Look To The Stars News: Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan Holds Dialogues For Peace

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Action star Jackie Chan continued his current charity mission in Asia by speaking at schools in Cambodia last week.

Chan is in the country as part of the Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace series of talks sponsored by the International Peace Foundation. As part of the event, he talked with students at the International School of Phnom Penh and the University of Cambodia.

The Bridges initiative features celebrities and world leaders talking about the importance of peace around the world. To find out more, visit the official website.

Last week, Chan took part in an Operation Smile operation to correct a cleft palate on a child in Vietnam.

Jackie Chan Takes Part In Operation Smile Surgery

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last week brought news of Jackie Chan’s participation in a charity event in Vietnam for Operation Smile. Now we’ve learned that he assisted in an actual Operation Smile surgery at the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital in Hanoi.

The star is an ambassador for Operation Smile, an organization that helps children with cleft palates and other deformities.

Chan spent an hour helping with the surgery, and said he felt as tired as though he’d done martial arts for an extended period of time. The surgery was carried out on Quy Thien Tran, a 6-month-old boy with a primary cleft. Vietnamese singer My Tam and model Hi Anh also observed the surgery.

According to an Operation Smile spokesperson: “When the surgery was over, team members said there was barely a dry eye in the house as Chan carried the child back to his mother. Chan said the next morning that he couldn’t sleep and was awake until 3 a.m. emailing his friends about how much the experience of helping change a child’s life had impacted him.”

The star also talked about his fear of needles, and he had to turn away every time an injection was given to the patient!

The star is currently visiting Asian countries on a mission of charity, and has been raising awareness of his Dragon’s Heart Charity in China and visiting Typhoon victims in Taiwan.

During the weekend, Chan visited the Singapore Tongji Hospital and became a Goodwill Ambassador. This week he heads to Thailand and Cambodia to be a keynote speaker at the International Peace Foundation’s “Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace.”

Jackie Chan Attends Operation Smile Event In Vietnam

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan continued his current charity work by taking part in Operation Smile Vietnam’s 20th Anniversary celebration, “Twenty Years of Smiles: A Journey of Miracles,” on November 4.

Chan is an Ambassador for Operation Smile, and visited children with cleft palates at the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital, accompanied by Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy.

The charity provides free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States, bringing them new hope and new lives.

Jackie Chan Busy With Charity Work In China And Taiwan

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan has been busy with charity work lately.

Last week, the star hosted a charity concert at the Tangshan Stadium to benefit his Dragon’s Heart Charity, which helps Chinese students in poverty-stricken areas. The concert included a screening of Three Dreams, a film that shows the actor’s charity work and achievements.

During the three and a half hour show, Chan spoke of his desire for people to love and respect each other despite the boundaries of race, religion, or nationality. He also presented a check for $800,000 to the charity.

The following morning saw the star at the groundbreaking ceremony for a brand new Dragon’s Heart School in Hebei Province’s Luannan County.

On Friday, Chan attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new shop for Roger Dubuis Watches, who donated US $540,000 to the Dragons Heart Foundation.

The weekend saw Jackie arrive in Taiwan, where he is visiting victims of the recent Typhoon. The actor donated $1.5 million to victims immediately after the disaster and recorded this PSA asking for aid.

Orlando Bloom Becomes UNICEF Ambassador

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Actor Orlando Bloom has been appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of his commitment to the rights of children around the world.

“Advocacy from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors helps build momentum to improve the lives of children around the world,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman. “We are proud to have Orlando Bloom as one of the strong voices for vulnerable children.”

Bloom has already seen the work UNICEF is doing in Nepal, Russia, and Sarajevo. And he is committed to supporting UNICEF’s efforts: “I look forward to working with UNICEF as they continue to make the world a better place for children.”

Bloom said he wants to be an active Ambassador for the children’s organization. He will follow in the footsteps of such luminaries as Audrey Hepburn, Danny Kaye, Shakira, Sir Roger Moore, David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Mia Farrow, Vanessa Redgrave and many others. These ambassadors devote their time to raising awareness of UNICEF, and influencing global policy on behalf of children around the world.

