Look To The Stars News: Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America

Denzel Washington Urges Kids To Be Great

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Denzel Washington, Martin Sheen, and Shaquille O’Neal have lent their childhood photos to the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America for a new advertising campaign.

The “BE GREAT” campaign launched last week, and aims to encourage volunteers to work at the clubs.

“What’s going on with children doesn’t worry me,“ said the Oscar-winning actor. “What’s going on with adults worries me. If we are not more committed to these young people … they will go as far as we take them, so the onus is on us, not on the children. We’ve created this world for them, we are the ones that fall and we are the ones that can rectify it.”

All of the stars involved in the new campaign attended Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs as children, and include Bill Cosby, Muhammad Ali, Swin Cash, Bill Clinton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Smokey Robinson, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Usher, Courtney Vance, Mark Wahlberg, and Kerry Washington.

“As someone whose life was changed dramatically by the Boys & Girls Club, I can think of no better organization to lead the country in addressing the pressing needs of today’s young people,” said Washington. “I also believe that as adults, we must assume responsibility for many of the conditions that are preventing our young people from achieving their full potential.”

The full advertising campaign can be seen at the BE GREAT website.

Taylor Swift Teams With Def Leppard For TV Gig

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

On October 6, a very special fusion of musical styles will take place in Nashville when teen country sensation Taylor Swift joins with classic British rockers Def Leppard for a one-off gig for TV. And although the event is invitation-only and closed to the public, they really want you to be there.

Swift and the Leppards have organized a charity auction that will let two couples attend the taping of Crossroads, with proceeds going to Country Music Television’s (CMT) One Country charity, Hands On Nashville.

“Every time I’ve seen ‘Crossroads’ on CMT I’ve always thought, ‘If I ever get to do one of those, it HAS to be with Def Leppard!,’ so this is really a dream come true for me,” said Swift. “I have been screaming the words to Def Leppard songs for years so it’s amazing that I’m going to get to share a stage with them this year!”

Led by Advisory Board members former President Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou and Gen. Colin Powell, CMT One Country offers tools that enable virtually anyone to start making a difference immediately. They also celebrate the accomplishments of everyday heroes and showcase other nonprofit partners – including Second Harvest, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, the USO, and Habitat For Humanity – working to keep America great.

According to CMT executive vice president and general manager Brian Philips, “CMT will enlighten our fans and inspire them to take action in the places where they live. With the help of our biggest stars, we’ll reinforce the messages that resonate in so much of CMT’s music. We know our viewers care deeply about the needs of their neighbors. One Country will make it easy for them to help.”

The auction, which runs until October 2, can be accessed via the CMT Auctions website.

Jordin Sparks Helps Kids Get School Supplies

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks is starring in a series of advertisements for a new initiative to supply disadvantaged children with school supplies.

The 18-year-old R&B singer will appear in a new Public Service Announcement to air on TV and radio across the US urging teenagers to donate classroom essentials – including books, pens, pencils, and everything else students need to do well – to their local Staples store before August 31. The supplies will then be passed on to those in need by the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America and the Hanscom Air Force Base Youth Center.

“There are so many kids in America that need school suplies that don’t have them, and all somebody has to do is donate them,” said Sparks. “It’s so easy.”

Staples – the office supply giants – are also donating $50,000 worth of products.

“Being able to provide school supplies has an extra meaning this year,” said Harry Duvall, executive director of the South Boston Boys & Girls Club. “It’s an extra bill [families] don’t have to worry about. We don’t want teens going into the classroom unprepared.”

Kid Rock Raises Eyebrows And Money At Charity Golf Tournament

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Detroit rocker Kid Rock hit the green in his home town on Wednesday to take part in the Buick Open Pro-Am golf tournament .

This year’s 50th anniversary tournament saw a host of Detroit’s favorite sons swinging their clubs with the best, including the Red Wing’s Kirk Maltby, Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, and Former Piston Vinnie Johnson, but it was Kid Rock and his pro partner John Daly that drew the crowds to the event.

