Look To The Stars News: Kevin Connolly

Smile Train Performs 250,000th Cleft Repair In China

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

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

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

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

Smile Train Welcomes The Holiday Giving Season

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Smile Train, and its 1,100 partners spread across 72 countries, are pleased to announce another successful year, continuing the mission which began 12 years ago – to give every child born with a cleft anywhere in the world – the opportunity to live a full, happy, and productive life.

“During this time of year it is important to recognize those in need as well as to give thanks to those who have given so generously during the year,” said Priscilla Ma, Smile Train Executive Director. “During 2011 donors opened their hearts and wallets to give generously to help children with cleft lip and palate – children they will never meet; and hundreds gave their time and energy to hold their own special fundraising events to help these children. We are especially pleased to thank some of our celebrity friends who have lent their name and given time and money to Smile Train. With these resources, and new efforts, our goal is for Smile Train to reach 750,000 surgeries by June 2012.”

Annual Charity Autumn Party Gets Massive Celebrity Support

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Rochelle Gores Fredston, ARCADE Boutique and Philanthropic Society Los Angeles (PSLA) have announced they will host The 2nd Annual Autumn Party benefiting Children’s Institute, Inc. (CII) on October 26, 2011 at The London West Hollywood Rooftop.

The evening will begin with a fashion show by famed New York designer Yigal Azrouël, marking his first-ever Los Angeles show. Yigal Azrouël will present his Spring 2012 Collection. The collection combines masculinity and femininity through silhouettes that are simplistic yet architectural. Using lambskin, wool, gabardine and silk chiffon in variations of nude punctured with periodic pops of citrine, mars, and cognac, it evokes a fresh, modern ease. Following the fashion show, guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while listening to music from DJ Myles Hendrik.

Emmy Stars Sign Bottle For Charity

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Beaulieu Vineyard, the great American winery at the heart of the Napa Valley with 111 years of history in fine winemaking, and the Official Wine Sponsor of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, has bottled up a very special way to benefit the Television Academy Foundation’s education programs.

BV created a custom-etched and painted, 27-liter bottle of the winery’s flagship Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The 27 liter is the largest bottle produced for the wine industry, holds the equivalent of 36 bottles of wine, stands 3.5 feet high and weighs over 110 pounds when full.

Join The Cast Of Entourage For Charity

Thu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The Noreen Fraser Foundation is continuing their tradition of entertainment-tied fundraising via Variety’s Power of Comedy initiative, offering a day on the set of Entourage during the filming of their final season, including lunch, pictures with the cast, and a tour!

As the lucky winner of this truly incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience, you will pick the date you would like to attend the set of the final season of Entourage. Do you have a certain character you would like to see? Not to worry, you can attend the set visit on the day they are filming a scene with him or her in it! You will also grab lunch with the Entourage cast available that day! The best part, is that you can stay on set as long as you’d like for the day. You’ll receive a tour of the studio, take pictures with the cast, meet the director, wear headphones and watch the filming alongside the producers, ask questions, and mingle with the crew. Do not miss out on this opportunity to get a complete behind the scenes experience of what Entourage is all about!

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.

Cher And Tim McGraw In Jorge Posada's All-Star Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Jorge Posada Foundation, a non-profit organization established by the New York Yankees’ All-Star Catcher Jorge Posada and his wife Laura, announces the launch of its Celebrity Basebowl Tournament Auction, in partnership with leading online charity auction site charitybuzz, to raise funds for children and families affected by Craniosynostosis, a dangerous congenital defect that affects the skull.

Dozens of auction items and experiences are on the auction block, including incredible donations from Kevin Connolly, Tim McGraw, Cher, George Lopez, James Blake, Chris Evert, and Judith Ripka. Bidding is open from October 27th through November 17th here.

Jorge and Laura’s son Jorge Luis was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis when he was just ten days old. He underwent eight major surgeries to successfully correct the condition. Today, Jorge Luis is about to celebrate his 11th birthday and his future is bright. Jorge and Laura founded The Jorge Posada Foundation to provide financial assistance to the many families affected by Craniosynostosis who are not able to afford the critical surgeries alone, as well as provide them with emotional support through a family support network.

Shenae Grimes Hosts Charity Event With 90210 Stars

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Shenae Grimes hosted an exciting event for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Wednesday, celebrating art, friends, family and, above all, charity.

