Look To The Stars News: (RED)

Starbucks Teams With Bono For AIDS

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Starbucks is to join U2 singer Bono’s PRODUCT RED charity label to raise money for the global fight against AIDS over the Christmas season.

The coffee giant has agreed to donate 5 cents from each sale of three special RED drinks – Peppermint Mocha Twist, Gingersnap Latte and Espresso Truffle – to the global fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

“RED is coming to a corner near you thanks to Starbucks,“ said Bono. “I’m very excited to be able to say that. It’s pretty mind-blowing to think that millions of people can buy RED going about their daily lives and in doing so raise millions of dollars to fight AIDS in Africa. That’s not a bad hit from your caffeine.”

The new drinks will be available at Starbucks stores in the US and Canada between November 27 and January 2.

Gisele Bundchen Goes Au Naturel For Rainforests

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is to appear naked in a new ad campaign for a Brazilian eco-charity.

Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the richest supermodel on the planet, the 28-year-old is well known for her support of charities that protect the Amazon rainforest – such as Nascentes do Brasil, ISA, Y Ikatu Xingu, and De Olho nos Mananciais – as well as her work with breast cancer charities, Bono’s RED campaign, and the Zero Hunger campaign in her native Brazil.

Now Bundchen has posed – clad only in leaves – on the cover of US magazine American Photo to promote her Forests of the Future project for the reforestation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The initiative, which was set up with SOS Mata Atlantica in 2004, has planted over 1 million new trees in Bundchen’s name to start reforestation of the Brazilian rainforests.

Damien Hirst Doodles For MRI Scanner

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British artist Damien Hirst has donated three sketches to a charity auction to raise money for the New Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The drawings – which are expected to raise US$3,500 each – feature a shark, a skull, and a butterfly. They will be auctioned at the Buy Art Fair, to be held at Manchester’s Urbis centre from Thursday to Sunday, and will raise money for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal – a campaign aiming to raise US$1.7 million for an MRI scanner for the hospital.

Boxer Ricky Hatton and Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien have also donated drawings and doodles to be auctioned.

In February, the 42-year-old artist organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity that made over $42.6 million. He regularly donates artworks to help charities such as ARK, War Child, the Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Great Ormond Street Hospital and many others.

Gisele Bundchen Auctions Diamonds For Empowerment Fund

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is selling off some of her best jewelry for charity.

The 28-year-old Brazilian model – listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s richest supermodel – has announced she will be selling a personal collection of dazzling bling in a special auction at Christie’s New York next month.

The collection features a 6-carat diamond ring worth $120,000 – $150,000, and a 3.35-carat Sabbadini diamond ring worth $15,000 – $20,000. A percentage of the proceeds from the auction will go to Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund, whose mission is to raise money to support education initiatives in countries where diamonds are a natural resource.

Bundchen is no stranger to philanthropic acts – she donates regularly to Brazilian charities that protect the Amazon rainforest, such as Nascentes do Brasil, ISA, Y Ikatu Xingu, and De Olho nos Mananciais. She is also the face of Bono’s American Express (RED) card – which raises money for Africa’s HIV/AIDS victims – and is the spokesperson for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

The auction takes place on October 15, and the lots can be viewed on Christie’s website.

Julia Roberts and Armani Fight AIDS Together

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Julia Roberts has designed a T-shirt to be sold under the Giorgio Armani’s (RED) label.

This is the second time Oscar winning actress has worked with Giorgio Armani to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Fund is the brainchild of Bono and Bobby Shriver, and has received over $110 million in proceeds from (RED)-branded apparel and related events since the its inception in 2006.

The new shirt features the words “revolution.evolution.devotion” making up the acronym (RED) arched over a tree of life of Roberts’ design. Roberts’ signature is also included inside. Available for men and women, the T-shirt will be sold online and in Empirio Armani stores worldwide.

