Look To The Stars News: Operation Smile

NFL and TV Stars Play GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:13:00 -0000

The lines have been drawn for the GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge, and it’s time to visit www.GameStop.com/BattlefieldBC2 to pick your winners and enter for a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of $10,000.

Each of the 16 teams in the GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge is captained by a different celebrity or athlete, two Major League Gaming professionals serving as team sergeants and two amateur gamers selected by Electronic Arts. These 16 teams will compete in a bracket-style tournament in the Squad Rush multi-player mode until only one team is left standing (Squad Rush is available exclusively for 30 days to GameStop customers who pre-order Battlefield: Bad Company 2 before March 2). To the victor belong the spoils, as the winning team gets bragging rights as well as a $25,000 donation by Electronic Arts to the team’s charity of choice.

The official team names, captains, charities and the pro gamer team members (as identified by their gamertags) for each of the four brackets are as follows. Complete team profiles and bios can be found at www.GameStop.com/BattlefieldBC2. Online bracket selection closes March 4.

First Bracket:
· Team O-H-N: Captain Chad Ochocinco (NFL star), playing for Feed the Children, pro gamer team members Jet Steele and Soldi3R187
· Team Philly Eagles: Captain DeSean Jackson (NFL star), playing for a cure for pancreatic cancer, pro gamer team members Problem and Big Tymer
· Team 28 Guns: Captain Marshall Faulk (NFL legend), playing for MF Foundation, pro gamer team members Bestman and SK
· Team Can’t be Faded: Captain Andre Berto (WBA Welterweight Boxing Champion), playing for Berto Dynasty Foundation, pro gamer team members Totz and Predator

Second Bracket:
· Team Numero Uno: Captain Matt Cassell (NFL star), playing for Shadow Buddies, pro gamer team members Tsquared and Fearitself
· Team Operation Killers: Captain Patrick Willis (NFL star), playing for Yéle Haiti Foundation, pro gamer team members Killa and Elamitewarrior
· Team PA All Stars: Captain Donnie Edwards (NFL star), playing for Jump 4 Life, pro gamer team members Victory X and Neighbor
· Team Keibler’s Elves: Captain Stacy Keibler (actress, Dancing with the Stars, former wrestler), playing for UNICEF, pro gamer team members Maniac and Legend

Third Bracket:
· Team McNasties: Captain Matt Lanter (actor, 90210 star), playing for the Alzheimer's Association, pro gamer team members Tizoxic and Destin
· Team Cross Fighters: Captain Shaun Sipos (actor, Melrose Place), playing for the American Red Cross, pro gamer team members Defy and Clutch
· Team ZERO 1: Captain Hal Sparks (comedian), playing for the Lili Claire Foundation, pro gamer team members Walshy and Sharpshot93
· Team Buck Shots: Captain AJ Buckley (actor, CSI: NY), playing for Operation Smile, pro gamer team members Flamesword and Snipedown

Fourth Bracket:
· Team Charlie Angels: Captain Charlie O’Connell (actor, the Bachelor), playing for Reading is Fundamental, pro gamer team members Hysteria and Ghostayame
· Team Winona Ryders: Captain Perez Hilton (gossip columnist/TV personality), playing for Lambda Legal, pro gamer team members Cloud and Strongside
· Team YOWZA!: Captain Greg Grunberg (actor, Heroes), playing for the Epilepsy Foundation, pro gamer team members Cpt. Anarchy and Lunchbox
· Team Little Monsters: Captain Tristan Wilds (actor, 90210), playing for Yéle Haiti Foundation, pro gamer team members Legit and Rambounit

Harrison Ford Flies To Haiti For Charity

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Harrison Ford is the latest star to put his pilot skills to work for Haiti.

Following John Travolta and Ludacris' mercy missions to fly supplies to the country following the earthquake on January 12, Ford has now used his own Cessna to fly in volunteers and and medical supplies for Operation Smile.

“This is not about me, it is just about doing what I can to help Operation Smile and the people of Haiti,” said the Indiana Jones star.

