Look To The Stars News: Julianne Moore

Celebrity-Signed Books Up For Grabs For Charity

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Whether you are looking for a good book to read while stretched out on the beach, or – for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere – searching for something to curl up with in bed on a frosty winter’s night, there will be something for you in the SAG Foundation’s Celebrity Autographed Book Auction.

The Screen Actor’s Guild Foundation is raising money for it’s literacy programs by auctioning off books signed by your favorite stars. Going under the hammer are titles such as The Olsen Twins’ Influence, Michael J. Fox’s Always Looking Up, Heidi Klum’s Body of Knowledge, Julianne Moore’s Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully, Tom Colicchio’s Craft of Cooking, William Shatner’s Quest For Tomorrow, Alison Sweeney’s All The Days Of My Life, Kirk Douglas’ Let’s Face It, Jenny McCarthy’s Healing and Preventing Autism, Larry King’s My Remarkable Journey, Tori Spelling’s Mommywood, Sean Astin’s There and Back Again, John Lithgow’s The Poet’s Corner and many more.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the Screen Actors Guild Foundation’s literacy effort, which began in 1992 and now includes such programs as:

BookPALS, a volunteer program comprised of performing artists who read aloud to students in schools, hospitals and libraries.
We The Children, which teaches children the value of books and the importance of their lives by giving them the opportunity to write and illustrate their family history.
Storyline Online, an online interactive website which brings the excitement of books into the classroom and home.

The auction runs until July 28 and can be accessed here.

Julianne Moore Hosts Charity Gala

Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actress Julianne Moore hosted Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance’s 35th anniversary gala earlier this month, with big names such as Rachael Ray, Amy Grant and Vince Gill also in attendance.

TS Alliance is the leading organisation funding research into the cure for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on organs, which can be life threatening. TSC is also the leading genetic cause of infantile spasms, epilepsy and autism. Surprisingly unheard of in the general population, over one million people are known to have TSC and many more as yet undiagnosed.

Moore, who is now the honorary chair of the charity, was introduced to it through a stranger. She recalls: “A dad and his little boy approached me on the streets of New York. The child’s head was stitched and bandaged. The man explained his son had tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that can cause brain tumours, epilepsy, autism, kidney failure and even death, but not enough is being done to find a cure.”

The $225,000 in proceeds from the fundraising gala will help, but the obscure condition is not getting enough public attention and therefore not enough government funding.

“[The dad] asked for my help,” says Moore. “How could I say ‘No’? How can you?”

Stars Design Baby Blankets For Charity

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Toys R Us and Save the Children are to launch a new charity auction featuring baby blankets designed by your favorite celebrities.

The Bundled In Hope auction is set to launch on Mother’s Day – May 10 – and run until July 11. It aims to raise money to provide baby blankets for impoverished children in the US and support families in need.

Celebrities who have designed blankets for the auction include Marcia Cross, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julianne Moore and Jennie Garth.

To find out more about the auction, visit Toys R Us’ Bundled In Hope website. The auction will be live on May 10 here.

Celebrity Moms Who Are Changing The World

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Mothers’ Day is a time for recognizing all moms, including some outstanding celebrities. Love Our Children USA has announced the fourth annual “Mothers Who Make A Difference” list, and Cookie magazine has announced their third annual “Smart Cookie” award winners.

In an effort to acknowledge women role models, Love Our Children USA is looking at women with busy careers who nevertheless manage to be good moms and get involved in charitable causes. CEO Ross Ellis says, “We are delighted to honor and celebrate these selfless and caring women who contribute so much to their children, families, society and to various causes.”

The key goal of the organisation is to prevent violence and neglect against children, and the recipient line up for the awards is impressive – Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Tina Fey, Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, and Julianne Moore are all on this year’s list.

Cookie magazine looks to honor, “the symbiotic relationship between motherhood and citizenship” by awarding women for whom, “bringing kids into the world sparked a palpable desire to bring change to it, too.” Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman are two such women.