Dressed in bib overalls and a white T-shirt, the 37 year-old-rocker spent more time signing autographs and searching for balls he sliced into the trees than actually playing golf, but the atmosphere was one of fun and humor.

“I’m a people person,” said Rock. “I love people and being around people. I got [into the entertainment business] to make some money, originally. Little did I know I would end up on a golf course with John Daly and doing all sorts of charity work and going overseas. It’s been great. I’m very humbled and very privileged.”

The tournament raised money for the American Red Cross and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Greater Flint, as well as the Whalley Children Center, Easter Seals, and the Flint Institute of Music.

2008 Cartier Love Charity Braclets Launched In LA

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It wasn’t just about the bling when a major jeweler hosted a star-studded event to launch a line of exquisite bracelets to benefit a worthwhile charity last night.

Stars such as Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Eva Mendes, Fergie, Hilary Duff, and Janet Jackson attended the official launch of the Love Charity Bracelet in Los Angeles, and pledged their support of the initiative.

This year’s bracelets are made of silk cord with different colors corresponding to a selected charity, and feature two links – one white and one rose gold. They retail for $995, with $200 of that price going towards one of the charities selected by each celebrity. The list of celebrities, colors, and charities include:

Janet Jackson – grey; the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Fergie – orange; The Black Eyed Peas Foundation.
Good Charlotte – deep green; the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.
Hilary Duff – purple; Blessings in a Backpack, a program run by USA Harvest.
Ashanti – royal blue; Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America.

This is the third year the campaign has been run, and it has so far raised over $2.24 million for sixteen different charities.

“Cartier is about selling joy and emotion,” said Frédéric de Narp, president and chief executive officer of Cartier North America. “You can’t pretend to sell emotion if you don’t care for people.”

To view the bracelet and find out where to buy one, visit the Cartier website.

Bode Miller’s Lucky Turtle Necklace

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:40:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

During the 2007-08 Season, alpine skier Bode Miller won the World Cup Overall & World Cup Super Combined titles. He’s won six World Cup races and has 31 career wins, which is the most in US history and 6th in alpine racing history. So what’s a good ol’ boy from New Hampshire to do when there’s no snow around? He gives back to charity of course.

Bode’s Turtle Ridge Foundation caught the attention of designer Rachel Leigh, who has designed a ‘lucky turtle’ necklace to benefit the TRF. With a little more help coming from TRF supporter Jessica Biel, the special necklace has been generating quite a buzz in the media. US Weekly, ComoGirl, Seventeen and Sports News TV are all talking about the turtle! Anchorwoman Kathryn Tappen can be seen wearing the turtle necklace on camera and Dancing with the Stars’ Lisa Rinna has also been seen proudly sporting her turtle.

Proceeds from the sale of the necklace will raise funds for adaptive sports programs benefiting children and adults with disabilities. It can be purchased at the sites listed on Turtle Ridge’s homepage.

Also, look for Bode Miller playing baseball – for the third time – with the Nashua Pride on July 18th. Last year, Bode’s foundation treated hundreds of kids from Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America to the game, where one lucky boy got to throw the first pitch. Tickets to the game are available here.

Need more Bode? His foundation is hosting a weekend long event at Bode’s organic farm, with all proceeds going to benefit the local community. The Turtle Ridge Foundation Tennis and Golf Tournament at Bode’s organic farm will be held Saturday night August 23rd.

Bode Miller and his family established the Turtle Ridge Foundation as a way to help people in need and give back to the community. Through a variety of corporate sponsors, private donors and charity events the Millers have been able to fund and/or support the Boys & Girls Club of America, Adaptive Ski Programs (organizations that provide skis and equipment to kids & adults with disabilities), Inner City Youth Sports programs, Cancer Treatment Centers, provide ski racing scholarships to deserving children, and have dispensed thousands of dollars worth of warm jackets to kids in need. TRF also supports organic farming, sustainable living, and organizations that protect nature’s precious resources.

