Look To The Stars News: Autism Speaks

Love Ride 2008 Attracts The Big Names

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

20,000 motorcyclists from across the U.S. and around the world rode in the 25th Annual Love Ride late last month and raised over US$1 million for Southern California-based charities.

The event – which was hosted by Jay Leno and featured celebrity riders such as Gene Simmons, Peter Fonda, Robert Patrick, Rutger Hauer, Larry Hagman, Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar, Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica), and Carmine Giovinazzo (CSI: NY) – culminated in a concert featuring the Foo Fighters, ZZ Top, and members of Velvet Revolver.

The annual Love Ride – held along the West Coast of the US from Glendale to Pomona – has raised over $21 million since it was launched in 1984, and is now one of the biggest one-day motorcycle events in the world. Beneficiaries of this year’s event included the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Autism Speaks, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Reading By 9 Child Literacy Initiative, Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Special Olympics of Southern California, Frostig Center, Scleroderma Foundation, Glendale Community College, Rett Syndrome Foundation, Optimist Youth Homes & Family Centers, Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation, Friends of Castaic Lake, and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Autism Speaks With Acts Of Love

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Autism Speaks is inviting you to a special evening of theatre featuring Bill Pullman and Joe Mantegna.

Acts of Love 2008 is a one-night only literary and musical celebration of Miracle Workers with inspiring celebrity readings and musical performances to raise money for autism. It is a WordTheatre production created, produced, and directed by Cedering Fox. Autism Speaks is proud to partner once again with WordTheatre and the entire entertainment community to inspire creativity, heighten awareness and draw support for families affected by autism.

In 2007, an ensemble cast performed a celebration children in the words of those who love them. Through ticket sales, sponsorship and donations the event benefiting Autism Speaks raised more than $185,000 for autism research and treatments.

Joining Pullman and Mangtegna are Marc Blucas, Linda Cardellini, Matt Dallas, Keith David, Gary Dourdan, Peri Gilpin, Tess Harper, Sally Hawkins, Sung Kang, Camryn Manheim, Adrian Pasdar, Julia Sweeney and Charlayne Woodard.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder, affecting 1 in 150 children born today. Despite the high prevalence and growing health care costs associated with caring for a child with autism, autism research receives less than 5% of the research funding of many other less prevalent, childhood diseases.

The show is on November 10 at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. More information and tickets can be found here.

Look to The Stars Asks Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:35:08 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

John Ondrasik, the recording artist behind the pop-rock sensation Five For Fighting, has been offering Americans support and inspiration for more than 10 years. His song, Superman (It’s Not Easy) became an anthem after the 9/11 attacks, and was performed at The Concert for New York City in late 2001, and then added to the charity album Live in the X Lounge IV.

His support has continued through a USO tour of Guantanamo Bay and other bases in Cuba in February/March of 2007, followed by a tour of Japan, Guam and Hawaii in November. That same month he coordinated the release of 13 free songs for US military members called CD for the Troops consisting of tunes from Billy Joel, Gary Sinise, Brooks and Dunn, Jewel and many others.

Ondrasik created WhatKindofWorldDoYouWant.com, the first video charity website, early last year. Based on his song, World, the website offers a place where people can go to be creative and entertained, while supporting charity.

John was kind enough to take some time to answer our questions about what inspires him, and what he feels people can do to make a difference.

Where did the idea for What Kind Of A World Do You Want come from?

We’d noticed over the years how folks would make home movies to a few of my songs. We thought, in this age of You Tube, we’d build a platform to allow expression and raise money for good causes at the same time.

You’ve made a few changes to the site over the last year, how is it going? Are you pleased with the response and the way it is growing?

Now that we have a sponsored model (companies and private individuals send donations) we are raising more money. Still, the beauty of the site to me is the community and cathartic nature that the comments and videos have on those who make and watch them. To see a couple hundred families with Autistic children make there own video’s shows the potential of what we are doing…

What do you hope to achieve with the site?

I think the combination of an individuals creativity combined with the desire to give to something to those in need has no bounds.

Why do you think people should take an interest in the site and visit it?

