Look To The Stars News: Save the Children

Victoria Beckham Teaches Son To Save The Children

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and 10-year old son Brooklyn took a two-day trip to Clay County, Kentucky, on behalf of Save the Children this week.

Beckham is speaking out about childhood poverty after visiting some of the poorest children in America. She said the visit showed her the need for all children to have an equal start in life.

Clay County has a mean income of just under $20,000 per household, which makes it the poorest area in America.

Beckham taught kids how to play football, read books to them, and passed out free Adidas sneakers and backpacks. She also went to several homes to talk to parents about nutrition and education.

Brooklyn learned how important it is for his generation to help. Beckham said, “I’m pleased Brooklyn is learning that, by helping and joining other children, he can play a role in making his generation the greatest yet.”

Jennifer Garner Makes Time For CHANGE

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Jennifer Garner is the new spokesperson for Save the Children’s Make Time For CHANGE campaign.

The charity’s CHANGE program (Creating Healthy, Active, and Nurturing Growing-up Environments) has teamed up with Frigidaire to donate $1 to every pledge made on the official website to raise funds to help at-risk children in need in the United States.

“I grew up in West Virginia, which is a state that has struggled a lot,” Garner told PEOPLE.com. “It needs so badly the exact kind of support that Save the Children offers, which is helping kids perform better in school … because they are healthier and not worrying about food.”

For more than 75 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by focusing on early childhood education, literacy and physical activity and nutrition programs.

Save the Children created the CHANGE program (Creating Healthy, Active, and Nurturing Growing-up Environments) to promote healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty by providing nutritious snacks and regular opportunities for children to be physically active.

“The main realization that I had is that every mom wants the best for their kid,” she says. “Some of us may have more opportunities with time or financial cushions than others so it’s important that we just spend a minute of our time to help other kids in our own country.”

To make a pledge or find out more, visit the official website here.

Idol Gives Back Is Back!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

After a one year hiatus, Idol Gives Back is set to rock for charity once again.

The American Idol special will air April 21, 2010, and will benefit national and international charities including Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.

“I am very pleased to announce that we will be doing our third Idol Gives Back on April 21, 2010,” said Simon Fuller, Idol creator and CEO of 19 Entertainment. “This is our opportunity to reach out and support the people of America and around the world who need our compassion and generosity to improve or even save their lives. America will undoubtedly prove once again what a remarkable and generous nation it is. For American Idol to be able to facilitate this kind of initiative makes me very proud.”

“Idol Gives Back” has raised over $140 million since its inception in 2007. The event regularly attracts appearances by major stars such as Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and many others – including 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama. The show last aired in 2008.

Ben Stiller Rewrites The Future In Uganda

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Ashley Parker

Save the Children has a special project called Rewrite the Future and Ben Stiller has joined it. Supported by Italian jewelry company Bulgari, the star traveled to northeastern Uganda.

Rewrite the Future’s goal is to provide an education for 8 million children in countries that are most difficult to act in. They provide necessary supplies, books and uniforms. The campaign started in 2005, and they hope to achieve their goals by 2010.

This was Stiller’s first trip to Africa. He said, “The goal of Rewrite the Future was really to go to the children in the most affected areas, the hardest to reach, and try to help them gain access to education.” He wanted to make an effort to help this dream become a reality. In Karamoja, Stiller visited different projects established by the charity, and was able to spend time with the children. He said the “aim is to integrate [an educational framework] into the fabric of what’s going on there, from the inside out…it’s about helping people to help themselves. It’s different from delivering a shipment of grain. It’s really about connecting with people.”

Stiller had only seen Africa on television before this trip, and was taken aback by what his eyes beheld. He began to see what life was really like for these children and their families. For a while he was afraid that his celebrity status would void the good work he could’ve been doing. However, that changed for him. “As a person, and seeing what’s going on in the world, there’s only so much you can take before you go ’I’ve just got to try to do something, whether it seems cynical or not.’” It may seem some celebrities do charity work for the wrong reasons, or that some don’t do enough. He decided to put the children before himself and do what he could to help.

In Uganda, like many other underdeveloped nations, education is less of a priority than simple survival. Stiller wanted to promote the importance of education so that the children are able to grow up and take care of themselves, living comfortable lives instead of struggling to survive.

