Look To The Stars News: Eric Roberts

May The Paws Be With You - Mark Hamill Joins Charity Auction For Animals

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Precious Paws, the non-profit animal rescue organization based in Los Angeles, is launching the biggest fundraiser in the group’s history.

On Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 pm PST, Precious Paws will debut its Celebrity Experience and Entertainment Memorabilia Auction to an international audience exclusivel y on eBay. This 10-day auction, which is co- sponsored by Auction Cause, the nation’s leading online auction company, will conclude at 7:00 pm PST on Sunday, November 15th.

The charity is pleased to announce Mark Hamill will be participating in the event by allowing them to auction off a lunch for two with him. The actor, director, writer and producer who is best known for his role of Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, George Lucas’ epic space saga was an enormous success and revolutionized the film industry. For his portrayal of Skywalker, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored Hamill with the Saturn Award for Best Actor. Post “Star Wars,” Mark Hamill has found success on Broadway in such productions as Amadeus and The Elephant Man, as well as on television. His achievements on the small screen include his work in front of and behind the camera, in both live-action and animated productions.

Throughout this highly-anticipated event, guests will also have the opportunity to win lunches with other prominent celebrities, including Susan Olsen, Eric Roberts, Stephen Collins, Anthony Michael Hall, Nicole De Boer, Robbie Rist, Alana Curry, McKenzie Westmore, and Adrianne Curry & Chris Knight.

Precious Paws is a nonprofit dog and cat rescue organization that was founded in 2003 by Georgyne La Lone. “We are passionate about our mission to rescue unwanted companion dogs and cats from the streets and shelters,” says Ms. La Lone. “We spend a great many of our resources providing food and medical care to these loveable animals. It is our hope that through this auction, we will be able to continue providing the best to these rescues that do so much to enrich our lives.”

Bidders will also have the chance to bid on a visit to the set of iCarly, a tour of the “Hungry Girl” office which includes a meet and greet with Lisa Lillien, “Hungry Girl” author and her staff and an autographed “Hungry Girl” book. Bidders will also have the opportunity to purchase some of the most coveted celebrity memorabilia, including an autographed electric guitar by Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, an autographed acoustic guitar by The Eagles an autographed Collector’s Beer Can by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, a variety of autographed pictures from Star Trek celebrities, including Patrick Stewart, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew and Avery Brooks, Paris Hilton and Jimmy Buffett memorabilia, and autographed posters from notable musical luminaries BB King, John Denver and Billy Idol.

For more information on the Celebrity Experience and Entertainment
Memorabilia Auction, contact Georgyne La Lone at (818) 773-3336 or www.preciouspaws.org.

Celebrities Sign Letter To Stop Tail Docking

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

An animal rights charity has gathered support from a number of celebrities for its urgent call to end a cruel practice commonplace in the dairy industry.

On behalf of Kim Basinger, Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker and a host of other California celebrities – as well as their more than 200,000 members and supporters – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, sent a letter today to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to do the right thing and sign a bill sitting on his desk that would end the cruel and outdated practice of amputating dairy cows’ tails.

Both chambers of the California legislature recently passed a bill that would ban tail docking in the dairy industry, but the bill will not become law unless the governor signs it.

Tail docking, the amputation of a cow’s tail by applying a tight rubber ring around the appendage until the tissue becomes necrotic and falls off, or is alternatively cut off with shears, is a procedure usually performed without analgesics and causes the animal to suffer acute and lingering pain. It also prohibits them from warding off biting insects with their tail, leading to greater distress during fly season. Peer-reviewed research from both governmental and academic sources indicates there are no health or safety benefits associated with tail docking, and the procedure has been opposed by numerous professional associations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

“With last November’s landslide passage of Prop 2, banning the three cruelest farm animal confinement systems in the state, Californians made it clear they will no longer tolerate cruel and unnecessary practices on factory farms,” said Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary’s president and co-founder. “By putting an end to tail docking, Governor Schwarzenegger has the opportunity to continue this wave of compassion and send a humane message to the rest of the country.”

Celebrities who signed Farm Sanctuary’s letter to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to ban tail docking in California include Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker, Emily Deschanel, Eric Roberts, Esai Morales, Fred Willard, Ginnifer Goodwin, James Cromwell, Joan van Ark, Kim Basinger, Kristen Bell, Mariel Hemingway, Mimi Kennedy and Valerie Harper.

