Look To The Stars News: Nicole Richie

LTTS Exclusive - The 2009 Noble Awards

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

I had the honor of attending “The Noble Awards” on their first annual show honoring charities and their celebrity supporters.

On Sunday, October 18th at The Beverly Hilton, “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush hosted the premiere of this special event honoring Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a list of celebrity honorees from Brett Ratner to Teri Hatcher.

Guests were treated to live performances from names like Brian McKnight and Benji Madden and the famed 8-year-old piano prodigy, Emily Bear. The night was supported with a star-studded cast of performers, honorees and guests that all believe in using the power of their voice in the name of philanthropy and charity. No detail was too small for this event. The award sculpture itself was the vision of Antonio Banderas and came to life at The Art of Elysium workshop with personal touches from the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.

The Noble Awards was an inaugural awards show that launched the beginning of a perennial movement that will encourage each and every person to give back and take action in the world today.

Each year they will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. Some of this year honorees included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner for DoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds for Stand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden.

Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children. It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital. A moment that was also extremely moving was when his twin brother Benji (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication. Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) looked on lovingly while her Father introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much. The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital.”

I was lucky enough to experience the vision of the Founder/Executive Producer, Janeen Mansour, prior to the event and watch it develop from an idea to a reality.

“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them," she said. "Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”

The Noble Awards are a testament to what Hollywood can achieve when it uses its voice to celebrate positive change. This event showcased just a few of the many celebrities and individuals dedicated to making a difference in the world today. It is my hope that it will serve as an inspiration to others to get involved in their charity, community or cause that has meaning to them. Being a volunteer takes less time than your yoga class and can cost you less money than your Latte. But the experience will stay with you a lifetime.

To the children, the volunteers, the unnamed angels, the celebrities, the founders, the team behind this event and to all of the people that donate their time and passion to making a difference on a daily basis, this celebrates you.

Inaugural Noble Awards Celebrate Hollywood Philanthropy

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars was proud to be part of the inaugural Noble Awards on Sunday, October 18 – an event that honored a host of charities and the celebrities that support them, elevating awareness of the significant impact of their work.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the event honored Morgan Freeman with a lifetime achievement award, as well as Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

Lionel Richie was on hand during the ceremony to present an award to Joel Madden, who attended the event with Nicole Richie and his brother Benji.

“I want to welcome him to our family and present this Noble award to a guy I love very much – Joel Madden!” said Lionel as he introduced Joel to the crowd.

“They are just as much a part of it,” said Madden, paying tribute to Nicole and Benji. “Nicole does just as much as I do with Art of Elysium and all the charities we work with. And so does Benj – Benj actually does more then I do, and he plays the guitar better then I do, so he is a little more entertaining for the kids.”

Madden later Twittered about the emotions he felt as he accepted his award: “Just left the NOBLE awards. Got an award that was really for the people at the Art of Elysium. Awesome folks and I’m humbled to know them. By the way got totally choked up when I got my award. I hate thinking about kids in the hospital, they should be getting the awards not us.”

The award itself was designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Morgan Freeman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work and dedication to over a dozen non-profits. Freeman’s diverse charitable efforts include working with American Red Cross, Artists for a New South Africa, the Campaign for Female Education, Earth Biofuels, Grenada Relief Fund, Mississippi Animal Rescue League and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman has also done PSAs for Sierra Club, and a number of Entertainment Industry Foundation campaigns, covering issues like colon cancer prevention, health care reform and volunteerism.

“I think so often we don’t know that our gestures matter,” said Teri Hatcher, who was also honored. “I think when you get involved in your local community charity you really do see you make a difference and it’s empowering for you.”

Look To The Stars was at the awards, and we will bring you more about the fantastic event over the coming days.

Stars Gather For Brent Shapiro Foundation Event

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug and Alcohol Awareness will hold a star-studded benefit in Hollywood tomorrow night, September 12.

The private party at an undisclosed residence will be attended by many of the celebrity supporters of the charity, including Larry King, Jessica Alba, Sean Combs, Denzel Washington, Barry Bonds, Rod Stewart, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Lindsay Lohan, Brody Jenner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Karina Smirnoff, Lionel Richie, Sylvester Stallone, Brent Bolthouse, Danny Masterson, Adrian Grenier, Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, Bruce and Kris Jenner, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Cheryl Tiegs, Jayde Nicole, Jacquelyn Smith, Nicky Hilton, Carolina Bacardi, Esai Morales, Ashley Hamilton and many others.