“I think that in some ways, all women are mothers,” says Hayek. “It’s in our nature to protect, to nurture, and to feel empathy; this programming just kicks in more strongly when you have children…After having a baby, I found I became so much more vulnerable—to work on a lot of issues and not see a lot of change can become very depressing… I started working with [”UNICEF":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/1-unicef] on raising money for and awareness of the tetanus-vaccination campaign. Tetanus doesn’t really exist in the United States, but it’s still a threat in remote parts of the world, especially to new mothers and infants. By getting the vaccines to these places that need them and by training the locals in how to administer them, we can eliminate tetanus in three to five years. It can be history."

Thurman got involved with Room to Grow 10 years ago when she was expecting her first child. “I lived in the same brownstone as founder Julie Burns, who was just starting it,” says Thurman. “I would see her come in with bags and bags of baby goods. My main function is in fund-raising for the organization, which provides clothing, gear, and developmental toys to children ages 0 to 3 who are living in poverty in New York City and Boston. Clients of Room to Grow meet with social workers on a regular basis for two hours at a time; it’s very dignified and private…Can you imagine a child arriving in kindergarten having never held a book? It’s great to be able to help another mother who has all the same aspirations for her children you do but lacks the resources.”

Julianne Moore Talks Charity

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Julianne Moore has talked about how she got involved with Save the Children in a revealing interview with Redbook Magazine.

“A friend of mine is [Save the Children’s] artist-ambassador person,” she said in the interview. “She gets people involved. I didn’t realize Save the Children had a U.S. program; it reaches communities through the public school system with after-school programs in nutrition, exercise, literacy. We moved a lot when I was little because my dad was in the military, and I went to one public school after another. I lived in Lincoln, Nebraska; Fayetteville, South Carolina; Juneau, Alaska; Falls Church, Virginia. In Juneau — I’ve told this story many times; it was a formative experience for me — there was a girl in my class. She looked different, very small for her age, very thin, eyes very wide; there was something wrong but no one knew what. I now realize she had fetal alcohol syndrome. It makes me want to cry. I look at our public school system and think there’s so much we can do to pick up the slack. So now I’m Save the Children’s U.S. ambassador.”

Moore is currently fronting Save The Children’s Valentine Card Campaign, in which she has recruited the children’s book illustrators that she admires most to design exclusive Valentine’s Day cards to raise money for the charity.

“Last year we took a trip to Appalachia, and on the way back I came up with this Valentine’s Day program. We used kids’ art. I was inspired by [”UNICEF":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/1-unicef], I wanted the campaign to be about kids doing something for other children in the U.S. — let’s raise the awareness of children about U.S. poverty. You can do something by buying these valentines — no matter how small a donation you’re making, it will go to other kids. This year, I e-mailed illustrators and artists I admire and asked them each to donate art for a valentine, and I got this amazing response."

To read the entire interview with Julianne Moore, visit the Redbook website.

Julianne Moore Returns For Charity Valentine's Campaign

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Actress Julianne Moore, Save the Children’s ambassador for US programs, is encouraging kids to help kids this Valentine’s Day, by sending cards that will make a difference for the one in five children who live in poverty in rural America.

“We’re living in a country where every child should have an equal opportunity,” said Moore, on a recent media tour to promote Save the Children’s Valentine’s Day cards. “The only way to give these children opportunity is through education, and Save the Children is helping us reach that goal. I’ve seen these programs, in some of the poorest, most remote communities in America, and I know they work.”

Moore created this campaign with Save the Children last year, designing cards that feature children’s artwork. This year, she asked some of the children’s book illustrators that she admires most to design exclusive Valentine’s Day cards, available only through Save the Children at www.savethechildren.org/valentine or 1-800-728-3843. Both the children’s artwork and the illustrators’ designs are available in boxes of 28 cards for a donation of $25. Orders must be made by Feb. 4, 2009.

“I was so excited by the response I received from some of the best-loved children’s illustrators in the country,” said Moore, who has two school-aged children. “Every mother has to go out and buy enough Valentine’s Day cards for a classroom of kids each year, so why not choose these delightful designs that make a difference for children in our country, at a time when they really need our help?”

