Hearts Fund by giving a few lucky fans the chance to get up-close and personal!

50 Cent has been busy doing good lately, between penning a children’s anti-bullying book and feeding hungry African children with proceeds from his energy drink, and his latest project, the launch of his new record label, is no exception; 50 Cent has partnered with charitybuzz to help make New York City neighborhoods greener, and is offering 2 fans the chance to meet him at his G-Note record label launch. The winning bidder and a guest will hit up a swanky, New York City hotel where the launch party will be held, and party with Curtis like it’s their birthday! Bidding is open through Tuesday, November 22 here, with proceeds going to the New York Restoration Project.

John Legend will be in the Concrete Jungle as well, laying down some brand new tracks, and he is inviting a pair of fans down to the studio to watch him work the mic! The winning bidder and a friend will go to a NYC recording studio, where they will feel like anything but ordinary people as they see Legend belt out his best. Bidding is open through Tuesday, November 15 here. Proceeds go to the Happy Hearts Fund, a non-profit charitable organization founded by Petra Nemcova after her survival of the 2004 tsunami, with a mission to aid children around the world who suffer hardship as a result of natural, economic, and health related disasters.

LTTS Exclusive: Russell Simmons Honored At Somaly Mam Foundation Celebrity Charity Gala

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

On Thursday, October 20, Look To The Stars’ Allison DiLiberto and Scott Cable attended the Somaly Mam Foundation’s annual gala at Manhattan’s Espace (635 West 42nd Street), which honored The Body Shop Americas, Russell Simmons, Rush Communications, and U.S. Department of State Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer.

Russell Simmons, Susan Sarandon, Somaly Mam, Annalynne McCord, Phil Kowalczyk

Somaly Mam Foundation To Honor Russell Simmons At Celebrity Charity Gala

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

The Somaly Mam Foundation will honor Russell Simmons, The Body Shop Americas and Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, at its annual charity gala on October 20.

Co-chairs for the event include Lauren Bush Susan Sarandon and Deepak Chopra, and the gala committee includes AnnaLynne McCord, Shay Mitchell, Ron Livingston, Ally Sheedy and Petra Nemcova.

Former Presidents Join With Royalty For Celebrity Charity Day

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

BGC Partners Inc, a leading global brokerage company primarily servicing the wholesale financial markets, has announced that, together with Cantor Fitzgerald, it raised approximately $12 million globally at their Annual Charity Day on Monday, September 12, 2011.

Every year, BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald donate 100% of their global revenues on the day to more than 75 charities around the world by hosting charities and celebrity ambassadors at their offices in commemoration of the 658 employees we lost in the World Trade Center attacks. The guests joined licensed brokers to conduct transactions with BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald clients. Including today, Charity Day has raised approximately $77 million globally.

BGC Partners was honored to be joined by many distinguished guests including President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton in New York and His Royal Highness Prince Harry in London. Prince Harry broke the world record set by his brother HRH Prince William for the largest foreign currency trade when he closed a foreign exchange deal worth euro 18 billion. Prince Harry, who attended on behalf of Sentebale, the charity he founded to support vulnerable children and orphans in Lesotho, completed the deal between Barclays London and a European counter-party based on projected currency values between the 13th and 14th September.

Michael J. Fox Helps Make BTIG Charity Day A Success

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:30:00 +0000

BTIG LLC, a global financial services firm specializing in institutional trading and related brokerage services, today announced it raised more than $4 million at its 9th Commissions for Charity Day, held on April 27.

BTIG will donate the money to more than 100 children’s charities all over the country, including All Stars Helping Kids, Autism Speaks, Deafness Research Foundation, Food Allergy Initiative, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Hedge Funds Care, Jacob’s Cure, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Project Sunshine, Smile Train, Solving Kids Cancer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, The Happy Hearts Fund.

Over the past nine years BTIG’s Annual Commissions for Charity Day has raised more than $24 million from equity, fixed income and derivative trading commission profits to support various nonprofit organizations. This was the first year BTIG held Commissions for Charity Day internationally in its offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and London.

BTIG To Host Celebrity Charity Day

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0000

BTIG LLC, a global financial services firm specializing in institutional trading and related brokerage services, will hold its 2011 Commissions for Charity Day on Wednesday, April 27.