Brent Shapiro was the son of Robert Shapiro, who was an attorney on OJ Simpson’s defense team in 1995. Brent – who had battled with addictions most of his life – died in 2005 at the age of 25. It is the vision of the Brent Shapiro Foundation to fight the stigma of addictions through education, and help parents communicate with their children on addiction issues.

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

Celebrity Catwalk To Honor Animal-Loving Stars

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Next week will see a host of celebrities honored for their work with animals at a special charity fashion show.

Celebrity Catwalk will see stars take part in the annual show, which will be hosted by Girls Next Door star Bridget Marquardt. Jamie Foxx, Nicole Richie and Melissa Rivers are just a few of the celebrities who have taken part in the past and helped to fuse the worlds of entertainment and fashion into one unforgettable evening.

This year’s show will honor Heather Mills, Nigel Barker, Grammy award-winning singer Mya and Kimora Lee Simmons for their work raising awareness of the 6-8 million dogs and cats the enter shelters in the US every year. Proceeds from the event will go directly to Noah’s Ark and Almost Home Rescue, two organizations that work tirelessly to put a stop to those statistics.

The event will take place next Thursday, August 27, at the Highlands Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. For tickets and more info, click here.

Joel Madden And Rosario Dawson Pen Charity Articles

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Joel Madden and Rosario Dawson have put pen to paper and authored articles for the latest issue of Los Angeles Confidential magazine about the causes they support.

Rosario Dawson is a board member of V-Day, a non-profit devoted to ending violence against girls and women. In Los Angeles Confidential she opens up about the abuse taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as soldiers work to destroy and take over communities in order to obtain rich natural resources—the same resources being used to manufacture cell phones, ipods, etc. Dawson hopes to provide awareness “about these atrocities” in order to “pressure our electronic provides into buying only ‘conflict free’ products.”

“At the Panzi Hospital in the city of Bukavu in the DRC, Dr Denis Mukwege sews up a dozen women and girls every day, some of whom have walked 40 miles to reach him,“ wrote Dawson. "Many patients need several surgeries and years to recover – if they ever do… Please join me and take action. Let’s reclaim the mantra “women and children first,” and protect Africa’s truest and greatest resource. Help these women and girls heal their wounds. Together, we can stop this violence and make change happen.“

Joel Madden talks about the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation and how he hopes to impact not only his own children but those around the world and “hopes to give these children the opportunity to dream along with us.”

“In the two years since we launched the foundation, Nicole and I both feel we’ve gained more than we’ve given. The children we’ve met all over the world have touched us in ways money can’t buy. From neighborhoods in Los Angeles and villages in Africa to an orphanage in Russia, these children have become dear to our hearts and as important to us as our own children.“

Los Angeles Confidential is available now.

Nicole Richie Launches Organic Gardens In Schools

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

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Richie attended the Environmental Media Association’s Organic Garden launch at the Helen Berstein High School in LA yesterday, May 12, to show her support of organic gardens in urban schools.

“I’ve been part of the Environmental Media Association for about 4 or 5 years now,“ the 27-year-old told Hollyscoop. "Being in a school with the environment of education, it really doesn’t make sense to educate children on math, science, history and not educate them on nutrition and taking care of our planet. It seems that it is our responsibility to make sure that happens.

“What’s so great now is that it’s kind of become so popular [to go green] and it’s definitely more accessible. More people are going towards wood and glass and you can find that at Target or Walgreens, you can really find it everywhere. It’s definitely around and accessible to everyone, which is really great.”

Amy Smart also attended the event. To find out more about the Environmental Media Association, visit their website.

Kim Kardashian Hosts Charity Poker In The Playboy Mansion

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On Saturday, July 11, the Playboy Mansion and the Kardashians will host the ‘Aces & Angels Celebrity Poker Tournament’ to benefit Aces and Angels, an organization which raises money for families of Southern California firefighters who were either injured or killed in the line of duty.

Kim Kardashian will host the event alongside sisters Khloe and Kourtney, and their mother Kris, as dozens of Playboy bunnies, playmates, top models, Hollywood celebrities, and the poker stars attend the highly anticipated event being held at the Playboy Mansion.