Bloom has supported UNICEF’s work since 2007, when he first visited schools in the remote western districts of Kaski and Chitwan, two of the poorest areas of Nepal. He was able to see how UNICEF’s water and sanitation programmes benefit local families. In Nepal, Orlando spoke about the importance of education; and when asked by the children, he agreed to perform a small role in their local school radio production.

Bloom went to Nepal again in June 2008 to see how UNICEF and its partners are working to provide clean water for children and families. He has also visited the Krasnoselsky centre in Moscow, a shelter for children from economically vulnerable families.

“UNICEF doesn’t just deliver humanitarian aid, which is what they are known for all over the world,” he said. “They also educate and provide tools which help women and children face challenges specific to their own lives. I responded to how UNICEF works as much as I did to the work itself. I look forward to learning more and to supporting UNICEF any way I can.”

American Red Cross Announces Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

The American Red Cross is pleased to announce five new additions to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need.

New members to the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet include country singer and professional ballroom dancer Julianne Hough, Tony Award-winner and actress Anika Noni Rose, who lends her voice to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure “The Princess and the Frog” and appears in the HBO/Anthony Minghella television drama series,“#1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”, Hollywood Records artist and Disney Channel star Demi Lovato, who is supporting disaster relief via a Text 2 Help campaign throughout her summer tour, actress Sally Pressman from Lifetime’s “Army Wives” who will be supporting Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces, and actress Amanda Peet.

Peet has already made a personal commitment to support the Red Cross Measles Initiative. “As a mom, I feel privileged to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to vaccinate millions of children around the world through the Measles Initiative, a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. I commend the American Red Cross for tackling this global health problem in developing countries, where measles remains a leading cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. I am passionate about this cause and look forward partnering with the American Red Cross to ensure children worldwide have this life-saving opportunity.”

“The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes,” states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

The announcement of these celebrity supporters closely follows First Lady Michelle Obama’s official launch of the United We Serve initiative, a call for nationwide service to begin a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to meet community needs. The initiative spans throughout the summer and will culminate with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. During this time, the Red Cross will promote volunteer opportunities throughout its network of more than 700 chapters to help encourage community service.

“I am honored to be a part of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and help support an organization that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war and aid to victims of devastating natural disasters. Being part of this amazing organization will provide me with an opportunity to join its efforts to help others and encourage the American public to become involved with their local Red Cross and make a difference,” said Julianne Hough.

The Red Cross benefits from the involvement of public figures and celebrities dating back to World War I. Over the years, actors, artists, and sports figures committing their time and talents to the organization have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services nationwide.

This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Peyton and Eli Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, “Access Hollywood’s” Nancy O’Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Raven Symone, Elisabeth Rohm, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, and Daddy Yankee.

The Red Cross is honored to have Sherry Lansing, former chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Group, Paramount Pictures and former member of the Red Cross Board of Governors, to serve as National Celebrity Cabinet Chair.

Please visit www.redcross.org/celebritycabinet/ to learn more about the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

Jackie Chan And Jet Li Give To Typhoon Victims

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li have stepped up to help victims of the typhoon that devastated Taiwan last week.

Jet LI – who founded the One Foundation to help victims of natural disasters – lined up with aid workers from the Red Cross to hand out urgently needed supplies to people who have lost their homes in the floods and mudslides.

“It will get better,” said the star, who took part in a celebrity fundraiser on Friday that raised Taiwan$1.1 billion (US$33 million). “Everybody is working very hard. We should have more understanding and give more encouragement.”

Look To The Stars can also reveal that Jackie Chan has donated over 2 million RMB (US$293,000) to the disaster relief effort after Typhoon Morakot swept across parts of mainland China.

Chan recorded a Chinese language video to encourage people to help by making donations they can afford. He also promised to keep himself informed of the relief effort and to provide continued support to the victims.

The video (Chinese, no subtitles) can be viewed here.

More photos of Jet Li can be viewed on Facebook.

Fans Inspired To Give By Jackie Chan

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A 14-year-old boy from The Netherlands has written a great story on Jackie Chan’s website about the lessons he has learned from the action star about charitable giving.

“I want to thank Jackie for teaching me about charity,” wrote Thomas Engelmoer, who has spent much of the last few years fundraising for Chan’s Dragon’s Heart Foundation and recently met his hero in Beijing. “I have learned how meaningful it is to help raise money for charity and that it can also be a lot of fun. It makes me very happy to know that through the Build a School for a Dollar project I can help children… get a good education so that they have a better chance for a better future.”