BTIG’s Annual Commissions for Charity Day has raised more than $20 million from equity, fixed income and derivative trading commission profits over the last eight years to support various nonprofit organizations. This year’s annual celebrity-filled event will support several organizations that deal with important issues facing children, including All Stars Helping Kids, Autism Speaks, Deafness Research Foundation, Food Allergy Initiative, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Hedge Funds Care, Jacob’s Cure, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Project Sunshine, Smile Train, Solving Kids Cancer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, The Happy Hearts Fund.

Celebrities who will be attending this year’s Commissions for Charity Day in BTIG’s New York office in support of the event and their charitable foundations include Michael J. Fox, Matt Dillon, Brooklyn Decker, Tori Praver, Darryl Strawberry, Nick Swisher, Eli Manning, Steve Schirripa, Sean Avery, John McEnroe, Joe Girardi, Justin Tuck, Petra Nemcova, Tom Coughlin, Bode Miller, Reggie Jackson, Joe Namath, and NYSE Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer. In addition, Ronnie Lott, Joe Morgan, and Tony Gonzalez will be in BTIG’s San Francisco office, and Kevin Connolly and Emmanuelle Chriqui of “Entourage,” and Marcus Allen will be in the Los Angeles office.

Ivanka Trump Among Presenters At Women Who Care Charity Event

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The celebrity presenters for the annual Women Who Care luncheon in New York next month have been announced.

Ivanka Trump will join a list of presenters that include Project Runway’s Camilla Burungi, former president of Chile and Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet, actor Tyson Beckford, Chuck star Robin Givens, Nightline and Primetime anchor Cynthia McFadden, Amazing Race winner Rachel Lehmkuhl, The Ropes star Timothy Mandala and many more at the event, which will honor Petra Nemcova and Lauren Bush.

The event – to be held at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5 – will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of New York, one of America’s most established charities helping children and adults with disabilities throughout New York City. UCP/NYC currently serves more than 14,000 individuals and family members through more than 75 programs. The Mission of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City is to create opportunities for people with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Black Eyed Peas, Linkin Park, Blink-182 And More Send Celebrity Charity Support To Japan

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:00:00 +0000

The Black Eyed Peas, Linkin Park and Blink-182 are some of the biggest names in rock, and have all pledged their support for Japan with special celebrity charity initiatives for victims of the disaster that has crippled the country.

As nuclear meltdown threatens, the Black Eyed Peas have dedicated their new music video for Just Can’t Get Enough to people affected by the disaster, urging fans to donate to the Red Cross.

The video was filmed in Japan just a week before the magnitude 9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the east coast of the country.

Petra Nemcova, Yoko Ono And Boyz II Men Lend Celebrity Charity Support To Japan

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Petra Nemcova, Yoko Ono and Boyz II Men are urging fans around the world to donate to victims of the devastating tsunami that has killed an estimated 10,000 people in Japan.

Millions remain homeless today following the disaster as temperatures plummet to freezing.

Petra Nemcova – who survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami but lost her boyfriend – is encouraging people to donate to her charity, Happy Hearts Fund. Nemcova established the charity following the 2004 tsunami to aid children who suffer hardship as a result of natural disasters. The charity has helped build 50 schools in nine countries since it was founded.

Lauren Bush And Petra Nemcova Are Women Who Care

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Lauren Bush and Petra Nemcova are just two of the women who will be honored at a special luncheon in New York in May for their charity work.

The annual Women Who Care event has become a New York tradition, and celebrates the accomplishments of women as caregivers, volunteers and professionals.

Susan Sarandon To Be Honored By Somaly Mam Foundation

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The Somaly Mam Foundation (SMF), dedicated to ending slavery around the world, is pleased to announce two benefit events marking their second year in both New York and Los Angeles.

In New York City, the 2nd annual An Evening of Hopes and Dreams dinner will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 583 Park Avenue. In Los Angeles, the 2nd annual An Evening of Hopes and Dreams gala will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the home of Jeff and Mei Sze Greene in Beverly Hills, CA. American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi will headline a special live performance at the Los Angeles event.