Project Save Our Surf's First Annual Surfathon and Celebrity Gala

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On Sunday April 5, professional surfers and celebrities will take part in the Project ‘Save Our Surf’ Surf-a-Thon and Celebrity Gala to benefit Non-Profit Oceana, an international ocean conservation group.

Launched by actress Tanna Frederick and surfer Shaun Tomson, Project Save Our Surf (Project SOS) is an amazing organization that rally’s surfers and non-surfers to get involved in giving back while helping to save our oceans.

Celebrities such as Michelle Rodriguez (“Lost”), David Chokachi (“Baywatch”), Rob Machado, and World Champion of International Professional Surfing Peter “P.T.” Townend, will raise money by asking fans to sponsor their commitment to surf during a five-hour shift. The Surfathon will take place from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Ocean Park beach in Santa Monica. In addition to watching the celebrities hang-ten, other activities at the event include Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, environmental guest speakers, face painting, team relay races, yoga sessions, free massages, raffle prizes and musical performance by Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders.

Following the Surfathon, fans are invited to attend the Project Save Our Surf Celebrity Gala at Shutters on the Beach hosted by Henry Jaglom and Noah Wyle. Of course, the evening will include a celebrity “blue” carpet, cocktails, buffet dinner, a live and silent auction, and a musical performance by legendary surfers, Timmy Curran and Tom Curren. But more importantly, professional surfer Rob Machado will receive the Project Save Our Surf award for his dedication to environmental activism in Southern California. Additionally, Billabong CEO Paul Naudé will also receive the Oceana Sea Friend Award for his outstanding contributions to ocean conservation.

Project Save Our Surf Honorary Event Committee members include: Dennis Hopper, Jeff Garlin, Richard Lewis, Judd Nelson, director Ron Vignone, Rosanna Arquette, Eric Roberts, Noah Wyle, Ed Begley Jr., Justine Pasek, Elliot Gould, Melissa Leo, Francis Fisher, Victoria Tennant, writer/director Phil Alden Robinson, Christopher Rydell and director Henry Jaglom.

More information can be found here.

Oceania To Benefit From Celebrity Surf-A-Thon

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Project SOS – Save Our Surf – will hold a special charity event in April to raise money for one of the world’s premier environmental organizations.

The Project SOS Surfathon is a way for surfers, non-surfers, families, and communities to become involved in giving a little time and having fun while helping out in their own backyard, the Pacific Ocean. The event will benefit Oceana, the world’s largest organization dedicated to marine conservation.

World champion surfer Shaun Thomson and ‘Hollywood Dreams’ actress Tanna Frederick will co-host the event, which will be held on Sunday, April 5th, 2009, and will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m., with tons of activities, food, and surf!

There will be face painting and story telling for kids, free massages for parents, raffle prizes including gift certificates for clothing stores and surf shops and facials and more, Oceana speakers, live music, drum circles, and more! There will be several celebrities surfing the event, including Lost’s Michelle Rodriguez.

Then, at 5 p.m., the Project S.O.S. Celebrity Gala at Shutters on the Beach will begin. Director Henry Jaglom and actor Noah Wyle will co-host a live auction benefiting Oceana. The gala will also feature a blue carpet walk, cocktails, tapas and a live band.

The Honorary Event Committee includes Eric Roberts, Dennis Hopper, Jeff Garlin, Judd Nelson, director Ron Vignone, Rosanna Arquette, Noah Wyle, Ed Begley Jr., Justine Pasek (Miss Universe 2002), Elliot Gould and many more.

More info about the event can be found at the Project SOS website.

Exclusive Interview: Look To The Stars Talks To Eric Roberts

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ Michelle Vink was recently lucky enough to sit down with actor Eric Roberts and talk about his charitable influences.

The real Eric Roberts has a lot more heart than his mob boss character, Sal Maroni from The Dark Knight. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a sensitive tough guy who isn’t afraid to speak his mind or from his heart and cares as much about his family as his career. Sitting across from me was just the kind of guy that this city could use more of. He is a father that believes in his children and supports their dreams and ambitions, a husband that cannot stop praising his wife and mother in law and even credits them as being his inspiration and greatest influences in his life, and a celebrity that doesn’t just attach his name to a charity he believes in but becomes actively involved and wants to spread the word. This is my interview with the Eric Roberts a lot more people should know.