Held at the Avalon Beverly Hills, the event showcased over 20 photographs taken by Shenae Grimes of her dear friend, Laura Worthington who has been bravely battling her Hodgkins Lymphoma. Aiming to raise awareness and money for those affected by Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, proceeds from the sales of the photos helped raise thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

‘90210’ castmates came and showed their support of the cause, bidding on photos, mingling with guests and admiring the photographs. A sharp looking Kevin Connolly arrived with a pal and relaxed poolside in a cabana after greeting Shenae and Laura and bidding on photos as well. Towards the end of the night Shenae gave a very organic and moving speech, thanking guests and sponsors, and above all her good friend and muse, Laura Worthington.

James Cameron Hosts Global Green Pre-Oscar Party

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

On Wednesday March 4, the 7th Annual Global Green pre-Oscar party was held at the Avalon in Hollywood with host, director James Cameron.

Many celebrities joined the Avatar director, including Jessica Alba and husband Cash Warren, Benji and Joel Madden, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Connolly, Lukas Haas, Serena Williams, and former Spice Girl Mel B. Multiple celebrities took to the stage for musical performances, including: Benji and Joel Madden, Juliette Lewis, Mark McGrath, Billy Morrison, Steve Stevens, Billy Gibbons and Dave Navarro.

Stars Sign Balls For Little League

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Fans will soon be able to catch a series of baseballs signed by their favorite stars for charity.

On Friday, August 21, Little League Baseball will launch a very special online auction featuring over 40 balls signed by stars such as Zac Efron, Drew Barrymore, Billy Crystal, James Earl Jones, Charlie Sheen, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Larry King, the Kardashian family (Kim, Khloe & Kourtney), James Denton and Milo Ventimiglia. Additional balls have been signed by athletes including Michael Phelps, Jeff Gordon, Michael Strahan, Ryan Howard, Barry Sanders, Dave Winfield, Blake Griffin, Albert Pujols and others.

The auction will kick off on Friday on eBay.com, and fans will be able to access it by searching for “Baseball Design Across America.” The auction will last 10 days (concludes Aug. 30) and all the proceeds benefit Little League. Little League Baseball involves more than 2.8 million children and 1 million volunteers, and over 30 million people have played in Little League programs.

Want To Mingle With The "Entourage" Cast For Charity?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:38:00 +0000

Fans of Entourage won’t want to miss the auction currently happening over at CharityFolks!

The auction is giving fans the chance to join Vince, Drama, Turtle, Eric, Ari, Mrs. Ari and the gang with two VIP tickets to the Season 6 Premiere of HBO’s Entourage at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles on July 9, 2009!

Proceeds will benefit the Felix Organization, started by Run DMC’s Darryl McDaniels to help children growing up without parents experience fuller lives.

Celebrities To Attend Chrysalis Charity Ball

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The 8th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball will take place this Saturday, June 6.

Hosted by Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, the event will feature appearances by Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon and Annette Bening. Also expected to attend are Amanda Bynes, AnnaLynne McCord, Courtney Love, Kevin Connolly, Nick Lachey, Ron Howard, Warren Beatty and many more.

Chrysalis is a charity dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. It currently helps more than 2,000 individuals a year change their lives through jobs.

“We Have to Do This:” Stars Urge Answer To Obama’s Call To Service

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have recorded a star-studded “Presidential Pledge” in collaboration with MySpace and Katalyst Films to encourage Americans to get involved in community service via USAService.org. The move is part of an effort to answer President Barack Obama’s call to begin the “work of remaking America.”

During his inauguration speech on January 20th, President Obama asserted that despite all that “government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.”

“The price and promise of citizenship,” according to Obama, is that “we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world.”

Celebrity Endorsement Pulls Young Voters

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:30:00 +0000

A new study has revealed how celebrity endorsement can encourage young people to vote.

“Celebrities have the power to motivate civic engagement regardless of their own grasp of the issues at hand,” reported a study by Washington State University published in the Mass Communication and Society journal. “Celebrity endorsed campaigns successfully lowered complacency and helped young people believe in their own impact on the political system. Young people got involved at higher levels and became increasingly aware of societal issues.”

According to the study, initiatives from stars such as Jessica Alba – who recently featured in several ad campaigns for Declare Yourself – as well as Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé Knowles have influenced the youth vote in America. 44% of newly registered voters in 2004 were between 18 and 25.

Hollywood Urges US To Vote

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:30:00 +0000

A host of the brightest stars in Hollywood have joined forces in a new video encouraging people to vote in the upcoming US elections.

The 5-minute film, which is called 5 Friends and can be viewed here, features appearances from Amy Adams, Tatyana Ali, will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

The video, which uses a little bit of reverse psychology to get people to the polls, was organized by Declare Yourself, a national nonprofit campaign initiated in 2004 to energize and empower a new movement of young voters.

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.