Even though Stiller has returned to the United States, his efforts to raise awareness will continue. He is currently working on a film called Help Me Spread Goodness. It is about a victim of a Nigerian email scam who goes to Nigeria in search of the man who scammed him. In the meantime, the victim’s eyes are opened to the reality of the harshness of life in that country.

Stiller also went on another trip with Rewrite the Future to Haiti.

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.

Will Smith's Children Support Charity Initiative

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jaden and Willow Smith – the actor children of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith – have spoken about their support for PROJECT ZAMBI, a charity initiative started by a group of Hasbro employees to help raise awareness and funds for the estimated 15 million children who have lost parents and relatives to the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

“Willow and I joined Project Zambi to represent all the kids out there who want to make the world a better place,” said Jaden. “We want to encourage kids everywhere to lend a hand and join us in spreading the word about how much children who have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa need our help.”

The children have joined a host of stars – including Jessica Biel, George Clooney, Glenn Close, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joely Fisher & Brad Garrett, Jennie Garth & Peter Facinelli, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Heidi Klum, Kathy Najimy, Rhea Perlman & Danny DeVito, Graham Rahal, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Barbara Walters, Denzel Washington, and Naomi Watts – in signing toy elephants to benefit charities such as Keep A Child Alive, the African Children’s Choir, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project, the Children of Uganda, Global Action for Children, the Global Fund, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages and many more.

“Project Zambi is about kids and for kids, and it’s so important that we all learn to take care of each other,” said Willow. “Even from the other side of the world, kids in Africa will know they have friends who care about them.”

The 10-day Project Zambi Celebrity Charity Auction is being held online via eBay beginning October 5 with bidding closing on October 15. Visitors will be able to log on to www.ebay.com/projectzambi.

Band From TV To Launch New Epilepsy Site At Charity Gig

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

Written by Tim Saunders

Band From TV – the celebrity charity music group made up of stars from some of today’s most popular TV shows – is to play a special gig next month to launch a charity website set up by its founding member.

Talk About It was created by Heroes star Greg Grunberg to raise awareness of epilepsy and help educate people the world and end stigmas about seizure disorders. The site features many of his Heroes co-stars and celebrity friends, such as Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, and John Mayer. Grunberg is a longtime supporter of epilepsy causes, an issue that he has been involved with since his son, Jake, was diagnosed with the condition. He is the official spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Advocate.

Grunberg started the Band From TV – which includes members such as Hugh Laurie, Teri Hatcher, Bonnie Somerville, Hayden Panettiere, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, and Bob Guiney – after getting a few celebrities to play together at the House Of Blues for charity. The success of that event has led to a number of gigs in the US which have, according to Hugh Laurie, “raised a gargantuan sum of money for charity.” These charities include such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust. Band From TV recently released their first CD, Hoggin’ All The Covers, which has become a huge hit at Amazon.com and can be ordered here. Look To The Stars was lucky enough to interview Greg just before Christmas, and the video of our chat can be viewed here.

To celebrate the launch of Talk About It, Band From TV – along with special celebrity guests including Scott Grimes from ER and many others – are performing one night only on October 25 at The Canyon Club in Agoura. Come with your family and friends and be ready to rock out to your favorite cover tunes being performed by some of your favorite TV actors.

THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT!! Tickets may be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster or by calling The Canyon Club Box Office at (818) 879-5016.

Celebrities Sign Elephants For Project Zambi

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

A host of celebrities have come together to be part of an online auction that features one-of-a-kind collectible elephant models.

Jessica Biel, George Clooney, Glenn Close, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joely Fisher & Brad Garrett, Jennie Garth & Peter Facinelli, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Heidi Klum, Kathy Najimy, Rhea Perlman & Danny DeVito, Graham Rahal, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Barbara Walters, Denzel Washington, and Naomi Watts are some of the stars who have signed the elephant toys for Project Zambi, a charity initiative started by a group of Hasbro employees to help raise awareness and funds for the estimated 15 million children who have lost parents and relatives to the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

“It is encouraging to see that companies such as Hasbro are developing initiatives to support global health issues,” said Alicia Keys. “Through my involvement in this project, I’m proud to support [”Keep A Child Alive":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/161-keep-a-child-alive], an organization dedicated to providing care and support to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS."