Beyond the charitable aspects, there are some great videos. Some are educational, some are amusing, but virtually all will make you think and move your spirit…

What was your inspiration behind the CD For The Troops? Why is this issue important for you?

I think it’s our duty to do our part for those who secure our freedom. I can’t pick up a gun and go to Iraq, but I can try and help morale by producing efforts that express or appreciation and thanks to our troops and their families. The best thing about the CD is that is non-partisan with artists for both sides of the political worldview. Whatever we think about policy, we must never forget that over our nations history 2.8 million soldiers have died for that luxury.

In the aftermath of 9/11, you played benefit several concerts for New York. How did the attacks affect you? Do you think it affected the nation in a philanthropical way… do people want to help each other more?

I think after 9-11 the country rallied spiritually. It showed the character of New York and America as a whole. Sadly we’ve lost some of that. I do think the press does not focus on how philanthropic American’s are, both private and corporate. I’ve been blown away by some great work done by corporate America for various causes and met some amazing people who change the world every day. American’s are for the most part incredibly caring and giving.

Do you believe America is a nation of givers? Can the nation do more on a personal level? A national level?

I guess I answered that question. We can always do more but we have to smart with our efforts and our dollars. We don’t need photo ops we need to commit to causes and have partnerships around the world. Charities need to be responsible to their donors and we need to be better at getting resources to those who need it.

Why do you think it is important to give freely and help others?

Giving is a selfish enterprise; you always get more than you give.

Where do you find your inspiration to help others?

From those who have given much more than I ever will.

At the present point in time, what do you think is/are the biggest problems, social and/or environmental, facing the world today? What can people do about it? How can 1 person make a difference?

We can all make a difference in our private circle of influence and in the larger world. Taking your child to a VA fundraiser or Special Olympics is as voluble as writing a big check. Every person can find his or her way. As far as problems in the world, I’ve always been a fan of that which allows us to proper and help each other. Until every man, women and child has Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Religion, and basic human rights we can’t rest.

Do you have any more ideas or future plans involving philanthropic work that may interest our readers?

We’re working on CD for the Troops II and continuing to focus on whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com.

Do you have a personal message for our readers?

I just took my son to a Stephen Hawking lecture this week, and I’m sure Hawking would agree. Look to the Stars.

Thanks so much for your time, John. We wish you the greatest success merging music with philanthropy!

Those wishing to help support John’s efforts can visit WhatKindofWorldDoYouWant.com, buy a CD in support of US Troops, or purchase a Five for Fighting charity bracelet from the Do Good Jewelry Collection.

Stewart to Host Night Of Too Many Stars

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:53:19 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is set to host the Night Of Too Many Stars, an “Overbooked Concert For Autism Education”, on April 13th. The music-and-laughter-packed event will be televised live from The Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Some of the guests joining the comic news anchor in the fundraising efforts are Matthew Broderick, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Proceeds of the evening will be split among autism education programs, including new schools which provide vocational and life skills for teenagers and adults with autism, and outreach programs which provide training and consultation to families of young autistic children. A portion of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, an organization which funds research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, while raising public awareness about the disorder.

Other performers spending their time raising autism awareness at the event are Will Arnett, Rosie O’Donnell, Maroon 5, Kevin James and Amy Poehler. Past performers have included Martin Short and Ricky Gervais.

Autism is a growing concern in the US, as one in 150 children is diagnosed with the neurological disorder, and the number of new cases is growing rapidly. Severely autistic children are unable to communicate and understand, leaving them incapable of functioning normally in the world; even playing with other children can be impossible.

For ticket information and more information about the event, visit the Night Of Too Many Stars website.

Stars Keep On Giving

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:28:26 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The giving just keeps on going this holiday season, with a whole bunch of celebrities donating items to charity auctions, and others taking the time to attend events and fork out massive amounts of money for good causes.

Such was the case on December 11, when the husband and wife team of Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith paid $50,000 for a pair of artworks by Joan Miro and Salvador Dali at an auction in Chile.