“We are truly thankful that we were able to get here so quickly, in order to begin treatment of patients who are suffering from infections, open wounds, and untreated fractures from the recent earthquake,” added Operation Smile team leader and plastic surgeon Dr Craig Merrell.

Flying is a passion for the actor. In 2004, Ford became the Honorary Chairman of Young Eagles, a program designed to give children a chance to fly in an aircraft for free. The initiative was launched in 1992, and has since flown over 1.3 million children, with volunteer pilots covering all of the costs. Ford has flown over 280 children in his own time, showing them the wide-open plains and rugged mountain areas of America. He says it is the best way to educate young people about nature, and about themselves.

“One of the wonderful things about aviation is that freedom and responsibility are great things for kids to be exposed to,” he told Airport Journals. “To be able to see the world in a three-dimensional way, and to give them a sense of the possibility that they might enjoy that freedom themselves, if they work for it.”

To read more about Harrison Ford’s charity history, click here.

Deidre Hall's Operation Smile Celebrity Ball Canceled

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last week, LookToTheStars.org brought you news about the Operation Smile 2010 Valentine’s Charity & Celebrity Ball to be hosted by Days of Our Lives star Deidre Hall. Unfortunately, the event has now been canceled.

Emerging Magazine has released this statement:

“In light of the current medical and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Emerging Magazine and Operation Smile will be canceling the 2010 Valentine’s Charity & Celebrity Ball slated for February 12, 2010.

“Operation Smile’s worldwide staff is working around the clock to wisely mobilize resources and volunteers to help those in need. Current plans include shipping lifesaving medical supplies and mobilizing teams of highly-trained surgeons and nurses who will volunteer their time to help set up medical facilities, perform surgeries and deliver critical medical care.

“To help save even more lives we need your help. Every moment counts. Please visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti for more information or to send an emergency donation. Your gift will help provide donated medicines and supplies to Haiti.”

Days Of Our Lives Star To Host Celebrity Charity Ball

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Days of Our Lives legend, social activist and Operation Smile Ambassador Deidre Hall will be hosting the 2010 Valentine’s Charity & Celebrity Ball, an Emerging Magazine Celebrity Production. The event is set to raise funds for the charity, Operation Smile.

Celebrities will join Deidre Hall for an evening of dinner, a luxury gift lounge with cocktails, live entertainment, a product runway and live auction featuring sponsor products.

Celebrities will walk the runway showcasing sponsor and vendor products from fashion to surfboards. Live music entertainment and a film premier will entertain attending guests during the star-studded event. To close the evening, three celebrity gift bags will be auctioned live to raise additional funds for Operation Smile.

Donations, sponsorships, a portion of ticket sales and the live auction will benefit the charity.

A red carpet presentation is scheduled to kick off the event beginning at 6 PM. Festivities will end at 10 PM. The event takes place at Montage Beverly Hills on February 12.

Tickets are on sale now from Emerging Magazine or by calling (570) 677-4975 Event details are available by clicking here.

Visit eBay for your chance to bid on exclusive Celebrity Meet & Greet tickets.

Deidre Hall Named As Celebrity Charity Ambassador

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

Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity, has announced that actress Deidre Hall has been named an official Smile Ambassador and will support the organization’s global efforts of providing free surgeries for children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.

Hall wanted to become involved with a charity that involved surgery and helping children. After researching children’s medical charities, Hall contacted Operation Smile and volunteered her services.

In August of 2009, Hall and her 16-year-old son, David Sohmer, accompanied Operation Smile on a medical mission to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that provided new smiles to 113 children.  

“While working with Operation Smile in Brazil, my son David and I witnessed what a team of talented, dedicated medical volunteers can do for these children. You can’t imagine the dramatic changes that are being made in their lives and the joy experienced by their parents. A life-changing surgery, once so out of reach, becomes a reality due to the funding and coordination of Operation Smile,” Hall said of her experience.  

Upon returning from Brazil, Hall has been an ardent supporter for Operation Smile, helping to use her beloved fan base to raise awareness and funds for children in need. In October 2009, Hall attended Operation Smile’s 2009 gala in Los Angeles. During this event, Hall took the stage to share about her experience in Brazil.