Joe Pesci Joins Charity Golf Tournament

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:45:35 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Joe Pesci and former NFL players Sterling Sharpe and Kordell Stewart have joined the line-up of celebrities for the 2008 BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament on May 15, while actors Samuel L. Jackson, David James Elliott, Kevin Sorbo, and Lucas Black have withdrawn.

“We are very excited to have Joe Pesci and Kordell Stewart joining the field for the first time and to have Sterling Sharpe return,” said Darin MacDonald, tournament director of the BMW Charity Pro-Am. “It is unfortunate to hear about Samuel L. Jackson, David James Elliott, Kevin Sorbo and Lucas Black, but we understand. They had committed to play, but apparently the shooting schedules of their new movies have changed. We understand that their work takes precedence, and we wish them all well with these productions.”

The celebrities now scheduled to compete in this year’s BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament are Joe Pesci, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Kurt Russell, Catherine Bell, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Ty Gretzky, Dave Coulier, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, Michael Pena, Sterling Sharpe, Kordell Stewart, Jason Dohring, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Javier Colon, Steve Azar, Gary Valentine, Mark Rypien, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, George Rogers, Ben Wright, and Jennifer Mills. Winnings from the tournament will go to the winner’s charity of choice.

Jamie Little Wins Pro/Celebrity Race

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:47:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Car enthusiasts, racing fans, petrol heads – call them what you will, a large crowd of them turned out to watch ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little win the 32nd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the 34th Toyota Grand Prix in Long Beach on Saturday.

A field of 18 celebrities and professional drivers slipped into gear and battled it out through 10 laps on the 1.97-mile street circuit, with 17 of them finishing – basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman got stuck on a tire wall on Lap 6. The field were racing Toyota Scion tCs, and it was a tight duel all the way, with Pixar producer/director Brad Lewis leading for the first 8 laps. A small altercation with the tire wall saw Lewis finish 9th overall, with Little holding off 2nd-placed NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner by 0.324 seconds.

“When you interview a winning driver after the race, they always tell you how they just try to get through that last lap,” said Little. “Well, now I know exactly what they’re talking about.”

The celebrity race has been held every year since 1977, and has attracted stars such as Gene Hackman, Jason Bateman, Rick Schroder, Stephen Baldwin, Donny Osmond, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Josh Brolin. Toyota donates $5,000 to Racing for Kids, a non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Southern California, in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. The car company has donated close to $1.6 million to various children’s organizations since 1991.

“You go into the event with everyone out here wanting to help raise money for charity and have fun,” said Little, who will give her winnings to the UCI Reeve/Irvine Center in California, a facility that specializes in spinal cord injury research. “But when the race starts, the competitive juices take over and everyone wants to win.”

Another big-hearted participant in the race was fine jewelry designer and part-time Grand Am driver Sarena Traver, who earned her spot in the Pros with an $80,000 winning bid in the Boys’ and Girls’ Club annual charity auction.

Fore!! Celebrities Hit The Green For Charity

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:19:05 -0000

Written by Richard Alan Krieger

BMW’s Golf Charity Event will be televised live on the Golf Channel from the Bright’s Creek Golf Club, N.C., on May 15-18, 2008. It will be the only U.S. Nationwide golf tournament where amateurs, celebrities, and pros gather together for charity.

The professional winner of the overall 72 hole event will take home $117,000 from the total purse of $650,000, which is one of the largest purses on the Nationwide Tour. Amateurs and celebrities will compete for individual prizes and cash donations to the charity of their choice out of the beneficiaries selected by South Carolina Charities. The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, and the Spartanburg Community College will also benefit from this event.

The first seven tournaments have raised more than $5.7 million for 80+ area charities.