One hundred percent of the sale of each auctioned elephant will be donated to the organization of the celebrity’s choice that supports children orphaned by AIDS in Africa including the African Children’s Choir, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project, the Children of Uganda, Global Action for Children, the Global Fund, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages and many more.

“The wonderful support that we’ve received from the celebrities participating in the PROJECT ZAMBI auction is a moving example of the deep concern surrounding the issue of caring for children orphaned by AIDS,” said Brian Goldner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hasbro, Inc. “We are very hopeful and optimistic that this auction will be successful in raising awareness and generating funds that will support some of the many dedicated organizations working to make a better future for these children.”

Earlier this year, Hasbro launched PROJECT ZAMBI, a global cause initiative tied to the new special edition FURREAL FRIENDS ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT toy that is dedicated to raising awareness and benefiting programs caring for children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

Hasbro has committed to donate 50 percent of the net profits from ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT — a minimum of $500,000 (in U.S. dollars) — to the PROJECT ZAMBI Fund, part of the Hasbro Children’s Fund, beginning in 2009, and hopes to expand this global campaign to include additional Hasbro products and brands in the years to come. By purchasing ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT, consumers will be supporting programs that work directly with children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

This latest initiative is a part of the work Hasbro conducts in the U.S. and around the world to help children in need through the Hasbro Children’s Fund and product donations. In 2008, Hasbro impacted approximately four million children through its charitable programs and product donations.

For more information about the PROJECT ZAMBI Celebrity Charity Auction, PROJECT ZAMBI and ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT, please visit www.projectzambi.com.

The 10-day PROJECT ZAMBI Celebrity Charity Auction will be held online via eBay beginning October 5 with bidding closing on October 15. Visitors will be able to log on to www.ebay.com/projectzambi.

Eunice Shriver's Charity Legacy

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Eunice Shriver – founder of the Special Olympics – has died at the age of 88.

The fifth of nine children and sister of John F Kennedy, Shriver led a life of service to the community that she handed down to her children. Her daughter, Maria Shriver, is the First Lady of California and is married to Arnold Schwarzenegger. She runs the annual Women’s Conference in California. Her son, Bobby Shriver, is well known for co-founding the organizations DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa), the ONE Campaign and (RED) with U2 lead singer Bono. Her other sons are also leaders in philanthropy: Timothy Shriver is the Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics; Mark Shriver is the Vice-President and Managing Director of U.S. Programs for Save the Children; and Anthony Shriver is the founder of Best Buddies International.

Awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1984, Eunice Shriver was a founder of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring in the 1960s. But it was her work with the Special Olympics for which she will be remembered. Her work with the disabled started early – In 1962, she started a day camp, known as Camp Shriver, for children with intellectual disabilities at her home in Potomac, Maryland. From there, she promoted the concept of competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Camp Shriver became an annual event, and the Kennedy Foundation (of which Shriver was Executive Vice President) regularly gave grants to universities, recreation departments and community centers to hold similar camps. In 1968, Shriver was approached to help fund a huge Olympic-style athletic competition for over 1000 people with special needs. The Special Olympics were born, and today it involves over 2.5 million in 180 countries.

Her family released the following thoughts reflecting on her life:

“Inspired by her love of God, her devotion to her family, and her relentless belief in the dignity and worth of every human life, she worked without ceasing — searching, pushing, demanding, hoping for change. She was a living prayer, a living advocate, a living center of power. She set out to change the world and to change us, and she did that and more.

“She founded the movement that became Special Olympics, the largest movement for acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities in the history of the world. Her work transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the globe, and they in turn are her living legacy. We have always been honored to share our mother with people of good will the world over who believe, as she did, that there is no limit to the human spirit. At this time of loss, we feel overwhelmed by the gifts of prayer and support poured out to us from so many who loved her.

“We are together in our belief that she is now in heaven, rejoicing with her family, enjoying the fruits of her faith, and still urging us onward to the challenges ahead. Her love will inspire us to faith and service always.”

Celebrities Make Their Mark For Save The Children

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Celebrities including KT Tunstall, Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and Franz Ferdinand front-man Alex Kapranos are calling on G8 leaders meeting in Italy this week to stop millions of children dying from preventable diseases.

The musicians, along with TV personalities Andrew Marr and Carol Vorderman and 200,000 people from across the UK and Africa, have pledged their support for a Save the Children campaign which urges world leaders to deliver on their promises for children.