Celebrities Sign iPods For Charity Auction

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Tonic.com has announced the launch of a new charity auction series. Leading celebrities from the worlds of music, film, television, and fashion have contributed an autographed iPod loaded with their personal playlist to be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Music Rising, a campaign founded in 2005 to replace lost or destroyed instruments of musicians in the Gulf Coast Region after the hurricane disasters.

Over seventy celebrities will participate in the auction series including U2’s The Edge, former President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Beyoncé Knowles, Cher, Donna Karan, Warren Buffett, Christy Turlington, Britney Spears, Michael Stipe, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Ben Affleck, Ellen DeGeneres, Estelle, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Scarlett Johansson, Peter Wentz, Randy Jackson, will.i.am, Kevin Bacon, Gisele Bundchen, Marc Jacobs, Ed Burns, Samantha Ronson, Nick Lachey, Petra Nemcova, Mandy Moore and many others.

Each celebrity was given a new iPod which they each autographed and Tonic pre-loaded with a playlist of ten to twenty of the celebrities’ favorite songs. Beginning February 12 between one and five separate iPod auctions will simultaneously launch every week on eBay; playlists will be revealed to the public on both tonic.com and eBay when auctions are launched.

Cream Of The Christmas Celebrity Charity Auctions

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again when most of us are looking for the perfect gift for those we love, and Look To The Stars wants to make the choice a little easier for you by highlighting some of the great celebrity items up for grabs in the name of charity.

Born-to-run fans of Bruce Springsteen will be revving their engines to get hold of the rocker’s very own Harley Davidson this Christmas. The customized Fatboy motorcycle is up for grabs to benefit the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the charity founded in 1994 by former professional tennis player Andre Agassi and dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth.

“This is my Harley Davidson Fatboy FXFSTF,” said Springsteen. "I bought this bike from a friend in 1993. I did some light customizing and put 9,000 happy miles on it on the backroads of New Jersey. It’s got straight pipes, a McConey carburator, HD saddlebags, custom handle bars, forward controls and foot pegs. It’s extremely reliable and a great cruiser. So, if you’re “Born to Run,” this bike’s for you!"

Stars Join PETA Founder For New Book

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0000

A new book by the founder of PETA features contributions from a host of celebrities, such as Sir Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, and Kevin Bacon.

One Can Make a Difference: How Simple Actions Can Change the World was written by Ingrid Newkirk as a guide for readers seeking to make the world a better place. Newkirk has collected contributions from more than 50 activists and world-changers who have proven that one person can create a movement.

Also featuring in the book are essays written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Moby, and Petra Nemcova.

Celebrities Attend An Evening Of New Dreams

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:30:00 +0000

The stars were out – clear and bright – on September 16 for An Evening of New Dreams, raising money for the Somaly Mam Foundation.

Susan Sarandon, Daryl Hannah, Petra Nemcova, Jane Seymour, Ashlee Simpson, Kevin Connolly, Kim Kardashian, Kevin Dillon, Seal, Emily Deschanel, Peter Wentz, and Ron Livingston were some of the stars who came together in Beverly Hills for the gala event which featured musical entertainment from Bonnie Raitt. Catered by Tommy Tang and held at the private residence of Foundation supporters Jeff and Mei Sze Greene, the evening raised awareness of global sex trafficking.

The Somaly Mam Foundation is dedicated to combating the global sex slave trade through the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims and through raising global awareness on the issue by funding organizations in various parts of the world that are combating sexual slavery in the field. Named after a survivor of the abhorrent problem, the foundation rescues girls from brothels and offers them shelter and safety, basic education, and reintegration into new communities.

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.

Petra Nemcova Fights Child Sexploitation

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Model Petra Nemcova, along with Marie Claire and Priority Films, hosted the New York premiere screening of indie film Holly earlier this month, followed by the Global Heroes After Party fundraiser.

Writer-producer Guy Jacobson and actress-producer Adi Ezroni received the Global Heroes awards this year for their work on Holly – starring Ron Livingston – and for their efforts against human trafficking. Holly is about a Vietnamese little girl who is sold into prostitution in Cambodia, a tragically common real life story. It’s part of Priority Films’ K-11 Project triology, along with two documentaries: the secretly filmed K-11 Journey about the life-threatening challenges of filming Holly on location, and The Virgin Harvest which records child prostitute victims revealing their stories in live time.