  On February 12, Hall will host the 2010 Valentine’s Charity and Celebrity Ball, an Emerging Magazine Celebrity Production. Celebrities will join Hall for a star-studded event featuring an evening of entertainment, fine dining and fashion. The event will raise funds for Operation Smile. For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.emergingmagazine.com.  

Deidre Hall has reigned as one of America’s most beloved actresses since her debut as Dr. Marlena Evans on NBC’s “Days of our Lives” and has enjoyed a successful career that spans both daytime and nighttime television, film and theatre. Hall has compiled an impressive list of awards and nominations. She was named Best Television Role Model; won the prestigious American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) award in 1994; was chosen Best Actress by Soap Opera Digest for five years; garnered three Emmy Award nominations, and was singled out as Best Actress in the People’s Choice Awards for her portrayal of Jessie Witherspoon on NBC’s “Our House.”

  "Deidre has been a wonderful supporter of Operation Smile over the past year," said Dr. Bill Magee, co-founder and CEO of Operation Smile. “She has been able to experience firsthand how our efforts can give a child a new sense of hope and a new chance at life, and we look forward to working together in the years ahead.”  

For more information, visit www.operationsmile.org/hall.

Jackie Chan Writes About Operation Smile Surgery

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

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan has blogged about his involvement in an Operation Smile surgery carried out in Vietnam last month.

As reported by Look To The Stars last month, Chan spent an hour assisting in the surgery on Quy Thien Tran, a 6-month-old boy with a primary cleft. It was an experience Chan says will be with him for the rest of his life.

“From now on you must call me “Dr. Chan” because I helped with an actual surgery!" he wrote. "Actually, that’s not really true; I was mostly an observer. I held some gauze and watched as Dr. Magee did an operation that would change the life of a little 6 month-old boy. When the surgery began, Dr. Magee got right to work and I watched in amazement as he made a cut here, a cut there and sewed everything up in about an hour. Done! When the operation was over, a little boy whose face was disfigured and who could not eat properly was completely healed!

“After the surgery, I noticed that every muscle in my body was aching. I thought this was curious because I exercise regularly. But I felt tired in muscles I didn’t even know I had! I really admire the doctors and nurses who work in operating rooms; they have to stand for many hours, concentrating intensely and all the muscles in their bodies are put to use. Still, I am quite happy that I was able to observe the surgery.

“Just think how incredible it is that the life of a child can be changed dramatically in a period of 45 minutes. They can go from having a cleft lip and crooked nose to having a perfectly normal face like everyone else, the only exception being a small scar above the lip. The moment when the operation ended and I carried the baby out, I felt a sudden rush of emotions. When I slowly handed the baby back into his mother’s arms, I could see the heartfelt happiness in her eyes and the endless gratitude from her smile; tears rolled down her cheeks. She knew that from that day on, her son would be able drink milk without it leaking out of his cleft lip and he’d be able to speak clearly. And the most important thing is that he’ll be able to regain his dignity and self-respect.

“Congenital defects such as cleft lip or cleft palate in Vietnam are like a curse from the heavens above. When a baby with this kind of defect is born, the parents become very afraid so they either throw their baby in the garbage can, allowing fate to determine the baby’s destiny; or they lock them up inside the house, not allowing them to go outside and not allowing anyone to visit them. Even if a child does have the opportunity to attend class with other students or eat lunch together, no one is willing to sit opposite them; students will only sit alongside them because they don’t want to see the child eat and then see the child’s food dribble out from the cleft gap. Children make fun of them behind their backs.

“Basically, it only costs USD$210 to change a child’s life. If we don’t buy the latest mobile phone, buy one less designer item or sing one fewer song at KTV, we’ll be able to use this money to change the life of maybe one, ten, one hundred, or even thousands of children. This is such a simple thing to do. I believe that as long as there are people out there with compassionate hearts, these children can be helped.”

To read Jackie’s full blog, in which he talks at length about the good work Operation Smile carries out, visit his official website.

