Look To The Stars News: Barack Obama

Barack Obama Signs Baseball Jersey For Charity Auction

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:30:00 -0000

President Barack Obama has signed a Majestic Athletic baseball jersey and is auctioning it for charity.

Obama signed the jersey at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis, and the special once-in-a-lifetime collectors item is going under the hammer for UMPS CARE, the Major League Baseball Umpire’s youth ticket program for children awaiting adoption, as well as its children’s hospital program for kids with life-threatening illnesses.

Obama’s signature is written in silver on the chest, and the number 44 is printed on the right sleeve.

The auction runs until March 22 and can be accessed at BiddingForGood.com.

More info about UMPS CARE can be found here.

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 7

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Look To The Stars is proud to present the seventh and final part of a series of pieces written by students from Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars.

We asked the students from Griffith Middle School in East LA what they would like to see changed about the world, and which celebrities they think would best be able to lead the way. Over the last seven days the kids have written about Barack Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. The stories have all been written with careful consideration and hope, and we were impressed with the scope of answers.

The After-School All-Stars program strives to improve kids’ lives by nurturing their minds, bodies and spirits through programs that incorporate independent learning, academics and enrichment activities. For more information, visit AfterSchoolAllStars.org

Global Warming: Anyone Can Help
By Sheila, Age 13

The world can be a better place. We can change some things to make it a better place to live. Everyone can be helpful. It’s all up to us to put in a little effort. I think that by reducing global warming, we can help our world become better.

Global warming is a very bad issue. It’s making every single day hotter and hotter. Every time we pollute our air, the ozone layer opens up little by little. This is serious because we need the ozone layer to close and shut out the sun’s harmful rays. So polluting the air isn’t really helping us survive. I truly don’t want to be burnt alive.

Honestly, I believe that it doesn’t matter if you are famous or just a regular person, if you want to make a difference, you will simply make one. A person could always make a chance. Celebrities are just people that have either money or talent.

We can all make a change. Instead of driving to school, you can walk or carpool with a neighbor or friend. Instead of taking a bus, why not ride a bike, or just walk? Many of us see paper or trash on the ground and we leave it, don’t!! Pick it up and throw it away! It’s the little things like this that make a big difference to stop global warming.

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 6

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Look To The Stars is proud to present part six of a series of pieces written by students from Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars.

Hunger/Homelessness: Barack Obama
By Biso, age 13

An issue that I would like to see change is the homelessness and hunger issues. I believe it is so very important to address these issues. The celebrity that I feel has the best position to do this is the one and only Barack Obama. He is the one who has the power over everything. That is the reason people of our country chose him as president to change things that he promised to.

Obama has to make more homeless shelters for the people who don’t get a chance to make it into ones. Obama said we should also visit the parts of the city where conditions are worse. If he saw it with his own eyes, he might put up a stand for people who don’t have the opportunity to run a home and eat three meals a day.

Well, my dream that I’ve had since the 6th grade is to get a good job, and when I raise enough money, to build shelters all over the world for people that don’t have anything.

I hope Obama reads my letter. I know he can’t do everything by himself, but I would at least like to see him try. We might be the next ones to be suffering over hunger, or might end up homeless, so that is why we need to help make the change before it gets worse. People might say: “Oh, I’m wealthy and I will never end up like that.” But karma could catch up to these people.

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 4

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:00 -0000

Look To The Stars is proud to present part four of a series of pieces written by students from Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars.

Less Pollution and More Peace: Barack Obama
By Yulissa, age 12

To begin, I would like to see less pollution in the world. I would also like to see more policies around the world to protect innocent people. That way, the world would be clean and peaceful.

To continue, the celebrity I feel is in the best position to make that change is Barack Obama because he is the president. Barack Obama could create/change rules when talking to the congress. For example, President Obama can locate more policies around schools, and announce to people that recycling is very important in order to keep the earth green and clean.

Further on, President Obama could also make more commercials about vandalism, so people could stop vandalizing. When also creating commercials about less pollution, he could announce to people to stop using acid products, gasoline, and to begin picking up trash! Something else people could do is begin to cultivate their own food, so it won’t come with bacteria or viruses.

Finally, the President could restrict companies, so that they won’t sell products that can contaminate the world and air. For example: some hair sprays and bug poison.

To stop vandalism, President Obama could give more jobs or options to people, so they will be distracted from vandalizing. Then there will be less people in jail!!

In conclusion, the changes I would like to see in the world are less pollution, and more protection from vandalism (more peace). I think that President Barack Obama is the ideal person that could make these changes.

Bid On A Potrait Sitting With Shepard Fairey For Charity

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0000

For the first time in his career, Shepard Fairey, one of the world’s most renowned and influential contemporary artists, is auctioning off a coveted portrait sitting.

This unbelievable art experience is up for bidding at Charitybuzz, the leading destination for online charity auctions, as part of The Art of Elysium's Pieces of Heaven Art Auction in partnership with Christie’s. Art of Elysium encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.

The auction will run from February 24 – March 4. Complete details on the Shepard Fairey experience can be found here.

Fairey received worldwide recognition during the 2008 presidential election with his ‘HOPE’ ‘CHANGE’ ‘PROGRESS’ posters for the Obama campaign. His work was personally recognized by Barack Obama as a contributing factor of the campaign’s success. Most recently, Fairey captured Stephen Colbert in his signature style for Colbert’s Vancouver Defeat the World Olympics campaign.

Fairey is recognized as emerging from the skateboarding scene and became most notably known for his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign and “OBEY” street art movement in the ’90s. Since 1989, Shepard has consistently produced a wide range of artwork from screenprints, mix media stencil collage, to 15 foot mural installations. His work is included in the collections at The Smithsonian, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The portrait sitting with Shepard Fairey will take place during the months of July-August, 2010.

Tyler Perry Receives the NAACP Chairman Award

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

Successful filmmaker Tyler Perry will be awarded the Chairman’s Award at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards.

Chosen by NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond, the Chairman Award is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and phenomenal public service. Past award recipients include: Bono, U.S. President Barack Obama, Aretha Franklin, The Dave Matthews Band, Aaron McGruder and Janet Jackson.