Illustrators who created cards for the Save the Children Valentine’s Day campaign include Ian Falconer (the Olivia the Pig series), Kevin Henkes (Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse), Mo Willems (Leonardo the Terrible Monster), Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret), Marla Frazee (A Couple of Boys Have Their Best Week Ever), Rosemary Wells (Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora) and LeUyen Pham (Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore).

Save the Children began work in the United States in 1932, to help the coal mining families of Appalachia during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children provides health and education programs to thousands of children and teens in the United States.

Celebrities Donate Dresses And Wine To Charity Auction

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Need a new dress for the upcoming Awards Season? Then why not bid on one of these items donated by Hollywood’s hottest stars and benefiting worthwhile charities?

Julianne Moore, Sharon Stone, Jaime Presley, Ana Ortiz, Angie Harmon, Monique Coleman and many others have handed over their favorite little black dresses to Clothesoffourback.org to benefit the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation and YouthAIDS.

Also up for grabs are signed bottles of Little Black Dress 2006 Pinot Noir, the official wine of Award Season. Sit down for a special drink on behalf of Gavin Rossdale, Miranda Lambert, Patti LaBelle and many more. Portions of the auctions will also go to Feeding America, The Art of Elysium, Hope North, and H.E.L.P. Malawi.

All auctions end on March 11 and can be accessed here.

Stars Raise Megabucks At ICAP Charity Day

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0000

ICAP (IAP.L), the world’s premier interdealer broker, raised $16.3 million (£11 million) worldwide on its 16th annual Charity Day, beating the $13.7 million (£9.2 million) raised in 2007. The money raised will be donated to over 100 charities worldwide.

“To raise over $16 million in one day is an incredible achievement, particularly in the current environment,” said Michael Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of ICAP. “It is the efforts of our customers, staff and supporters that made Charity Day 2008 such a fantastic success. Many needy people around the world will benefit from their efforts.”

In New York, ICAP hosted many celebrity spokespeople from the various charities it gave to this year, including: Boomer Esiason, Gary Carter, Anna Kournikova, Don Zimmer, Amy Adams, Joe Montana, Matt Dillon, Jeff Gordon, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Julianne Moore.

“I was thrilled to be involved in ICAP’s charity day,” said Julianne Moore. “They were so generous and so excited to be helping so many. It was really wonderful, in a year where there has been so much economic distress, to be with a group that focused on giving so whole heartedly. Every one of us at the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance was so thankful to be included in their tremendous generosity. Thank you, thank you ICAP!!”

The charities the celebrities raised cash for included the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, Communities in Schools, Four Rings Family Foundation, Goal USA, Refugees International, The Jeff Gordon Foundation, Partners in Health, Equality Now, Robin Hood Foundation, and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.

“It’s disheartening to see and hear all the bad news that’s going around these days, and that’s why we can’t change the way we look at the world and interact with others, especially those groups like ours, which focus on an illness or disease and really change it for the better,” said Boomer Esiason, veteran NFL quarterback and founder of BEF. “I want to send a heartfelt thanks to all my new friends at ICAP and their customers for such a wonderful and supportive day.”

ICAP has raised a total of $79.2 million (£53 million) for Charity Day since it was started in 1993. A full list of the charities ICAP supported this year as well as more information about how ICAP’s donation will make a difference to the many lives receiving this aid can be found at www.icapcharityday.com.

Charity Day Stars Announced

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As reported by Look To The Stars last week, ICAP – the world’s premier interdealer broker – will hold its 16th annual global Charity Day on Wednesday, 10 December. On this day, all company revenues will be donated to over 100 charities around the world. We can now reveal some of the stars confirmed to make appearances.

Heading the lineup will be Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. They will be joined by tennis ace Anna Kournikova, race car champion Jeff Gordon, and football legends Joe Montana and Boomer Esiason.

The stars will be appearing at Harborside Financial Center, Plaza 5, Jersey City between 9am and 5pm to rally employee enthusiasm and interact with clients to help boost trading volumes.