Roberts previously worked with Armani in designing a leather bracelet, also featuring the tree of life, for Armani’s (RED) label. Armani sells a variety of additional (RED) items including accessories, eyeware, watches, and fragrances. 40 percent of gross proceeds go to the Fund.

Bono Sings The Praises Of Music For Charity

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bono’s (RED) charity has announced a new music delivery system as their latest way to raise money for AIDS sufferers in Africa.

Internet users can pay $5/month to use the service, and will receive a weekly installment containing an exclusive song from one of the world’s top artists, a song by an emerging artist, a piece of non-music content called a “Crackerjack surprise,” and stories of how (RED) funds are being used to combat the deadly disease.

“The world’s best brands created (RED) products that have generated over US$110 million,” said Don MacKinnon, (RED) President of Content. “What we are doing now is applying the (RED) model to music. Every week you will receive great music from amazing artists and people living with AIDS in Africa will receive lifesaving antiretroviral medicine.”

Half of each month’s membership fee will go directly to the Global Fund, and just five subscribers will generate enough money annually to provide a person living with HIV with antiretroviral treatment for one year.

“Don MacKinnon just might be the penicillin the ailing music business needs,” said Bono. “He is an innovator by nature and I have no doubt that some of the music software we are working on at (RED) will help change the way music is received, as well as changing the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drug that (RED) can provide.”

Although the new system doesn’t come online until Autumn, you can pre-register at www.joinred.com.

Celebrities Bring Attention To UN Efforts

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:11:03 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

With the press watching their every move, more and more stars are making their moves count by sharing the spotlight with United Nations missions.

In the past months alone, actress Drew Barrymore pledged $1 million to the United Nations’ World Food Program to bring attention to rising food prices; actress and Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon began raising money for the United Nations Development Fund For Women for education, job training and better laws for underprivileged women; Bono raised an impressive $42 million at his (RED) charity auction for the United Nations Foundation AIDs programs; and actress and UNICEF spokeswoman Salma Hayek promoted her anti-tetanus campaign on Oprah.

Outspoken actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow uses her celebrity in ways that politicians might not, relentlessly reminding us of the tragic details of Dafur. Farrow says, “I’m completely free to say anything I want. I have no trade agreements with anyone.”

George Clooney, the latest to be named Messenger of Peace by the United Nations for his efforts in Chad, Congo and Dafur, told ABC News, “I think what they’re looking to gain from [awarding me] is cameras following me to places that they’re trying to get attention to and that’s fine. That’s a good use of celebrity if you ask me.”

Celebrity faces fronting causes may help attract broader attention or raise bigger money more quickly, but it may also do something for the celebrity.

Actress and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, who is pushing governments to plan an Iraq refugee relief effort, told ABC News, “[Activism] gives celebrity some reason. Celebrity is very weird… So when you’re doing something good and you can bring attention to that or discuss that, then it feels like you have some sense in your life.”

Happy Military Mothers' Day From The Stars

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:43:57 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A group of celebrities are marking Mothers’ Day with a new initiative from Hallmark Greeting Cards for military moms deployed overseas.

Stars such as Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Billy Joel, Ben Harper, and Christy Turlington were amongst a group of celebrities who have recorded messages for mothers in the US military currently away on active duty.

“It is an absolute honor and privilege to be able to support the mothers who serve both overseas and on the home front,” said Andre du Broc, editorial director at Hallmark. “At the heart of Hallmark’s brand is a legacy of connecting people. Our cards have been sent with messages of love and support to troops serving around the world for decades, and we treasure our role in helping keep these families connected.”

The messages were recorded using Hallmark’s new Recordable Cards With Music, which allow the sender to record a personal voice message into a card, followed by a pre-recorded song. Hallmark, who are partners with Bono’s (RED) campaign, are also sending the cards with personalized voice messages from the children of the military moms, many of whom have been away from their families for over 15 months.

“With service members away for second, third, and even fourth deployments, it is incredibly important for companies such as Hallmark to continue to send the message to our troops that America Supports You,” said Allison Barber, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense. “I can’t think of a more wonderful gift for a deployed mother than hearing her child’s voice on Mother’s Day.”