Tyler Perry’s public service record grows every day. Recently, the actor donated $110,000 and a brand new 15-passenger van to the Atlanta-based homeless shelter Covenant House. In 2009, Perry celebrated the centennial anniversary of the NAACP by donating $1,000,000 to the civil rights organization. Without a doubt, Perry will continue to make huge impressions on and off the screen. Watch for Tyler Perry’s acceptance of the Chairman Award on Fox on February 26.

Shakira Launches Early Childhood Charity Initiative

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Grammy Award-winning artist Shakira and World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick have launched a US$300 million joint initiative aimed at expanding development programs for young children in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The “Early Childhood Initiative: An Investment for Life” seeks to focus cost-effective policies and resources in the region, while mobilizing public support to improve opportunities for its young citizens and thereby help overcome deep inequalities, said Zoellick during a signing ceremony of the partnership agreement between Shakira’s ALAS Foundation, Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the World Bank, held at the Bank’s Washington D.C. headquarters.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide children with adequate nutrition, healthcare and stimulating environments from the moment of conception through age six –a period of development crucial for achieving a child’s full potential. The initiative will help expand ECD programs in a region where 9 million children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition and 22 million lack access to early basic care.

“If we want to build a better world, we have to give children the chance to improve their lives, no matter where they are born or how difficult their circumstances. By giving every child a fair start in life, we are improving our collective future,” Shakira told the an audience of 100 VIPs, including Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors and officials from the education sector, along with representatives from other international organizations.

The singer made a special trip to the Oval Office to meet Barack Obama as part of the launch: “It was such a privilege to sit down with the President in the Oval Office to discuss our shared commitment to education and early childhood development. We agreed that investing in our children is the smartest strategy governments can use to boost economic growth, fight poverty, and promote global security and peace. We will be working closely with the President and his staff to implement his vision – for Latinos, children in the United States, and around the world.”

The Colombian artist is a leading activist for children and the founder of ALAS – a coalition of Latin American artists and business leaders promoting the adoption of comprehensive ECD programs in the region.

The groundbreaking initiative will provide over the next two years US$300 million in loans, grants and trust fund resources, as well as technical support, towards the design and implementation of ECD policies in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will also expand a learning community of practitioners to exchange knowledge and experiences.

“ALAS – and Shakira in particular – have made an enormous contribution to placing young children at the heart of the public policy priorities in Latin America ,” said Zoellick.“We are pleased to work with her, ALAS and the Earth Institute to offer hope and opportunity for children who deserve a better future.”

Zoellick and Shakira explained that investments in ECD programs are among the most effective –and cost-effective– a country can make as participating children demonstrate improved health and academic outcomes, while showing higher productivity and income in later years. They noted that delays in early childhood interventions are difficult and costly to reverse later in life, as the Bank’s recent publication The Promise for Early Childhood Development in Latin America illustrates.

Citing Haiti’s emergency response as a timely example of working with partners, Zoellick said that ECD initiatives will play a key role in Haiti’s reconstruction, where attention will be placed on rebuilding not only the country’s infrastructure but also the potential of its people. He stressed the importance of partnering with UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Food Programme, among others, to provide urgent relief to the Haitian children and mitigate the long-term impact of the January 12 earthquake on an entire generation of Haitians.

One of the initiative’s first programs will be a partnership with Mexico’s state agency CONAFE to provide training for parents and caregivers to improve their competencies and practices in caring for children 0-4. The initiative will focus on the poorest 172 municipalities in Mexico, located primarily in its southern states.

In addition to providing funds to participating countries, the Early Childhood Initiative will work with the ECD Secretariat for Latin America and the Caribbean, a project of ALAS, the Earth Institute, and the governments of Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Panama, Paraguay and Argentina, to develop best practices and identify promising pilot projects for children under 6. This work will be presented at the UN’s Millennium Development Goals Summit in September and the XX Ibero-American Summit of the regional Heads of State in November in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Leonardo DiCaprio Heads Star-Studded Video For The Environment

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:30:00 -0000

A host of celebrities – including Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Justin Long, Emmy Rossum, Forest Whitaker, Jason Bateman, Chace Crawford and Felicity Huffman – have recorded a special video mobilizing America towards a sustainable future.

On the heels of President Barack Obama's push to move America toward a clean energy economy in his State of the Union address last night, the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund launched This is Our Moment, a web-based video campaign urging Congress to pass the first-ever climate and clean energy bill, currently pending in the Senate.

“This is our moment – our moment to fight for a cleaner and more secure future,” said DiCaprio, a longtime champion for the environment, and a NRDC Trustee. “The time is now for people across the country to stand up and have their voices heard. We all must call on the Senate to act on this historic opportunity.”

This is Our Moment enables citizens to become participants by speaking to their representatives in two ways: uploading their own videos in support of a clean energy economy, and sending direct emails to their Senators.

The online community can also engage by spreading the message. This is Our Moment is designed to create a virtual army of climate activists through an emphasis on social media tools like Facebook and Twitter, a rotating display of user-generated videos, and the video player itself, which is an embeddable widget for websites, social networking pages and blogs.

Clean energy and climate legislation passed the House of Representatives for the first time ever in June 2009. The legislation, the Clean Energy, Jobs and American Power Act, is now pending in the Senate. The bill has the power to jumpstart our economy, create millions of jobs, break our dependence on foreign oil, and cut global warming pollution. This is Our Moment calls on Americans to hold their representatives to task and to pass urgently-needed climate legislation.

“Americans want real action to address climate change and move our country toward a clean energy future,” said NRDC Action Fund President Frances Beinecke. “This is one of the most important pieces of legislation of our time — we cannot let our moment pass us by. Our Senators need to hear all of us loud and clear.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

To view the video, visit the This Is Our Moment campaign website.

Stars Join Twitter Campaign To Close Gitmo

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:30:00 -0000

In a coordinated day of action to urge Congress to close the Guantanamo Bay Prison, twenty Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans from across the country descended on Capitol Hill last week to push back against Republican scare tactics and urge Congress to support President Obama's decision to close the prison.