You have a very successful and accomplished career in Hollywood. What would you consider your greatest professional achievement?

Probably winning the Theatre World award for “Burn This” on Broadway. But also that is also equal to my nomination for best newcomer at the Golden Globes. I didn’t win it but it was pretty exciting. And also achieving a voice where I can create awareness of things that are important in the world.

What do you consider your greatest personal achievement?

My family. I am just mad about my wife. She is my hero; she is all the things I want to be when grow up. Also anything to do with the kids – if I’ve inspired them or opened any doors for them. That would be Emma, Keaton and Morgan.

And he has every reason to be proud. His children are all on their personal journeys of success. His daughter, Emma Roberts, recently starred in Hotels for Dogs, his son Keaton is signed by CBS Records and is currently on tour, and his daughter Morgan has successfully launched her own catering company that caters to the stars.

Who has been the biggest influence in your personal life?

My biggest influence came late in my life. It is my one and only wife. I have been looking for an influence my whole life…. I have no sense of Self. I am an actor who lives through my work. But this relationship has made this better because I think so much of her and she thinks enough of me to have me that I must think a little more of myself. I cant say enough about my wife.

Who has been the biggest influence in your professional life?

That’s been my wife as well…and I do get thrilled when someone talented breaks through and I’d say new talent inspires me.

What inspired you to get involved in charity?

That’s a no-brainer. There’s a lot of work to do on this planet! I started to see a pattern. People who grew up around violence continue to create wars and violent environments.

I thought things needed to be nipped in the bud. We need to stop abusing kids, and that will bring us peace on the streets and on the planet everywhere. There is no need to yell at a child. You explain to the child instead of yelling or raising your voice. Even all the learning things can be cool.

What do you consider the most difficult point in your life? How did you overcome that and turn it into something positive?

I would get depressed sometimes for weeks when I saw sad things.

My wife realized how affected and closed down I would get by mankind’s conditions and gave me a mantra to live by: “When in doubt, give”.

Who inspires you the most now?

I am inspired by Carl Sagan, Andrew Weil, Helen Caldicott, my mother-in-law, longtime activist & award winning screenwriter, Lila Garrett… who has a radio show called Connect the Dots on KPFK 90.7 for any political novice to open your political point of view in an honest way. My mother-in-law is one of two smartest women I have ever kissed.

Anyone who stands for peace & pacifism is a hero of mine. Every child abuse intervention Eliza or I participate in inspires me.

Tell me about one of your most memorable moments involving charity or philanthropy.

This story is about abuse and how if you don’t do it, you don’t have to deal with it, but if it is done, it can be undone but it will be a lot of work. One of my favorite examples is this: the day my stepdaughter, Morgan Simons, brought home a broken and abused pitbull dexter that had been tied up so long outside that the rope had grown into his neck. She had rescued from the shelter in south central Los Angeles and wanted to fix him. He had been raised to kill and was broken emotionally and physically… so I let her have the dog and with the help of a great vet, she fixed this dog.

He is a madly loved member of our family now. It was years and thousands of hours of love that helped him.

Have you been successful at making any changes in Hollywood?

Absolutely. My wife always tries to get me to add a line in any part I play-even if it’s a bad guy. She always tries to give me a cool line about anti-child abuse but it usually ends up on the editing room floor. But we have managed to make the changes.

How would you work that into The Dark Knight?

[laughing] It doesn’t always work.

Why would you recommend for others to get involved in charity and philanthropy?

When you see the impact from the positive intervention and it helps you remember what life is all about. But you have to drop the bad guy routine… it’s better than any drug, drink or distraction.

Helping gives you an answer to the question about the purpose of life, as ridiculous as that sounds.

Has any of your work influenced your view of the world or society? What project and how?

I object to the violence in some of my films.

“It’s My Party” was important to me because I have a gay stepdaughter, and my heart breaks when I see that some of her friends’ families do the cruel thing of telling their kids they wouldn’t accept them being gay.

What would you like to see change about the world?

I would like to see peace and the elimination of all weapons.