The event, which is being emceed by 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, has already received RSVP’s from: Nicole Richie, Jayde Nicole (2008 Playmate of the Year), Sara Jean Underwood (2007 Playmate of the Year), the Ikki twins (featured in Playboy and MTV’s Double Shot at Love), actress Shannon Elizabeth, recording artist Ryan Cabrera, Jerri Manthey (of Survivor and Playboy fame), retired baseball player Jose Canseco, and poker professionals Jamie Gold, Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Nenad Medic, Isabelle Mercier, Marcel Luske, Gavin Smith, David Williams and Steve Dannenmann.

Ticket prices for the event range from $1,000 to $3,500, but even the most basic package includes access to the Playboy Mansion grounds, pool area, and grotto, along with a gourmet dinner and an unlimited amount of premium liquor. More than $50,000 in prizes will be distributed at the poker tournament, with a grand prize of ‘the ultimate Vegas fantasy giveaway’ which includes a four-day, three-night stay in a high-roller suite in Vegas, a VIP foursome at a Golf Gone Wild golf tournament (featuring 150 nude body-painted models), a helicopter tour of the Vegas Strip and the Grand Canyon, a skydiving trip, and more.

For more information please visit Aces-Angels.org.

Nicole Richie Raises Awareness About Atrocities

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Richie has posted a video on her website encouraging people to support two charities in their work raising awareness of atrocities in the Congo.

“I’m about to tell you a true story about a place where babies and grandmothers are being raped on a daily basis, and the reason they are being raped is directly connected to the purchases of our cell phones, of our laptops and of our iPods,” she says in the video.

Richie also interviews John Prendergast from the ENOUGH Project and Kinberly Pinkson from the EcoMom Alliance about the fact that mining of minerals we use in our lives every day is escalating violence in the country towards women and children.

“The number one weapon out there is not guns, its not knives, it is rape,“ said Richie. “They are raping these women. Not only is it rape, they are being raped in front of their husbands and children, their children are being killed… they’re being told to eat their children. This stuff is really inhumane. This is the worst stuff that I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Richie has set out four things you can do to help stop the violence in the Congo:

1. Join the Movement at www.raisehopeforcongo.org.
2. Text “CONGOPLEDGE” (one word, no spaces) to ACTION (228466) or visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to endorse the Conflict Minerals Pledge.
3. Send emails to the industry leaders and ask them to be a leader on this issue by signing the pledge. Visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to send your emails now.
4. Call the White House switchboard at 202.456.1414 or write to President Obama at www.whitehouse.gov and ask him to appoint a special envoy for the Great Lakes region.

To watch Richie’s video in full, click here.

Nicole Richie Donates Clothes To Help Others In Fashion And Life

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

Ever want to deck your baby out in designer duds? Now is your chance, courtesy of Nicole Richie.

Nicole has donated some of her daughter’s hand-me-downs to the charity handmedowns.com. Some of the items your child could soon own include a Richie signed Maclaren Lacoste stroller, a Ralph Lauren romper, a rainbow striped cashmere sweater and infant moccasins.

The auction runs through Friday April 17. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.

Nicole Richie is well known in the charity spectrum. She created The Richie Madden Children’s Foundation with her boyfriend Joel Madden. The Foundation works in union with the Los Angeles Free Clinic to provide support to disadvantaged families. Richie is also a supporter of UNICEF.

Nicole Richie And Joel Madden Write Charity

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Richie has launched her official website and included a few words about why she started the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.

“Joel and I always say we feel so blessed to live the life we live. We also realize that Harlow is blessed to get to live a life about one percent of all the children in the world get to live,” she writes on the site, launched this weekend. “We think it’s so important that every child has the opportunity to experience the absolute best in health care and education. And that’s why we started Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation. We got to thinking about all of these issues when I was pregnant with Harlow, when we launched the foundation. Joel travels all over the world, including Africa, for the organization. For the past two years, I have been either pregnant or breastfeeding, so I tend to stay closer to home. However, I did take a magical and moving trip to Moscow, Russia, about which I will write more soon! Whenever we decide on a new project or endeavor, Joel and I pick the things that our closest to our hearts.”

The statement coincides with the work Richie’s partner, Joel Madden, is currently doing to raise awareness of UNICEF’s Tap Project.