The veterans, organized by New Security Action and Vote Vets, are also joined in a coordinated Twitter campaign calling for the closure of Guantanamo by musicians and organizations including Coldplay, Trent Reznor, Rosanne Cash, Tom Morello, Amnesty International USA, ACLU, Common Cause, MoveOn.org, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch and many others.

The twenty veterans on the Hill today traveled to Washington on behalf of more than 2000 veterans who have signed an open letter to Congress calling for Gitmo to be closed.

Last week marked the one year anniversary of the Presidents declaration that Gitmo would close within a year which has been delayed. The veterans are targeting Congress to remove the barriers to finally close the prison. In their visit to Capitol Hill, the Veterans delivered an open letter to Congress from vets across the country.

“For our troops on the ground in Afghanistan, an essential element of the counter-insurgency strategy is winning hearts and minds and gaining trust of key leaders. The mere presence of Gitmo, and the stories of torture it represents makes it all that much harder for our forces to forge a trusting working relationship with local leaders,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org. “That’s why even General Petraeus has said that closing Guantanamo is of utmost importance.”

“Everyday that Gitmo remains open is another day that our national security is threatened,” said Tom Andrews, Executive Director of New Security Action. “It is far past time that Congress listened to Colin Powell, General Petraeus, Secretary Gates and President Obama and close the prison.”

To see the tweets by the artists and organizations, click here.

Jennifer Garner Calls For Better Education Funding

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actress Jennifer Garner, a Save the Children Artist Ambassador, asked American Congress and US President Barack Obama for additional funding for West Virginia early childhood education (ECE).

A Save the Children report last year revealed that 68% of America’s fourth grade children are reading below grade level, and West Virginia Governor, Joe Manchin, says that in his state it’s nearly half.

Charleston Daily Mail reported that Garner and Manchin’s plan is for the state to fund three program locations and Save the Children to fund a further three. The programs would provide books for children and employ people from the local communities. VP and managing director of Save the Children’s US programs, Mark Shriver, said the funds would be spent on improving literacy programs in rural parts of the state.

“There is so much unmet potential right here in West Virginia,” said Garner. “The cycle of poverty in this state is going on for generations and generations and generations, and we hope we can provide a new energy to help the kids reach their true potential and avoid that,” reported Charleston Daily Mail.

“Literacy is the most important thing you can give a child. If you can teach them to read, they can do anything.”

Ben Stiller Urges Fans To Donate To Earthquake Relief

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:34:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Haitian earthquake has hit a raw nerve with actor Ben Stiller – the 44-year-old visited the country last year with Save the Children and experienced the people firsthand.

“I went in July… and I was affected by the level of poverty there – before this happened,” he told Larry King. “The hotel we stayed in is gone. It’s levelled. I don’t know what’s happened to people.”

The actor – one of many celebrities urging their fans to donate to victims – is also pleased with Barack Obama's quick response and plans to assist with humanitarian efforts.

“I think it is also important to note that President Obama reacted very swiftly and decisively with – in terms of a relief effort,” he said. “And it is going to be a long-term relief effort. And it’s a very difficult time in terms of where we are domestically. We are fighting a war. And I think we have to get behind that.”  

Stiller is also calling on his fans to donate to the Red Cross.

“You can just text Haiti to 90999, and that will be a direct $10 donation [to the Red Cross] off your phone bill.

 "They have already raised about $1.7 million (£1.06 million) over the last 24 hours. It’s making a huge difference. Anybody I talk to says this is what they need right now… They need the cash."

Barack Obama Shares Christmas Wishes With Children

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Barack Obama spread a little Christmas cheer earlier this week when he visited a Boys' and Girls' Club of America in northeast Washington.

The US president was greeted by children who were only too happy to share their Christmas wishes. Obama spent time reading The Polar Express to the 25 youngsters at the facility, and handed out Christmas cookies.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America aim to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Angelina Jolie Writes Article For Human Rights Day

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Angelina Jolie marked International Human Rights Day last week by writing an article in Newsweek calling for action in Darfur.

“Today we observe Human Rights Day, founded more than half a century ago when the international community declared that respect for human rights and dignity “is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world,” and resolved that the horrors of World War II should never be allowed to recur," she wrote. “But they did. After Hitler, Stalin, and Franco in Europe, there was Mao and Pol Pot in Asia, and Mobutu and Taylor in Africa.”

“Recognizing that a declaration alone could not guarantee these rights, we created the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals, then the ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, and finally the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Never again, we declared, would world leaders commit mass murder with impunity.

“And then there is Darfur—where, since 2003, government-supported militia have left 300,000 dead and 2.7 million people internally displaced. The situation was so dire that in April 2007, Susan Rice, now the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, wrote, “The U.S. should press for a Chapter VII U.N. resolution that issues Sudan an ultimatum: accept unconditional deployment of the U.N. force within one week, or face military consequences . . . If the U.S. fails to gain U.N. support, we should act without it as [we] did in 1999 in Kosovo.” The International Criminal Court then issued arrest warrants for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the first for a sitting head of state, and other Sudanese leaders implicated in the atrocities in Darfur.

“On this Human Rights Day—the same day President Obama receives his Nobel Peace Prize—we must also remember those who have been deprived of their rights. Holding perpetrators of mass atrocities accountable is the best way to ensure justice today and peace in the future. Sudan is the place to start."

To read the full article, visit the Newsweek website.

Brigitte Bardot Donates Royalties To Animal Charity

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Screen legend Brigitte Bardot has donated the royalties she received from a recent French TV ad to animal welfare charities.

The actress was paid US$320,000 for her classic 1966 song Tu M’as Trop Menti to be used during a promotional campaign for a film festival in France. The actress is well known for her work with animals, and she has reportedly given the money to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

Bardot retired from acting in 1974. In 1986 she established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals and raised three million French francs to fund the foundation by auctioning off jewelry and personal belongings. Since then she has dedicated herself to animal welfare issues, and has made countless donations to the cause, including $140,000 for a mass sterilization and adoption program for Bucharest’s stray dogs.