I would like to see people feel secure enough so that they would not be prone to religious fanaticism.

I would like to see people stop speaking harshly to their children, and certainly the hitting of kids has to stop…. same with the treatment of animals.

On a closer scale, I would like to see my stepson, Keaton Simons,
find great success as a recording artist; and my stepdaughter to find great success as a caterer and chef.

What would you do to fix the issues?

I’d love for everyone to listen to the audio book, “The Natural Child”. It encompasses my entire philosophy.

If you had the opportunity to use your celebrity status to make changes for the better of the world, what would you do?

I would gift everyone with “Natural Child”, and I would get Keaton’s music out there, because it is a message of love, patience, truth and support.

Why is it important for Hollywood to lead the way and set an example for advocacy and philanthropy?

Because Hollywood people are visible. We are out there to be seen. We are famous and people listen to our endorsements. If a celebrity says stop hitting kids, maybe one of their fans will stop hitting kids.

What advice could you give to your fans that are interested in getting involved in volunteer or charity work?

Go to naturalchild.org and contact Jan Hunt and see what they can do to help with her family-saving charity.

Let’s talk about The Natural Child Project. The vision of Natural Child project is to create a “world in which all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding and compassion.” How do you think this is achieved? How can more people get involved?

Everyone needs to just try Jan’s methods of relating to their children, and call Jan’s counseling line if stressed. There is counseling available at: naturalchild.org/counseling/

The Natural Child project believes that “in such a world, every child can grow into adulthood with a generous capacity for love and trust.” How does this charity aid in this type of development? Why is this so important for the future of our country and the live of our children?

Thank you for researching Natural Child! If you read about the Nazis in the books of Alice Miller, you learn that those people became monsters due to having been abused as kids.

It’s a very serious issue with a very clear ounce of prevention solution.

What is your most memorable moment as a child or with a child? Has this affected your decision to get involved with natural child project or to be involved with children’s orphanages?

I’ve watched small children be berated with insults from parents they’re afraid of. You can watch the child’s mind twist under these conditions. I am determined to stop this from continuing to happen.

What do you get out of helping others and being a part of such a cause?

It makes me want to live.

Precious Paws is another charity that you support. Precious Paw’s primary purpose is to rescue and/or abandoned companion animals. Why did you become involved in this particular charity?

The person who runs Precious Paws used to work as my wife’s casting assistant in TV and movies. She left the business to personally vet and care for animals. She gave up her life to help animals and she is a really groovy chick.

What should people reach out to Precious Paws over some of the better-known animal rescues?

Some of the rescue organizations or other charities have a lot of money and support already…. and then you have someone like Georgyne at Precious Paws who literally goes into the pounds and takes home animals and has to figure out how to feed them. She has vet skills, so she does her own neutering and spaying and does everything she can but she needs help.

Their website is preciouspaws.com and they need volunteers, foster homes and donations. It’s like the Obama campaign. You don’t have to send in big money…. send in $2, $3, $5 …that feeds a dog for several days. Do that. That is cool.

What is one of your most memorable moments with Precious Paws or with a companion animal?

Watching inventor Jon Hoffman’s dog transform from a terrified little creature to a furry ball of love. He had rescued a bijan and this dog was shaking and making noises and now he is a social fairy tale of a dog.

You have been involved in philanthropy and charity for some time. Tell me about some of the other charities or philanthropic efforts you have been involved in.

Several years ago, I visited an orphanage in Moscow. I am a huge star in Russia and it blows my mind. So I go to this orphanage and they all know me from one of my earlier movies, “The Best of the Best.” I bought them shoes and would like to think I gave them hope. “He is just a guy and I could be like him”. It is important to have hope when some of those orphans will never leave the home and will be on the street at 17.

These are some of the other charities that Eric and his wife support:

Tails of Joy with Elayne Boosler
Donate for Life
Prevent Child Abuse America
K9’s Rock
Best Friends Animal Society
Animal Alliance
Save Darfur Coalition
New Leash on Life
www.drawingdreams.org
www.childfriendly.org (child friendly initiative)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Virgin Unite
ONE Campaign

Eric and his wife also support charities involving organ donation or stem cell research.

Give me an example of how now, more than ever, we need to support each other and work for change in the world?

