Look To The Stars News: UNICEF

Stars Flock To Vanessa Redgrave Charity Performance

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Meryl Streep, Harvey Keitel, Christine Baranski, Mandy Patinkin and Lauren Bacall were among the more than 1,000 people who gathered to watch Tony Award-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave reprise her starring role from the 2007 Broadway play The Year of Magical Thinking at a special benefit performance at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street), Manhattan, on Monday, October 26th at 8:00 PM.

The benefit raised more than $200,000 for programs run by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide support to the children of Gaza and southern Israel.

The show was rescheduled from April, following the death of Vanessa’s daughter, Natasha Richardson.

Selena Gomez Trick Or Treats For UNICEF Again

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

As the youngest UNICEF ambassador in history, Disney star Selena Gomez raised $700,000 for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF last year. She is returning a second year as spokesperson for the campaign, hoping to bring in $1 million.

“Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF invites children and adults alike to make Halloween count by joining UNICEF to do whatever it takes to help save children’s lives,” said Gomez.

In an effort to raise more funds, Gomez – who recently released her first album “Kiss and Tell” – will be donating four VIP tickets to one of her upcoming concerts to the highest bidder through a Charity Buzz auction. Along with VIP tickets, the highest bidder will have backstage meet and greet access, and receive an autographed CD. The auction begins October 21 and will run through November 11.

Three fans and supporters of Selena Gomez also the opportunity to receive a personal phone call, an autographed photo and an official UNICEF certificate of appreciation. Join the Selena & Friends Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF page – www.unicefusa.org/teamselena — and the top three donators will win.

Gomez is hosting a live web cast on October 29 to talk to fans and supporters about Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and answer any questions viewers may have. It is scheduled to last for at least an hour. Visit www.facebook.com/Selena for more details.

Orlando Bloom Becomes UNICEF Ambassador

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neil Finn To Headline Charity Concert For Samoan Relief

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A concert featuring Crowded House’s Tim and Neil Finn – and a host of other New Zealand-based musicians – will take place in Auckland later this month to raise money for victims of last week’s Tsunami in Samoa.

The Finn Brothers will be joined by Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, Che-Fu, King Kapisi and many more at Auckland’s Vector Arena on October 19. Also performing will be New Zealand Hip Hop stars Savage and Scribe, who both lost family in the disaster.

Aid agencies such as the Red Cross, World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are still seeking donations for the massive clean-up required after last week’s devastating disaster that killed over 180 people.

Tickets for the concert are NZ$25 and are available through Ticketmaster New Zealand.

Selena Gomez Wants To Raise $1 Million For UNICEF

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

In early September, Disney Channel Star Selena Gomez spent several days in Ghana, West Africa. As the youngest UNICEF ambassador in history, Gomez witnessed the conditions so many children live with every day, ranging from unclean water to preventable diseases.

“Every day 25,000 children die from preventable causes," said Gomez. “I stand with UNICEF in the belief that we can change that number from 25,000 to zero.” Ghana is ranked 30 out of 195 countries with the highest mortality rates of children under the age of 5.

Gomez appreciates the role she is able to play in influencing the lives of those who look up to her. She hopes to raise $1 million for the foundation by the end of this year – increasing last year’s earnings by $400,000. She appears to be fulfilling the hopes UNICEF had in making her an ambassador, which were to “use her voice, recognition and commitment to children’s issues to fundraise, educate and advocate on behalf of UNICEF.”

Selena Gomez updated her fans several times via Twitter while in Ghana. “I’m having such a wonderful time helping and learning from this culture and life! I’m so honored to be a part of UNICEF! I can’t wait to help out more. It was truly a life-changing adventure!” She had the opportunity to visit children in Tamale and learn about how UNICEF is helping them. Gomez was able to spend time with children, teens and families in a number of tribes. To show their gratitude, women in one of those tribes presented her with a handmade outfit, which she immediately put on.