The celebrities playing include Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Kurt Russell, Wayne Gretzky, Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, Janet Jones, Dave Coulier, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, Michael Pena, Jason Dohring, Kevin Sorbo, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Javier Colon, Lucas Black, Steve Azar, Gary Valentine, Mark Rypien, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, George Rogers, Ben Wright, and Jennifer Mills. Those with the 14 lowest scores from Thursday-Friday-Saturday will advance to Sunday’s final round.

Tracy McGrady Foundation Benefits From Donation

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:06:53 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Tracy McGrady entered the National Basketball Association in 1996 as the third youngest player ever drafted out of high school. Since then, he’s nabbed seven NBA All-Star awards and currently plays for the Houston Rockets. But it’s T-Mac’s efforts at spreading the love that has this writer giving him an ‘off-the-court’ All-Star award.

Since it’s inception about ten years ago, the Tracy McGrady Foundation has made substantial contributions to several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Special Olympics and the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America. McGrady also plays Santa every year during his annual Holiday Toy Drive before bringing the kids to Toys R Us for a giant shopping spree; he loves to feed the elderly at Thanksgiving; he holds celebrity softball games to raise money for needy kids; he has renovated and reconstructed two learning centres at elementary schools in Houston; and he recently teamed up with The Enough Project to get a firsthand look at the genocide in Darfur

“Once you know what is happening over there,” said McGrady, “you’ll understand and will want to make a difference.”

McGrady’s stab at making a difference comes via a documentary he shot while visiting the Sudan. “I can’t wait for to you see the film, hear their stories, and know how easy it is to help,” he wrote on his website. “These are our brothers, our sisters, our children. They are in need and what if, just what if, we all do a small part to help. All those little things can help the people, and might help end this genocide.”

McGrady also runs one of the most popular basketball camps for kids, the T-Mac’s Approach Basketball Camp, which runs from June 23-27 in Texas.

“It is not just basketball that the kids are learning at our camp,” said T-Mac. “They leave with an appreciation of good sportsmanship and the knowledge that with dedication and commitment you can accomplish your goals”.

McGrady’s efforts seem contagious, and this week Wealth Masters International became the ‘Community Leadership Sponsor’ after donating $10,000 to his Camp.

“There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that you have positively influenced the life of a child, and we are proud to be able to support a charity that allows us to see and experience first-hand the positive reinforcement these kids receive through Tracy’s basketball camp,” said CEO Kip Herriage when asked why he chose to lead the initiative in Wealth Master’s sponsorship of the camp. “I can tell you that spending quality time with a person of Tracy’s integrity will have a positive impact on their lives.”

Ensuring that all children have the opportunity to attend, Wealth Masters has also unveiled an initiative that will allow 3 children between the ages of 8 and 13 years old to write an essay on why they should be selected to attend the camp this year. Each child that is chosen will receive round trip airfare as well as room and board.

“I began this process knowing that I could utilize my corporate partner and celebrity status to bring needed funds and attention to programs across the country,” said McGrady. “I want to thank you for your participation, commitment and support of my summer basketball camp program. I am honored to have Wealth Masters International as our Community Leadership Sponsor. My basketball camp is important to me and I appreciate sponsors like yourself that support our efforts.”

Michael Jordan And Friends Help Damaged Boys' And Girls' Club

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:41:22 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, has tipped off the NBA All Star festivities in New Orleans with class by donating $500,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana’s Slidell Unit. Basketball legend Michael Jordan and All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul were joined by more than 250 community leaders and New Orleans-area youth for the official dedication and check presentation ceremony.

“The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America has been a visible contributor to the families and children of New Orleans, during and post Hurricane Katrina,” said Jordan. “Slidell is a community that has been somewhat overlooked in recovery efforts, and we are proud to aid with its rebuilding and leave a lasting legacy for the community.”