The Dragon’s Heart Foundation strives to meet the needs of poverty-stricken children and the elderly in the hardest-to-reach areas of China. Jackie Chan has made several trips to villages in these remote locations, bringing warm clothing, wheelchairs and school supplies, and helping to build schools. In 2006, the Build a School for a Dollar project began on Jackie’s Kids Corner website. The initiative sees children from all over the world raise money for charity, and for every dollar raised, Chan matches the donation. Over US $140,000 has been raised for Jackie’s Dragon’s Heart Foundation to help build schools in remote areas of China. The project was begun as a way to involve children in charitable giving and it has grown to include adults as well.

According to the Foundation: “Jackie’s fans have come up with dozens of creative ways to raise money. There have been bake sales, craft sales, sponsored bicycle rides, and Chinese writing lessons among the many good ideas for fundraising.”

To read Thomas’ full story and find out how you can help this worthy charity, click here.

Jackie Chan Grants Wish For Sick Fan

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A young man who suffers from aplastic anemia has written an account of how action star Jackie Chan granted him the wish of a lifetime.

The young man – identified only as “Nick” – has published his story on the official Jackie Chan website.

“Basically, aplastic anemia occurs when the subject’s bone marrow doesn’t produce blood with enough quality to sustain the subject’s body,” wrote Nick. "I had a severe case, and my blood was so thin it couldn’t clot a paper cut. The condition is treatable, and from June 28th to July 5th I was in a hospital bed, taking chemotherapy through a surgically-inserted port in my chest. During that week, I was visited by a representative from Wishes and More, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening ailments. She said they could make it possible for me to meet a celebrity. Jackie Chan was one of the first to come to mind. He was a great actor, an action star, has managed to survive all of his own stunts, and I had read his biography for a school project a few years ago. On top of all that, I knew he also did a lot of charity work, and was known to meet with kids in the same predicament I was. Not thinking much of it, I wrote “meeting Jackie Chan” as my number one wish and sent it in. [Later] I got a call from Wishes and More, telling me my wish had been approved. However, they said he was in China promoting one of his movies, so I would have to fly to Beijing to meet him.

“We arrived in Beijing, and it was incredible.”

Nick attended the huge Jackie Chan and Friends concert at the Birds Nest Stadium, followed by a special fans party the next night.

“Jackie screened a trailer for his new movie, which looks to be as amazing as his others. After the preview, he held an auction. He sold everything from posters signed by him to gift boxes of every movie he’s made. After the auction, he let everyone line up for pictures with him.

“I stuck around to meet him. We talked about his performance the night before, and how astounding it was. He talked about his next meeting coming up the next morning and how tired he was after all of these shows. I shook his hand, gave him a hug, and we were on our way. On the flight home, the only thing I could think about was how amazing the experience of meeting Jackie Chan was. It was a truly inspiring moment for me as a person to be in the company of someone so great and someone doing so much for the people around him. Jackie not only walks away from the death-defying stunts in his movies, but he also walks the extra mile to give back to the world and his fans. Jackie Chan is an amazing man, and a true inspiration to us all.”

The aim of Wishes and More is to grant the wish of a child between birth and nineteen who has a terminal or life-threatening condition which will require ongoing treatment and to provide a Scholarship of Hope to be used for higher education, or to give a memorial to the family in the event the child does not survive to have his/her wish fulfilled. To find out more about the charity, visit the official website.

To read Nick’s full story, click here.

Jackie Chan Blogs About Pandas

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Back in May, Look To The Stars reported on Jackie Chan’s donation to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the Sichuan Provence in China. He has now blogged about the facility and talked about what inspired him to help.

“Sichuan is the breeding place of pandas in our country,” wrote the action star. "However, when I arrived in Chengdu and walked out of the airport, I didn’t see any sort of advertising with pandas on it. In overseas countries such as Taiwan, Japan, or others places, tens of thousands of people queue up every day to see the pandas and each person is only allowed to look at them for 5-10 seconds. Pandas are the treasures of our own country but we don’t seem to be as enthusiastic about it compared to other places. I know that it’s quite difficult to do the very best with everything but some things can still be achieved.