Before leaving, she took to her Twitter again. “Goodbye Africa. Thank you for allowing me to learn from you. Hope to see you again.”

Aid Agencies Seek Donations For Samoan Tsunami Vistims

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New Zealand-born comedy actress Pamela Stephenson has given a harrowing first-hand account of the devastating Tsunami that hit Samoa last week.

The wife of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly was staying in Samoa and is urging the world to come to the aid of the island nation after the massive wave killed over 180 people – including villagers and tourists – and left many more homeless.

“Huge piles of debris lay everywhere; it was clear the wave had whacked every structure with incredible might,” she told the Guardian newspaper in the UK. “Cars teetered where they had been thrown, on top of rubble from collapsed dwellings. Fridges and air conditioners floated in the sea. I looked along the bay and saw that a well-known jetty was missing. So were villages that once lined the shore. I saw a thatched fale [house] surrounded by three policemen and some villagers. A woman was lying inside and someone was trying to revive her.”

New Zealanders have already donated over $600,000 to aid agencies operating on the islands, but the Red Cross and Oxfam are desperately asking for more.

“Any money given to the Red Cross for an emergency goes to that emergency, we ensure that it’s spent where it’s most needed and that’s at the ground in the communities,” said Andrew McKie from the Red Cross.

Organizations such as World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are also seeking donations.

“Many are homeless, but the extended family system means they will stay with relatives in other villages,” said Stephenson. “Samoans are extraordinary people, and their resilience is evident."

For more information on how to donate to victims of this disaster, click here.

Lucy Liu Speaks Against Child Trafficking

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Lucy Liu gave an impassioned speech at a symposium organized by the US Agency for International earlier this week to raise awareness about the estimated 1.2 million children who are trafficked worldwide every year.

The fight against child trafficking is a cause Liu has been passionate about since her appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2004. She recently produced a documentary film, ‘Red Light’, which focuses on the issue of trafficking in Cambodia.

“With no options and not enough protection,” she said, “the world’s poorest children are being recruited more and more into a gruesome array of practices that include trafficking for sex, soldiering, begging, scavenging, working in factories and on farms, and domestic servitude.”

Other speakers at the trafficking symposium included USAID Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham, Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Luis CdeBaca and Carlson Companies CEO Marilyn Carlson Nelson.

UNICEF’s efforts to protect children from trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse focus on creating a ‘protective environment’ for them. In such an environment, people at all levels of society work to enforce protective laws. They also educate children, educators and social service providers about how to prevent and respond to abuse, and challenge discrimination.

“I truly believe there is hope,” said Liu. “I believe this because of devoted workers and individuals around the world in organizations like UNICEF and USAID.”

Mia Farrow Takes Message Of Hope To Cameroon

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0000

The internationally acclaimed actress and humanitarian activist Mia Farrow arrived in Cameroon on Sunday with a message of hope for some of the most disadvantaged children in the country.

A priority for the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador during her week long visit will be to travel to communities in the East, where there are over 60,000 Central African refugees, and the Langui Camp where there are more than 3,000 refugees who fled from Chad last year.

“UNICEF has asked me to add my voice to the call for urgent action in Cameroon to tackle the problem of child malnutrition which UNICEF sees as a silent emergency,” said Mia Farrow. "Most of the world probably knows little about this humanitarian crisis which threatens the lives of children under five years of age. When I get there I hope to be able to tell them they will be heard, and do my best to make sure that more will be done for them.”

Many of the refugees in Cameroon are being hosted by local communities, who themselves are desperately poor and vulnerable. A key consequence is high rates of child malnutrition according to the UNICEF Representative, Ora Musu Clemens-Hope.

“The refugees have been generously supported by communities in one of the poorest parts of Cameroon. The Government and agencies such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and the World Food Programme have been working hard to alleviate conditions and provide for basic needs, but we are seeing alarming rates of malnutrition and more funding is urgently needed.”