Charities that will benefit from the ICAP Charity Day – which has raised over $84 million for charities around the world since ist inception – include Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, Communities in Schools, Equality Now, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; NY Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Center; Partners In Health; Stop Hunger Now; The Boomer Esiason Foundation; Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance; and the Four Rings Montana Family Foundation.

There will be more surprise guests on the day, so stay tuned to Look To The Stars for more information.

Stars Go Quackers Over Charity Auction

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to mark the occasion, Munchkin Inc – designer and manufacturer of infant and toddler products – has announced it will auction celebrity-decorated pink bath duckies on eBay as part of its 3rd Annual Project Pink campaign.

Celebrities such as as Julianne Moore, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, Cindy Crawford, Tori Spelling, Bob Saget, Steven Weber, Jaclyn Smith, Sela Ward, Marissa Jaret Winokur and many more have donated hand-decorated and autographed limited edition pink ducks to the auction, which can be accessed through eBay. Each celebrity duck will be auctioned for a one-week period in the month of October and all auction proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“I love Munchkin’s Project Pink,” said Winokur. “These really cute pink bath duckies will help remind women to schedule routine breast exams, while also raising money to support research for a cure. And that’s something to quack about!”

In addition to the auction of celebrity-decorated ducks, consumers are also encouraged to purchase their own limited edition Project Pink Bath Duck via the Project Pink website or at select retailers nationwide for $2.99. One hundred percent of the net profits from the sale of these ducks will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“At Munchkin, we make products that help moms get through their busy days. With Project Pink, Munchkin is doing a little thing to remind moms that taking care of themselves is an important part of their day. We appreciate the support we’ve received from all participating celebrities in getting that message out,” says Doug Gillespie, vice president of marketing. “We encourage you to bid on your favorite duck or simply remind a friend ’Don’t Duck a Breast Exam’ and the importance of routine check-ups.”

For more information, visit www.munchkin.com/projectpink or www.ebay.com/projectpink.

Stars Design Christmas Trees To Keep America Beautiful

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0000

From October 15 through December 5, Smith & Hawken is holding an online auction of Christmas trees designed by actresses Julianne Moore, Brooke Shields, Angie Harmon and celebrity couple Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker to benefit Keep America Beautiful (KAB).

Garden specialists Smith & Hawken have joined forces with celebrity stylist Robert Verdi, who worked closely with each celebrity to come up with their own individual designs using Smith & Hawken ornaments, garlands, light strings and garden gear.

“Every celebrity that I called to participate in this fundraiser for Keep America Beautiful immediately said ‘yes’,” stated Verdi. “The holidays are filled with unique traditions, celebrations and memories. Each one of these tree designs captures the essence of holiday warmth and the love of time spent with family and friends.”

“This is such a great concept for a fundraiser, and with the A-list stars supporting it, Keep America Beautiful couldn’t be more thrilled to be the chosen beneficiary,” said Matthew M. McKenna, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “The funds generated by this auction will help us in fulfilling our grassroots mission to build cleaner, greener, stronger communities nationwide.”

To participate in the auction beginning October 15, bidders can visit CharityBuzz.com, pick their favorite tree and click on the “BID NOW” button. The auction winners will receive their trees in time for the holidays.

The tree designed by Brooke Shields will be on display in the Smith & Hawken store in Beverly Hills (370 N. Canon Dr), the Angie Harmon designed tree will be in the Mill Valley store (800 Redwood Hwy), and the Julianne Moore designed tree will be at Robert Verdi’s Luxe Laboratory from October 15 until the end of the auction. The Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker tree will be in the new Smith & Hawken store opening in San Antonio on October 21. A listing of all products used on each tree will also be viewable online, so consumers can “get the look” of their favorite celebrity-designed tree.

KAB follows a practical approach that unites citizens, businesses and government to find solutions that advance the core issues of preventing litter, reducing waste, and beautifying public spaces. For more information, visit www.kab.org.

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.

