Look To The Stars News: March Of Dimes

Exclusive Photo Feature: Olympians' Hearts of Gold

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:34:00 -0000

We have witnessed the amazing physical feats of the US Team in the Olympics, and now the Olympians want to share some of the other wonderful ways they use their time and strengths. Look To The Stars is honored to bring you news of their charity work, with thanks to NBC/USOC for providing the images.

Chad Hedrick (Long Track Speed Skating – won a bronze medal)
Competes on Friday and Saturday, February 26th & 27th

Chad hosts an annual golf tournament for to benefit the TX Special Olympics.

“I’m a very proud supporter of Texas Special Olympics!”

Angela Ruggiero (Hockey)

Former Director: New York Islanders Project Hope
Athlete Advisory Board Member: Women's Sports Foundation
Athlete Ambassador: Right To Play
Athlete Advisor: Momsteam.com
Member: 350.org

Rachael Flatt (Figure Skating)

“I have partnered with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), which is the nation’s oldest children’s literacy organization. It is a blend of two of my passions…education/reading and volunteering. I hope that I am a good example of the phrase ‘student-athlete’ and that it is possible to combine the two and be passionate about both! I have also found more opportunities to volunteer in the past two years and I feel that it is very important to give back to the community at large."

Johnny Spillane (Nordic Combined)

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Todd Lodwick (Nordic Combined)

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (Todd’s son, Finn, was diagnosed with epilepsy at 5 months)

Julia Mancuso (Alpine Skiing – won 2 silver medals)

WWF Climate Change

Don’t miss the following athletes, appearing in the Figure Skating Exhibition on Saturday, February 27th!

Evan Lysacek (Figure Skating – won a gold medal)

Celebrity board member for Ronald McDonald House

Co-produced and hosted a skating show that raised $90K for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a memorial fund for a friend who died of cancer.

Meryl Davis & Charlie White (Ice dancing – won a silver medal)

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
American Cancer Society
March Of Dimes
The Humane Society

Hannah Teter (Snowboarding – won a silver medal)

Hannah started a maple syrup company, Hannah's Gold. The proceeds of the maple syrup sales provide water to a Kenyan village and helps AIDS afflicted mothers and children acquire land. She also donates the prize money she wins from racing to the village and visits often.

Emily Cook (Freestyle Skiing)

Emily is very involved with Right To Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sports programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
She traveled to Amman and Aqaba, Jordan with the organization in April, 2009.

Gretchen Bleiler (Snowboarding)

Gretchen works with ‘Climate Project’ and the NRDC on building awareness around environmental issues. Her Oakley signature line of clothing is eco-friendly, and she works with all her sponsors to create eco-friendly sponsors when possible.

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Ice Dancing)

Created a fundraising ice show, “Tanith & Ben: Home for the Holidays,” which benefits the American Cancer Society, and an ice show, “Skate-Aid,” which raised over $40K for the American Red Cross tsunami relief.

Steve Nyman (Alpine Skiing)

Helped build an orphanage in Haiti (Steve was involved with aid in Haiti before the earthquake), and is involved with Team Darfur & A Child's Hope Foundation.

Erin Pac (Bobsledding – won a bronze)

Race for the Cure (Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

Johnny Weir (Figure Skating)

Elton John AIDS Foundation
Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
UNICEF

Noelle Pikus-Pace (Skeleton)

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Lindsey Jacobellis (Snowboarding)

ASPCA – Started her own effort to benefit the ASPCA, called Hats 4 Hounds. She knit 101 hats to sell, and all the sales proceeds went to the ASPCA.

You can continue to show your support for the US Olympians by helping to support their causes and charities, and you can find a wealth of information on the athletes at NBCOlympics.com or TeamUSA.org.

And, don’t forget, the US Olympic Committee is a 501©(3) organization and needs continuous support in order to keep sending the best athletes to the Olympic Games!

Stars Come Out For March Of Dimes

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Halle Berry and Nicole Richie were among the stars at the March Of Dimes' Fourth Annual Celebration of Babies luncheon.