There are around 280,000 refugees in Cameroon from both the Central African Republic and Chad. Amongst the displaced and host communities, UNICEF is working to combat disease and cut child mortality, while working to provide clean water, decent sanitation and education.

Upon her arrival in Cameroon, Ms. Farrow will hear from government ministers as well as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and First Lady.

Ms. Farrow was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in September 2000. As a powerful advocate for children, she campaigns tirelessly for their rights around the world, with a special focus on children impacted by armed conflict. Ms. Farrow has worked extensively to raise funds and awareness for children whose lives have been affected by violence in countries such as Angola, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Nigeria and Sudan.

Trudie Styler To Fly Water Tanks To Ecuador

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Trudie Styler is behind a new clean water campaign in South America.

Styler – who is married to musician Sting – recently visited natives in Ecuador whose water supply has been polluted by years of rainforest devastation at the hands of Chevron. She tells the story of this in a new film called Crude.

Now, her own charity the Rainforest Foundation Fund – along with UNICEF in Ecuador – have joined together to fly water tanks into the worst hit areas.

“These enormous water tanks will have purified water, because these are tropical areas and it rains every day,” she said. “For the first time in 35 years these people in the 1,700 square mile radius of this polluted land are having cleaner fresh water. This project will go on for a couple of years and we do need the public to help us, to contribute because these water tanks are $400 each; they’re robust and last about 15 years, so it’s the best alternative that they’ve got, quite frankly.

“This is my baby and I really want to follow it very carefully and make sure that we’re getting the tanks in on time.”

Selena Gomez: UNICEF Ambassador

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Catrina K. Sally

Disney star Selena Gomez is now the United Nations Children Fund’s newest and youngest member.

Every day, 25,000 children die from preventable causes. Gomez is committed to permanently eradicating this disturbing statistic. Her first field mission included a trip to Ghana where she witnessed firsthand the plight of needy children.

Gomez joins a long list of UNICEF supporting celebrities committed to assisting the world’s vulnerable children. The Wizards of Waverly Place starlet posted her Ghana trip pictures on her Twitter page and remarked, "I’m having such a wonderful time helping and learning about this culture and life!” Selena’s dedication will, without a doubt, inspire other young people to join UNICEF’s cause and unite for children.

David Beckham To Dedicate Life To Family And Charity After Retirement

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

David Beckham has revealed that he wants to dedicate his life to family and charity work when he retires.

The soccer star answered questions from readers of People.com, and revealed secrets about his life and family.

“I plan on spending time with the family and getting more involved in charity,“ he replied after being asked his retirement plans. "Being ambassador for UNICEF is something I’m very passionate [about]. I went to Sierra Leone last year, which was an amazing experience. We also have our own charity – the Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust – and I’ve got a soccer academy. I’ve got quite a few things to keep me busy.“

The Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust supports initiatives for sick and disabled children. Past charities supported include UNICEF and organizations that help disabled children, such as those which provide wheelchairs to those in need.

Ralph Fiennes’ Promise To Children In Good Times And Bad

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actor Ralph Fiennes, UNICEF UK Ambassador, has made a small video on his promise to children. The video clip and his promise are in support of UNICEF’s Promise Me Campaign.

In anticipation of the G8 summit that took place earlier this month, UNICEF wanted to bring attention to the millions of children around the world who are unable to live a normal childhood even though the “convention on the rights of the child” was ratified by most countries twenty years ago. It is violated everyday, especially in places such as Somalia and Chad.

Fiennes went to Chad to meet with some of the children, and listened to their “horrific stories of degrading and brutalizing treatment.”

“In these tough economic times and as the G8 gathers, if the world leaders break their promises, children will suffer irreversible damage. A whole generation will lose out,” says Fiennes in his clip.

“All children have rights – rights to education, and health, to have a voice, and to be treated fairly, to simply be a child, not catapulted into a world of adult stresses and strains. And these rights don’t stop when the going gets tough.