Earlier this year, Bardot called for France to ban seal products, later writing to Barack Obama with the same request for the US.

Stars Sign Books For Charity Auction

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Eyebrows of rare book and signature collectors will rise this fall when an extraordinary collection with a tender mission will be available for an online auction beginning November 9-24, 2009.

Dubbed The Little Auction That Could, the 70+ collection includes signatures from some of the most iconic figures of our time, including President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling and Tiger Woods.

Passionate about education and literacy, volunteer mom Karla Preissman wanted to foster a love of reading among children living at Jensen Beach, Florida-based Hibiscus Children’s Center who have suffered from abuse and neglect. First, she helped create the Reef Library within the shelter and filled it with hundreds of books and resources. But that wasn’t enough…she wanted to make sure that these resources would be replenished and the library maintained and supported by staff that would help make literacy a key component to the healing received at the foster care center.

She came up with an idea. Why not ask famous people what books inspired them as a child and ask them to simply sign their names in a copy that would be auctioned for the benefit of Hibiscus Children’s Center? What started off as a simple request has mushroomed into a wildly varied and fascinating glimpse of what some of the most famous people on the planet believed to be a motivating book from childhood. Other iconic figures, such as President Barack Obama, signed a book symbolic of his time in office—a first edition pop-up White House children’s book.

Author and poet Maya Angelou submitted three signed books, one coming from her personal library called Story of Phillis Wheatley detailing the life of a slave turned poet during the American Revolution. How do you place a value on a collectible item like that?

Other stars who have taken part include Hugh Hefner, Sean Connery, Arnold Palmer, Andy Roddick, Chris Evert, Katie Couric, Jay Leno, Jeff Probst, Bill Cosby, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lee Ann Womack, Tori Amos, Carrie Underwood, Donald Trump and many more.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based antiquarian book dealer and appraiser Robert Hittel believes, “Owning one or more books from this eclectic collection would be the cornerstone of anyone’s collection.”

For the complete listing of signed books and information about bidding, click here. To see the collection firsthand, visit the exhibition at the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida beginning November 6 through November 29, 2009.

Founded in 1985, Hibiscus Children’s Center is a non profit organization that addresses abuse and neglect issues throughout the Florida Treasure Coast. Programs include Foster Care, parental support, counseling for families in crisis and services to reunite children with their families, when appropriate. Click here for more info on this charity.

Michael Moore Sees The Need For Non-Profit Healthcare

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Documentary-maker Michael Moore is hopeful for the healthcare changes that American President Barack Obama is working towards. He just wishes that the majority of Americans who elected Obama were being a little noisier.

“I feel bad for President Obama, what he’s going through,” said Moore. “He’s trying to bring health to people who have a hard time getting health. All those millions, tens of millions of people who voted for him, where are they? Where are the people that wanted this?”

Moore thinks that Obama might be getting better attention if his proposal went straight to a single tier healthcare system similar to the versions available in most other western industrialized countries. Nevertheless, he still has faith: "I’ll give him credit for this: He knows, and his opponents know, that if a true public option exists, if that’s passed, it will be almost impossible for the private profit-making insurance companies to compete for the company that doesn’t have to make a profit, and could put those private profit-making insurance companies out of business. That possibility exists, they know it, and that’s why the health insurance companies are spending over a million dollars a day on lobbyists and other advertising efforts in the United States.

“My favorite ones of course being the ads that show Canada as a third world country, with people lined up out the door of the doctor’s office, waiting in line for nine months, dying of brain tumors on the sidewalks of Toronto. Thank you for appreciating our sense of humor in America,” he quipped last month while visiting the Toronto International Film Festival.

Idol Gives Back Is Back!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

After a one year hiatus, Idol Gives Back is set to rock for charity once again.

The American Idol special will air April 21, 2010, and will benefit national and international charities including Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.

“I am very pleased to announce that we will be doing our third Idol Gives Back on April 21, 2010,” said Simon Fuller, Idol creator and CEO of 19 Entertainment. “This is our opportunity to reach out and support the people of America and around the world who need our compassion and generosity to improve or even save their lives. America will undoubtedly prove once again what a remarkable and generous nation it is. For American Idol to be able to facilitate this kind of initiative makes me very proud.”

“Idol Gives Back” has raised over $140 million since its inception in 2007. The event regularly attracts appearances by major stars such as Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and many others – including 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama. The show last aired in 2008.

Celebrities Provide Happy Memories for Sick Children and Their Families

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

What do President Barack Obama, Jessica Alba and Martina McBride all have in common? They have all helped kids’ dreams come true through the Kids Wish Network.

The Kids Wish Network is a national charitable organization which works to bring joy to children who are facing difficult or tragic circumstances.

The charity has many programs, from Hero of the Month which recognizes young people facing tough situations, to Holiday of Hope Gift Bank which helps to bring comfort to children feeling alone in hospitals, to Wish Granting which arranges for children’s dreams to come true.

President Obama became one of the charity’s Guardian Angels when he met with Ta’Kiyah, a 12-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007. He gave her a hug and spent time looking through the scrapbook she brought with her.

“I was very impressed. He really took his time and looked at every picture and asked her what each picture represented,” said Cherie, Ta’Kiyah’s aunt. “Thumbs up to everybody who made this possible for Ta’Kiyah.”

Jessica Alba took 9-year-old heart disease patient Adina on a 1 1/2 hour shopping trip in LA. Martina McBride spent time at one of her concerts with Ashley, a girl who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, and dedicated her song “Butterfly” to the girl on that evening.

Many other celebrities have brightened the lives of sick children through the organization, including Gene Simmons, Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr..

Earnhardt met 4-year-old Mikey, who was born with a serious medical condition called VATERL Syndrome. Mikey was thrilled to meet his hero, and, after overcoming his shyness, dashed over to grab Earnhardt’s leg, stating, “I love you, Junior!”

Earnhardt reached down to pat the boy on the back, and with a warm smile replied, “I love you too, buddy.”