Earlier this week, Save the Children and MPs handed in a petition to Gordon Brown, urging him and other G8 members to increase aid to developing countries.

More than 9.2 million children die every year but only 3% of aid G8 countries give to the developing world goes into maternal, newborn and child healthcare. This is $3.5 billion a year – half of what we’re calling for.

Save the Children is calling on the G8 to double their money for child and maternal healthcare to at least $7 billion in order to try and reach their target of cutting child deaths by two thirds by 2015.

Steve Haines, Save the Children’s Head of Global Campaigns said: "Gordon Brown must push fellow world leaders to deliver on existing promises — and go one step further and double aid for developing countries.

“Ten million children under the age of five die every year — many of simple, preventable causes like diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. If we know how to prevent these deaths, why are children still dying?”

People across the globe showed their support for Save the Children’s “Make your Mark” campaign by printing their thumbprints on a petition.

Join the global movement and Make your Mark today by clicking here.

Mary Portas and Grazia Magazine Open "Living and Giving Shop" in London

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Having spent 6 months working intensively with the charity sector, Mary Portas, Britain’s leading retail guru, came to a singular and focusing conclusion. Rather than taking advantage of the economic downturn to prosper, the vast majority of 5500 Britain’s charity shops had become smelly places products go to die.

Through Saturday 27th June, Mary Portas with Grazia, helped by celebrities and many friends across the worlds of fashion and retail, will offer a new kind of second hand shop in the luxurious surroundings of the Village at Westfield London: A shop which sits at the heart of a community; a shop people want to be in – a living and giving shop.

DONATE DON’T DUMP!

In her work with the sector, despite the fact that 75 percent of women have 14 items of clothing (collectively worth £7 billion) which have never seen the light of day, Mary’s most distressing realization was that a charity shop’s fundamental problem was the quality of donations. For her Living and Giving shop at Westfield London, who have donated the space free of charge, Mary has teamed up with Grazia magazine to encourage their thousands of fashion savvy readers to give unwanted but not neglected products to the shop. In addition, Grazia has asked the world’s most influential people and desirable brands to donate. So far, Sarah Mower of American Vogue has offered some serious designer goodies, Prada, Burberry, Mulberry, Luella Bartley and Savannah Miller have offered clothes while presenter Brix Smith-Start has donated a work of art and a Miu Miu skirt suit!

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

All the money raised will go to three key national charities – Save the Children, Trees for Cities and Mind.

Save the Children help save the lives of the 10 million children who die under the age of five each year. Every three seconds a child dies from a preventable disease – that’s 30,000 children every day dying from diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and measles. It doesn’t cost much to save a child’s life and every item bought counts.

DO THE FASHION MATHS!

Buying a £5 T-shirt from Mary’s Living & Giving shop = a family a mosquito net to sleep under and stop them catching deadly malaria.
A £30 handbag = a life-saving water filter.
A £100 dress donated by a designer = a kit of vital medical supplies for a clinic in one of the world’s poorest communities.

MARYS TEAM

The shop will be manned by celebrity volunteers, celebrity ambassadors, Grazia staff and charity helpers along with handpicked fashion designers, writers and stylists invited by Grazia. Mary has also asked everyone in her retail agency Yellowdoor to join the effort. Television presenters Tara Palmer Tomkinson and Lauren Laverne have already spent time helping out, and Meg Mathews will be dropping by on Tuesday 23rd from 11am to 1pm to help out in the store.

WHATS ON SALE?

The shop will sell designer and high street fashion items, books, music, art and whatever else Mary determines to make the grade. Anything which doesn’t won’t make the shop floor. A living and giving shop isn’t a dumping ground for your old rubbish. In addition, Mary has asked her friends at West London’s chicest nursery Petersham Nurseries to sell plants, herbs and flowers.

MONDAY 22nd Swarovski day: Swarovski are doing side window, donating bags and jewels, scattering crystals and making the shop look super sparkly!

TUESDAY 23rd Highstreet drop day: Oasis have donated 100 pieces of this season’s most fashion-forward stock, and are doing a special window to mark the event.

WEDNESDAY 24th Beauty day: pampering treats from Crabtree & Evelyn, Daniel Hersheson, Boots No7, L’Occitane, Green and Spring, Nubobeauty.com, Maybeline , Garnier, Body Shop and Neal’s Yard, who will also be offering hand massages and skin consultations to visitors to the shop!