Jackie Chan Holds Dialogues For Peace

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan continued his current charity mission in Asia by speaking at schools in Cambodia last week.

Chan is in the country as part of the Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace series of talks sponsored by the International Peace Foundation. As part of the event, he talked with students at the International School of Phnom Penh and the University of Cambodia.

The Bridges initiative features celebrities and world leaders talking about the importance of peace around the world. To find out more, visit the official website.

Last week, Chan took part in an Operation Smile operation to correct a cleft palate on a child in Vietnam.

Jackie Chan Takes Part In Operation Smile Surgery

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last week brought news of Jackie Chan's participation in a charity event in Vietnam for Operation Smile. Now we’ve learned that he assisted in an actual Operation Smile surgery at the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital in Hanoi.

The star is an ambassador for Operation Smile, an organization that helps children with cleft palates and other deformities.

Chan spent an hour helping with the surgery, and said he felt as tired as though he’d done martial arts for an extended period of time. The surgery was carried out on Quy Thien Tran, a 6-month-old boy with a primary cleft. Vietnamese singer My Tam and model Hi Anh also observed the surgery.

According to an Operation Smile spokesperson: “When the surgery was over, team members said there was barely a dry eye in the house as Chan carried the child back to his mother. Chan said the next morning that he couldn’t sleep and was awake until 3 a.m. emailing his friends about how much the experience of helping change a child’s life had impacted him.”

The star also talked about his fear of needles, and he had to turn away every time an injection was given to the patient!

The star is currently visiting Asian countries on a mission of charity, and has been raising awareness of his Dragon's Heart Charity in China and visiting Typhoon victims in Taiwan.

During the weekend, Chan visited the Singapore Tongji Hospital and became a Goodwill Ambassador. This week he heads to Thailand and Cambodia to be a keynote speaker at the International Peace Foundation’s “Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace.”

Jackie Chan Attends Operation Smile Event In Vietnam

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan continued his current charity work by taking part in Operation Smile Vietnam’s 20th Anniversary celebration, “Twenty Years of Smiles: A Journey of Miracles,” on November 4.

Chan is an Ambassador for Operation Smile, and visited children with cleft palates at the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital, accompanied by Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy.

The charity provides free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States, bringing them new hope and new lives.

Taylor Swift Signs Elephant For Family Health International

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:29:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As reported earlier by Look To The Stars, Family Health International is one of many charities to benefit from the current auction of celebrity-signed toy elephants organized by PROJECT ZAMBI.

Among those who have signed the elephants specifically for FHI are Taylor Swift (pictured below), the Jonas Brothers, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Klum and Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi.

“Family Health International is deeply grateful to these celebrities for lending their names to help address one of the world’s most serious problems. Their support raises awareness of the crisis and brings real help to children orphaned by AIDS in Africa—not just help to survive but to thrive,” said Al Siemens, CEO of Family Health International.

A number of other celebrities have also chosen charities to support through the auction, including George Clooney (Global Action for Children), Alicia Keys and Brooke Shields (Keep A Child Alive), Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake (African Children's Choir), Jessica Simpson (Operation Smile), Scarlett Johansson (The Global Fund), Leonardo DiCaprio (SOS Children's Villages), Naomi Watts (CIDRZ Foundation), James Taylor (Hole in the Wall Gang), Susan Sarandon (UNAID), Danny DeVito, Joely Fisher and Brad Garrett (Save the Children), Jennie Garth, Peter Facinelli and Glenn Close (Children of Uganda), and Barbara Walters and Denzel Washington (Save Africa's Children).

To take part in the auction – which runs until October 15 – click here.

Jessica Simpson Honored At Operation Smile Gala

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Jessica Simpson was honored at Operation Smile's 8th Annual Smile Gala at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel on Friday, October 2.

Simpson is the International Youth Ambassador for Operation Smile, an organization that provides free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States and brings them new hope and new lives.