“Did you know that nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water?,” he wrote in a statement. "That’s 4,200 children dying, every single day, from waterborne disease. As a UNICEF Ambassador and Tap Project spokesperson, I am committed to helping UNICEF get that number down to zero. I want to encourage everyone to do your part during World Water Week, March 22-28, 2009 to help UNICEF put an end to the preventable deaths of children due to a lack of clean water.

“I’m going to be spreading the word throughout World Water Week on Larry King Live, People Magazine, E! News and more to let everyone know why the Tap Project is such an important lifesaving campaign. Just $1 provides a child with safe drinking water for 40 days! All you have to do is find a participating restaurant online at tapproject.org, dine out during World Water Week, and pay $1 or more for the tap water you usually enjoy for free. Every single dollar raised supports UNICEF water, sanitation and hygiene programs. Even if you can’t dine out, you can still donate online at tapproject.org or text the word TAP to 864233 (UNICEF) to make a $5 donation.”

Charlie Sheen To Hold Charity Baby Shower

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Charlie Sheen and his wife, Brooke, will hold a baby shower this weekend and donate many of the gifts to charity.

The couple is expecting twin boys in April, and told People.com about their decision to donate the gifts.

“I am invited,” said Sheen. “Apparently, I don’t have to do anything, just show up and collect gifts. But there will be more stuff that goes to charity. People that don’t need it get the most stuff, and that’s what’s wrong with the world.”

They are not the first celebrity couple to hold a charity baby shower. Nicole Richie and Joel Madden did a similar thing before the birth of their baby in 2007.

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

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

Written by Isra Shah

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.”

It was this call to duty that inspired Kutcher and Moore to record the commercial. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kutcher explained that, "The truth is it’s going to take millions, hundreds of millions, of people for that [change in the world] to happen.”

“It’s going to be because of what all of us do. He’s the catalyst. It’s his inspiring message that asks us to be of service to each other. “

“Someone came into our office and had the idea of doing pledges for Obama, and instantly it was like, ‘We have to do this’," he said.

The commercial, aired online and viewable here, features celebrities sharing their personal commitments to service. The pledges range from simple tasks (“I pledge to turn the lights off”) to grand endeavors (“I pledge to find a cure for Alzheimer’s”). Participants included famous faces such as George Lopez, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jason Bateman, Dakota Fanning, Nicole Richie, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Kevin Connolly, Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Molly Sims, amongst others.

In a statement, Kutcher emphasized the interactive nature of the PSA announcement, saying, “We are honored to be working with MySpace to rally the entertainment industry to answer President-elect Barack Obama’s call to service. The ‘Presidential Pledge’ is a platform for people across the nation and throughout the world to make a first-person commitment of service to our new president, articulating a specific intent or action to become an agent of positive change.”

Read the full text of President Obama’s Inaugural Address here.

To record and post your own ‘Presidential Pledge,’ visit the MySpace site .

Nicole And Joel Take Kids For A Ride At Magic Mountain

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity couple Nicole Richie and Joel Madden kicked off the new year on Saturday, January 3, with a special party for children from the Beyond Shelter organization.

The pair had fun with their young fans at California’s Magic Mountain amusement park in Valencia, joining them for rides and much more.

Beyond Shelter is a non-profit organization that provides permanent housing and support services for homeless families with children. Richie and Madden raised money for the organization in September last year through a texting initiative that collected $10,000 for a new playground. Their Richie Madden Children’s Foundation is also active in raising cash for Beyond Shelter.

Celebrities Blog In The New Year For UNICEF

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

For the final 12 days of 2008, UNICEF’s celebrity ambassadors and supporters have been blogging on their site about the impact UNICEF Inspired Gifts are having on children around the world.

“Thanks to lifesaving vaccines, measles is mostly history in our country,“ wrote Al Roker. “But in working with UNICEF, I was shocked to learn that this terrible disease still affects hundreds of thousands of children every year. In fact, it steals the future of 540 children around the world every day.

“Not one child should die needlessly, and UNICEF is giving us a chance to help those remaining few whose lives could be saved with simple vaccines. For just $26.30, you can give the gift of health to children in need, providing 100 doses of anti-measles vaccination. This year, let’s celebrate the New Year together by resolving to make measles a thing of the past.“

UNICEF Ambassador Lucy Liu, who was recently honored with the prestigious Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award in recognition of her tireless work on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable children, also took part.