THURSDAY 25th Deco day: homeware goodies from Habitat, Descamps, Whittard, Alessi and Dwell.

FRIDAY 26th Bright New Things day: sportswear label Hari will be donating 50 pieces and helping out in the shop. The face of Hari, model Tolula Adeyemi, and owner Lainey Sheridan-Young are volunteering behind the counter.

SATURDAY 27th (CLOSING DAY): Get It Before It Goes Day: 10% off discount everything in store.

Celebrities Do Whatever It Takes For Charity

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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

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

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

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

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

Samuel L. Jackson To Host Charity Golf Bash In London

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Linda St Cyr

Samuel L. Jackson, star of films such as The Spirit, Snakes on a Plane and Pulp Fiction, will be hosting a star-studded benefit in London on June 11, 2009.

The benefit – which is called “Shooting Stars in Desert Nights” – will take place at two locations. The benefit will start off at London Golf Club, where charity supporters will be able to play golf with Samuel L. Jackson and many of his celebrity friends. Then the evening will bring a luxury Black and White Ball Benefit, held at London’s Hurlingham Club, and a feast of wonders with a menu designed by famed Michelin Star chefs.

Shooting Stars in Desert Nights will raise money for the Rainbow Trust and the Samuel L. Jackson Foundation. Rainbow Trust is a charity that provides practical and emotional support for families with a child suffering from a life threatening or terminal illness. The Samuel L. Jackson Foundation supports numerous charities including AIDS institutes, orphanages, the Dreams Can Be Foundation, the Breast Cancer Campaign, Red Cross, Save the Children and many others.

Many stars will be coming out to join Jackson on the golf course and also at the decadent black and white ball. Some will be team captains for the golf competition preceding the ball. Team captains will include Jackson, Alice Cooper, Jesse Metcalfe, Damian Lewis, Michael Bolton, Luke Wilson, JJ Field and Flex Alexander. Michael Campell and Colin Montgomerie are the pro golfers who will be attending the event.

Ticket packages for the evening can be found here. Shooting Stars in Desert Nights will be a day and an evening to remember with music from world class surprise performers, food, fun and a charity auction to support great causes.

Jay Leno To Host Charity Auction

Thu, 21 May 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fresh from finishing his reign as host of The Tonight Show at the end of May, Jay Leno will preside over a live and silent charity auction on June 13 to support charities operating in Southern California.

The Vintage Hollywood Foundation’s annual food and wine tasting event will be held at the home of Holly Brooks in Los Angeles and will benefit the Children’s Action Network. Items going under the hammer will include vacation packages, private dinners hosted by top chefs, tickets to the 2010 American Idol final, tickets to Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen and shows hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O’Brien and much more.

The Vintage Hollywood Foundation was formed to raise funds to support charitable organizations, both large and small, that work to promote the health and well-being of Southern California’s diverse community. Since 2002, the Vintage Hollywood event has raised more than $1,000,000 to benefit organizations including United Friends of Children and Save the Children.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Band From TV To Play Concert For Charity In Miami

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

Written by Tim Saunders

The All-Star Band From TV is to play a special Concert For Charity event in Miami on Saturday, May 16.

The band – made up of television stars such as Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – recently scored the number 1 slot on Amazon with their CD/DVD package, Hoggin’ All the Covers. Proceeds from every show the band plays goes to charities such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust.

The Concert For Charity will take place at the Shore Club Hotel in Miami Beach and will also feature a special appearance by Melora Hardin, who spoke to Look To The Stars about charity last year.

General admission tickets to the event cost $50. $175 VIP admission includes a pre-party with the band and a preferred viewing area. The event is for ages 21 and over. Click here for tickets.

To watch a video of the Band From TV at the recent Heroes For Autism event, click here.

Ben Stiller Speaks About Humanitarian Trip To Uganda

Wed, 13 May 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Ben Stiller is currently fronting an advertising campaign for Save the Children, and has spoken about his recent trip to Uganda, in which he visited children and families who benefit from the charity’s work.

“I visited Uganda this year and saw firsthand how Save the Children is making a difference in the lives of children in need,” he said. “Even in the poorest, most remote communities, I saw children who were excited about learning and teachers who were helping their students to achieve. Save the Children’s education programs – many of them in areas of war and conflict – are bringing hope to children who clearly love the opportunity to go to school and try to rewrite the future for themselves and their communities.”