“We cannot turn our backs on the hardest to reach. We must work harder than ever to protect their rights to health and education and to give them back their childhood, to give them back their futures.”

The Killers Launch Video Against Sex Trafficking

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

Rockers The Killers have partnered with UNICEF and USAID to produce a music video that dramatically highlights the dangers and impact of trafficking for sexual exploitation, particularly for young women.

The video, for the band’s track Goodnight, Travel Well from the album Day & Age will premiere globally across all of MTV’s properties on-air and on-line on Monday July 13 2009. This video represents the second in a series of music video collaborations to highlight the dangers and impact of human trafficking that launched last year with an award-winning film produced by MTV EXIT for the Radiohead single All I Need.

The Killers commented, “We are deeply shocked and appalled that women and children are forced into such exploitative situations. We hope that through MTV’s efforts and this powerful video millions of people across the world learn about this tragic form of modern-day slavery.”

This music video represents an innovative and creative way to fuse musical content with MTV’s pro-social messaging. The Goodnight, Travel Well video will be released globally across all of MTV’s platforms in 168 countries. It has the potential to reach more than 500 million households worldwide.

“Trafficking is a crime which violates the basic rights of all people: the rights to freedom, equality, and dignity. Through MTV EXIT and MTV’s global networks reaching over two billion people in 160 countries, we are uniquely positioned to support and advocate these rights. We are committed to raising awareness and empowering our audience, many of whom are particularly at risk from human trafficking," said Bill Roedy, Chairman & CEO MTV Networks International.

“There is almost no country in the world now that isn’t affected by human trafficking in some way,” said Susan Bissell, UNICEF’s Head of Child Protection. “The statistics are staggering. More than 1.2 million children are being trafficked each year and nearly 80 per cent of all trafficking is for sexual exploitation, and the most at risk are girls. We see this music video as a powerful way to reach out and raise awareness among young people, across borders and across language barriers.”

More information can be found here.

Buy Guitar String Bracelets And Support Charity

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Music fans now have the chance to wear their love of Rock on their sleeves for charity.

Wear Your Music is a New York-based organization that creates 100% eco-friendly jewelry that rocks – literally. The company makes used guitar strings from artists spanning the musical spectrum into stylish bracelets. 100% of the proceeds from the bracelets goes to charities of the artists’ choice, such as UNICEF, Rock the Vote, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Nordoff-Robbins, MusiCares, PETA, HeadCount, The Nature Conservancy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Keep A Child Alive, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Smile Train and many more.

Over 150 musicians have personally donated guitar strings to the initiative, including Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Metallica, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Ben Harper, Avril Lavigne, Carrie Underwood, Carlos Santana and Death Cab for Cutie.

“These are strings that these musicians have used and would normally throw away,” says co-president and designer Hannah Garrison, “It’s great that we can recycle them and also offer people a chance to wear rock n roll on their wrists.” In addition, the fine silver used on each bracelet is also 100% recycled, as is the DVD case each bracelet comes in. "Supporting good causes and the environment have always been important, but even more so now.”

To check out the bracelets and make a purchase, visit the official Wear Your Music website.

Celebrities Do Whatever It Takes For Charity

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge selection of celebrity-designed bags and T-shirts are currently available at the UK’s premiere celebrity charity auction website, Buy Once Give Twice.

The auction site is hosting the auction for Whatever It Takes, a unique charity artwork project which inspires hope by gathering artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. The artworks are used to ethically produce Whatever It Takes products which are then sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

Going under the hammer in the auction are T-shirts featuring designs by The Killers, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Duff, Lucy Liu, Toni Collette, Coldplay, Minnie Driver, Keane, Whoopi Goldberg, Green Day, Barry Manilow, Penelope Cruz, Melanie C, Annie Lennox, and the Kaiser Chiefs. There are also bags and purses designed by Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Lucy Liu, Kanye West, Slash, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, and Stella McCartney.