The event recognizes prominent individuals who are celebrating the birth of their children, and who are role models for March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies.

As part of the March of Dimes November Prematurity Awareness Month campaign, celebrities and special guests were urged to join the fight for preemies!

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Celebration of Babies luncheon honored Dr. Robert Katz M.D., obstetrician to the stars, with the Golden Rattle Award for his commitment to the March of Dimes mission. The March of Dimes Community Award was presented to Donna Holloran, MSW; Allison LaTona, MFT; and Shelley Reicher-Lawrence, CPE of BABYGROUP.

The event also highlighted March of Dimes Stork Club: a group of celebrities and prominent individuals who have welcomed a baby or who are expecting a baby in 2009. This year’s Stork Club, sponsored by Stride Rite, includes: Actor Hank Azaria & Katie Wright, Actress Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Musician Howie Dorough & Leigh Dorough, Marketing Director Mitchell Davis & Clare Davis, Lucky Magazine W. Coast Bureau Chief Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps, Actress/Producer Nicole Richie & Singer Joel Madden, Actress Nicole Sullivan & Actor Jason Packham, Producer Jennifer Todd & Actor Chris Messina. March of Dimes celebrity volunteer parents who also attended the luncheon were Julie Bowen, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Kellie Martin, Elisabeth Rohm, Nicole Sullivan, Alimi Ballard, and Sean Patrick Thomas

 More than 300 guests were greeted with a luxury boutique shopping experience, which included the finest selection of designer clothes, accessories and gifts from vendors: Homemade Baby, Mustela, Heather Moore Jewelry, Bella Inspired, Terri Michele Fragrances, Dr. Peter’s Child Identity Kit, Petit Bijou by Garcelle, Tough Cookies Boutique, Baby Eggi, The Silly Wagon and Dr. Fresh. Fundraising continued with a live and silent auction where guests bid on lavish gifts and luxurious vacations donated by the event’s committee volunteers. News anchor Lauren Sanchez hosted the luncheon program and auction.

Through research, education, advocacy and community programs, the March of Dimes is a champion for the health of all babies. For more than 70 years the March of Dimes has enjoyed a rich history of Hollywood celebrity support. Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and many others have volunteered for March of Dimes lifesaving campaigns. Proceeds from the Los Angeles Celebration of Babies luncheon benefit March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. November is Prematurity Awareness Month, when the March of Dimes calls on everyone who cares about babies to “Fight for Preemies.” Premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death, has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., affecting more than half a million babies each year. Hollywood moms and dads are joining March of Dimes to celebrate their healthy babies and raise funds to ensure all babies have a healthy start. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

To view video clips from this event, click here.

Dale Ernhardt Jr Matches Charity Donations

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Race car driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is matching every donation to his charity foundation for the rest of 2009.

The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals.

The NASCAR driver has pledged to match donations made by his fans through his online Hard Card Membership program. For as little as $20, fans get their name on The Foundation website and can know that their money is helping people every day. Each year, TDJF gives to over 300 organizations such as Make-A-Wish, the Victory Junction Gang Camp and March Of Dimes.

There are several levels of the Hard Card Membership and each level comes with some great gift items. To learn more about the Hard Card Membership, click here.

Stars Want To Be Millionaires For Charity

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire will make a return to American TV screens next week, with a special 11 show run.

Every night of the two-week run, a different celebrity will answer a single question to win $50,000 for the charity of their choice, and a host of stars have lined up for the chance.

The shows will be hosted by Regis Philbin and will feature appearances by:

Lauren Conrad
Snoop Dogg, playing for the Snoop Dogg Youth Football League
Patricia Heaton, playing for the Westside Pregnancy Clinic and Lighthouse Medical Missions
Shawn Johnson, playing for Blank Children’s Hospital
Steve Nash, playing for The Steve Nash Foundation
Katy Perry, playing for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Rachael Ray, playing for the Yum-o! Organization and the SPCA
Sherri Shepherd, playing for the March Of Dimes
Vanessa Williams, playing for The Maria Torres Emerging Artist Project at the Amas Musical Theatre
Wynonna, playing for Backpack Mission Ministries
A special “mystery” celebrity

The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’s 10th Anniversary shows begin August 9 at 8pm on ABC.