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. Aside from granting wishes, Kids Wish Network also has several other programs which benefit children’s care facilities. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit KidsWishNetwork.org

Aung San Suu Kyi Receives Unanimous Support

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi received her sentencing last week: 18 more months of house arrest for breaking the terms of her current detention when she allowed a stranger into her home for two days to recover from swimming across a lake to her property.

The outrage at the verdict is unanimous amongst western world leaders:

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "I am both saddened and angry at the verdict today, 11 August, following the sham trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. The news – that she has been found guilty and sentenced to three years hard labour but that this has been “mitigated” to a suspended sentence of 1.5 years under house arrest – is further proof that the military regime in Burma is determined to act with total disregard for accepted standards of the rule of law and in defiance of international opinion. This is a purely political sentence designed to prevent her from taking part in the regime’s planned elections next year."

US President Barack Obama: “I join the international community in calling for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate unconditional release. Today’s unjust decision reminds us of the thousands of other political prisoners in Burma who, like Aung San Suu Kyi, have been denied their liberty because of their pursuit of a government that respects the will, rights and aspirations of all Burmese citizens. They, too, should be freed. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. I call on the Burmese regime to heed the views of its own people and the international community and to work towards genuine national reconciliation.”

UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson: “The Secretary-General urges the Government to immediately and unconditionally release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”

The European Union: is extending its sanctions such as travel bans and freezes on assets to Myanmar judiciary members involved in the verdict. The EU calls for Aung San Suu Kyi’s unconditional release.

Amnesty International: “Her arrest and trial and now this guilty verdict are nothing more than legal and political theatre.”

Human Rights Watch: “The politically motivated guilty verdict against the Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is a reprehensible abuse of power by Burma’s military government…. This trial was a farce, a brutal distortion of the legal process. By silencing prominent opponents through bogus trials, the generals are clearly showing why the elections they have been touting for next year won’t bring change.”

According to some reports, the American swimmer claims he went to Suu Kyi’s home to warn her. Other reports say he claims God told him to protect her. He received seven years of hard labour at his own trial, and CNN reported Saturday that he has been released to American authorities. Suu Kyi plans to appeal.

President Obama To Award Medals Of Freedom Today

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

President Obama has named 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. America’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

This year’s awardees were chosen for their work as agents of change. Among their many accomplishments in fields ranging from sports and art to science and medicine to politics and public policy, these men and women have changed the world for the better. They have blazed trails and broken down barriers. They have discovered new theories, launched new initiatives, and opened minds to new possibilities.

President Obama said, "These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds. Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way.

“Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom.”

President Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 12.

The following individuals will receive the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom:

Nancy Goodman Brinker. Nancy Goodman Brinker is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leading breast cancer grass roots organization. Brinker established the organization in memory of her sister, who passed away from breast cancer in 1980. Through innovative events like Race for the Cure, the organization has given and invested over $1.3 billion for research, health services and education services since its founding in 1982 and developed a worldwide grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists who are working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find cures. Brinker has received several awards for her work, and has also served in government as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary (2001 – 2003), Chief of Protocol of the U.S. (2007 – 2009), and Chair of the President’s Cancer Panel (1990). In May, Nancy Goodman Brinker was named the first-ever World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control.

Pedro José Greer, Jr. Dr. Pedro Jose Greer is a physician and the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the Florida International University School of Medicine, where he also serves as Chair of the Department of Humanities, Health and Society. Dr. Greer is the founder of Camillus Health Concern, an agency that provides medical care to over 10,000 homeless patients a year in the city of Miami. He is also the founder and medical director of the St. John Bosco Clinic which provides basic primary medical care to disadvantaged children and adults in the Little Havana community. He has been recognized by Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr, and Jimmy Carter for his work with Miami’s poor . He is also the recipient of three Papal Medals as well as the prestigious MacArthur “genius grant”. He currently has a joint private practice with his father, Pedro Greer, Sr.

Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking is an internationally-recognized theoretical physicist who has a severe physical disability due to motor neuron disease. He is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, a post previously held by Isaac Newton in 1669. In addition to his pioneering academic research in mathematics and physics, Hawking has penned three popular science books, including the bestselling A Brief History of Time. Hawking, a British citizen, believes that non-academics should be able to access his work just as physicists are, and has also published a children’s science book with his daughter. His persistence and dedication has unlocked new pathways of discovery and inspired everyday citizens.

Jack Kemp. Jack Kemp, who passed away in May 2009, served as a U.S. Congressman (1971 – 1989), Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1989 – 1993), and Republican Nominee for Vice President (1996). Prior to entering public service, Kemp was a professional football player (1957 – 1969) and led the Buffalo Bills to American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965. In Congress and as a Cabinet Secretary, Kemp was a self-described “bleeding heart conservative” who worked to encourage development in underserved urban communities. In the years leading up to his death, Kemp continued seeking new solutions, raising public attention about the challenge of poverty, and working across party lines to improve the lives of Americans and others around the world.

Sen. Edward Kennedy. Senator Edward M. Kennedy has served in the United States Senate for forty-six years, and has been one of the greatest lawmakers – and leaders – of our time. From reforming our public schools to strengthening civil rights laws and supporting working Americans, Senator Kennedy has dedicated his career to fighting for equal opportunity, fairness and justice for all Americans. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care, and has succeeded in doing so for countless children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. He has called health care reform the “cause of his life,” and has championed nearly every health care bill enacted by Congress over the course of the last five decades. Known as the “Lion of the Senate,” Senator Kennedy is widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his commitment to progress and his ability to legislate.