Hosted by Access Hollywood presenter Billy Bush, the Smile Gala honored Jessica’s entire family for the work they do with the charity, as well as Stephen Berman of JAKKS Pacific, the Honorable Richard J. Riordan, Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter. Jessica, Ashlee, Tina and Joe Simpson have proven themselves beyond exemplary in their dedication to improving the lives of children throughout the world suffering from facial deformities. Jessica began her relationship with Operation Smile as a Smile Ambassador and attended an Operation Smile medical mission to Kenya with her father Joe in October, 2005. Jessica has also traveled to Washington, D.C. with Operation Smile founder Dr. William Magee and spoke to members of Congress on Operation Smile’s behalf.

The Universal Smile Award was presented to Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter. Roselyn and Eric are both Smile Ambassadors and attended a medical mission to Managua, Nicaragua, in 2008. Award-winning actress Roselyn Sanchez is currently starring on the CBS series Without a Trace and has appeared in Rush Hour 2, Chasing Papi, Basic, The Game Plan, The Perfect Sleep and Venus & Vegas. Eric Winter will star in the new ABC series Single with Parents and has had recurring roles on hit television shows Brothers & Sisters, Viva Laughlin and the cult vampire drama Moonlight. His other credits include CSI, Charmed, Pepper Dennis, Wildfire and Love Inc. He also co-starred in the films The Ugly Truth and Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

To read more about Jessica Simpson’s work with Operation Smile, including how she came to be part of the organization, see our special profile here.

Katy Perry Performs While Stars Shoot Hoops For Charity

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

T-Mobile USA, Inc. launched the T-Mobile myFaves Shot of a Lifetime with an exclusive celebrity shoot-out in Phoenix to benefit charity. Eliza Dushku, Jermaine Dupri, Donald Faison, Bill Simmons and Zachary Levi joined Dwyane Wade in the challenge to benefit the charity of their choice during the weekend.

T-Mobile created the charity shoot-out to officially launch the Shot of a Lifetime national sweepstakes, which gives one lucky winner and their fave five the opportunity to play HORSE against Dwyane Wade during the Eastern Conference Finals for a chance at $50,000. More information on the sweepstakes can be found at www.t-mobile.com/nba or text “MYSHOT” to 72579 to enter.

Stars including Yao Ming and Gabrielle Union joined T-Mobile to witness Dwyane Wade, Eliza Dushku, Jermaine Dupri, Donald Faison, Bill Simmons and Zac Levi square off against each other on a custom myFaves half-court. Emcee Sal Masekela was on the mic, getting the crowd to cheer in support of each participant, who each stepped onto the court for three shots at the basket to win up to $50,000 for the charity of their choice. The charity challenge concluded with an astonishing $170,000 donated to Camp Hale Alumni Association, Global Exchange Uganda Trauma Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta, Global Green, The Jimmy Fund and Operation Smile.

Following the celebrity shoot-out, Katy Perry took to the stage to the delight of the crowd, which included stars such as Sarah Chalke and Chris Tucker.

Chase Johnson Rocks The Smile

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0000

On January 24, Chase Johnson of MTV’s Laguna Beach hosted Rock the Smile for Operation Smile in San Clemente, California.

The evening was a rocking success – with 400+ attendees, $3600 was raised and as a result, 15 children will now benefit from life-improving cleft-surgery.

The night included a fashion show in which a dozen students modeled Rip Curl clothing. At the finale Chase, walked the runway and presented the co-chairs of the local Operation Smile chapter with a gift basket filled with hand-selected MTV products including DVDs, hats and other branded merchandise.

“Everything rocked and I’m really glad to be a part of such a great event and show my support for Operation Smile,” Chase said to the filled-to-capacity crowd as they were treated to snippets from his forthcoming album.

Chase Johnson To Host Rock The Smile

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Chase Johnson from MTV’s Laguna Beach will host a special event for charity this weekend.

Rock The Smile is a dance and fashion show that will be held at the San Clemente Community Center in Orange County, Los Angeles, on Saturday, January 24 to raise money for Operation Smile. Over 300 teens from high schools around the area are expected to be part of the event that aims to change children’s lives forever.