More information about the cards can be found at Hallmark’s website.

Bono's Charity Auction Raises $42.6m for (RED)

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:11:22 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Sotheby’s was seeing red last week as Bono and artist Damien Hirst organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity. And by by the end of the night, the U2 frontman had rallied deep-pocketed bidders to make the AIDS charity auction a raging success to the tune of $42.6 million.

“It is a historic night for artists” said Bono, “An extraordinary night in New York City. I am very moved.”

The U2 frontman was flanked by celebrity pals as he led the guests in a sing-along of the Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’. “I see myself as a servant for Africa,” Bono said, “Tonight is about the awareness of AIDS and the medical treatment that can strongly aid in the demise of this disease.”

Throngs of celebrity bidders were on hand to snatch up items such as a steel and glass cabinet by Hirst called ‘Where There’s a Will There’s a Way,’ which fetched $7.15M. The cabinet was filled with drugs to treat HIV.

“I have watched people dying for lack of these pills,” Bono said after the sale. “I actually can’t quantify how many people that will keep alive. It’s not just the money we made tonight, it’s the excitement around the issue.”

Model Christy Turlington bought Francesco Clemente’s ‘Red Flower on Scorched Earth’ for $155,000, even though it was valued at $70,000.

“When I first saw the catalog, I loved this piece the most,’’ Turlington said after the sale. “It was completely impulsive.’‘

Bono seems to inspire the best of people, so it’s no surprise that most auction items were sold for well above their estimated value.

“Tonight we got serious about love, and not just the love of art, but the love of our brothers and sisters suffering from Aids in the poorest places on the planet,” he said.

A work by London street artist Banksy sold for $1.7M, though it had been valued at no more than $350,000; Murakami’s ‘Red Flower Ball’ was estimated at $700,000, but sold for $1.5M; Richard Prince’s ‘Untitled’ sold for $1.6 million even though the top estimate was $900,000; and Andreas Gursky’s ‘Pyongyang IV’ was valued at $300,000, but adding Bono into the mix led to a final bid of $1.4M.

“I’m never going to be cynical ever again for a while,” Bono said. “We’ve helped change the world a little bit.”

Among those on hand to support the cause were NBC news anchor Brian Williams, R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe, Queen Noor of Jordan, actor Dennis Hopper, tennis star John McEnroe, supermodel Helena Christensen, actor Ed Burns and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons.

Proceeds from the sale, which was organized at no cost by Bono’s charity organization (RED), will go directly to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs run by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Julia Roberts - More Than Just A Pretty Woman

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brad Pitt Joins Bono's (RED) Campaign

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:51:18 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

When Brad Pitt does commercials, it is mostly for markets other than the US. But now he is featuring in a homegrown commercial for DELL, in order to join other stars in contributing to Bono’s (RED) campaign.

The highly anticipated DELL computer commercial will be aired during the 2008 Super Bowl in February, and Pitt will donate his entire earnings from it to (RED).

Already in the line up to support (RED) is Joss Stone, who contributed the profits from iTune sales of her video, “Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now”, to the initiative. Just ahead of Christmas, Julia Roberts added red leather bracelets she designed with her husband to (RED)’s product line. Also last month, The Killers donated all proceeds from their Christmas song, Don’t Shoot Me Santa, to the campaign.

(RED) was founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver as a product brand to be used by the private sector to generate steady and sustainable corporate funding for charitable initiatives. Consumers simply choose from lines of (PRODUCT) RED clothing, accessories, watches, jewellery, eye wear, and fragrances, and a portion of the profits go toward Global Fund grants to benefit the health of women and children in Africa. Purchases of (RED) products have generated over $50 million for the Global Fund in only 20 months.

In Rwanda, Swaziland, and Ghana, (RED) money has financed the setting up of health centers, training for doctors and nurses in antiretroviral therapy, programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, and education on HIV/AIDS prevention.