“They bought the two works for a price much higher than their commercial value, because the proceeds of the auction went to UNICEF,” said Denise Ratinoff, head of the auction house that ran the event. “It was virtually a donation to UNICEF, and it helped a lot. Their presence in the auction made many other people also pay steeply for what they purchased.”

The previous day, on the other side of the world, another auction also saw generous donations for a good cause. A classic car belonging to actress Sharon Stone was sold for $400,000 at a charity auction during Dubai’s fourth international film festival, with the money going to the American Foundation for AIDS Research, of which Stone is the Global Fundraising Chairperson.

The 1961 Lincoln Continental was valued at only a fraction of the price it attracted, and went to a mystery bidder. It was the biggest item to be sold at the event, which drew other celebrity guests such as Michelle Yeoh and Hayden Christenson, and raised a total of $3 million for the charity.

Rockers Linkin Park launched their third charity auction through their non-profit organization, Music for Relief, last week, and raised thousands of dollars for survivors of the November 15 cyclone in Bangladesh.

The band donated items such as VIP concert tickets and a customized Xbox to the eBay auction, and were joined by donations from Avril Lavigne, the Smashing Pumpkins, Madonna, Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, and the Deftones, with all proceeds going to the humanitarian organization, CARE.

Over 3,500 people were killed during the cyclone, and many more were left homeless, with the government seeking $2.2 billion in foreign aid to assist with helping survivors. The auction followed Linkin Park’s auction in November to raise money for victims of the California wildfires.

That auction may have finished, but one still running right now offers bidders a vehicle with a difference – a BugE. If you don’t know what a BugE is (or even how to pronounce it – the advertising information says it is pronounced “Bugeeeeeeeee”), then you are not the only one. However, to enlighten you a little bit, a BugE is a clean, green cross between a motorcycle and a three-wheeled car that draws its power from electricity stored in batteries, instead of from harmful liquid fuels. And this particular BugE up for sale has been signed by nearly 100 different celebrities, such as John Legend, Rodney Peete, Ne-Yo, and Chris Daughtry.

The eBay auction runs until December 20, and 30% of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks to help people who struggle with this debilitating condition.

Another celebrity stepping into the world of internet auctions this month is Brad Pitt, who is going to part with his favorite gray hat. Pitt and his gray cap have seemed inseparable since he moved to New Orleans, and he has worn it for photos, at the Beowulf movie premier, and even during his recent Larry King Live interview. But now he is going to throw his hat into the ring, so to speak, for charity, with all proceeds going to his Make It Right organization. There will be more information when the auction dates are finalized.

And finally today, Paris Hilton is set to make a splash with her new champagne in a can, Rich Prosecco.

The hotel heiress was in Berlin, Germany, last week to launch her new “bubbly blonde” drink – which comes in original, passion fruit, and strawberry flavors – and to announce that 20% of all sales will go to a charity that provides fresh drinking water to those in need.

“It is the perfect ‘starter drink’ for your night out,” said the 26-year-old. “Or a special pleasure as a reward for the end of your day.”

The drink will be released in the US early next year.

John Ondrasik Asks What Kind Of World You Want

Tue, 08 May 2007 18:58:56 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting has started a charity music video community. The site, www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com, offers the public the chance to upload videos which explain the type of world in which they want to live.

At the end of every video viewers can click on the sponsor link; each click donates up to 49 cents to one of the charities chosen by Ondrasik. He encourages submissions, saying, “There are no rules here, your film can be personal, political – write a story, tell a story – anything goes.”

The charities benefitting from the website include Fisher House Foundation, Breast Cancer 3-Day, Save the Children, Autism Speaks, Save The Music Foundation and New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund. John tells us that another charity, Augie’s Quest will be added within the next few months.

For those who need more of a reason to create a video, there are prizes on offer. The grand prize winner will be chosen at random from the 20 most popular videos, and will be treated to a private concert with John Ondrasik including roundtrip airfare and lodging for two in Los Angeles.

Look To The Stars News: Autism Speaks

Love Ride 2008 Attracts The Big Names

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Autism Speaks With Acts Of Love

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Look to The Stars Asks Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik

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