Dip Into Matt Damon's Diaper Bag

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:08:08 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sick of your ordinary, everyday baby gear? Fed up with boring baby stuff? Want to hear the pitter-patter of celebrity baby feet (or baby knees if they’re not walking yet)? Well a new auction over at eBay might be the answer, as a host of recently-blessed-by-a-baby stars donate their hand-me-downs to charity.

A range of famous parents, including Matt Damon and Julianne Moore, have donated their used baby items to Johnson’s Celebrity Hand Me Down Auction, which will benefit such charities as March Of Dimes, Save the Children, Zero to Three, and Baby Buggy. The auction, which can be accessed through eBay and runs from April 29 to May 9, gives bidders the opportunity to buy Damon’s diaper bag (hopefully clean), Moore’s highchair, Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s car seat, a tracksuit worn by Mariska Hargitay’s son, and other items donated by “Shark” actress Jeri Ryan and recent mother Elisabeth Rohm.

“It is important to pass certain things on from one generation to the next,” said Hasselbeck. “I still have a children’s bracelet that my mother gave to me, which I will pass on to my daughter one day. There is something priceless about having certain things around you which tell a story.”

The charities are also excited about the auction.

“I think it’s wonderful that they would donate their proceeds to the March of Dimes,” said charity spokesperson Michele Kling. “We are the charity that’s all about mothers and babies.”

Red Cross Announces The 2008 Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:36:18 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The American Red Cross unveiled their 7th annual National Celebrity Cabinet yesterday, February 28, with 15 new members from movies, sports, and television.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk will join former Beverly Hills 90210 and Dancing With The Stars alum Jennie Garth, Heroes’ Masi Oka, Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley, House M.D.’s Lisa Edelstein and Kal Penn, Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz, Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramirez, Scrubs’ Judy Reyes, Everyone Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton, Hairspray’s Brittany Snow, two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, New York Yankee Robinson Cano, NFL star Matt Leinart, and Life Coach Iyanla Vazant in the 2008 Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, part of a mobilizing force to urge people to perform extraordinary life-saving acts in dire circumstances through the assistance of the Red Cross.

“I am extremely honored to participate in the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, especially at a time when we have the ability to do so much for people around the world who have endured such tragedies,” said new member Jennie Garth. “The Red Cross brings help and hope to those in need and has done tremendous good for so many different people on a global level. I believe this is a time when we can educate others and the Red Cross allows for the opportunity for each individual to contribute to the effort. I am grateful that I am able be part of this amazing organization.”

The 47 members of the 2008 National Celebrity Cabinet will be “on-call” to donate their time, skills, passion, and energy to help the Red Cross highlight their important initiatives and response efforts. It will be chaired once again by Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures and member of the Red Cross Board of Govenors.

“This is my sixth year serving as chair for the Celebrity Cabinet,” she said. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a meaningful cause with such talented people.”

The Red Cross has benefited from the involvement of public figures and celebrities since World War I, and over the years actors and artists have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services nationwide. Cabinet members pledge their support for a one year term, although many members of the current National Celebrity Cabinet, including Heidi Klum and Leeza Gibbons, have been involved for over five years.

“The Red Cross is a volunteer driven organization that provides humanitarian help to those in need,” said Klum. “It is an honor for me to participate in their celebrity cabinet and encourage all individuals to become involved with their local Red Cross.”

Members of the 2008 National Celebrity Cabinet will be involved in one of the country’s largest volunteer networks and will promote awareness of Red Cross services by participating in public service advertisements, as well as donating their time, money and blood, aiding in disaster relief, and lending a helping hand to those in need. Returning members include Jackie Chan, Sara Evans (who recently organized an auction as part of her involvement), Jamie Lee Curtis, Patti LaBelle, Jimmy Smits, Marlee Matlin, Nancy O’Dell, Jane Seymour, Peyton Manning, Jimmie Johnson, Rascal Flatts, Julianne Moore, George Foreman, Marcia Gay Harden, Elisabeth Rohm, Eli Manning, Daddy Yankee, Chayanne, Aisha Tyler, Pierce Brosnan, Amy Grant, Miley Ray Cyrus, Kristen Bell, Pat Green, Dwayne Johnson (AKA The Rock), Dr. Phil McGraw, Raven Symone, Niki Taylor, Burney Lamar, and Bradley Whitford.