We are at a time right now because of our past administration, that either we work together or we mess it up. Either we act as a unit or we keep being greedy and selfish. we are all in this together.

Obama is a together guy with no alternative motive, I believe… this guy just wants to be a good leader and I want to help him any way he will let me.

People are homeless. They are scared and in agony and at odds with each other. We need to reverse that!

Despite all the time Eric dedicates to philanthropy and family, he still manages a successful career in Hollywood. His latest movie, Project Solitude – in which he plays a sociology professor who takes 6 students out to the woods to show them how they react with stress and monitors their unraveling, will be released next year.
It seems that if a tough guy celebrity like Eric Roberts can manage to do all of this charity and family stuff and still come out looking like a tough guy, then maybe philanthropy isn’t for just the ladies who lunch after all.

Look To The Stars would like to extend their warmest gratitude to Eric Roberts for taking the time to talk to us.

Lint Roller Party Picks Up Big Names

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:38:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

An impressive list of stars will be turning into party animals at the newly restored Hollywood Palladium on Thursday, November 13th, for the 15th annual Lint Roller Party.

Lisa Edelstein along with Eric and Tania Idle are Honorary Co-Chairs for the night, which supports the Best Friends Animal Society. The party’s honorary committee includes animal lovers such as Adrian Grenier, Charlize Theron, Nicollette Sheridan, Bill Maher, Dan Aykroyd and Willie Nelson, to name but a few.

The event raises funds for the Society’s programs in LA, which improve and save the lives of animals, including: A Puppy-Store-Free LA, Pet Adoption Festivals, Date with a Dog, Indie Rescue, Catnippers, Best Friends Brigade, Pup My Ride Transport Program.

A Founders’ Reception starts the event off at 6, with the party beginning in earnest at 7 P.M. Guests will enjoy an evening of celebrity presenters, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, special guests, an open bar and great veggie food, as well as meet some of the Founders of Best Friends and the stars of National Geographic Channel’s hit series DOGTOWN.

Emmylou Harris will be the feature entertainer for the evening, with the gourmet dinner cooked up by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Those taking part in the auction could win getaways, walk-on-parts, premiere tickets, jewelry, sports and hollywood memorabilia and fine art, among other items. An online auction is currently being held on eBay, which includes autographed items, such as one of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, Simspons and Star Wars memorabilia, and one lucky person will win a walk on part in a Clint Eastwood film.

For more information, visit the Lint Roller Party website.

World Magic Awards To Feed The Children

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You can help make the problem of starving children disappear by attending the 2008 World Magic Awards this Saturday, October 11.

Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, the show will benefit Feed the Children, an organization that provides food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty, or natural disaster.

Featuring a host of the world’s best magicians – including Hans Klok – the World Magic Awards will attract John Schneider, Corbin Bernsen, Melora Hardin, Jonathan Schaech, Debbie Matenopolous, Ernie Hudson, Buzz Aldrin, Cristian de la Fuente, Ashley Jones and many others.

Last year’s show was hosted by Roger Moore and was attended by Joan Collins, Pamela Anderson, Marla Maples, John Schneider, Robert Vaughn, and Eric Roberts.

More information about the event – which has an organizing committee that includes Tony Hawk, Vince Gill, Adrian Paul, Montel Williams, Michael Caine, Pat Boone, Monique Coleman, and Jason Alexander – can be found at www.worldmagicawards.com.

Dave Dobbyn Promotes Hearing Awareness In Fiji

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You may have heard of Heal The World – well, now some of the world’s greatest musicians are taking part in a campaign to raise awareness of hearing loss called Hear The World.

Hear the World is an initiative by Phonak – a leading manufacturer of hearing aids – that aims to raise awareness of the topic of hearing and hearing loss and to promote good hearing all over the world, and musician Dave Dobbyn spent the weekend in Fiji doing exactly that.

“I see other people who support ‘Hear the World’ like Harry Belafonte, Annie Lennox, Placido Domingo,” said 51-year-old Dobbyn, whose new album, Anotherland, has just been released. “I’m in great company when we’re all thinking about our ears and our health. Your ears get fatigued like every organ in your body so to treat them with respect and keep the volume down.”

One in five children in Fiji are profoundly deaf, and there is no audiology service in the South Pacific nation – children with hearing loss are often not diagnosed until they reach school.