The star is currently appearing in print advertisements with celebrities such as Willem Dafoe, Isabella Rossellini and Terrence Howard as part of a new campaign in association with Bulgari jewelry.

Bulgari has created a special range of silver rings for the campaign, with S. Bulgari engraved on the outside and Save The Children engraved on the inside.

The rings will cost $290, with $60 going to Save The Children’s Rewrite The Future campaign, aimed at helping Save the Children improve education for millions of children living in war zones and other conflict-affected areas.

The ring can be ordered here.

To watch a video in which Stiller talks candidly about his trip to Uganda, click here.

Stars Design Baby Blankets For Charity

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Toys R Us and Save the Children are to launch a new charity auction featuring baby blankets designed by your favorite celebrities.

The Bundled In Hope auction is set to launch on Mother’s Day – May 10 – and run until July 11. It aims to raise money to provide baby blankets for impoverished children in the US and support families in need.

Celebrities who have designed blankets for the auction include Marcia Cross, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julianne Moore and Jennie Garth.

To find out more about the auction, visit Toys R Us’ Bundled In Hope website. The auction will be live on May 10 here.

Natalie Cole Joins Build-A-Bear's Love Hugs Peace Movement

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0000

What do Grammy award-winning singer Natalie Cole, Camp Rock star Meaghan Martin and David Archuleta of “American Idol” fame have in common? They all have joined the 2009 Love. Hugs. Peace. movement, a global giving campaign created by Build-A-Bear Workshop that offers young people around the world fun and simple ways to give back.

These artists have added their vocal talents to the movement’s signature song, “Let’s Talk About Love,” each creating a special rendition that helps spread the message of sharing and love and benefits Save the Children.

“When Build-A-Bear Workshop invited me to be part of its Love. Hugs. Peace. movement, I couldn’t resist,” said Natalie Cole, the latest artist to support the cause. “As a mom, I always tried to instill in my son the importance of giving back. The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement teaches that lesson beautifully.”

Cole’s adult contemporary version of “Let’s Talk About Love” will be released on Saturday, May 2, to celebrate Mother’s Day; Martin’s more pop-style take on the song debuted last week. Archuleta’s ballad-type song variation, unveiled in February, is still available, and additional artists are set to jump on board to record the song as the movement continues throughout the year.

Kids (and adults) can visit www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace or any participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store and receive a free download card of “Let’s Talk About Love” performed by the artist of their choice as a thank you for their $1 donation to Save the Children. From April 17 through April 30, for each Meaghan Martin song download, Build-A-Bear Workshop will match donations up to an additional $10,000 USD to Save the Children.

To date, with the help of its guests, Build-A-Bear Workshop has already raised more than $100,000 to support Save the Children. In addition, nearly 150,000 kids from around the world have joined the movement at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace and made a love, hugs or peace pledge to do something small to make the world a better place. Whether it’s making a promise to volunteer time to a cause, share a special moment with a friend, assist a grandparent or elderly person, write a thank you note or help save the earth, young people are accepting the challenge to do their part to make a difference one act of kindness at a time.

“Love. Hugs. Peace. is about how everyone, no matter how young or old they are, can help to make the world a better place,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop and mastermind behind the movement. “Together friends can make a world of difference, and it can all start with a hug and a song!”

Jennifer Garner Becomes Save The Children Ambassador

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Promoting the principle that all children deserve an equal start in life, Jennifer Garner – actor, advocate and mother of two – is joining Save the Children’s U.S. Programs as an Artist Ambassador. The U.S. division of Save the Children operates early education, literacy, nutritional and disaster relief programs that give a vital boost to children in struggling families.

As an Artist Ambassador for Save the Children’s U.S. Programs, Garner will focus on advocating for the expansion of the organization’s early education program. This public-private partnership brings highly trained experts into homes, providing parents with child-rearing and cognitive development tools for infants and toddlers. Today, 1 in 6 children in America live in poverty.

Garner recently traveled to California’s Central Valley and visited with Ysenea and her 12-month-old son Xavier, who live in public housing in Farmersville. Garner read to Xavier, played learning games that will help with his development and finger painted with him. She also listened to Ysenea describe the challenges she faces as a struggling young mother.