The American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet was developed in 2002 as part of the Entertainment Outreach Program.

Charity Gifts For Valentine's Day

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:18:47 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it is time to think about loving gifts that rise above the standard red roses. And there are a number of products available this month that not only tell that special person how much you care, but also help raise money for those who are less fortunate. Shoes, dresses, T-shirts, and even a second-hand swimsuit are on offer to help Cupid’s arrow hit its mark.

Actress Keira Knightley’s latest movie, Atonement, has recently received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and now fans have the chance to buy a very special part of the production. The dazzling green dress Knightley wore in the emotionally charged romantic scenes opposite James McAvoy is being auctioned by the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation to benefit Variety – The Children’s Charity.

The dress is one of several made for the scene, and was designed by Jacqueline Durran, who has been nominated for a Costume Design Academy Award for her work on the film. The auction runs from February 1 until March 1 at www.clothesoffourback.org, and bids have already reached $3,000.

Clothes Off Our Back is also selling a series of outfits donated by some of Hollywood’s most beautiful woman. The Little Black Dress Auction runs until March 13, and features dresses from the closets of Julianne Moore, Felicity Huffman, Mena Suvari, Gabrielle Union, and Jaime Pressley. Beneficiaries include Second Harvest, The Art of Elysium, World Education, and autism research.

If it is shoes you are after, look no further than the Spirit of Women Health Network’s Celebrity Red Shoe Auction. The auction is being run on eBay from February 5-14, and features footwear autographed by celebrities such as Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Rachael Ray, LeAnn Rimes, Alanis Morissette, and Dancing With The Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba.

“This February, we hope to encourage women to take action for their heart health by dancing and exercising, discussing their health with their physicians, and helping to support women’s heart health research and education,” said Josh Davis, President of the Spirit of Women Health Network.

The auction is part of the Red Shoe Initiative, a national health education and action campaign that aims to encourage women to be aware of their heart health. As with past shoe auctions, proceeds will benefit several charities, including the National Stroke Association and the Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition.

The auction will also precede Spirit of Women’s Day of Dance, an event that will involve dance and health screenings around the US on February 23.

Another gift idea this Valentine’s Day is the new charity T-shirt from designer Marc Jacobs – featuring a naked Victoria Beckham.

The T-shirt has been designed to raise awareness of the Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, an initiative with aspirations almost as big as their name. The program was established by Jacobs’ business partner, Robert Duffy, to raise consciousness of one of the most common types of cancer in the world – over 160,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year, with around 48,000 deaths.

“Since we moved to California, I have realized how important it is to practice safe sun for myself, and to keep my three boys skin well protected as well,” said Beckham. “Skin cancer is a huge problem, and I really wanted to help raise awareness by taking part in Marc’s initiative.”

The T-shirts are available at Marc Jacobs’ stores in America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for $35, and even Victoria’s husband David has been seen sporting one recently, at the opening of the David Beckham World of Sport in Brazil.

The Victoria Beckham line of T-shirts follows a similar series designed by Marc Jacobs last year, featuring Heidi Klum, Julianne Moore, and Naomi Campbell, which raised $60,000.

Finally this month, if you are looking for something really special to give your loved one this Valentine’s Day, why not buy Nicole Kidman’s old swimsuit – it is to be auctioned in Sweden to raise funds for poor families in India.

The story behind the swimsuit is long and twisty. Kidman visited Sweden six years ago to film Dogville, and hired a private pool while there. However, she left her black one-piece swimming costume in the changing rooms when she went home. Attempts to return it failed, and it was donated to a cancer charity, where it raised $4,700 at auction. It was later donated to the Salvation Army, where it was auctioned for a further $865.

A new auction will raise funds for Erikshjalpen, a charity that aims to buy cows in India with money raised.

The swimsuit is framed and is expected to raise $1,500.