“Philanthropy is like hippy music, holding hands,” Bono told Forbes Magazine. “(RED) is more like punk rock, hip hop, this should feel like hard commerce.”

Celebrities Listen For Disadvantaged Children

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:33:55 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge and exciting new global media campaign has kicked off to raise awareness and funds for some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.

The Listen Campaign is the result of seven years work and research, and is being supported by a host of celebrities who want the public to listen to the rights and needs of children affected by poverty, disease, natural disaster, exploitation, war, and AIDS in places such as Africa, America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

“Listen is an annual global media campaign bringing together some of the finest creative artists in film, music, and the arts to raise awareness and funds for 200 children’s charity projects around the world, and to develop a worldwide community of supporters,” said Tony Hollingsworth, Executive Producer of the campaign.

The campaign’s website was launched in November, and contains short films made by some of the world’s biggest stars, who have spent time visiting and listening to children in need. Brooke Shields, Jessica Lange, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Natalie Portman, and Ashley Judd have all pledged their support for the campaign and are featured on the site, and Samuel L. Jackson has recorded a film about children in New Orleans.

”I had to come here for this… to listen to remarkable stories,” said Jackson, who was drawn to the project from the outset. “I don’t know how [the children] get through it. These kids shouldn’t be hungry and homeless, going to school hearing gunshots, without good schooling, getting ill from the formaldehyde leaching out of the trailer walls. That these kids are still suffering, two years after Hurricane Katrina, is a national scandal. Their voice should be a call to action.”

The campaign has set a fundraising target of $100 million for its first year, and hopes to raise over $10 billion within 10 years. Magazines, newspapers, internet, and television – in fact, every type of media available – are all going to play their part in attaining the campaign’s goal of making 500 million people a year aware of the plight of desperate children. Broadcasts will be made in over 60 countries, with two television specials set for worldwide release in June. One of these, Listen Live, will be a spectacular concert event in Los Angeles, in which major music stars will collaborate to perform one-off versions of their most famous songs, with musical direction from the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart and legendary music producer Don Was.

Over seventy of the world’s most respected charities, such as Save the Children, CARE, Christian Aid, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, (RED), and WaterAid have nominated 200 children’s projects for the campaign to benefit. All of the beneficiary projects have been pre-declared, and can be seen on the website so the public knows exactly how their donations are to be used. As a unique addition, all donors will also receive five update reports to show exactly how their money is changing the lives of children.

“Pre-declaring the projects that will be funded and then reporting back on the effect of the donor’s money is a key difference of the Listen Campaign to other major international fundraising campaigns,” said Hollingsworth. “This pre-declaration and impact reporting will build public trust, and the creative artists’ contributions will generate interest leading to a sustained community of supporters.”

To take part in the campaign, to read exclusive short stories by some of the world’s best novelists, and to donate and enter competitions, the public can register their support at www.listencharity.org.

Bono And Hirst Make Art History Now

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:24:01 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Bono and his (RED) organisation are lending support for the upcoming Valentine’s Day art auction by Sotheby’s at the Gagosian Gallery in New York, expected to raise a whopping $40 million.

Artists such as Georg Baselitz, Matthew Barney, Cecily Brown, Antony Gormley, Subodh Gupta, Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns and Keith Tyson will join internationally renowned Damien Hirst in donating over 100 works for auction on February 14.

Hirst, probably the most prominent member of the Young British Artists group, invited the contemporary artists to participate. In his desire to give something back to the world community, the proceeds will be donated to the United Nations Foundation HIV-AIDS programs in Africa.

“For a relatively small amount of effort on each artist’s part we can actually save many lives,” said the 47-year-old artist. “Money is a key and what we raise from this auction will make a huge difference for a lot of people.”

Among Hirst’s donations will be his artwork entitled All You Need Is Love, which is hoped to raise over $1 million, and which depicts a giant, shiny red heart stuck with butterflies.