The Slidell Boys & Girls Club was one of 16 Gulf region Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs damaged in Hurricane Katrina. The location was completely gutted, and the facilities were in ruins. But the Jordan Brand donation is about to change that, as the hefty donation is earmarked towards the construction of a new state-of-the-art gymnasium named after Jordan Brand. The facility will be complete with a professional basketball court, scoreboard, and bleachers to be used by the children of the Boys’ & Girls’ Club and other related community groups.

“On behalf of the people of Slidell and the parish of St. Tammany Parish, we’d like to thank the Jordan Brand for their generous contribution,” said Johnny DiBartolo, president of the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Southeast Louisiana. “With significant donations from partners like Jordan Brand, we are confident that the Slidell Boys and Girls Club will help our children continue to grow, learn, develop, and improve their lives and surroundings.”

Jordan Brand believes that physical activity plays a vital role in building character in youth, and donations back up their beliefs. In 2006, Jordan Brand donated $450,000 to Habitat For Humanity to aid in the rebuilding efforts in Louisiana. By auctioning off 21 pairs of Michael Jordan autographed AIR JORDAN shoes to raise the funds, the money helped rebuild homes in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans.

2008 Golden Globes Roundup

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:54:19 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

There may have been no red carpet, acceptance speeches, or flash of cameras for the winners of the 2008 Golden Globe Awards, but Look To The Stars takes this golden opportunity to recognize some of those who were honored and nominated.

Johnny Depp won his first Golden Globe after being nominated seven times since his career began, picking up the Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical award for Sweeney Todd. Despite his dark performance, there really is a lighter side to the actor. In the past, Depp’s charitable work garnered him the Courage to Care Award for his contributions to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The Best Actress Award went to veteran Julie Christie, who was up against heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie, an outstanding supporter and contributor to charitable causes. Some of the charities she has supported include the Afghanistan Relief Organization, the Alliance For The Lost Boys, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Movement, Doctors Without Borders, and the Daniel Pearl Foundation.

Daniel Day Lewis won Best Actor for his performance in “There Will Be Blood”, beating out celebrity humanitarians George Clooney and Denzel Washington. Like Jolie, Clooney is a major force in trying to make the world a better place, and he is a noted supporter of Cinema For Peace, Make Poverty History, Rock For Darfur, United Way, and the World Food Programme. Washington has spent time visiting wounded soldiers at Fisher Houses, hospitals which provide housing for injured soldiers’ families at little or no cost, and once made a large donation to the Fisher House Foundation. He is also the spokesperson for the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, honorary chairperson for Save Africa’s Children, and a founding member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Australian-born Cate Blanchett took home the gold in the category for Best Supporting Actress. Charities Blanchett supports include the Australian Conservation Foundation, Kids Help Line, and SolarAid. In the past, Blanchett filmed a special appeal for SolarAid that was screened at the Hay Festival. The video is available to view on YouTube.

Queen Latifah took home the Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries, for her role in “Life Support”. A supporter of several charities, Queen Latifah once helped design a pair of shoes for the Stuart Weitzman charity shoe auction benefiting ovarian cancer awareness and research, and has been involved with Citymeals On Wheels and the Harry Holmberg Memorial Foundation.

Jeremy Piven beat his “Entourage” co-star Kevin Dillon to win his second award for Best Supporting TV Actor. Piven once hosted the fourth annual Fashion Rocks event, which benefited Alicia Keys’ Keep A Child Alive Foundation.

Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees for all the work that you do in front of the camera and behind the scenes to inspire a better world.

Musicians Start The Year With Generosity

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:45:39 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

2008 has only just begun, but already celebrities are straining at the leash to spread generosity among those who need it. And a host of musicians have kicked off the year with donations and events to raise money and awareness for a number of good causes.

Pop group OK Go are set to release a charity EP on iTunes on February 5, with all proceeds going to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The 5-song release, “You’re Not Alone”, will coincide with Mardi Gras 2008, and will benefit New Orleans-based musicians displaced by the 2005 disaster.