“A child needs to be able to hear sounds in the environment to hear speech and language in order to produce speech and to develop language,” said Logan McMeekin, a Phonak Audiologist who is fitting hearing aids – free-of-charge – to children affected by hearing loss in Fiji. “Our goal isn’t to restore normal hearing we try and give them cues for awareness of their environment so they’re able to be safe in their environment.”

Dave Dobbyn – who has had 10 songs in New Zealand’s Top 100 Songs of All Time, including Loyal and Slice of Heaven – joins a long list of celebrities who support the Hear The World campaign. Amy Winehouse, Annie Lennox, Bobby McFerrin, Michael Buble, Common, Dave Stewart, Dionne Warwick, Franka Potente, Josh Groban, Jerry Hall, Harry Belafonte, Joss Stone, Chad Kroeger, Diane Kruger, Lindsay Lohan, Moby, Placido Domingo, Kelly Osbourne, Eric Roberts, and Rod Stewart are all ambassadors for the initiative, whose goal is to educate the general public about the importance of hearing, the social and emotional impacts and the benefits of available solutions for those with hearing loss. Rocker Bryan Adams is the official photographer for the campaign, and his photos of the ambassadors can be seen on the campaign’s website.

Dave Dobbyn’s message is simple – don’t take it for granted because the ability to hear is a gift. To see a video of him performing for Fijian schoolchildren, click here. To learn more about Hear The World, visit www.hear-the-world.com.

Heather Mills Hosts 2008 Farm Sanctuary Gala

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:51:18 -0000

Written by Dawn Fantasia

Heather Mills is giving hope to animal-lovers everywhere by returning to host this year’s Farm Sanctuary Gala on May 17th, with emcee Melissa Rivers.

Heather and Melissa will be joined by many caring people and well-known celebrities, such as Kristen Bell and Kevin Nealon, who share their dream of bringing public awareness and compassion to the safety of farm animals. This will be a night to remember, full of exquisite vegan cuisine and sensational entertainment provided by Shawn Colvin.

Gift bags featuring vegan foods, cruelty-free items and other unique farm animal-related gifts are to be given out at the event to educate Gala guests about compassionate living, and an auction featuring original paintings, photography, gift baskets, jewelry and more will help to raise funds for the charity.

Guests set to attend this black tie event include Rachel Leigh Cook, Jennifer Coolidge, Emily Deschanel, Christine Ebersole, Lisa Edelstein, Susie Essman, Corey Feldman, Richard Kind, Swoosie Kurtz, Vanessa Marcil, Peter Max, Esai Morales, Eric Roberts, Ally Sheedy, Hal Sparks, Loretta Swit, True Whitaker, Persia White, Debra Wilson Skelton and more.

While volunteer opportunities to help at the event are no longer available, tickets for the Gala are still on sale at $400 each. For more information about purchasing a ticket or making a donation please visit the Farm Sanctuary Gala ’08 website.

(Photo courtesy of Farm Sanctuary)

Drew Barrymore Leaves Her Mark For Charity Auction

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:59:12 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Drew Barrymore is being hounded by bidders who are doggedly pursuing an exciting new internet auction. The 33-year-old actress is selling a one-of-kind work of art she created… with her pet dog.

The star has donated a canvas featuring her handprints – and the paw prints of her dog, Flossie – to The Rescue Train, an organization that seeks to reduce the number of animals entering shelters by promoting education through creating unique programs and solutions.

The artwork, which can be viewed via www.charityfolks.com, is the last lot in a series of auctions that featured works of art created by celebrities and their pet pooches. Other stars to create canvases included Jessica Alba, Carmen Electra, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Paula Abdul, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Eric Roberts.

Charity Folks is the leading online marketplace for celebrity charity auctions, and has raised over $6 million for non-profit organizations in the past. The current Drew Barrymore auction ends on April 23.

Julia Roberts - More Than Just A Pretty Woman

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:17:32 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Julia Roberts may be one of the most instantly recognizable actresses in Hollywood, but as a child she suffered from an affliction shared by over 3 million other Americans. Along with her brother, Heroes star Eric Roberts, the actress was a chronic stutterer. But it was a disorder she fought to overcome, and now she is helping others overcome the frustrating complaint.