Charities supported by Whatever It Takes include: Adopt-A-Minefield, Anti-Slavery International, Breast Cancer Campaign, CARE, Children of the Andes, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Christian Children’s Fund, City at Peace, Comic Relief, Dreams Can Be Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Greenpeace, Healthlink Worldwide, Heifer International, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, Red Cross, LIFEbeat, LifeLine & Rape Crisis PMB, Opportunity International, Oxfam, ROTA, Rights and Humanity, S.A.F.E., Save the Children, Sharon Osborne Colon Cancer Program, Snoop Youth Football League, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Teenage Cancer Trust, The BRIT Trust, Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, Little Dreams Foundation, Lotus Outreach, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Toothfairy Foundation, Trade plus Aid, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WaterAid.

To make a bid in the auction, which runs until June 30, click here.

George Clooney Leads UNICEF Donation

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Not On Our Watch, the international advocacy and aid organization founded by actors George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, producer Jerry Weintraub and human rights lawyer David Pressman, has awarded the U.S. Fund for UNICEF a grant of $438,000 to assist at-risk Zimbabwean refugee children living on the South Africa-Zimbabwe border.

The grant will provide critical support for child protection and welfare services for 1,500 unaccompanied and vulnerable children in the border town of Musina, South Africa.

“I’ve seen first-hand how dire the situation is for Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa. Women are being raped, orphaned children have no protection, and thousands of people are without even the most basic supplies. Every-day survival has become a harrowing task,” said Not On Our Watch board member Matt Damon. “As the situation in Zimbabwe remains unresolved, the international community must stop sitting on the sidelines and instead take action to help those who need it most. Not On Our Watch is proud to support UNICEF’s work in this critical time.”

While the formation of a new coalition government in Zimbabwe signals hope for the Zimbabwean people, the situation for women and children in-country remains at crisis levels. In the last six months, unstable economic conditions, coupled with a severe cholera outbreak have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of Zimbabweans undertaking the dangerous journey of fleeing to neighboring South Africa, particularly children.

Once in South Africa, refugee children live in extreme situations of risk, including physical and sexual abuse, child labor, and psychosocial trauma, with only limited access to basic necessities such as health services, shelter, education, food and clothing. In addition, their lack of documentation and poorly understood legal status in South Africa places many children in danger of detention and deportation, and forces them to lead “underground” lives.

UNICEF and its partners are supporting the South African government’s efforts to improve the care and protection of migrant children. The support from Not On Our Watch will allow UNICEF to provide emergency assistance, prevent and respond to exploitation and gender-based violence, and strengthen the capacity of the South African Department of Social Development to respond to children’s complex needs.

“UNICEF gratefully acknowledges the vital support of Not On Our Watch, which will contribute to the survival needs of Zimbabwean children in Musina,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “This charitable donation will impact the lives of 1,500 Zimbabwean children, by providing them with the emergency care they desperately need. Services also help us to achieve our ultimate goal of reducing the number of children around the world who die each day of preventable causes from 25,000 to zero.”

Roger Moore Speaks Out About Child Abuse

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former James Bond Roger Moore was in Germany this week to publicize a new report on child abuse published by UNICEF.

“Childhood is being destroyed by sexual abuse, violence and neglect,“ he said. “We must stop it. If we do nothing, our silence would mean acceptance. I can hardly imagine a more shameful violation of the rights of children as the deliberate exploitation of their bodies by unscrupulous adults to serve their sexual appetite. They destroy the childhood of their victims and do harm to them that lasts throughout their lives.”

He also suggested police should be able to enter foreign countries in a bid to catch abusers and bring them to justice: “Perpetrators must be followed across borders.”

The 81-year-old actor has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the charity since 1991, and first became involved in humanitarian issues when he witnessed extreme poverty while filming in India in 1983.