“New Orleans is one of the last places in America where music is truly a fundamental part of everyday life,” said OK Go singer Damian Kulash, whose hits include “A Million Ways” and “Here It Goes Again”. “People get together on the weekends and parade through the streets just playing songs; 12-year-old-kids learn funk on the tuba; everyone dances. Life elsewhere in the world simply isn’t as celebratory. If we allow the culture of New Orleans to die by leaving its musicians marooned around the country, America will have lost one of its great treasures.”

iTunes has agreed to waive all proceeds from EP sales, and digital distribution powerhouse IODA will promote it free of charge. In addition, free freight shipping is to be provided by EFM Worldwide/Horizon Cargo, and Music Travel Management has contributed free airfare for the band to play two benefit shows – January 11 at Tipianas, New Orleans, and February 2 at The 9:30 Club in Washington DC.

Rockers Switchfoot have also been on the charity trail recently, and have raised over $100,000 for Habitat For Humanity. The band donated $1 from every ticket sold during their Appetite For Construction tour to the organization, and also spent time working alongside volunteers for the charity during some of their stopovers.

Country singer and Grammy nominee Taylor Swift is another celebrity to show her generous side recently, when she donated the pink Chevy pick-up truck given to her by her record label to children’s charity, the Victory Junction Gang.

“[The organization] has camps all over the country for children who are sick,” said the 18-year-old singer. “For one week they can forget they’re sick and just have a blast and hang out with other people they can relate to. They look forward to it, and I love that cause.”

The Victory Junction Gang will use the truck to pick up children from the airport and give them a fun ride to the camp.

Swift will also perform at Nashville’s Sound and Speed event, the NASCAR and country music celebration to be held on January 11 and 12 to benefit the Victory Junction Gang. She will officially hand the keys of the truck over to NASCAR driver and organization founder Kyle Petty during the event. More information can be found at www.victoryjunction.org.

Singer and founder of the Show Me Campaign, John Legend, will join Earth Institute director Jeffrey Sachs for an evening of information, discussion, and music at Columbia University on January 28, as part of the Show Me Poverty Action Tour. The evening hopes to stimulate people to actively work to overcome global poverty, and more information can be found at the University website.

Pop group the Barenaked Ladies are to play at the North American Auto Show’s annual black-tie charity gala at Cobo Arena, Detroit, on January 18. The $400 ticket price will benefit a host of local children’s charities, including Barat Child and Family Services, the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, Boys Hope-Girls Hope of Detroit, The Children’s Center, and the Detroit Institute for Children. Proceeds will go towards goods, clothing, and health and support services for needy children. Tickets and information can be found at www.naias.com.

And finally, February 25 will see a charity concert commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Station Nightclub tragedy in Rhode Island, the fourth largest nightclub fire in US history.

The concert will be held at the Dunkin Donut Center in Providence, Rhode Island, and will feature Twisted Sister, Tesla, Stryper, as well as members of Staind, Boston, and Chicago.

The show has been organized by the Wake Up To Love Foundation, founded by Tesla drummer Troy Luccketta, and proceeds will go 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.

Tickets for the show are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Sandler Donates To Boys & Girls Club

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:53:55 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

Actor and comedian Adam Sandler has donated $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Manchester, New Hampshire. Sandler attended the Manchester branch of the Boys & Girls Club when he was a youngster.

Unfortunately, Sandler was unable to attend the ceremony that announced his donation, held on October 25. In lieu of his attendance he sent a video, in which the 41-year-old star of “The Wedding Singer” said he had a lot of good memories of club activities, including basketball, ping pong and “peeing in his pants”.

The club is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Sandler’s donation sets in motion a fundraising campaign to raise $6.6 million for the club to expand and update its buildings. The club wants to increase the number of children it serves from 3,000 to 4,000.

Idol Gives Back to Children

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 08:20:19 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

When American Idol announced last spring that for every vote cast after their April 24-25 special broadcast “Idol Gives Back,” sponsors would make donations to the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), no one expected it to result in over $75 million.