Born in Smyrna, Georgia, Roberts wanted nothing more than to be a veterinarian when she grew up. Her father, a professional vacuum cleaner salesman, was a keen amateur actor who met his wife, a real estate agent, through a local theater group. Acting and performing was a big part of family life in the Roberts’ household, and thespian pursuits soon rubbed off on the young Roberts children. The two older offspring soon headed to New York to pursue acting careers, but Julia stayed at home to attend university. However, the acting bug could not be suppressed, and upon graduation, Julia headed to the Big Apple to join her sister, actress Lisa Roberts Gillan.

But before she could break into show business, Roberts had to beat her stuttering problem. She did this through the support of her family and friends, and last week, along with her brother, was asked by the Stuttering Foundation of America to be a spokesperson for the group.

“It would be marvelous to have them participate,” said foundation representative Jane Fraser. “They have no doubt inspired young people with the problem.”

The late 80’s were a struggle for the young actress, although she began to build up a profile by appearing in shows such as Miami Vice and Sesame Street. But it was a role as a diabetic in Steel Magnolias that launched Roberts into the public eye and gave her the first of many Oscar nominations.

1990 saw the release of Pretty Woman, alongside Richard Gere, and another Oscar nomination. Her star rose to prominence throughout the next decade with roles in seven high-grossing films, such as Hook, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Notting Hill. But it was her leading role in 2001’s Erin Brockovich that finally won her a Best Actress Oscar.

In 1995, Roberts expressed a desire to make her celebrity status mean something, and approached UNICEF to ask how she could make a difference in the world. The organization sent her to Port-au-Prince, the largest city in Haiti. It was a life-changing experience for the actress, and she found the poverty in the slums overwhelming. She later commented that her “heart was just bursting” at the sight of the children, many off whom were undernourished and homeless. Since then, she has visited many of the world’s poorest countries promoting peace, goodwill, and help for those in need.

In 2000, Roberts narrated a documentary film about Rett Syndrome, a rare disorder that can be fatal in young girls, and also represented the International Rett Syndrome Association in front of Congress in 2002.

“Congress has within its power the ability to provide the accelerated funding needed to increase our understanding of Rett syndrome,” she told a subcommittee of the House of Appropriations. “There is an urgent need now… to redouble the efforts of researchers and capitalize on their important and steadfast work.”

Roberts also sits alongside Paul Newman on the Board of Directors for the Hole in the Wall Gang, the world’s largest network of camps for ill children, and in 2007 she designed bracelets that were sold as part of Bono’s Product (RED) Campaign.

In 2006, Roberts became the Advisory Board Chairperson for Earth Biofuels, a company set up in Mississippi in 2004 to implement clean-burning fuels on a nationwide scale. Her passion for the environment led her to join Board members Morgan Freeman and Willie Nelson in a crusade to encourage the use of biofuels in over 500,000 school buses.

“It’s very important that we expand our use of clean energy and make a long-term commitment to it,” she said. “Biodiesel and ethanol are better for the environment and for the air we breathe.The use of biodiesel is a positive step toward minimizing pollutive emissions and greenhouse gases. By focusing on school buses, we can affect the health and wellbeing of the people most susceptible to that pollution – our children – today.”

Roberts is currently starring in Charlie Wilson’s War alongside Tom Hanks, but perhaps it is a line from Erin Brockovich that best sums up her attitude towards the causes she supports:

“For the first time in my life, I got people respecting me – please don’t ask me to give it up.”

A Little "Moore" For Charity

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:29:52 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

What more could Bond star Sir Roger Moore do than receive a star on the walk of fame this week? The answer would be, host one of the biggest charity events of the weekend, the World Magic Awards on Saturday October, 13th.

The charity event benefitted the Feed the Children organization. Sir Roger was not the only the star on the scene to support the event. The legendary scene stealer Joan Collins was there as well as blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, magician Hans Klok, Donald Trump’s ex-wife Marla Maples, John Schneider, Robert Vaughn, Eric Roberts and many more. Famous magicians from around the world put on quite a show.

This magical event will be televised in December. Proceeds from the network licensing fee and sponsorships will be going to Feed the Children organization. The mission is to use magic to make a happy and healthier world for children.

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