Following a tour of the area, she attended a book exchange program at the Sheridan School in Orange Cove where children with limited access to books at home or at school receive tote bags of books to keep for two weeks at a time. Garner read Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? to 3, 4 and 5 year olds at the school.

“Three-year olds don’t even have bootstraps to pull on. Our leaders in Washington and in the states must commit every resource to put all children on an equal path to success,” said Garner, a native of West Virginia and the daughter of a schoolteacher. “Working with Save the Children, I hope to help young mothers give the same educational boost to her son that I try to give my own toddler and newborn.”

Next month, Garner will be the spokesperson for Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers report, which will focus on Early Childhood Education around the world and in the U.S.

Ben Stiller Joins Save The Children Campaign

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ben Stiller has joined a host of celebrities to front a new campaign for Save the Children.

The star will appear in print advertisements with celebrities such as Willem Dafoe, Isabella Rossellini and Terrence Howard as part of a new campaign in association with Bulgari jewelry.

Bulgari has created a special range of silver rings for the campaign, with S. Bulgari engraved on the outside and Save The Children engraved on the inside.

The ring can be ordered here.

Peaches Geldof Gets Second-Hand Makeover

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity Peaches Geldof – known for her sense of style and love of labels – has been given a makeover with a difference from a group of elderly women who work in second-hand clothing stores.

With the help of fashion expert Mary Portas – who is making a documentary on second-hand stores for BBC2 – the group of fashion-conscious grannies decked the young socialite (and daughter of Bob Geldof) in a vintage, fifties-style red dress at their stall backstage at London Fashion Week. Portas believes that charity shops will be relied on more during the recession, and she has spent time filming in shops for Save the Children, Barnardo’s and many other charities for her new series.

“I brought my style volunteers up to London Fashion Week to give a message to the fashion world that charity shopping is not just great for the environment and for a good cause,” she said. “These are places where you can get unique, fashionable outfits that are on trend and look great.”

The group of charitable pensioners also gave second-hand makeovers to supermodel Erin O’Connor, actress Natalie Press and DJ Jodie Harsh.

Hugh Laurie To Be Honored For Charity Work

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

House star Hugh Laurie will be honored with a special humanitarian award by the Venice Family Clinic later tonight, February 23.

Along with House creator David Shore, Laurie will be honored for his charity work. Also being honored at the event is the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Founded in 1983, Silver Circle is Venice Family Clinic’s premier giving group, raising more than one million dollars annually to provide free, quality health care to people in need. The Venice Family Clinic, the nation’s largest free clinic, provides free, quality health care to people in need. Last year, with the support of Silver Circle donors and more than 1,500 volunteers—including nearly 500 physicians—the Clinic served over 23,500 children and adults in approximately 100,000 primary care, specialty care, mental health and dental visits. Silver Circle is Venice Family Clinic’s premier annual support group, raising approximately $1,000,000 per year.

Laurie was busy with his charity pursuits over the weekend: on Sunday he performed with the Band From TV at the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR, the Auto Club 500. The band – made up of television stars such as Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – recently scored the number 1 slot on Amazon with their CD/DVD package, Hoggin’ All the Covers. Proceeds from every show the band plays goes to charities such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust.

The Venice Family Clinic event will be held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. More info can be found here.

Band From TV To Receive Special Charity Award

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Band From TV – the star-studded band made up of celebrities from shows such as Desperate Housewives and Heroes – is to receive a special accolade at the Hollywood Note Foundation’s annual Change The World Awards in May.

The awards will celebrate Hollywood for its impact on philanthropy, and will recognize celebrity individuals for their personal efforts to make the world a better place.

Band From TV – which features stars such as Greg Grunberg, Bob Guiney, Bonnie Somerville, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Teri Hatcher – raises money through gigs and album sales for a range of charities such as Save the Children, The Art of Elysium, the Child Abuse Prevention Program and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence through the Band From TV Global Charity Trust. They have been spotlighted by the Hollywood Note Foundation to receive the Humanitarian Award of Inspiration at the award ceremony.

Also to receive awards at the event will be Ed Begley Jr., who will be presented with the Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award, Bart Simpson’s voice Nancy Cartwright – who will receive the Change The World Public Service Award – and many others, including Aimee Teegarden, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Sumpter, and Michael Bernard Beckwith.