“Trying to revive all the businesses and industries in surrounding areas as a whole is extremely difficult. It’s a similar situation for people like us who make films. As an individual, each person is absolutely amazing because we’re all skilled in many areas and every one of us can multi-task. But as a whole group, our skills and abilities are incomparable to other people from overseas. Foreigners tend to specialized in one particular area; directors might only know how to direct movies, actors might only know how to act, screenwriters might only know how to write scripts, but the moment when they unite as whole body, they are a lot stronger compared to us. It’s the same thing with the pandas. The publicity for the pandas as a whole is not strong enough.

“Since I’ve already been appointed as the panda ambassador, I didn’t just want to be given the name and not live up to the reputation. I want to arrange and design a series of events for them, and I will try my best to get everything organized. Even though I might not be successful, I will still continue to try my best and get it done.”

Chan encouraged his fans all over the world to support the great work being done at the research base. Founded in 1987, the facility looks after 83 pandas that have been bred from an original six individuals. The base is a world leader in research into pandas and their plight in the wild, and acts as a conservation education center and international educational tourism destination.

“Chengdu appointed me as the panda ambassador so I decided I’d like to adopt two pandas as well as being the ambassador… Usually it costs an ordinary person RMB $1 million (USD $146,000) to adopt a panda for life but because my status is exceptional, they gave me a special adoption rate of RMB $100,000 (USD $14,600). But honestly, I truly think that I’m no different from any other ordinary person, especially as an artist, and I cannot be treated specially. So when I donated the check at the ceremony, I personally added an extra zero at the end of the amount on the check.”

To find out more about the facility, click here.

Jackie Chan Brings A Gift Of Hope To Korea

Tue, 26 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan was in Korea last week to take part in in a Gift of Hope mission to benefit orphans and children from broken families.

The 55-year-old action star was in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, in South Korea on May 21 to bring hope and friendship to children from single-parent homes and orphanages. He spent the day playing with over one hundred children. He returned the following day to join the children on a cable car ride to enjoy the views from Mt. Mireuksan and to present them with new bicycles. He also participated in a beach clean-up initiative.

The visit follows Chan’s 2005 trip to Tongyeong during his publicity tour for The Myth. During that visit, he donated thousands of dollars worth of computer equipment and warm clothing to needy children and served as Goodwill Ambassador to the city.

Jackie Chan Named Ambassador Of Love

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan has been honored for his tireless charity work benefiting the disabled.

The 55-year-old was named an Ambassador of Love during his appearance at the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing last night, May 18.

Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation in 1988 to offer scholarships and active help to Hong Kong’s young people through a variety of worthy causes including medical services, aid to victims of natural disaster or illness, and projects where the major beneficiaries are Hong Kong people or organizations. He is also behind the Dragon’s Heart Charity, an organization that helps children and the elderly in the remotest parts of China.

Chan is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

To read Look To The Stars’ exclusive interview with Jackie Chan, click here.

Jackie Chan Donates To Panda Charity

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

May 12 was the first anniversary of the devastating Sichuan earthquake in China, and action star Jackie Chan marked the day by visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the region.

During the visit, Chan donated US$146,600 to the facility and also became the “adoptive parent” of two panda babies that were born in August last year. He named them “Cheng Cheng” and “Long Long” after his Chinese name, Cheng Long.

Chan said that the first time he’d seen a panda up close was in a zoo in Berlin about 10 years ago, and that he had realized that it was impossible to look at it without smiling and forgetting all worries.

He encouraged his fans all over the world to support the great work being done at the research base. Founded in 1987, the facility looks after 83 pandas that have been bred from an original six individuals. The base is a world leader in research into pandas and their plight in the wild, and acts as a conservation education center and international educational tourism destination.

To find out more about the facility, visit the official website.

Chan also visited students who survived last year’s earthquake at Beichuan Middle School, one of the worst-hit schools in the region. More than 1,000 students and teachers of the school are dead or missing after the disaster.

Chan spent time with the students on Monday, and sang with them to boost their morale.

“We would not have such bright smiles today without a strong nation,” said schoolmaster Liu Yachun. “I hope every student can make best use of time, remember the love, make a better self and help build a strong nation.”