Billie Jean King. Billie Jean King was an acclaimed professional tennis player in the 1960s and 1970s, and has helped champion gender equality issues not only in sports, but in all areas of public life. King beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, then the most viewed tennis match in history. King became one of the first openly lesbian major sports figures in America when she came out in 1981. Following her professional tennis career, King became the first woman commissioner in professional sports when she co-founded and led the World Team Tennis (WTT) League. The U.S. Tennis Association named the National Tennis Center, where the US Open is played, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2006. She was a Founding Board Member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Rev. Joseph Lowery. Reverend Lowery has been a leader in the U.S. civil rights movement since the early 1950s. It was in Mobile, Alabama, at this time –that he headed the Alabama Civic Affairs Association; the organization which led the Movement to desegregate buses and public accommodations. Rev. Lowery later co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a leading civil rights organization, with Dr. Martin Luther King, and was chosen by Dr. King to Chair the Delegation delivering the demands of the Selma-to-Montgomery March to Alabama Governor George Wallace.. Rev. Lowery is a minister in the United Methodist Church, and has continued to highlight important civil rights issues in the U.S. and worldwide, including apartheid in South Africa, since the 1960s.

Joe Medicine Crow – High Bird. Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, the last living Plains Indian war chief, is the author of seminal works in Native American history and culture. He is the last person alive to have received direct oral testimony from a participant in the Battle of the Little Bighorn: his grandfather was a scout for General George Armstrong Custer. A veteran of World War II, Medicine Crow accomplished during the war all of the four tasks required to become a “war chief,” including stealing fifty Nazi SS horses from a German camp. Medicine Crow was the first member of his tribe to attend college, receiving his master’s degree in anthropology in 1939, and continues to lecture at universities and notable institutions like the United Nations. His contributions to the preservation of the culture and history of the First Americans are matched only by his importance as a role model to young Native Americans across the country.

Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk encouraged lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens to live their lives openly and believed coming out was the only way they could change society and achieve social equality. Milk, alongside San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, was shot and killed in 1978 by Dan White, a former city supervisor. Milk is revered nationally and globally as a pioneer of the LGBT civil rights movement for his exceptional leadership and dedication to equal rights.

Sandra Day O’Connor. Justice O’Connor was the first woman ever to sit on the United States Supreme Court. Nominated by President Reagan in 1981, she served until her retirement in 2006. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, O’Connor served as a state trial and appellate judge in Arizona. She was also as a member of the Arizona state senate, where she became the first woman in the United States ever to lead a state senate as Senate Majority Leader. At a time when women rarely entered the legal profession, O’Connor graduated Stanford Law School third in her class, where she served on the Stanford Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Since retiring from the Supreme Court in 2006, O’Connor has served as Chancellor of the College of William and Mary, on the Board of Trustees of the National Constitution Center, and participated in the Iraq Study Group in 2006, as well as giving numerous lectures on public service. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding achievements and public service.

Sidney Poitier. Sidney Poitier is a groundbreaking actor, becoming the top black movie star in the 1950s and 1960s. Poitier is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award, receive an award at a top international film festival (Venice Film Festival), and be the top grossing movie star in the United States. Poitier insisted that the film crew on The Lost Man be at least 50 percent African American, and starred in the first mainstream movies portraying “acceptable” interracial marriages and interracial kissing. Poitier began his acting career without any training or experience by auditioning at the American Negro Theatre.

Chita Rivera. Chita Rivera is an accomplished and versatile actress, singer, and dancer, who has won Two Tony Awards and received seven more nominations while breaking barriers and inspiring a generation of women to follow in her footsteps. In 2002, she became the first Hispanic recipient of the coveted Kennedy Center Honor. Propelled to stardom by her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story, Rivera went on to star in additional landmark musicals such as Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, and Jerry’s Girls. She recently starred in The Dancer’s Life, an autobiographical musical about her celebrated life in the theatre.

Mary Robinson. Mary Robinson was the first female President of Ireland (1990 – 1997) and a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997 – 2002), a post that required her to end her presidency four months early. Robinson served as a prominent member of the Irish Senate prior to her election as President. She continues to bring attention to international issues as Honorary President of Oxfam International, and Chairs the Board of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI Alliance). Since 2002 she has been President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, based in New York, which is an organization she founded to make human rights the compass which charts a course for globalization that is fair, just and benefits all.

Janet Davison Rowley. Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., is the Blum Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics at The University of Chicago. She is an American human geneticist and the first scientist to identify a chromosomal translocation as the cause of leukemia and other cancers. Rowley is internationally renowned for her studies of chromosome abnormalities in human leukemia and lymphoma, which have led to dramatically improved survival rates for previously incurable cancers and the development of targeted therapies. In 1999 President Clinton awarded her the National Medal of Science—the nation’s highest scientific honor.

Desmond Tutu. Desmond Tutu is an Anglican Archbishop emeritus who was a leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. Widely regarded as “South Africa’s moral conscience,” he served as the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) from 1978 – 1985, where he led a formidable crusade in support of justice and racial reconciliation in South Africa. He received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work through SACC in 1984. Tutu was elected Archbishop of Cape Town in 1986, and the Chair of the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. He retired as Archbishop in 1996 and is currently Chair of The Elders.

Muhammad Yunus. Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and has pioneered the use of “micro-loans” to provide credit to poor individuals without collateral. Dr. Yunus, an economist by training, founded the Grameen Bank in 1983 in his native Bangladesh to provide small, low-interest loans to the poor to help better their livelihood and communities. Despite its low interest rates and lending to poor individuals, Grameen Bank is sustainable and 98% percent of its loans are repaid – higher than other banking systems. It has spread its successful model throughout the world. Dr. Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work.

Michael J. Fox Honored For His War On Parkinson’s

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Hollywood honored actor Michael J. Fox last week for his ongoing work to raise awareness on Parkinson’s Disease.

Fox’s commitment goes beyond his Michael J. Fox Foundation that researches treatments and cures for Parkinson’s disease – although the foundation has raised almost $100 million since Fox established it in 2000, ten years after being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s. He was very pleased when, earlier this year, American president Barack Obama overturned a ban on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, getting “politics out of science.”

But perhaps an even greater contribution, to himself and others who are afflicted with the disease, was when he came out of the closet, helping to overturn taboos and the shame that comes along with the debilitating disease. The books Fox has written on living with Parkinson’s have also been well-received.

TV presenter Laila Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, is familiar with Parkinson’s since her father also suffers from it. At the celebration, she said: “[Michael] carries himself with such dignity. He doesn’t try to hide his symptoms from the public and I think that’s excellent. He’s a great man.” Hollywood thinks so too.