Operation Smile is an organization that provides free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States. Not only does this help the financial burden of surgery, but also brings patients new hope and new lives.

Since appearing on Laguna Beach, Chase Johnson has become known for his charity work. Last year he attended the CNN Hero Awards, Rodney Jerkins’ Toy GiveAway, Akon's Holiday Celebrity Toy Drive, and many more charitable events. He will be releasing a solo album in June.

For more information and tickets – which cost $15 – contact Sam or Frannie Coxe on 949-365-1739.

Jackie Chan Thanked By UNICEF

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Back in July, Look To The Stars reported on Jackie Chan's visit to East Timor to spread a message of non-violence to the country’s youth. As a direct result of the trip, two of Timor-Leste’s largest youth gangs have signed a peace agreement and vowed not to fight anymore.

The action star received a letter from UNICEF – who organized his visit – earlier this month thanking him for his participation and updating him on recent developments in the country.

“I honestly felt very happy when I received this piece of news,” said Chan “The influence I have on other people actually had some effect! Why can’t we all live together in peace? At the moment there are a lot of people who are working hard for the human race so that we can have better health and better living conditions. Researchers are looking for ways to cure cancer, people who are fighting against global warming and working to protect our environment; they only hope for humans to have a better tomorrow, so why are people still fighting and killing for advantages or benefits?”

Chan’s visit to East Timor aimed to curb a culture of “martial arts gangs” – groups of youths that have been involved in street fighting that led to an outbreak of violence that killed 37 people and caused thousands to flee their homes less than two years ago. During his trip, he met Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and led a choreographed martial arts display in front of over 5000 young people at Dili’s national stadium.

“Killing each other cannot alter the increasingly serious gap between the rich and the poor, and it cannot save the escalating pollution or parts of the Earth that are already destroyed,” said the actor. “People must understand that if Earth did not have humans, Earth would continue to exist. But if humans did not have Earth, we would not survive. Please put aside your personal grudges and resentments, cast your views on the whole of the world, the entire planet. You will discover that we are all human beings and what we need is to help each other and unite with one another to fight against the unrestrained growth of disease and the increasingly deteriorating environmental pollution.”

Chan is an enthusiastic supporter of charities including UNICEF, Operation Smile and his own Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation which he founded in 1988 to help young people in a variety of worthy causes, including medical services, aid to victims of natural disaster or illness, scholarships and youth activities.

Atul Khare, the UN secretary general’s special representative for Timor-Leste, recently told a forum in New York that criminal incidents in Timor this year dropped to 35 incidents per week from 55 per week last year – a direct result of Jackie Chan’s work to make the world a better place.

“If everyone could work in unity with one heart, love and be close to one another, then where would you find hatred, strife, or war?”

Celebrities Hair the Call of Charity

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:44:09 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

When most people think of Ken Paves, they think of big hair. The “hairstylist of the stars”, dubbed by the world’s media as the “hottest hairdresser in Hollywood”, is the man responsible for taming the locks of celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, and many more of the most beautiful people on the planet.

But now the stylist with the golden scissors has moved from big hair to big give with a new online auction he has organized through the Kompolt Online Auction Agency.

Inspired by the good deeds being achieved by the hit series “Oprah’s Big Give”, Paves has teamed up with a host of his celebrity friends to launch what could be the hottest auction this year, with all proceeds going to the EB Medical Research Foundation. So if it is once-in-a-lifetime celebrity items and experiences you want, hold on to your toupées and read on.

The auction, which can be accessed through eBay, runs until April 7, and features items from stars such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Marcia Cross, Bette Midler, and the Eagles. There are signed posters from Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Carmen Electra, and John Travolta, and enough autographed photographs to cover the inside of even the biggest make-up trailer, including snaps from Courteney Cox, Jewel, and Christina Aguilera. And if it is clothes you are after, why not bid on a T-shirt signed by David Arquette, Ashlee Simpson, or Pete Wentz, a soccer jersey autographed by David Beckham, or slip into Victoria Beckham's jeans.