Stars For A Cause To Raise Charity Funds Tonight

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A selection of items designed and decorated by some of Entertainment’s biggest stars will go under the hammer at Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House in Los Angeles tonight, May 28.

The Stars For A Cause Auction features a wide range of rare and collectable items, such as posters signed by Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anna Paquin, David Duchovny, Rumer Willis, Jonas Brothers, P. Diddy, America Ferrera, Hayden Panettiere, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, Emma Thompson, Marisa Tomei, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Tina Fey, Steven Spielberg and many more.

There are also shoes from William Shatner and Ludacris, and bags adorned with kisses from Al Roker, Nancy O’Dell, Nicollette Sheridan, Marcia Cross, Hugh Laurie, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Geena Davis, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Reese Witherspoon, Kelly Clarkson, Green Day, Keira Knightley, Paula Abdul, John Legend and many more.

And if that is not all, there are also cufflinks from Miley Cyrus and Trace Adkins, and jewelry from many others.

A public preview of the lots will take place between 12pm and 5pm today, at the Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House at 7601 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. The auction will begin at 8pm.

Half of the proceeds of the auction will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

More information can be found here.

Jackie Chan Named Ambassador Of Love

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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

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

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

Chan is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

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

Stars For A Cause On Display

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A selection of celebrity designed/autographed jewelry, footwear and other unique items will be on display at auction house Bonhams in New Bond Street, London, tomorrow before being auctioned at Bonhams and Butterfields in Los Angeles on May 28.

Half of the proceeds of the auction, organized by Stars For A Cause, will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

Celebrities taking part in the campaign include Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Ricky Gervais, Charlize Theron, Goldie Hawn, Miley Cyrus, Colin Farrell, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Sigourney Weaver and more.

To learn more about this amazing auction, visit the official website.

Celebrity Moms Who Are Changing The World

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Mothers’ Day is a time for recognizing all moms, including some outstanding celebrities. Love Our Children USA has announced the fourth annual “Mothers Who Make A Difference” list, and Cookie magazine has announced their third annual “Smart Cookie” award winners.

In an effort to acknowledge women role models, Love Our Children USA is looking at women with busy careers who nevertheless manage to be good moms and get involved in charitable causes. CEO Ross Ellis says, “We are delighted to honor and celebrate these selfless and caring women who contribute so much to their children, families, society and to various causes.”

The key goal of the organisation is to prevent violence and neglect against children, and the recipient line up for the awards is impressive – Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Tina Fey, Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, and Julianne Moore are all on this year’s list.

Cookie magazine looks to honor, “the symbiotic relationship between motherhood and citizenship” by awarding women for whom, “bringing kids into the world sparked a palpable desire to bring change to it, too.” Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman are two such women.

“I think that in some ways, all women are mothers,” says Hayek. “It’s in our nature to protect, to nurture, and to feel empathy; this programming just kicks in more strongly when you have children…After having a baby, I found I became so much more vulnerable—to work on a lot of issues and not see a lot of change can become very depressing… I started working with UNICEF on raising money for and awareness of the tetanus-vaccination campaign. Tetanus doesn’t really exist in the United States, but it’s still a threat in remote parts of the world, especially to new mothers and infants. By getting the vaccines to these places that need them and by training the locals in how to administer them, we can eliminate tetanus in three to five years. It can be history.”

Thurman got involved with Room to Grow 10 years ago when she was expecting her first child. “I lived in the same brownstone as founder Julie Burns, who was just starting it,” says Thurman. “I would see her come in with bags and bags of baby goods. My main function is in fund-raising for the organization, which provides clothing, gear, and developmental toys to children ages 0 to 3 who are living in poverty in New York City and Boston. Clients of Room to Grow meet with social workers on a regular basis for two hours at a time; it’s very dignified and private…Can you imagine a child arriving in kindergarten having never held a book? It’s great to be able to help another mother who has all the same aspirations for her children you do but lacks the resources.”

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.