CPEF is distributing the funds through organisations that benefit children in the US and Africa. In the States, Save the Children, America’s Second Harvest, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America and Children’s Health Fund will be the recipients for approved project proposals. In Africa, $6 million has already been donated to each of five organisations for projects that focus on health and education.

Save the Children, UNICEF, and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria, each with a very strong presence throughout Africa, are grateful to the Idol Gives Back campaign. While Save the Children will continue to address preventable deaths from things like diarrhea and pneumonia across the continent, UNICEF is using the money in Rwandan schools to provide free meals and ‘catch-up’ programs to get drop-outs out of the working fields and back into the classrooms. The Global Fund is supporting anti-AIDS performances in South Africa, where in some areas HIV infection rates in youth are actually on the decrease. The sharp and critical plays on drugs, sex and AIDS are more powerful than a classroom lecture.

The CPEF donation is welcome support where malaria claims a child every 30 seconds. “It makes a massive difference,” says Martin Edlund of Malaria No More, who, along with Nothing But Nets is distributing insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and also works on anti-measles, AIDS and tuberculosis initiatives. Intelligent projects like these are not hand outs, but efforts to help get people’s lives back into their own hands. And they ensure the most benefit directly to those they’re intended for. “You can’t put a bed net in a Swiss bank account.”

Former NBA Star Rodman And Bikers Ride For Charity

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:15:58 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On September 1st, Harley Davidson bikers revved up their motors and joined former NBA badboy Dennis Rodman for the second annual South Florida charity bike ride. Over a hundred bikers paid the $20 entry fee before flocking to the North Federal highway in Broward County in efforts to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Known as one of the most controversial basketball players of all time, Rodman may have made a name for himself by donning tie-dyed hair, tattoos, and numerous body piercings, but he’s also got a big heart. Rodman, who’s ‘never too busy to enjoy the beautiful weather and people of Florida’ made several stops along the route, posing for photos and signing autographs. “These are good people and I’m not too good to come and hang around with the locals, and it’s for charity,” said Rodman.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America have a mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place to learn and grow, create ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals and life-enhancing programs and character development experiences as well as hope and opportunity.

Idol Gives Back $60m

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:25:51 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Fox has announced that $60m has been raised so far by the two-night “Idol Gives Back” special, with donations continuing to flow in.

Viewers cast over 70 million votes following Tuesday night’s performances; Fox’s parent company News Corporation had pledged 10 cents for each of the first 50 million votes, and its donation was matched by AllState and ExxonMobil. Further corporate donations came from Ford, Coca-Cola, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ConAgra Foods and AT&T.

During a two-hour results show on Wednesday, viewers pledged money via a toll-free number and Idol’s website, while host Ellen DeGeneres gave $100,000 and judge Simon Cowell made a “significant six-figure donation”.

Celebrities pre-recorded appeals for donations, including Madonna, who was in Malawi, and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, who was in Uganda where he filmed “The Last King of Scotland.”

U2’s Bono also sent a pre-recorded message, saying, “People say you can’t be the generation that ends brutal, stupid poverty, but we can and we will,”

The money raised will be administered by the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), a new charity aiming to battle extreme poverty in America and Africa.

In Africa, the Fund will use the Idol money to support The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Malaria No More, Nothing But Nets, Save the Children, and The U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

In America, CPEF will use the money to boost Save the Children, Second Harvest, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, and Children’s Health Fund.

Mark Shriver, VP of U.S. programs for Save the Children, told Reuters, “They took a risk by using their show to raise issues of poverty and asking people to contribute, and that is a huge accomplishment. The American Idol format is hugely successful and they introduced starving, dying children in Africa and children struggling with poverty in the United States, and brought that to prime time television.”