“Of the 25,000 children who die every day from preventable causes, many of those children lack the most basic nourishment needed to survive,“ she wrote. “On my recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, I witnessed firsthand how something so simple could save so many lives.

“High-energy/protein biscuits (a kind of nutritious “cookies”) were specially developed to help children in emergency situations and are crucial to their survival. For only $40.26 you can purchase two cartons of biscuits, full of the vitamins and micronutrients needed to improve children’s health and prevent them from developing severe malnutrition, which can be deadly.“

Tea Leoni – a board member of the US Fund for Unicef – had this to say: “A mother will always do whatever it takes to protect her child from danger. And no mother would intentionally put her child in harms way. Yet every minute of every day, somewhere in the world, a child dies of AIDS-related causes and another child becomes infected with HIV—usually contracted during pregnancy, labor or delivery.

“Your gift of $100.00 will provide 100 HIV/AIDS tests so expecting mothers can be sure they are doing whatever it takes to save their child.“

Other stars to blog on the UNICEF site include Benji Madden and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte, Nicole Richie, Mia Farrow, Ne-Yo, Marcus Samuelsson, and Alyssa Milano. The full celebrity blogs can be read here.

Nicole Richie And Joel Madden Support UNICEF-Inspired Gifts

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity couple Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have written blogs on the UNICEF website about the impact that UNICEF gifts have on children around the world.

“Imagine not being able to take a bath or a shower,“ wrote Madden. “Imagine not being able to turn on the tap for a glass of water, or to wash your hands… your dishes… your clothes. Imagine that the water you drink everyday has the power to kill you and all those you love.

“Can you imagine this? No, probably not. I know I couldn’t, but I saw it firsthand not too long ago when I visited the Central African Republic. Clean and accessible water is a luxury for more than half the world’s children. Having sat, talked and sung with, and also hugged some of the children living this nightmare, I will not stop until all children have this simple thing that we take for granted—clean water.“

The blogs are part of a campaign UNICEF has been running in the lead up to the New Year featuring blogs from the organization’s Celebrity Ambassadors and supporters. Madden became a UNICEF Ambassador earlier this year, and recently returned from a UNICEF trip to Africa.

“Right now you can help bring clean water to children in need by purchasing a Water Well Hand Pump. For $500, this reliable, durable hand pump can give children the gift of life.

“I know the economy is really tough right now, so please consider pulling together your family and friends and all chipping in to buy a gift for a child whose life you can change forever.“

Madden’s partner, Nicole Richie, joined him in lighting the UNICEF Snowflake in Beverley Hills last month and has also penned a blog for the organization.

“Armed conflict, war and natural disasters can cause such chaos in a child’s life,“ she wrote. “Families are torn apart, homes are destroyed and a feeling of security is no longer a reality. The simplicity of a wool blanket can provide a child with the warmth and sense of safety that every child, everywhere should feel.

“For the cost of one specialty coffee or latte you can let a child in need know they are loved, by providing them with a warm blanket this holiday season. Just $3.80 can do that. In fact, you can provide 10 wool blankets to children in emergency or conflict situations for only $38.00!“

More information about UNICEF-inspired gifts can be found here.

Paris Hilton Parties For The Art Of Elysium

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A plethora of stars turned out at the grand opening of the new Dolce & Gabbana Boutique in Los Angeles this week in support of The Art of Elysium.

The Who’s Who of the entertainment world included Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden and Benji Madden from Good Charlotte, Lauren Conrad, Rumer Willis, Gabrielle Union, Josh Brolin, Kelly Ripa, and many others.

The evening was hosted by former OC actress Rachel Bilson, and at least 15% of sales from the Robertson Boulevard store will go towards the Art of Elysium, which develops creative projects for children battling serious medical conditions.

“This is a strategic opening for the group on a global scale. Locating a D&G store in a very important street both for its positioning and visibility allows us to speak directly to our public,” said Gabbana.

Nicole Richie Wants To Give You A Fruitcake For Christmas

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Tony Hawk, Nicole Richie and Fall Out Boy are on a mission to “re-gift” the classic fruitcake this Christmas with a new charity application on Facebook.

“The fruitcake has always been a bad gift. You never eat it or keep it. You just always end up re-gifting it,” said skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. “This year we’re changing the fruitcake and making it a symbol of giving and charity.”