If that is not enough to send shivers of anticipation through any star-hungry bidder, there is also the opportunity to snap up concert tickets – including meet-and-greets – to shows by Duran Duran and Céline Dion, as well as the chance to hang out with Ashlee Simpson and to visit the set of Scrubs with Donald Faison. There is even the opportunity to take a trip to Ken Paves’ salon with Eva Longoria.

Paves, who is also a spokesperson for Operation Smile, has chosen the EB Medical Research Foundation to recieve 100% of the proceeds from the auction.

The EBMRF is dedicated to increasing awareness of Epidermolysis Bullosa, a condition that affects the skin and can cause painful wounds, similar to burns, to form over up to 75% of a child’s body. Courteney Cox and David Arquette recently pledged to raise $1 million for the foundation.
More information about the disease, as well as the opportunity to purchase a special necklace designed by Cox and Arquette, can be found at www.ebkids.org.

Kevin Bacon Launches “SixDegrees.org”

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:02:12 -0000

Kevin Bacon has launched SixDegrees.org, a new web site that builds on the popularity of the “small world phenomenon” to create a charitable social network and inspire giving to charities online.

Bacon started the network with celebrities who are highlighting their favorite charities – including Kyra Sedgwick (Natural Resources Defense Council), Nicole Kidman (UNIFEM), Ashley Judd (YouthAIDS), Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes Off Our Back), Dana Delany (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Robert Duvall (Pro Mujer), Rosie O'Donnell (Rosie's For All Kids Foundation), and Jessica Simpson (Operation Smile) – and he encouraged everyone to be celebrities for their own causes by joining the Six Degrees movement.

“SixDegrees.org is about using the idea that we are all connected to accomplish something good,” said Bacon. “It is my hope that Six Degrees will soon be something more than a game or a gimmick. It will also be a force for good, by bringing a social conscience to social networking.”

The game, ‘Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,’ made the rounds of college campuses over the past decade and lived on to be a shorthand term for the small world phenomenon.

Bacon created SixDegrees.org in partnership with the nonprofit, Network for Good, AOL, and Entertainment Weekly. Through SixDegrees.org, which builds on Network for Good’s giving system for donating to more than one million charities online and AOL’s AIM Pages social networking service, people can learn about and support the charities of celebrities or fundraise for their own favorite causes with their own friends and families. Bacon will match the charitable dollars raised by the top six non-celebrity fundraisers with grants of up to $10,000 each.

“People give to charity because someone they know or respect asks them. So charities are increasingly looking to their supporters – not just themselves – to raise awareness and money online. That means both celebrities and everyday people can make an enormous difference for people in need,” said Bill Strathmann, CEO of Network for Good.

SixDegrees.org harnesses two important online trends: the exponential growth of social networks and the increasing interest in using the web for raising money for charity among family and friends. Through SixDegrees.org, people can upload their own photos and stories and fundraise for the charity of their choice with their own charity badges and AIM Pages.

To kick off the launch of SixDegrees.org, Bacon will attend opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, where he and other celebrities will be encouraging charitable giving. Entertainment Weekly is celebrating SixDegrees.org and Kevin Bacon at its third annual Sundance Festival Opening Weekend Party on January 20 at Jean Louis in Park City. At the party, guests will be able to learn more about SixDegrees.org and celebrities will be encouraged to donate their “swag” to benefit charity. Items will later be listed on eBay using eBay Giving Works.

There will also be a representative from SixDegrees.org in Entertainment Weekly’s Main Street photo studio throughout the week so that when celebrities come to be photographed for the magazine, they can learn more about the organization and find out how they can get involved. Bacon will also be feted at an AOL reception where he will tape an episode of Moviefone.com’s Unscripted with Bradley Whitford, a SixDegrees.org participant and star of “An American Crime” premiering at Sundance.

“AIM Pages and Six Degrees are the perfect pairing as the immense popularity of social networking and the importance of individual giving converge. We look forward to building an important network of good-deed-doers via AIM Pages to benefit the scores of charities associated with Six Degrees,” according to Marcien Jenckes, VP/GM, Instant Messaging & Social Media, AOL.

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