Beneficiaries of the event will include Stand Up To Cancer, Happy House, Save The Ta-Tas, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), Coalition for Clean Air, the Ready or Not Foundation, and the Agape Foundation.

The ceremony – which will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel – will feature performances by Rachael Lampa, Daniel Nahmod and Kute Blackson.

More information can be found at the Change The World Awards website. To read an exclusive report about the Change The World Awards Announcement event by Look To The Stars Celebrity Ambassador Rachel Zeskind, click here.

Band From TV To Rock NASCAR

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of Heroes and Desperate Housewives will want to get to the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR, the Auto Club 500 on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 11am PDT for a special performance by Band From TV.

“We are so excited to feature Band From TV at our Opportunity, California FanZone Stage,” said Auto Club Speedway president Gillian Zucker. “Not only will Southern Californians experience the thrill of a live NASCAR race, but also a full weekend of live entertainment including a musical performance from Hollywood celebrities- an experience you can only get here at Auto Club Speedway!”

More information about the event can be found here.

Julianne Moore Talks Charity

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Julianne Moore has talked about how she got involved with Save the Children in a revealing interview with Redbook Magazine.

“A friend of mine is [Save the Children’s] artist-ambassador person,” she said in the interview. “She gets people involved. I didn’t realize Save the Children had a U.S. program; it reaches communities through the public school system with after-school programs in nutrition, exercise, literacy. We moved a lot when I was little because my dad was in the military, and I went to one public school after another. I lived in Lincoln, Nebraska; Fayetteville, South Carolina; Juneau, Alaska; Falls Church, Virginia. In Juneau — I’ve told this story many times; it was a formative experience for me — there was a girl in my class. She looked different, very small for her age, very thin, eyes very wide; there was something wrong but no one knew what. I now realize she had fetal alcohol syndrome. It makes me want to cry. I look at our public school system and think there’s so much we can do to pick up the slack. So now I’m Save the Children’s U.S. ambassador.”

Moore is currently fronting Save The Children’s Valentine Card Campaign, in which she has recruited the children’s book illustrators that she admires most to design exclusive Valentine’s Day cards to raise money for the charity.

“Last year we took a trip to Appalachia, and on the way back I came up with this Valentine’s Day program. We used kids’ art. I was inspired by [”UNICEF":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/1-unicef], I wanted the campaign to be about kids doing something for other children in the U.S. — let’s raise the awareness of children about U.S. poverty. You can do something by buying these valentines — no matter how small a donation you’re making, it will go to other kids. This year, I e-mailed illustrators and artists I admire and asked them each to donate art for a valentine, and I got this amazing response."

To read the entire interview with Julianne Moore, visit the Redbook website.

Julianne Moore Returns For Charity Valentine's Campaign

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Actress Julianne Moore, Save the Children’s ambassador for US programs, is encouraging kids to help kids this Valentine’s Day, by sending cards that will make a difference for the one in five children who live in poverty in rural America.

“We’re living in a country where every child should have an equal opportunity,” said Moore, on a recent media tour to promote Save the Children’s Valentine’s Day cards. “The only way to give these children opportunity is through education, and Save the Children is helping us reach that goal. I’ve seen these programs, in some of the poorest, most remote communities in America, and I know they work.”

Moore created this campaign with Save the Children last year, designing cards that feature children’s artwork. This year, she asked some of the children’s book illustrators that she admires most to design exclusive Valentine’s Day cards, available only through Save the Children at www.savethechildren.org/valentine or 1-800-728-3843. Both the children’s artwork and the illustrators’ designs are available in boxes of 28 cards for a donation of $25. Orders must be made by Feb. 4, 2009.

“I was so excited by the response I received from some of the best-loved children’s illustrators in the country,” said Moore, who has two school-aged children. “Every mother has to go out and buy enough Valentine’s Day cards for a classroom of kids each year, so why not choose these delightful designs that make a difference for children in our country, at a time when they really need our help?”

Illustrators who created cards for the Save the Children Valentine’s Day campaign include Ian Falconer (the Olivia the Pig series), Kevin Henkes (Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse), Mo Willems (Leonardo the Terrible Monster), Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret), Marla Frazee (A Couple of Boys Have Their Best Week Ever), Rosemary Wells (Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora) and LeUyen Pham (Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore).

Save the Children began work in the United States in 1932, to help the coal mining families of Appalachia during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children provides health and education programs to thousands of children and teens in the United States.

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