Laura Bush Joins World Vision Malaria Campaign

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Former U.S. first lady Laura Bush and Major League Baseball pitching legend Rick Sutcliffe have joined the advisory council of World Vision's “End Malaria” campaign.

They join Ray Chambers, the first U.N. Special Envoy for Malaria; Malaria No More CEO Scott Case and Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), in committing to assist and advise efforts to fight malaria and save the lives of millions of children around the world.

Malaria kills nearly 1 million people a year, 85 percent of whom are children. World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization working in 64 malaria-endemic countries, last year launched an initiative to boost prevention and treatment activities in hard-hit areas and strengthen advocacy to improve government policies and increase resources.

“Each of us can do our part whether we are public leaders, notable athletes or simply concerned Americans, and we thank our advisors for dedicating their time and talents to combat this leading cause of death for babies and young children in the developing world,” stated Richard Stearns, president of World Vision. “This is a disease that can be prevented, treated and defeated.”

This is not the first time Mrs. Bush has collaborated with World Vision to fight malaria. In June of 2007, she met with local caregivers and visited a training center for household-based care providers in Zambia supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Zambian government. During her time there, she helped assemble caregiver kits with bed nets to equip households against malaria through the World Vision-led RAPIDS coalition (Reaching HIV and AIDS Affected People with Integrated Development and Support).

Rick Sutcliffe brings not only a personal passion to the fight against malaria, but also a track-record in rallying others on good causes. The 3-time all-star garnered many honors during his 18 years in Major League Baseball, including the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1979 and the Cy Young award in 1984. He has contributed to ESPN’s “Monday Night Baseball” as an analyst and also covers Major League Baseball’s World Series, internationally. Sutcliffe said he is eager to capitalize on his resources and experience with teamwork to help make a difference.

“I strongly believe in World Vision’s mission to end malaria and make the world a better place for children. It is a privilege to join them in this campaign,” said Sutcliffe. “Working together as a team with supporters at home and a strong presence in the field, we can strike out this preventable, killer disease.”

The End Malaria campaign aims to reduce illnesses and deaths from malaria, contributing to the global goal of near zero preventable malaria deaths by 2015. World Vision distributes insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent infectious mosquito bites and works in partnerships to ensure nets, prevention training and medicines are available in impoverished communities where needed.

The campaign also focuses on raising awareness of the global impact of malaria in the United States to garner new resources and expand the growing movement to end malaria. Among the goals is to increase U.S. government funding to combat malaria to at least $1 billion a year.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

Nelson Mandela's 91st Celebrated In Style

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A galaxy of stars turned out to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday in New York during the weekend, with proceeds going to one of the South African legend’s charities.

Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and many more appeared at the Radio City Music Hall on Saturday, July 19, with money raised going to 46664, Mandela’s campaign to help raise Global awareness of AIDS/HIV. 46664 aims to highlight the emergency of AIDS/HIV through unique live events and music related initiatives.

Mandela himself was unable to attend the event, but did send a video message in which he said “It is on your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” President Barack Obama also appeared via video, saying that Mandela’s life “teaches us that the impossible can be done, but only if people have the courage to make change happen.”

Morgan Freeman, Forest Whitaker, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins spoke at the event.

Others to perform at the concert included French first lady Carla Bruni, who sang Bob Dylan's Blowing in the Wind with former Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart. Queen Latifah, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, will.i.am, Wyclef Jean and Gloria Gaynor also performed, and Cyndi Lauper dueted with Lil' Kim.

“Our struggle for freedom and justice was a collective effort,” said Mandela. “It is our hope that people will dedicate their time and effort to improve the conditions within their own community.”

Bono Writes About Obama's Visit To Ghana

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

ONE Campaign co-founder Bono put pen to paper for the New York Times last week about President Obama's historic visit to Ghana during the weekend.

In the column, the U2 singer wrote about the relationship between the U.S. and Africa and about how countries like Ghana are challenging old stereotypes about Africa.

“No one’s leaked me a copy of the president’s speech in Ghana, but it’s pretty clear he’s going to focus not on the problems that afflict the continent but on the opportunities of an Africa on the rise,” wrote Bono in the piece titled Rebranding Africa, published prior to Obama’s visit. "If that’s what he does, the biggest cheers will come from members of the growing African middle class, who are fed up with being patronized and hearing the song of their majestic continent in a minor key.

“I’ve played that tune. I’ve talked of tragedy, of emergency. And it is an emergency when almost 2,000 children in Africa a day die of a mosquito bite; this kind of hemorrhaging of human capital is not something we can accept as normal.

“But as the example of Ghana makes clear, that’s only one chord. Amid poverty and disease are opportunities for investment and growth — investment and growth that won’t eliminate overnight the need for assistance, much as we and Africans yearn for it to end, but that in time can build roads, schools and power grids and propel commerce to the point where aid is replaced by trade pacts, business deals and home-grown income.”

The full column can be read here.

Sheryl Crow And Elvis Costello Rock MLB For Cancer

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sheryl Crow joined Elvis Costello onstage at the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Charity Concert on Saturday, July 11, under the iconic Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

The concert, which was free to fans, was the culmination of a day-long celebration of baseball history and featured a $1 million donation by Major League Baseball to Stand Up To Cancer. In addition, fans were able to make donations to Stand Up To Cancer after the concert. The concert streamed live on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and fans watching the live stream were encouraged to donate to Stand Up To Cancer.

“I want you all to take your cell phones out and text STAND to 40202,” told the 100,000 people in the crowd. “I know you have cell phones. You’ve been taking pictures of me. I’ve seen you. Take them out and text to 40202. You can help to end cancer in my lifetime. And yours.”

Major League Baseball has responded to United States of America President Barack Obama's call for community service through “United We Serve,” a program which encourages all Americans to be part of building a new foundation for America by engaging in sustained and meaningful community service. The initiative will focus on four key areas: energy and the environment, health care, education, and community renewal. The concert was an environmentally focused event featuring the Major League Baseball Green Team, a group that collected recyclable bottles and cans at the show.