Vanessa Redgrave Reschedules Charity Performance

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Vanessa Redgrave has rescheduled an appearance in a charity theatre show following the death of her daughter, Natasha Richardson.

The 72-year-old actress was due to star in a performance of The Year of Magical Thinking at New York’s Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine on 27 April to raise funds for UNICEF and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, with proceeds expected to help children effected by warfare in Gaza and southern Israel. However, the performance has now been pushed back to October 26 to give Redgrave time to grieve.

Redgrave was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in “The Year of Magical Thinking” – which is based on Joan Didion’s book of that name and is about her efforts to cope with the death of her husband and daughter – in 2007.

Kylie Minogue Joins The Wiggles For UNICEF

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop star Kylie Minogue has teamed up with Australian children’s group The Wiggles for a new song, with performance royalties going to UNICEF.

Monkey Man – a cover of a song oringinally recorded in 1969 by reggae group The Maytals – features on the Wiggles’ latest children’s album, Go Bananas, which is to released worldwide today, March 23. The band – made up of Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Sam Moran, and Jeff Fatt – have been UNICEF Australia Goodwill Ambassadors since February, 2008, and are helping UNICEF work towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2015. With album and ticket sales in the millions, The Wiggles have picked up a swag of celebity fans, including Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who met the band and covered one of their songs during his recent tour of Australia.

All performance royalties from this track will go to UNICEF, and UNICEF Australian CEO Carolyn Hardy says the organization is thrilled that the superstars have teamed up to help vulnerable children around the world.

To find out more about The Wiggles Go Bananas, click here. To see the video – which includes Kylie donning a pink skivvy in the multi-colored group – check this out.

Hollywood Beauties Give Signatures For Good

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Friday, February 20, saw a flock of Hollywood beauties turn out at the Montblanc Signature for Good event in Los Angeles.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of 12 unique portraits featuring twelve world-famous Hollywood actresses. Each actress is part of a new campaign and is featured in posters for UNICEF’s childhood reading project on behalf of MontBlanc, the jewelry and pen manufacturer that is an important international partner of the organization.

Present at the event were Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Lucy Liu, Emily Blunt, Susan Sarandon, Marcia Cross, Andie MacDowell, Hilary Swank and many others.

Information about Montblanc and its partnership with UNICEF in the Signature For Good program can be found here.

David Beckham Accepts Donation For UNICEF

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

David Beckham’s career as a soccer star may be fluctuating between AC Milan and the LA Galaxy, but his role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the children’s charity UNICEF is rock solid. Last week, Beckham was thrilled to accept a £100,000 check on behalf of UNICEF from the Rangers Charity Foundation.

The former England captain – who has visited Thailand and Sierra Leone to see first-hand the work UNICEF are undertaking – said “It’s great to be able to accept this check from the Rangers Charity Foundation on behalf of UNICEF. As an Ambassador I’ve seen the impact of UNICEF’s work with children worldwide.”

Last October, the Rangers Charity Foundation announced their groundbreaking collaboration with UNICEF, which named the Rangers as UNICEF’S only Scottish football partner. The Rangers joined other partner clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United and AC Milan.

Beckham was also excited to learn Rangers have pledged to raise £300,000 for UNICEF in the next three years to help fund an education project in India, reaching over 45,000 children in over 200 schools.

“The £300,000 pledged by the Rangers Charity Foundation will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of children across India, giving many the chance to go to school for the first time. This money will help to transform children’s lives.” Beckham said.

Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain, a Trustee of the Charity Foundation, commented: “The Club is delighted that UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham is backing our efforts to make a difference and recognizes the fantastic work of the Rangers Charity Foundation through this partnership with UNICEF. Today’s £100,000 check represents funding for the first phase of the Indian education project and will undoubtedly make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of children. Both UNICEF UK and Rangers Football Club have strong ambitions for this partnership and will be working closely together during the years ahead to ensure the project’s success whilst at the same time promoting our shared humanitarian values.”

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