Fans can still contribute directly via the Idol website, or visit the iTunes Store to buy for-charity recordings of the night’s performances by the contestants and celebrities including Céline Dion, Josh Groban, Annie Lennox, Earth Wind & Fire, and Il Divo.

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:32:59 -0000

Written by Charles Harder

Stars and food converged at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood last night for a party launching The Hollywood Cookbook—a beautiful 271-page hardcover collection of sumptuous recipes, each accompanied by a large photo, from the personal kitchens of 20 celebrities and 6 world-class chefs. Five dollars from each purchase benefits 20 important charities dear to the hearts of the celebrity contributors.

The cookbook covers the spectrum of food and beverage, from appetizers, soups and salads, to main courses, desserts, and even cocktails. Michael J. Fox’s Barn Dance Chicken, and Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford’s Savory Fall Stew are just two of the 107 creative and simple dishes that can be duplicated in any kitchen regardless of culinary skill level. Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Joachim Splichal, Nick Stellino, Michael Cimarusti and Rocco DiSpirito also contributed recipes to the book.

At the event, the students of Kitchen Academy prepared and served 20 recipes featured in the cookbook, each one tastier than the last. This reporter’s favorite: Door Knob Sweet Potato Balls (an appetizer) from designer Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Yum!

Chef Jamie Gwen’s movie-star looks and talk-show host’s presence kept attendees laughing and entertained as the event’s emcee. The evening included a cooking demonstration by actor Greg Grunberg, and an informal awards ceremony. Eric Close of TV’s Without a Trace gave a heartfelt tribute to his charity, Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, which pairs abused children with rescued horses and adult leaders at 24 wilderness ranches around the U.S. and Canada, to help restore the heart, soul, mind and strength of the kids.

Written by screenwriter Jackie Zabel and actress Morgan Most, and published by Silverback Books, The Hollywood Cookbook is a perfect holiday gift (retails for $35, but presently is featured at Amazon.com for only $23). The event was co-sponsored by Maurice Le Croix Swiss Watches and The Kitchen Academy.

Celebrities & Charities: Thora Birch (Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation), Michael Chiklis (The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation), Eric Close (Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch), Mark Dacascos (Reel Angels), James Denton (Cure Autism Now), Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan (The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research), Afton Fraser & Brendan Fraser (P.S. ARTS), Greg Grunberg (Pediatric Epilepsy Project), Anne Hathaway (Lollipop Theater Network), Paige Hemmis (Habitat For Humanity), Ron Howard (Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America), Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford (Clothes Off Our Back), Esai Morales (TreePeople), Don Most (City of Hope), Bob Saget (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Marlo Thomas (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital), Kerry Washington (Step Up), Treat Williams (Save the Children), Alicia Witt (The Art of Elysium), and Kelly Wolf & Scott Wolf (Camp Heartland).

Look To The Stars News: Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America

Denzel Washington Urges Kids To Be Great

Related past articles

Taylor Swift Teams With Def Leppard For TV Gig

Related past articles

Jordin Sparks Helps Kids Get School Supplies

Related past articles

Kid Rock Raises Eyebrows And Money At Charity Golf Tournament

Related past articles

2008 Cartier Love Charity Braclets Launched In LA

Related past articles

Bode Miller’s Lucky Turtle Necklace

Related past articles

Joe Pesci Joins Charity Golf Tournament

Related past articles

Jamie Little Wins Pro/Celebrity Race

Related past articles

Fore!! Celebrities Hit The Green For Charity

Related past articles

Tracy McGrady Foundation Benefits From Donation

Related past articles

Michael Jordan And Friends Help Damaged Boys' And Girls' Club

Related past articles

2008 Golden Globes Roundup

Related past articles

Musicians Start The Year With Generosity

Related past articles

Sandler Donates To Boys & Girls Club

Related past articles

Idol Gives Back to Children

Related past articles

Former NBA Star Rodman And Bikers Ride For Charity

Related past articles

Idol Gives Back $60m

Related past articles

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Related past articles