A Valentine's Day Gift From Julianne Moore

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:33:31 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actress Julianne Moore and her children have turned the Valentine’s Day lead-up into a charity drive with a new initiative called the Hopeful Hearts Program. As part of the program, Valentine’s Day cards featuring children’s artwork can be printed or e-mailed to classmates and sweethearts, in return for donations to Save the Children.

“In a land of such wealth and prosperity, it is shocking to see so many children and their families struggling to get by,” said Moore, after a visit to the Appalachian Mountains to see Save the Children programs in action. “In fact, in rural America, one-in-five children live in poverty. After seeing that kind of devastation firsthand, I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, so I talked to my kids about it. Since Valentine’s Day has always been a time to show you care, we approached Save the Children with this special Valentine’s Day campaign.”

In the US, Save the Children provides programs for physical activity, nutrition, early childhood education and literacy to over 35,000 children in some of the poorest communities. Thirty minutes of daily physical activity is provided in the forms of walking, hiking, yard work, dancing, bicycling, jogging, aerobics, basketball and playing tag, along with nutritional snacks and education to battle the obesity epidemic. The Early Steps to School Success program educates parents and their children up to 5 years old on language, social and emotional development, and, through the Literacy Block program, children receive guided reading practice and in-school support for struggling readers.

“I was particularly moved to see firsthand how these programs are helping to foster children’s love of reading by teaching new moms about early learning activities for their young children and helping struggling students overcome obstacles to reading,” said Moore.

Vice President and Managing Director of the U.S. programs, Mark Shriver, said Save the Children is thrilled to have Ms Moore launch the Hopeful Hearts campaign.

The cards are available at www.savethechildren.org until February 14.

Fox Raises Millions At Parkinson's Fundraiser

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:05:12 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actor Michael J. Fox received an exciting surprise after his 7th annual “A Funny (Groovy) Thing Happened on the Way to the Cure for Parkinson’s” fundraiser last month – the Woodstock-themed event raised an incredible $5.5 million.

Over 1000 guests, including Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich, Katrina Bowden and Masi Oka, were in attendance, as well as New York’s Governor Eliot Spitzer and Newark’s Mayor Cory A Booker. Stephen Colbert was the comedic host, while musical performances from John Mayer, Joan Osborne, Levon Helm, Gavin DeGraw, and The Soul Ramblers created a psychedelic groove. Even Michael couldn’t resist grabbing his guitar and jamming on stage with the band, performing “Summertime Blues”, “Up On Cripple Creek”, and “Love the One You’re With”.

“He lives in the moment so much,” said Fox’s wife, Tracy Pollan. “I find that a real inspiration.”

Proceeds from the gala will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which researches treatments and cures for Parkinson’s disease. The Foundation has raised almost $100 million since Fox established it in 2000, 10 years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s himself.

The degenerative neurological disorder affects the central nervous system. Obvious symptoms include resting tremors, slowness of movement, imbalance, rigidity, and loss of coordination. Other symptoms range from mild memory difficulties to dementia, depression and anxiety, sleep difficulties, a loss of the sense of smell, speech and swallowing problems, and unexplained pains. One out of every hundred people over 60 are affected by this disease, and there are currently over six million sufferers around the world.

“We want to be that point for people who wake up in the morning and think, ’Who’s finding a cure for this?‘. It’s us. We wake up every day and that’s our mission,” said Fox.

Celebrity Designed Corsets On Auction

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:06:55 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

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 Second Harvest, 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":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/34-charlize-theron] 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.”

To create the pieces, the celebrities were each given a special design kit to make a sketch of their creation. It was then up to costume designer Linda Stokes, best known for dressing Gwen Stefani on tour, to produce the garments.

“You get to draw and sketch,” said Eva Longoria about her design. “And I sketched some tulle at the top and it has all of this beading.”

Andy Garcia, star of the Ocean’s 11 movies, was inspired in his design by the flag of his native Cuba. Others took a more fanciful approach, with Ashley Olsen’s design dripping black feathers, and Kyra Sedgwick’s creation appearing to have garbage trailing off the hem. Other celebrities involved in the campaign include Christina Aguilera, actress and Clothes Off Our Back founder Jane Kaczmarek, Maria Menounos, Gabrielle Union, Ashlee Simpson, Mandy Moore, Debra Messing, Fergie, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette.