Two-pound fruitcake bricks will be given away through a PayPal application on Facebook to benefit the stars’ favorite charities. Recipients will be invited via a personal video to contribute through PayPal to the charities and “re-gift” the fruitcake to friends and family all across the world.

“We’re trying out different kinds of technology and approaches to get people involved and learn about causes,” said Joel Madden. “This time, it’s a fruitcake.”

Celebrities will kick off the fruitcake’s virtual voyage starting with 10 friends each. As the fruitcakes make their way across Facebook, recipients can choose to donate to the celebrity’s cause or continue the fruitcake’s journey simply by re-gifting to friends for free. The Re-gift the Fruitcake program is presented by PayPal, which will make a $20,000 donation to each celebrity charity.

The charities that will benefit from the initiative include the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the Yao Ming Foundation, the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, and Invisible Children.

“By re-gifting this fruitcake you will help build more than 8,000 Classrooms and give children the education they deserve,” said Houston Rockets’ Center Yao Ming.

The initiative can be accessed through http://apps.facebook.com/regiftthefruitcake or www.regiftthefruitcake.com.

Rihanna To Light Up New York For UNICEF

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Grammy Award-winning singer Rihanna and Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini will light the UNICEF Snowflake at the Grand Army Plaza in New York City today, November 19.

R&B artist Ne-Yo will perform live during the ceremony before Rihanna and Frida flip the switch to illuminate the huge Snowflake, which measures 23 feet in diameter, 28 feet in height, and weighs 3,300 pounds. Adorned with 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms, the snowflake has become an iconic fixture during the holiday season as a reminder of UNICEF’s commitment to do whatever it takes to save a child.

“We are thrilled to have Rihanna take part in the lighting ceremony in New York City,” said Caryl Stern, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “She has tremendous enthusiasm for helping those in need and is the ideal person for spreading the UNICEF Snowflake’s message of hope, peace, and compassion for children around the world.”

Also attending the UNICEF Snowflake will be Sesame Street Muppet and UNICEF’s global “Champion for Children” Kami, a five-year old, HIV-positive Muppet who appears regularly on the South African co-production of Sesame Street called Takalani Sesame. Kami teaches children about literacy, respect and understanding, and also helps promote age-appropriate messages concerning HIV/AIDS.

Following the lighting ceremony, the Gucci 5th Avenue flagship store will hold a cocktail party to celebrate the launch of the 4th annual Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF. This year, Frida Giannini has designed a special white version of the Tattoo Heart Collection and will donate 25 percent of sales to support education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Los Angeles Snowflake will be lit up by Nicole Richie and Joel Madden on Saturday, November 22.

Nicole And Joel To Light Up Beverly Hills For UNICEF

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity couple Nicole Richie and Joel Madden will host UNICEF’s 2008 Beverly Hills Snowflake Lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 22, in Los Angeles.

As part of the ceremony, the pair will flick the switch to light up the UNICEF Snowflake and the 20 Baccarat chandeliers that grace Rodeo Drive, which will be illuminated for the entire holiday season to serve as beacons of hope, peace and compassion.

“We are honored to have Joel and Nicole participate in the Beverly Hills lighting ceremony,” says Caryl Stern, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “With their tremendous commitment to UNICEF’s child survival mission, Joel and Nicole are the perfect people for UNICEF to share this meaningful tradition with.”

Festivities for the day begin at 3pm, with a ton of family activities and a visit from Santa Claus along Rodeo Drive. There will be live entertainment from The 88 and Kreesha Turner, and the evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display atop the Beverly Wilshire.

The lighting ceremony takes place at 6pm at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard.

Joel Madden Visits Africa For UNICEF

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Rocker Joel Madden has just returned from a weeklong visit to the war-torn Central African Republic (CAR) observing UNICEF programs and visiting vulnerable children.

“I see 25,000 fans in stadiums we play to regularly,“ said Madden, who fronts the rock band Good Charlotte and was named a UNICEF Ambassador this summer. “I can visualize that number, and it gives me chills to think that many children under five die every day from preventable causes. One major way we can tackle this and help reduce that number to zero is by making sure schools and communities get better access to safe water and sanitation facilities.”

Madden visited CAR – which is bordered by Chad and Sudan – with his brother and fellow band member Benji Madden.