Jennifer Lopez Records Whooping Cough PSA

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez is urging parents to vaccinate themselves against pertussis, or whooping cough, warning the virus could kill kids if passed on.

The star has joined the March Of Dimes to create a national public awareness campaign called “Sounds of Pertussis,” an initiative that focuses on educating new parents and their families about pertussis, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease for infants.

The campaign centers on a series of English and Spanish PSA’s featuring Lopez, scheduled to begin airing nationally this month.

“When I learned that many babies who get pertussis catch it from their parents, and how easy it is for adults to get vaccinated, I was shocked,” said Lopez. “New and expectant parents have so many things to worry about. Getting pertussis themselves, or possibly spreading the disease to their own children, shouldn’t be one of them. I felt it was urgent to let parents know how important it is that they get vaccinated against pertussis to protect themselves and to help keep their babies safe from this dangerous disease.”

As part of the campaign, Lopez was the Honorary Chairperson of the March of Dimes March for Babies 2009 walks that took place in the weekend in more than 900 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

To view the PSA’s, visit the Sounds of Pertussis website.

Nicole Kidman And Kelly Clarkson March For Babies

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nicole Kidman and Kelly Clarkson were in Nashville on Sunday, April 19, to take part in March For Babies, an event organized by March Of Dimes.

March for Babies has been held annually around America since 1970 and has raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit babies. Every year, more than half a million babies in the U.S. are born prematurely, and premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many disabilities. The funds raised at the event support programs in the community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and also go towards research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten babies.

“To all of the volunteers and all of the people who work so timelessly, I know everyone here is grateful to you and hopefully more and more money can be raised so more and more good work can be done,” said Kidman.

For more information on March For Babies events, check out the official website.

Nick Lachey Tees Off For Charity

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Nick Lachey and three-time defending NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson took part in their second annual Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic at the TPC Tampa Bay Golf Club on Super Bowl weekend, raising over $200,000 for charity.

The money will go to charities such as the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the Nick Lachey Foundation, the March Of Dimes, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“The way our racing season falls, the Super Bowl is always one of the sporting events I get to enjoy,” Johnson said. “Now that Nick and I started Super Skins, the weekend has taken on a whole new meaning. Again, we want to thank everyone who supported our efforts this entire weekend and helped to get some well deserved funds to some great organizations.”

Joining Lachey and Johnson for the tournament were Sprint Cup driver Brian Vickers, Jerry Rice, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Ken Griffey Jr., Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz, Nsync’s Chris Kirkpatrick, Drew Lachey, the New York Giants’ Justin Tuck and the New York Jets’ Jay Feely.

Doobie Brothers To Play Charity Concert

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Legendary American rock band, The Doobie Brothers, will perform inside Cobo Arena at the 2009 North American International Auto Show’s (NAIAS) annual black-tie Charity Preview gala on Jan. 16. The band will entertain Charity Preview attendees at 9 p.m. in Cobo Arena with doors opening at 8:30 p.m.

“The Doobie Brothers performing at Charity Preview will make this truly a night to remember for our guests,” said Joe Serra, senior co-chair of the 2009 NAIAS. “Adding a band like this with their history and caliber to the evening’s festivities is a perfect fit for a fun night for Detroiters while supporting 12 local children’s charities.”
Attendees must present their Charity Preview ticket stub at the entrance to Cobo Arena to see the Doobie Brothers performance. Seating and standing room will be available at the performance along with food and refreshments.

The Doobie Brothers have been a top concert attraction since the band began in 1969 in San Jose, Calif. The group has many memorable hits including “Black Water,” “Listen To The Music,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Long Train Runnin,” and “China Grove.”

Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised over $77 million for children’s charities in metro Detroit, over $32 million of which was raised in the last five years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the purchase of Charity Preview tickets.
Tickets for the event are $400 each and can be purchased by calling 888.838.7500. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.charitypreview.com.

Metro Detroit area beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Barat Child and Family Services; Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center, Judson Center, Children’s Services of Northeastern Guidance Center Assistance League, The Detroit Institute for Children, Think Detroit PAL, Easter Seals – Michigan, March Of Dimes, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund – a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

On January 18, the Jonas Brothers are also set to take to the stage for the Charity Preview.

Jonas Brothers To Play Charity Concert For Auto Show

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) has announced the Grammy nominated Jonas Brothers will play a special concert at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena on January 18, 2009 to help raise funds for the annual Charity Preview.

The 2009 Charity Preview will take place at Cobo Center on January 16 from 6-9 PM. Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised over $77 million for children’s charities in metro Detroit — over $32 million of which was raised in the last five years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the purchase of Charity Preview tickets. The annual event has delivered more than $6 million to children’s charities in Southeastern Michigan.

The Jonas Brothers join a growing list of celebrities that have attended Charity Preview in years past to help raise funds for children in need. Previous attendees include Céline Dion, Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock, Kevin Bacon and Jay Leno. Through their Change for the Children Foundation, the Jonas Brothers raise funds to support programs that motivate and inspire children to face adversity with confidence, determination and the will to succeed. Their first fundraising initiative – You Decide. You Donate. – launched this past summer and through the generosity of their fans, was able to donate to charities including NothingButNets.net, American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Camp, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Summer Stars.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that an act as large as the Jonas Brothers have offered their support to Charity Preview,” said Joe Serra, senior co-chair of the 2009 NAIAS. “Not only will attendees be supporting local children’s charities in this time of dire need, but they will be able to provide the kids in their life with a ticket to the hottest concert in town.”

For every Charity Preview ticket purchased, patrons will receive one free ticket to see the Jonas Brothers live in concert on January 18, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena. There are a limited number of Charity Preview tickets that are tied to the Jonas Brothers concert. Tickets must be purchased between December 23, 2008 and January 5, 2009. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go to benefit Charity Preview. Charity Preview ticket holders who purchased prior to December 23 will be contacted and given the option for Jonas Brothers tickets as well.

For details on how funds from the Charity Preview are used to give back to the local community, see here-.

Chris Evert Charity Tennis Event Attracts Celebrities

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The 2008 Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic was held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, November 1-2nd, and once again proved to be a raging success – so much so, that tennis legend Chris Evert has now raised close to $20 million for charities!

The event kicked off with a Pro-Am at the Boca Raton Resort & Club tennis courts and attracted some new faces this year. Comedian Billy Crystal and 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres joined regulars such as Chevy Chase, Stone Phillips, Maeve Quinlan, Bud Collins, Vince Spadea, Alan Thicke, Jana Novotna, Gavin Rossdale, and Jon Lovitz.

Evert created the fundraising event to fight drug abuse and assist neglected and abused children in South Florida.

“What these treatment centers do is they get these women or men back into the mainstream of life, back on track, whether they’re gonna work, whether they want to go to school, whether they want to be great parents, whatever, it gets them back into mainstream of living,” says Evert. “Circumstances in life sometimes get you to a very low and a lot of people in the world, that’s how they reacted by turning to drugs and its not something that you should look down on and snub, it can happen to anybody.”

Chris Evert Charities partners with The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a public -private partnership administered with the State of Florida, to raise money for needy programs which otherwise would not be fully-funded by the State. The Ounce of Prevention Fund matches moneys raised through the Chris Evert/Bank of America Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic.

While Chris has been busy with her own work at Chris Evert Charities, she also donates her time and efforts to other worthwhile programs including: The Special Olympics, The March Of Dimes, The Martina Navratilova Youth Foundation, The Michael Bolton Charities, The American AIDS Foundation, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Red Cross and The U.S. Olympic Ski Team.