Proceeds of the benefit party went to the Redlight Children Campaign, which aims to raise awareness and pressure governments to end “child sexploitation”. According to their website, “While traveling in Phnom Penh, Jacobson encountered a barrage of young girls, some just five years old, aggressively soliciting prostitution. The horror was not lost on him.”

Matt Damon Heads Back To Toronto For ONE X ONE

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Actor Matt Damon will host the annual ONEXONE Difference Awards for the third year in a row.

Also returning this year is Wyclef Jean, who appeared at last year’s event when Richard Gere, Sarah Ferguson, and Petra Nemcova were all honored for their humanitarian work.

The ceremony, which raises money for domestic and global charities, will take place on September 8 at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and around the world, and has raised over $5 million to fight child poverty. Last year’s fundraiser netted a massive $3.2 million for the foundation, with more than $7 million being raised since the first awards ceremony in 2005.

Bid For Yoga With Russell Simmons

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:30:00 +0000

One lucky bidder will have the chance to stretch their limbs with Russell Simmons at a private yoga lesson in a new charity auction the hip hop mogul has launched on eBay.

The 50-year-old has launched the auction to raise money for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a charity he established to provide arts and education programming to New York City youth. Over 75 items have been donated to the auction by a variety of celebrities, all of whom want to reach out to urban youth and offer personal testimony to the transformative power of creative expression.

As well as the yoga opportunity, items up for auction include a one week internship with Simmons at his executive office, a personalized George Clooney cell phone, the chance to meet Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, and Dionne Warwick, the opportunity to attend a baseball game with Petra Nemcova, and a personal rendition of Happy Birthday from John Legend.

Orlando And Bono Attend Gorbachev Gala

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:36:00 +0000

Former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev hosted a glittering charity gala at Hampton Court on Saturday night that saw a stunning array of celebrities show up to support the fight against cancer in children.

Kate Beckinsale, Orlando Bloom, Tracey Emin, Petra Nemcova, Kevin Spacey and Joan Collins were just some of the stars that turned out for the dinner, auction and dance to raise money for the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation – a charity established by Mr Gorbachev following the death of his wife in 1999.

A three course dinner was followed by an impressive selection of items up for auction, including a private night at Annabel’s nightclub in Mayfair for 160 people, clothes from designer Giles Deacon, a new Bentley Continental Flying Spur, and a private high-speed drive with British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

John Legend Buys Himself At Charity Auction

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:30:11 +0000

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation held its first Miami Gala on Saturday night, with a huge celebrity turnout to celebrate the occasion.

The Art For Life event was held at Miami Beach and honored John Legend, Wyclef Jean, and Suze Orman for their efforts to help improve the lives of others. Chaired by Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs and hosted by actress Nia Long, the event was co-organized by a legion of well-known names, including Dwayne Johnson, Petra Nemcova, and Rush founder Russell Simmons.

The main attraction of the evening was a massive celebrity auction, which featured a large selection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and items. However, the auction took on a slightly skewed course when John Legend spent $19,000 on the very item he donated – a Happy Birthday serenade over the phone from… well, from John Legend! Quite how he is going to ring himself up and sing is anyone’s guess.

Elton's Oscar Party Raises $5.1m

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:50:42 +0000

Sunday night saw the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 16th annual Academy Awards viewing party, which this year raised $5.1 million thanks to its spectacular guest list.

The Pacific Design Center venue saw even more of Hollywood’s glitterati than anticipated, boasting the attendance of “Best Actress” award winner Marion Cotillard and “Best Supporting Actor” nominee Tom Wilkinson. Further top names present included Amy Adams, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, Sean Penn, Patricia Clarkson, Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford, Josh Groban, Faye Dunaway, Sean Combs, Seal and Heidi Klum, Prince, Kate Beckinsale, Billy Joel, Courtney Love, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Petra Nemcova, Jeremy Piven, Roberto Cavalli, Minnie Driver, Simon Cowell and Herbie Hancock.

The gala was co-hosted by Elton’s partner David Furnish, and included dinner, a musical performance by Elton himself and a live auction.