Bono views this sale as a historic moment, bringing the best collection of art together from the best living artists. “I love art for art’s sake, but what we have here is a real moment in art history.”

The works will be on display during the week leading up to the auction.

Charity Gift Ideas For Christmas

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:02:36 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about giving, and there is certainly a huge selection of celebrity designed and inspired merchandise on offer this season. A gift that benefits others may be the best gift of all.

Heading up the list of products being released in time for Christmas is a series of bracelets designed by Julia Roberts for fashion giant Emporio Armani. The bohemian style leather bracelets feature an etching of the tree of life, with the words “Revolution, Evolution, Devotion” – to signify the (RED) campaign – weaved in and out of the branches.

(RED) is a global initiative founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage the private sector in the fight against AIDS in Africa. They do this by channeling funds from the sale of (RED) products directly into the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Giorgio Armani was a launch partner in the initiative, and has designed a line of clothing, accessories, eye wear, watches, fragrances, and jewellery to benefit the campaign.

40% of the proceeds from the Julia Roberts designed bracelets will go directly to (RED), and the bracelets will be available in both a men’s ($195) and a women’s design ($175) from www.emporioarmani.com on December 1, World AIDS Day.

“Julia has helped to create a beautiful accessory for both women and men,” said Armani. “These will also be a visible reminder of the part that we can all play in fighting AIDS in Africa.”

Also benefiting the (RED) campaign this Christmas is a new festive single by Grammy nominees The Killers. The multi-platinum selling group is set to release their second Christmas single, “Don’t Shoot Me Santa”, at the end of November, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Global Fund.

The single is a follow-up to last year’s popular release, “A Great Big Sled”, and will be released to radio stations on November 26, with digital downloads available on November 27. The video will debut as part of (RED)’s World AIDS Day celebrations on December 1.

More gift ideas to benefit sufferers of AIDS can be found in the 7th On Sale auction being held on eBay. Over $9 million worth of goods are up for sale in the auction, which runs until December 6, including the dress worn by Sarah Jessica Parker to Ralph Lauren’s 40th Anniversary fashion show earlier this year.

Over 30,000 individual items are available in the auction, being organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), with proceeds going to charities that provide care, services, and housing to those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. And in addition to money raised directly by the auction, the MAC AIDS Fund will match every dollar raised online up to $500,000.

The 7th On Sale began in 1990 as a partnership between the CFDA and Vogue magazine. This is the fifth time the auction has been run, and in the past the events have raised over $12 million for charities such as the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the AIDS Community Initiative of America, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Greenhope Services for Women, the Harlem United Community AIDS Center, and the HIV Law Project.

Other celebrities to donate clothing and items to the auction include Fergie, Oprah, and Demi Moore. More information can be found at www.7thonsale.ebay.com.

And if you still can’t find the perfect gift, why not visit actor Colin Firth’s new eco-friendly store in London?

Called “Eco”, the shop is set to open on December 1 in Chiswick, West London, and will follow the two eco-cafés Firth has already established in Notting Hill and Covent Garden. Described as an “ecological destination store”, the shop will stock a selection of fair-trade and ethical goods, as well as offering customers the services of environmental experts who can assist in “greening” their homes.

“I’m no eco hero,” said the star of Bridget Jones Diary and Pride And Prejudice. “I’m doing the shop because I think it’s a good idea. When you think about global warming, over-consumption, our energy wastage, it makes you want to improve the negative effects of your complicity in it. The thing is, if you have been given the privileges we have, if you have this many perks, surely you can help out. Rather than be a luvvie with a lofty opinion preaching to people, I prefer to do things, to get involved, put my money where my mouth is and learn something along the way.”

Happy shopping!

Lunchbox Auction Will Help Feed Hungry Children

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:49:04 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Forget what they say about good things coming in small boxes, better things come in lunch-boxes created by artists, actors, chefs, musicians, photographer, politicians, and fashion designers to shed light on the plight of hungry children in New York City and South Africa. These original artistic efforts are for the Lunchbox Auction.