Jackie Chan To Donate Houses To University

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan is no stranger to giving back, and now he has announced that he plans to donate seven historical Chinese houses to a university being set up in Singapore.

According to Chan’s property manager, Simon Kwan, the houses date back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and are worth more than 100 million Singapore dollars (US$67 million).

“[Jackie Chan] loves Singapore,” said Kwan. “He thinks it’s the best place to donate his houses to provide education and let the people appreciate them.”

Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, has welcomed the donation.

“Mr Jackie Chan has offered to donate some old Chinese houses from the Ming and Qing period to Singapore. I know Mr Chan through my wife because he has been helping her on children’s cancer as a Goodwill Ambassador of VIVA Foundation. I am very excited about the offer as it comes at a time when we are actively exploring a tie-up between our New University and a leading Chinese university. This collaboration initiative was agreed to between Premier Wen Jiabao and PM Lee Hsien Loong during their meeting in Beijing last October.

“The Chinese houses would be a wonderful symbol of this proposed partnership. These houses can be nicely incorporated in the master plan of our New University. Mr Chan has discussed this offer with our Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, who responded enthusiastically. He has also been shown the proposed site of the New University in the East Coast by Mr Philip Ng, Chairman of the New University Steering Committee. Mr Chan liked the location and thought that an educational institution was a fitting place where these Chinese houses could be enjoyed by generations of students and members of the public. We are aware that approval from the Chinese authorities is required for the transfer of the houses and have raised this matter with them.”

The university will open in 2010.

Jackie Chan Goes Green With Segway

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan was in Singapore last week to launch Segway’s Go Green initiative.

Segways are two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicles invented by Dean Kamen in 2001. Their environmental benefits are widely acclaimed, and the Segway Go Green initiative is all about creating a sustainable mobility solution in line with the aim of reducing global carbon emissions.

Chan spent a day with his Segway partner Matt McGuire last week and hopes that the Segway PT will be used widely in Singapore as a pollution-free mode of transportation.

Based in Sentosa, Singapore’s Segway Go Green initiative offers guided eco-adventures and fun rides. Chan is part-owner of the Segway dealership in the country, and hopes the machine will offset some of Asia’s high pollution.

Jackie Chan Donates Coats To The Elderly

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan attended a ceremony in Hong Kong earlier this week to hand over warm clothes to the city’s elderly.

The donation was made in association with North Face and The Salvation Army’s Coats for the Elderly campaign, and included over 300 down jackets. Chan has donated the jackets every January for the last few years.

“About ten years ago I was shocked to read in my local Hong Kong newspaper that some elderly people had died because of the cold weather,” he said. “I couldn’t believe that in such a modern city, people were still suffering and that we were not doing more to care for our elderly citizens. I immediately arranged to donate warm coats to seniors and I have been doing it every year since then. If I am in Hong Kong in the winter months, I will personally go and donate the clothes. If I cannot be there, I will make sure that my staff distributes warm coats. I know that people all over the world suffer because of the cold, and I can’t help everyone, but at least I can take care of some people in my own hometown. It is my hope that I can set an example for others and move them to take a look around their own hometowns and see how they can help.”

Jackie Chan Wins Best Charity Song Award

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Christmas and New Year has been a busy time for action star Jackie Chan.

Filming for Chan’s latest movie, The Spy Next Door, has wrapped up in the US, and the star has jetted back to China, where his itinerary has been busy with charity work.

The 54-year-old has – in the last two weeks – performed in the “Music/Love 2008” concert and attended a ceremony where he was named Honorary Chairman for a special program called Volunteers Bring Love to China. He also filmed a cameo for a children’s movie titled Finding Jackie Chan, and been named Vice Chairman of the China Film Association.

But the biggest news for the actor/singer was the honor of being awarded the Best Charity Song Award at the 2008 China Mobile Wireless Music Awards. Chan recorded “Love Through Life and Death” to raise funds and awareness for victims of the May 12 earthquake in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

“This award is dedicated to those volunteers working in the forefront of the earthquake rescue and relief works, and also those who contributed a lot and still remain unknown,” he said.