“It’s really amazing,” said Crow. “I don’t know of a national sport that has embraced a cause like this and has raised so much money and made it such a high-profile issue. I don’t need to reiterate the fact that that everyone has a relationship with cancer. Whether it’s an individual-personal relationship — whether it’s with family or friends — we’ve all been touched by cancer. So it’s just an incredible blessing to see, because I have such a personal relationship with cancer, a sport embrace Stand Up To Cancer and make it such a massively-wide issue.”

Sheryl Crow To Perform At MLB Charity Concert

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Major League Baseball will host Missouri native and nine-time Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Charity Concert presented by Pepsi on Saturday, July 11 under the iconic Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

The concert, which will be free to fans, is the culmination of a day-long celebration of baseball history and will feature a $1 million donation by Major League Baseball to Stand Up To Cancer. In addition, fans will be able to make donations to Stand Up To Cancer after the concert. The concert will be streamed live on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and fans watching the live stream will be encouraged to donate to Stand Up To Cancer.

The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Charity Concert presented by Pepsi is part of a series of charitable events and activities leading up to the MLB All-Star Game. This year’s All-Star activities are focused on MLB and its business partners giving back to important charitable causes and celebrating the importance of community service. In addition to Pepsi, MLB sponsors Budweiser, Sharp and Taco Bell are also supporting this event.

The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 11. Prior to the concert, the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs game on FOX will be aired live on big screen televisions at the concert location for fans to view.

Major League Baseball has responded to United States of America President Barack Obama's call for community service through “United We Serve,” a program which begins today to encourage all Americans to be part of building a new foundation for America by engaging in sustained and meaningful community service. The initiative will focus on four key areas: energy and the environment, health care, education, and community renewal. The concert will be an environmentally focused event featuring the Major League Baseball Green Team, a group that will collect recyclable bottles and cans at the show. Pepsi and Aquafina are supplying more than 100 recycling bins that will be located around the Arch grounds. Major League Baseball has a relationship with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), who advises MLB on ways for the League and its Clubs to implement practices and policies that are environmentally-friendly.

“I am honored to team up with Major League Baseball to come home and perform a free show that will support Stand Up To Cancer, an organization with the noble and ambitious goal of eradicating all forms of cancer,” said Crow, a cancer survivor. “The dedication of Major League Baseball to being a part of the environmental movement gives me the chance to put on a show while supporting two causes that I feel strongly about.”

“Sheryl Crow is a wonderful performer who deserves enormous credit for using her fame to shine a light on causes that are important to the health and welfare of our country,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “As a social institution, Major League Baseball will use this concert and the All-Star festivities to entertain our fans while recognizing the importance of addressing important social needs, and we thank Pepsi for making this great event happen.”

“All of us at Stand Up To Cancer are very grateful to Sheryl Crow and Major League Baseball, for their dedication and support in the fight against cancer,” said Sue Schwartz, member of the Stand Up to Cancer Executive Leadership Council. “We are thrilled to have a tremendous platform like the All-Star Game to invigorate and activate the public in the fight against this vicious disease.”

“Pepsi is fortunate to have the opportunity to merge two of America’s favorite pastimes — baseball and music — into one event,” said Jeff Dubiel, VP of Sports Marketing, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages. “By teaming up with Major League Baseball and Sheryl Crow, we’re not only giving fans an amazing show, but we’re raising awareness and funding for an important cause — Stand Up To Cancer.”

Free-spirited, fearless and fierce, Sheryl Crow has garnered nine Grammys, performed duets with musical luminaries such as Sting and Mick Jagger, released seven studio albums which sold more than 35 million records worldwide, and launched her very own clothing line Bootheel Trading Co., is a cancer survivor and passionate humanitarian and has performed for President Obama. From humble beginnings as a jingle and back-up singer, Crow has reached the pinnacle of professional solo success. Crow explores both personal and global issues on her most recent LP, Detours (produced by Bill Bottrell, who last worked with Crow on her 1993 debut, the seven-times platinum Tuesday Night Music Club).

In the span of just a year, Stand Up To Cancer raised more than $100 million due in large part to a historic hour-long program simultaneously broadcast on ABC, CBS and NBC, September 5, 2008. In May 2009, SU2C announced its first funding of more than $73 million to five dream team collaborations comprised of more than 38 principal investigators from over 20 leading institutions, with 337 individuals participating in total.

Look To The Stars News: Barack Obama

Barack Obama Signs Baseball Jersey For Charity Auction

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 7

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 6

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 4

Related past articles

Bid On A Potrait Sitting With Shepard Fairey For Charity

Related past articles

Tyler Perry Receives the NAACP Chairman Award

Related past articles

Shakira Launches Early Childhood Charity Initiative

Related past articles

Leonardo DiCaprio Heads Star-Studded Video For The Environment

Related past articles

Stars Join Twitter Campaign To Close Gitmo

Related past articles

Jennifer Garner Calls For Better Education Funding

Related past articles

Ben Stiller Urges Fans To Donate To Earthquake Relief

Related past articles

Barack Obama Shares Christmas Wishes With Children

Related past articles

Angelina Jolie Writes Article For Human Rights Day

Related past articles

Brigitte Bardot Donates Royalties To Animal Charity

Related past articles

Stars Sign Books For Charity Auction

Related past articles

Michael Moore Sees The Need For Non-Profit Healthcare

Related past articles

Idol Gives Back Is Back!

Related past articles

Celebrities Provide Happy Memories for Sick Children and Their Families

Related past articles

Aung San Suu Kyi Receives Unanimous Support

Related past articles

President Obama To Award Medals Of Freedom Today

Related past articles

Michael J. Fox Honored For His War On Parkinson’s

Related past articles

Laura Bush Joins World Vision Malaria Campaign

Related past articles

Nelson Mandela's 91st Celebrated In Style

Related past articles

Bono Writes About Obama's Visit To Ghana

Related past articles

Sheryl Crow And Elvis Costello Rock MLB For Cancer

Related past articles

Sheryl Crow To Perform At MLB Charity Concert

Related past articles