Twisted Sister's Early Christmas Message

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Back in 1984, they said “We’re not going to take it,” and shocked the world with their big hair and bigger stage antics. Now, heavy metal legends Twisted Sister are back with a new message – “It’s not too early to start Christmas giving.”

The band – who will play a special Christmas gig at the Nokia Theatre in New York on December 5 – is inviting their fans to visit Charity Navigator, the most utilized evaluator of charities in the US, and donate to those in need.

“I know it sounds cynical, but the first thing I want to know when I’m asked to donate money is, ‘How much of my contribution will actually reach those it’s intended for?’” said Dee Snider, lead singer and songwriter for the band. “It’s sad, but with all the corruption in the world today, we can’t just assume that our hard earned dollars will get to the people most in need. Charity Navigator sets my mind at ease. With their incredible website, I can give knowing the money I’ve pledged is actually helping.”

Twisted Sister has been rocking their way around charities in recent years, and earlier in 2008 played a benefit concert commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Station Nightclub tragedy in Rhode Island, the fourth largest nightclub fire in US history. Money raised from the concert went to the Station Family Fund, an organization set up by the community to assist victims of the fire. 100 people were killed in the blaze, with another 200 seriously injured, and 65 children lost either one or both parents. Survivors still struggle for compensation and support, and many are unable to meet their monthly needs. The band runs regular auctions for the Station Family Fund on their website, and Dee Snider is also a national spokesperson for March Of Dimes, an organization that aims to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality through research, community services, education and advocacy. For the last six years he has led the annual Dee Snider Bikers For Babies events to raise money for the charity, and will personally appear at the upcoming Bikers For Babies in Alabama on October 11; St. Louis on October 12; and in Las Vegas on October 25. Earlier this month he appeared on Fox’s TV show Kitchen Nightmares, riding an autographed motorcycle which will be auctioned to benefit the March of Dimes. More information about Bikers For Babies can be found on their website.

“With the state of the economy, we know that donors will have less money to give to charity this year and that charities like food banks will see a sharp increase in demand for their services,” said Charity Navigator spokesperson Sandra Miniutti. “It is critical that those who do give be particularly strategic when deciding which charities deserve support. We are grateful to Twisted Sister for helping us get this message out and for encouraging their fans to give generously to well-run charities.”

Tickets for “Twisted Sister Presents A Twisted Christmas on Broadway” on December 5 are available now from www.ticketmaster.com.

Dip Into Matt Damon's Diaper Bag

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:08:08 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sick of your ordinary, everyday baby gear? Fed up with boring baby stuff? Want to hear the pitter-patter of celebrity baby feet (or baby knees if they’re not walking yet)? Well a new auction over at eBay might be the answer, as a host of recently-blessed-by-a-baby stars donate their hand-me-downs to charity.

A range of famous parents, including Matt Damon and Julianne Moore, have donated their used baby items to Johnson’s Celebrity Hand Me Down Auction, which will benefit such charities as March Of Dimes, Save the Children, Zero to Three, and Baby Buggy. The auction, which can be accessed through eBay and runs from April 29 to May 9, gives bidders the opportunity to buy Damon’s diaper bag (hopefully clean), Moore’s highchair, Elisabeth Hasselbeck's car seat, a tracksuit worn by Mariska Hargitay's son, and other items donated by “Shark” actress Jeri Ryan and recent mother Elisabeth Rohm.

“It is important to pass certain things on from one generation to the next,” said Hasselbeck. “I still have a children’s bracelet that my mother gave to me, which I will pass on to my daughter one day. There is something priceless about having certain things around you which tell a story.”

The charities are also excited about the auction.

“I think it’s wonderful that they would donate their proceeds to the March of Dimes,” said charity spokesperson Michele Kling. “We are the charity that’s all about mothers and babies.”

Look To The Stars News: March Of Dimes

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