Jackie Chan Hands Over Cash To Boys' And Girls' Club

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan took a break from filming his latest movie last week to present two checks to organizations that benefit children.

The actor is currently filming The Spy Next Door in New Mexico, and was asked to attend the ceremony to present the money to the children’s charities in Albuquerque. Chan – who told Look To The Stars that the biggest problem in the world today is the “suffering of children” – presented the checks on behalf of Pulte Homes, which owns the model home village where The Spy Next Door is being filmed. The company donated $5,000 to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Albuquerque and $5,000 to Southwest Multimedia.

“I’m very lucky to be able to help children who are suffering the the world,” Chan told Look To The Stars last year. “Since I am Ambassador for [”UNICEF":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/1-unicef] and UNAIDS, I am able to help raise interest in the problems that children face. Plus I am involved with my own charities here in Asia – the Dragon’s Heart Charity and the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. There are so many problems for children! Sometimes I feel that I just can’t do enough for them – as soon as I solve the problem of one group, I notice that another group is suffering. I try, but it’s never enough."

Jackie Chan Jets Into China For Charity

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan has been in New Mexico lately filming his latest film, The Spy Next Door. But he took time off last week to do some charity work back in China.

The star flew to Hong Kong last weekend to launch a new Hermes scarf, the sales of which will raise money for the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. The idea for the scarf first came when Chan was making Rush Hour 3 in Paris and met the CEO of Hermes.

“It took almost two years from the time we had that conversation until now when it’s all ready,” said Chan. “I always thought it was so easy to make a scarf, but then I realized that there are so many steps involved; finally this year it was finished. It was supposed to be released in time for the Olympics, but it was delayed. Hermes only made 400 of these Les Tigreaux scarves.”

Following the launch he visited Guangzhou and Beijing in China to perform two charity shows and raise money for victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

“I want to tell you about a very special young girl that I met,” he said. “This girl was caught in the Sichuan earthquake and when the building she was in collapsed, her leg became trapped. To save her life, she cut off her own leg. First she used a rock and then she when the firemen came to save her, they couldn’t get to her, so she told them to hand her a saw. She used the saw to cut her leg off and free herself. I think she is the bravest girl I ever met in my whole life. Afterwards, the bone in her leg became infected and she had to have more of her leg removed. But now she is finally getting better. I brought her to Beijing to have a prosthetic leg put on. She was very happy, but she kept worrying about the cost and I told her that it was okay….not to worry; we would take care of her.”

After a series of press conferences and the filming of a commercial, Chan jumped back on a plane to America to continue filming his new movie.

Jet Li Speaks At Clinton Global Initiative

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former President Bill Clinton kicked off his first Clinton Global Initiative conference abroad in Hong Kong on Tuesday to focus on education, energy and climate change and public health issues in Asia.

Speaking at the event, action star Jet Li said that China is ready for an “explosion” of volunteer work as the country becomes more prosperous after two decades of capitalist-style economic reforms.

“Before the reforms, China’s 1.3 billion people couldn’t even fill their stomachs,” said Li. “The only way people could help others is a word of encouragement.”

Jet Li is well known for his charity work in China. He set up the One Foundation to help victims of natural disasters – a cause that became extremely important following the Sichuan earthquake in May. Along with Jackie Chan, the star made huge donations to victims of the earthquake, and recently joined Donatella Versace on a visit to schools affected by the disaster.

“Countless volunteers were on the front lines,” he said

Jackie Chan To Headline Birds Nest Concert

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan is to headline a charity concert in China later this month.

The concert – which will also feature Chinese stars such as Li Yundi, Song Zuying and Li Yuchun – will raise money for survivors of the May 12 Sichuan earthquake, which left over 6,000 people with permanent disabilities.

The concert – sponsored by the China Disabled Persons Federation and the China Foundation for Disabled Persons – will be held at the Birds Nest stadium in Beijing, and will be the first major event to be held at the venue since the Olympics.

The concert will be part of celebrations held just before the International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3, and is the fifth time China has hosted an event hosted by the country’s disabled community. Past events have raised more than 40 million yuan.

The concert will take place on November 29.

Jackie Chan Auctions Items In China

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan continued his fight for charity this week with a visit to China’s Henan province.