Outside the capital city of Bangui, in the village of Sam Ouanda, the pair met with the families of 47 children who had succumbed to water-related illnesses. The village borders the Darfur region of Sudan and has been attacked by rebels twice in the past year.
In addition to diarrhea cause by intestinal parasites found in dirty water, young children and their families who do not have bed nets are susceptible to malaria carried by mosquito vectors bred in stagnant pools of water.

“Without access every day to clean water, sustainable development is impossible,” said UNICEF Representative in CAR Mahimbo Mdoe. “We are facing a huge infrastructure deficit and we are struggling to get more and more support.”

Madden’s trip comes at a timely moment, highlighting the situation of an overlooked country with some of the worst health indicators for children in sub-Saharan Africa. The mortality rate for young children in CAR is 175 per 1,000, meaning that nearly one in five children does not live to see his or her fifth birthday. The lifetime risk of death for women who become mothers is 1 in 25, and an HIV prevalence rate of 6 per cent continues to wreak havoc among populations made vulnerable by chronic poverty and ongoing conflict.

Though Madden is a veteran activist on behalf of children, this was his first mission as a UNICEF Ambassador. Along with Nicole Richie, he recently founded the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation to raise awareness about issues facing children around the world and to inspire the public – especially young people – to get involved.

Madden will also serve as the 2009 national spokesman for UNICEF’s clean-water campaign, the Tap Project. Now in its third year, this grassroots US-based initiative aims to provide safe water to children worldwide by inviting patrons to donate $1 for the tap water they normally get for free at participating restaurants.

“Around the world, in places just like CAR, nearly 900 million people don’t have access to safe water – but it’s the kids, like the ones I met on this trip, who are the first to get sick and die from dirty water,” he said. “The good news is that we can stop this now. I believe in zero. We can reduce that 25,000 to zero."

Hollywood Domino Attracts Stars On Both Sides Of Atlantic

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hollywood Domino is the new craze sweeping the world, and two launch events over the weekend attracted stars from across the celebrity spectrum to raise money for charity.

Friday night, November 7, saw the first of the launch events take place in London, with well-known faces such as Charlize Theron, Sienna Miller, Tom Hollander, Ridley Scott, and Giannina Facio in attendance to raise cash for the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project. This was followed on Sunday, November 9, by a second tournament in New York, attended by Salma Hayek, James Franco, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Jessica Alba, Molly Sims, Jeremy Piven, Kim Raver, Jason Lewis and many more to raise money for The Art of Elysium.

Hollywood Domino is a new take on a very old game originally invented in China over 400 years ago. The new version was developed after two young entrepreneurs – Inge Theron and Daya Fernandez – met in LA during the Oscars. It was not long before a select group of celebrity friends including Salma Hayek, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher caught onto the trend and began to meet regularly to play.

“Beating the credit crunch has never been so much fun,“ said Inge Theron. “Staying in has definitely become the new going out. ‘Hollywood Domino’ is a fun and exciting parlour game that you cannot help being absorbed by. It is strategic and highly addictive, and brings the glamour of the Hollywood Hills into your living room.”

The game is available for purchase from Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and other selected retailers.

Get Ready For The Carousel Of Hope This Weekend

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Carousel of Hope Gala will take place this weekend to raise money for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

Presented by Jay Leno, the gala will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 25, and will honor Denzel Washington for his charity work.

This year celebrates 30 years of helping children with diabetes through the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. Held every two years, this is the 18th Carousel of Hope. From its inception in 1978, the Ball has raised over $70 million.

The gala will feature performances from Josh Groban, the Jonas Brothers, Katharine McPhee and many more under the music direction of David Foster. The guest list is expected to be huge, with stars such as Tom Arnold, Melanie Griffith & Antonio Banderas, Halle Berry, Valerie Bertinelli, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bo Derek, Geena Davis, Daisy Fuentes, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammar, Tom Hanks, Taraji P. Henson, Anjelica Huston, Magic Johnson, Dr. Phil McGraw, Holly Robinson-Peete & Rodney Peete, Nicole Richie, Jane Seymour, Nicollette Sheridan, Forest Whitaker and James Woods all expected to attend. Clive Davis, Quincy Jones and Sidney Poitier will take part in Denzel Washington’s presentation.