The event kicked off on October 25, with a live auction hosted at Frederick’s flagship store on Hollywood Boulevard, and the online auction runs until November 5 on www.clothesoffourback.org.

“I think you should bid on any and all of them,” said Oscar nominee Julianne Moore, whose peacock inspired design is featured in the auction. “I love them, and it’s a great cause.”

Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Hailed For Charity Work

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:54:20 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

The stars came out in early September not only to celebrate the marking of the 75th anniversary of Save the Children but to hail the former U.S. Commanders in Chief George Bush Sr and Bill Clinton for their humanitarian efforts worldwide. The specific work recognized was the presidents’ efforts to raise money for the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Katrina.

Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was also recognized. The foundation has given $110 million to Save the Children over 11 years in an effort to help reduce child mortality rates in 18 developing countries, said Foundation spokesman Mike Kiernan. Save the Children was created in 1932 to ensure the well-being of children worldwide, including 12 and more than 50 countries.

Academy Award-nominated Samuel L. Jackson was the master of ceremonies at the event, which took place in a tent outside of the renowned Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. A long list of dignitaries and a who’s who of Hollywood attended the event, including Julianne Moore, Drew Carey, Mischa Barton, Edie Falco, and Blythe Danner. Representing Save The Children on the night were Mark Kennedy Shriver, vice president and managing director of the charity’s U.S. programs, and Charles MacCormack, president and CEO.

The evening also featured Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a group of musician who lived in refugee camps after fleeing the tumultuous environment of their homeland. The band’s leader, Reuben Koroma, worked with Save the Children in the camps where he encouraged the children to express their experiences through music and dance.

The work of Save the Children has made significant inroads in countries around the world. The organization states that most children are polio free, that the number of children who can read and write has increased by almost 50 percent, and that half as many children age five die each year now compared to in 1960.

Hill, McGraw and More Become Cartier LOVECHARITY Ambassadors

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:29:26 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Djimon Hounsou, and Eva Mendes are among the list of 2007 Cartier LOVECHARITY Bracelet Ambassadors.

The Cartier LOVE bracelet was introduced more than 30 years ago, and has risen to be one of the most coveted jewelry designs in the world. In 2006 alone, more than $1.2 million was donated to eight global charities from the sales of its LOVECHARITY bracelet, spurring the company to create a new LOVECHARITY bracelet for 2007. The goal is to exceed last year’s donations as a number of new celebrities join the endeavor.

The 2007 LOVECHARITY bracelet features an 18K white gold miniature LOVE bracelet graced with the word LOVE and accented with two signature screw motifs. It is set into a knotted silk cord available in various colors, with each cord designating support of a unique cause. The bracelet costs $475 with $100 per bracelet benefiting its corresponding charity.

The complete list of the 2007 Ambassadors and their corresponding charities includes:

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have a chocolate brown bracelet for the Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation
Djimon Hounsou has a deep copper bracelet for SOS Children’s Villages
Eva Mendes has a navy bracelet for The Art of Elysium
Julianne Moore has a lavender bracelet for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
Rihanna has a sea foam green bracelet for Believe
Usher has a gold bracelet for the New Look Foundation
Rachel Weisz has a lilac bracelet for The Constant Gardener Trust
Elie Wiesel has a yellow bracelet for The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

The 2006 LOVECHARITY Bracelets will also be available through the year, supporting YouthAIDS (Rosario Dawson) ; the Salma Hayek Foundation (Salma Hayek) ; USA Harvest (Scarlett Johansson) ; Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television Graduate Division / Tisch School of the Arts/NYC (Spike Lee) ; Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (Edward Norton) ; UNICEF (Sarah Jessica Parker) ; The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Liv Tyler) ; and Mercy Corps Gulf Coast Recovery Fund (Michael Stipe).

Cartier’s second annual LOVE DAY is scheduled for June 8, and on this day 10% of all sales from the complete LOVE collection will benefit partnered organizations.

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