The star unveiled a plaque at a centre for mentally ill children in Xinxiang, and took part in a friendly table tennis tournament with the children.

A fundraising auction was also held, including items from Chan’s personal collection, such as a T-shirt he designed, and a signed CD. The sale raised US$373,314, which will go to the actor’s Dragon’s Heart children’s center, which provides education and rehabilitation facilities to mentally handicapped children. Initiated in 2004, Chan’s Dragon’s Heart Foundation has financed the building of 21 schools across China.

Chan also took the time to visit a remotely located old people’s home and share a meal with the residents.

The Stars On Poverty - What Do They Think?

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

Written by Tim Saunders

October 15 marks the second annual Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the world focus on discuss one prominent issue through individual ideas, actions, and thoughts.

This year’s topic is poverty, and Look To The Stars has delved into our archives to find 12 quotes relating to the thoughts of some of the most noteworthy celebrities who are devoted to finding solutions to global poverty.

Bono : “It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street, and the entire G-8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable disease and hunger.”

Brad Pitt : “Do we really believe in our hearts that we’re all equal? And if we believe this, what are we going to do about it? I’ve seen it [poverty in Africa], I’ve been there, and to walk away from it and turn my back makes me culpable. And I can’t do that.”

Angelina Jolie : “It’s always hard to see decent people, families, living in such difficult conditions. What is most upsetting is how long it is taking the international community to answer this crisis… You go to these places and you realize what life’s really about and what people are really going through. These people are my heroes.”

George Clooney : “It is one thing to talk about the problems of the world and quite another to actually try to change things… We tend to not get to see enough of what we need to see anymore. It seems as if at times celebrity can bring that focus. It can’t make the policies, it can’t change people’s minds really, but you can bring a camera where you go because they’ll follow you and you can shine a light on it. That seems to be my job.”

Nelson Mandela : “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

Annie Lennox : “The issues can no longer be ignored. We have brought them to the table. Every one of us believes that this is a just and righteous cause. Together, with focus and determination, we can all begin to make poverty history.”

Shakira : “Don’t believe that it isn’t possible to educate the world’s poorest children. We do it every day in Colombia, a country second only to Iraq in terms of the number of internally displaced people who’ve fled their homes because of the horrors of war.”

Jackie Chan : “People must understand that if Earth did not have humans, Earth would continue to exist. But if humans did not have Earth, we would not survive. Please put aside your personal grudges and resentments, cast your views on the whole of the world, the entire planet. You will discover that we are all human beings and what we need is to help each other.”

Roger Moore : “I have met countless children who are benefiting, whose lives have been saved by UNICEF programs. Many are living in appalling poverty, without the day-to-day essentials we take for granted. Others are bravely struggling to survive in situations of conflict. The work we do today is vital and lifesaving.”

Bob Geldof : “To do something unparalleled in the world, and especially at the beginning of the 21st Century, and that is to tilt the world a little bit on its axis in favor of the poor.”

Scarlett Johansson : “It’s amazing to come home when you see people living in poverty. On one hand you’re thinking, my celebrity life is so surreal, but it’s my work and it helps me bring awareness to Oxfam.”

Bill Clinton : “In this decade we’ve had the biggest increase in income inequality in America in 80 years… Income is 1,000 dollars lower today than the day I left office, while health care costs have doubled. At any given time in the year about 100 million will be without health care and the cost of a college education is up 75 percent. The average debt of a college graduate is 50 percent higher than it was at the beginning of this decade. You see that there is a fair amount of inequality problems in America and climate change affects us all.”

Read more about Blog Action Day here.

Jackie Chan Thanked By UNICEF

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Back in July, Look To The Stars reported on Jackie Chan’s visit to East Timor to spread a message of non-violence to the country’s youth. As a direct result of the trip, two of Timor-Leste’s largest youth gangs have signed a peace agreement and vowed not to fight anymore.

The action star received a letter from UNICEF – who organized his visit – earlier this month thanking him for his participation and updating him on recent developments in the country.

“I honestly felt very happy when I received this piece of news,” said Chan “The influence I have on other people actually had some effect! Why can’t we all live together in peace? At the moment there are a lot of people who are working hard for the human race so that we can have better health and better living conditions. Researchers are looking for ways to cure cancer, people who are fighting against global warming and working to protect our environment; they only hope for humans to have a better tomorrow, so why are people still fighting and killing for advantages or benefits?”