The artistry is often unique and often indicative of the personality behind the work. World renown chef Bobby Flay’s 2005 lunchbox was decorated with spices. Bono’s lunchbox was simply red signifying his (RED) campaign. The bidding for lunchbox items will commence online on December 6, 2007

Among the other contributors of lunch-boxes for the first online auction included Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, David Bowie and Iman among other famous people. The proceeds help the Food Bank For New York City provide food to more than 1,000 emergency and community food programs throughout the five boroughs.

One in five children in NYC rely on emergency food. Thousands of miles away in South Africa, children face similar hunger oriented plights. Fledgling school programs do not subsidize pre- and high schools, so for many of these children the Lunch box fund feed them their only meal of the day. Moreover, many of the children are AIDS orphans running child-headed households.

To see the full list of lunch-boxes, visit the Charity Folks Website.

Vanity Fair Charity Issue Edited By Bono

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:35:00 -0000

Written by Saskia Akyil

Bono is putting his philanthropic energy into Vanity Fair’s July 2007 special issue about Africa. The issue has 20 different cover photos of high-profile individuals, all taken by renowned photographer Annie Liebowitz.

The magazine includes information about the issues and charities supported by actors, athletes, models, politicians, musicians, activists, and billionaire philanthropists, all of whom are using their celebrity status and the publicity they receive to bring attention to the complex set of problems faced by the inhabitants of Africa.

Africa is a continent with great need, and has been given a disproportionately low amount of attention and aid from wealthy nations. It is the first Vanity Fair issue to have a guest editor, and Bono’s highly publicized commitment to aiding Africa makes him an obvious choice for editor of this issue. In recent years, celebrities have used their status to bring a great deal of attention to Africa.

The covers of the Africa issue include portraits of: Bono, Barack Obama, Queen Rania, George Bush, Condaleeza Rice, Muhammad Ali, Desmond Tutu, Brad Pitt, Djimon Hounsou, Madonna, Maya Angelou, Chris Rock, Warren Buffett, Melinda & Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Iman, and Don Cheadle.

The issue features numerous in-depth articles about a variety of subjects concerning Africa, including: Kenya; Desmond Tutu and the fight for equality in South Africa and worldwide; Tunisia’s success and the threat of Islamic extremism; the role of China in fueling some of the conflict in Africa; Jeffrey Sachs dream of how to eradicate extreme poverty; the consumer-action strategy of (Product) Red to make miracle AIDS treatment drugs accessible to the millions who need them; the role of the Congo’s blacklisted airline pilots in keeping trade flowing; Bill Clinton’s stories of Nelson Mandela African music; Africans defying the status quo of poverty, disease, and corruption; suggestions for platform topics for the US 2008 presidential election; the genetic data that links all people on Earth to Africa; identifying the current literary talents of Africa; Princess Diana’s post-divorce charity work, in particular her mission to ban land mines; and the Africa connection of the high-profile individuals on Vanity Fair’s July 2007 issue covers.

The Vanity Fair website offers links and information about Africa, charities that benefit the continent, and full-text versions of some of the articles.

Bono Launches Charitable Mobile Phone

Tue, 16 May 2006 07:04:42 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Bono’s AIDS charity (RED) is set to benefit from an arrangement the singer has made in conjunction with Motorola and the UK’s Carphone Warehouse.

Each sale of a £149 handset from Motorola will be met with a £10 contribution to the charity from the electronics giant, and 5% of subsequent call charges will also go directly to the charity.

Bono has helped (RED) build similar partnerships with Gap, American Express, Emporio Armani and Converse.

Charging For Charity

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 19:51:17 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Bono and Elle Macpherson are the faces behind the (RED) American Express Card, which Bono was proud to launch yesterday.

The card donates one percent of all funds charged on it to fighting the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

The U2 frontman feels that getting everyone working together, including big companies, will go a long way towards curing the disease and improving the world.

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