The evening will feature a silent auction that includes an array of eco-friendly shirts donated by Guess and signed by Jason Bateman, Halle Berry, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Will Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Cuba Gooding Jr., Whitney Houston, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Lee, Jared Leto, Bill Maher, Steve Martin, Jack Nicholson, Ray Romano, Maria Shriver & Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rod Stewart, Usher and many more. There will also be handbags signed by Joan Collins, Courteney Cox, Cindy Crawford, Dakota Fanning, Mariska Hargitay, Fergie, Susan Sarandon, Britney Spears and Racquel Welch, as well as items from Trace Adkins, P. Diddy, Marcia Cross, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Andie MacDowell, Alyssa Milano, Eva Longoria, Dolly Parton, Priscilla Presley, Denise Richards, Joel Madden, Sharon Stone, John Travolta, Carrie Underwood and many more.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit clinical care and research at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (BDC) where over 5,000 children and young adults receive specialized care.

Nicole Richie Celebrates Text Success

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are celebrating after raising $10,000 for a new children’s playground in just a week.

Last week, Look To The Stars brought you the news that the couple had launched a new text message campaign to raise money for the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation, and so far over 2,000 fans and parents have donated $5 after texting the campaign.

But the goal is $35,000, so get those thumbs working and text the word CHILD to 90999. The money will be used to build a playground for Beyond Shelter, an non-profit organization that provides permanent housing and support services for homeless families with children.

Nicole Richie Launches Charity Text Message Campaign

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have launched a new text message campaign to raise money for the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.

According to their website: “We’re pleased to announce the launch of TEXT CHILD to 90999, a new campaign to raise funds to help kids through a new kind of fundraising – with a simple text message. Each text message donates $5, billed to your phone bill. This is the first time that a text campaign has been done by mass media like this, so we’re excited to see how much we can raise!"

Money raised from the campaign will be used to build a playground for Beyond Shelter, a non-profit organization that provides permanent housing and support services for homeless families with children.

Out of the $5 donation, $4.50 will go to The Richie Madden Children’s Foundation to support programs like the playground at Beyond Shelter, and $0.50 will go to the Mobile Giving Foundation to support more text donation programs.

The text promotion only works for those people living in the US. Overseas supporters can pledge their donations online.

To take part in the campaign, simply text the word “CHILD” to 90999.

“I think being parents – it opens yours eyes,“ said Madden. “Every child I look at, it reminds me of my child. Makes me want to take care of every kid. And every mother I see, reminds me of Nicole.”

Richie-Madden Children's Foundation Seeks Intern

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s charity has put an internship opening on quarterlife, seeking someone who can help them keep their charity’s website up-to-date.

The Richie Madden Children’s Foundation was founded in 2007, and helps provide young mothers with the items they need to raise their babies, such as cribs, car seats and bottles. The couple recently launched a gift registry to help struggling mothers in need, as well.

The internship ad states that “The Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation (www.richiemaddenfoundation.com) is seeking a Communications/Web Design Intern ASAP.”

While no pay is offered, the chosen intern will receive college credit, and the opportunity to help the celebrity couple provide “meaningful opportunities to children in all corners of the globe, while also striving to bring light and laughter into their lives through unique entertainment and special events.”

Duties to be taken on by the Communications/Web Design Intern will include updating content regularly for client web sites, coordinating with Wireimage and photographers to get photographs for the site and developing new opportunities to engage web viewers to get involved with the Foundation and make a difference.

For more information on how you can apply, visit the Richie-Madden Foundation’s page on quarterlife.

Nicole Richie Launches Baby Gift Registry

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are launching an online gift registry to provide baby products to moms in need.

Through the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation – inaugurated last year – needy families who register through social services agencies will be able to select the baby products they require that are posted on the Foundation’s website – much like how a bridal or baby shower registry works. Then donors can choose what to contribute. Observing that even a clean blanket was out of reach for some, Richie felt the wish-list was an efficient way to connect new moms with those who want to help.

“We take for granted the basic necessities,” Richie told People. “For some families, it’s a serious struggle. This is one way to ease the financial burden and help new babies have a good start in life.
We are only working with companies and products that Joel and I would use. We’re checking every product out for safety – and all products are BPA-free.”

A changed man since the birth of his daughter earlier this year, Madden says, “I look at every single child and think of my own child… to think that 26,000 children die every day from simple things that we could prevent, just blows my mind.”

The registry should begin operations this autumn in Los Angeles and New York, with hopes of an eventual international expansion.

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