Chan’s visit to East Timor aimed to curb a culture of “martial arts gangs” – groups of youths that have been involved in street fighting that led to an outbreak of violence that killed 37 people and caused thousands to flee their homes less than two years ago. During his trip, he met Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and led a choreographed martial arts display in front of over 5000 young people at Dili’s national stadium.

“Killing each other cannot alter the increasingly serious gap between the rich and the poor, and it cannot save the escalating pollution or parts of the Earth that are already destroyed,” said the actor. “People must understand that if Earth did not have humans, Earth would continue to exist. But if humans did not have Earth, we would not survive. Please put aside your personal grudges and resentments, cast your views on the whole of the world, the entire planet. You will discover that we are all human beings and what we need is to help each other and unite with one another to fight against the unrestrained growth of disease and the increasingly deteriorating environmental pollution.”

Chan is an enthusiastic supporter of charities including UNICEF, Operation Smile and his own Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation which he founded in 1988 to help young people in a variety of worthy causes, including medical services, aid to victims of natural disaster or illness, scholarships and youth activities.

Atul Khare, the UN secretary general’s special representative for Timor-Leste, recently told a forum in New York that criminal incidents in Timor this year dropped to 35 incidents per week from 55 per week last year – a direct result of Jackie Chan’s work to make the world a better place.

“If everyone could work in unity with one heart, love and be close to one another, then where would you find hatred, strife, or war?”

Jackie Chan Launches Deaflympics Countdown

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan joined Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwanese actress Brigitte Lin, and over a thousand students at the Taipei Town Hall in Taiwan to mark the one year countdown to the Deaflympics last week.

The Deaflympics are an IOC-sanctioned event at which deaf and hearing-impaired athletes compete at an elite level. Held every 4 years since 1924, the event is now the longest running multi-sport event in the world, excluding the Olympics. The event was last held in Melbourne, Australia, in 2005, and attracted over 3,000 competitors. Taipei is the first city in Asia to host the Deaflympics games, marking a milestone for the hosting of international sporting events in Taiwan.

During last week’s countdown event, Chan sung the 2009 Deaflympics theme song “Power in Me” and told the crowd about an accident in Yugoslavia which left him with decreased hearing in one ear. He encouraged everyone to keep trying their best and never to give up in order to succeed.

Next year’s Deaflympics is expected to be the biggest yet, with over 4,000 competitors from 80 nations set to converge in Taipei.

Jackie Chan Shows Support For Olympian

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan has sent a message of support to a young Olympian who was forced to pull out of his event in Beijing due to injury.

The Hong Kong-based action star – who is currently in Beijing as a special Ambassador for the Olympic Games – was one of millions of people who watched in horror on Monday, August 18, when Chinese athlete Liu Xiang painfully withdrew from the 110 meter hurdle race. And Chan, who is known for his humanitarian work and his desire to help those in need, was quick to comfort the young athlete and the millions of Chinese fans who were crushed by the withdrawal.

“Regardless of the fact that Liu Xiang had to withdraw from the race and give up any hope for the gold medal, we must still support him because he’s already proven to us that he has the strength, committment, and talent to be number one,” said Chan. "Even if he’s second or third or last now, we are all still very proud of him.

“As I watched this terrible turn of events on my television, I was tremendously shocked and saddened. My heart went out to Liu Xiang for his disappointment. I hope he will feel everyone’s love and support during this difficult time and never forget that he was the first Chinese who won a gold medal in the 100-meter hurdle.”

Xiang’s withdraw has been called the “biggest upset of the games for the host country” by the Olympics’ official website. And while most of the world soon forgets the athletes who do not get to stand on the podium, Jackie Chan has reached out in a show of support and comfort to a heartbroken star and his fans.

“[I felt] very anxious for him because I know that he feels tremendous pressure to win a gold medal and make China proud,” said Chan. “He’s China’s young hero and the hopes of all the people rest on his shoulders. I’ve tried to persuade others not to create so much pressure for Liu Xiang because although some pressure is good and necessary, if it gets too intense it can affect an athlete’s performance.”

The Games conclude next Sunday, August 24.

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