Look To The Stars News: ONE Campaign

Jessica Alba Blogs For 1GOAL

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Actress Jessica Alba was at the Clinton Global Initiative last week to publicize the 1GOAL campaign, which aims to ensure that the legacy of the 2010 Football World Cup will provide universal access to education for all children. And now she has blogged about her support.

“President Clinton convened his Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting last week in New York City and I was fortunate to attend,” she wrote in the Huffington Post. “While there, I received a first class education, listening as some of the world’s brightest and most committed people argued and agreed on new ways to solve the most pressing problems, from global education to climate change. I spoke with activists, policy experts, generals, CEOs and everyday people working tirelessly at non-profits and NGOs in countries around the world. From them, I learned about ways we can all assist in reducing the obstacles to creating systemic change.

“I was part of a CGI commitment with 1GOAL: Education for All to talk about the 75 million children denied access to education around the world today. If you’re keeping count, that’s as if every school in the U.S. and Europe combined decided one day to close their doors. Joining Global Co-Chair Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, ONE co-founder Bono, FIFA and private sector leaders, I signed up to be US Co-Chair of 1GOAL and help work for a breakthrough on global education centered around the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“The 2010 World Cup will be the first hosted by Africa, and 1GOAL views the world’s biggest sporting event as an opportune platform to persuade the millions of fans who peacefully come together to share the love of soccer to also unite on educating the world’s children. Our goal is to sign up 30 million World Cup supporters to call on our leaders to make education for all children a priority and reality. Name by name, we believe we can bring attention to global education disparities and make change a reality.”

“My teachers this past week were the very best in their respective fields. I was humbled by the experience, but more importantly, I walked away optimistic about the tangible results the 1GOAL commitment will generate. I’m thankful to President Clinton, Queen Rania, Bono and the rest of the cultural influencers and educators who took the time out of their busy schedules to engage in such a productive forum. I look forward to attending next year’s CGI and giving a report there on the impact of 1GOAL.”

To find out how you can join Jessica Alba and Bono at 1GOAL, visit the official website . To read Jessica’s full blog, click here

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.“

Bono Talks World Hunger In Amsterdam

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

U2 singer Bono recently took time out from his current world tour to get up-to-date on global hunger by meeting with World Food Programme (WFP) head, Josette Sheeran, in Amsterdam.

During their meeting, Sheeran gave the singer one of the distinctive red cups which symbolize WFP’s ‘Fill the Cup’ campaign to raise funds to help the 66 million children in the world who go to school hungry.

Numbers Rising

Bono noted that the number of hungry people in the world is “rising fast” and expressed admiration for WFP’s work providing free meals to more than 20 million children in school every year.

Sheeran and Peter Bakker, head of WFP’s corporate partner TNT, met Bono backstage at Amsterdam’s ArenA stadium, where U2 played the ninth show in their current European tour to tens of thousands of fans.

When Bono asked about WFP’s work in Eastern Congo, Sheeran explained how the agency buys food from small farmers in that country to give to people displaced by conflict, thus boosting the local economy as well as responding to urgent hunger needs.

Activism for Africa

Bono is widely known for his activism in seeking solutions to the problems afflicting Africa. He co-founded DATA ,an NGO aimed at eliminating third world debt, and the ONE Campaign, which aims to increase US funding for international aid programs.

He has organized and played in several benefit concerts and has often met with influential politicians as part of his efforts to drum up support for development causes.

Bono Writes About Obama's Visit To Ghana

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

ONE Campaign co-founder Bono put pen to paper for the New York Times last week about President Obama’s historic visit to Ghana during the weekend.

In the column, the U2 singer wrote about the relationship between the U.S. and Africa and about how countries like Ghana are challenging old stereotypes about Africa.

“No one’s leaked me a copy of the president’s speech in Ghana, but it’s pretty clear he’s going to focus not on the problems that afflict the continent but on the opportunities of an Africa on the rise,“ wrote Bono in the piece titled Rebranding Africa, published prior to Obama’s visit. "If that’s what he does, the biggest cheers will come from members of the growing African middle class, who are fed up with being patronized and hearing the song of their majestic continent in a minor key.

“I’ve played that tune. I’ve talked of tragedy, of emergency. And it is an emergency when almost 2,000 children in Africa a day die of a mosquito bite; this kind of hemorrhaging of human capital is not something we can accept as normal.

“But as the example of Ghana makes clear, that’s only one chord. Amid poverty and disease are opportunities for investment and growth — investment and growth that won’t eliminate overnight the need for assistance, much as we and Africans yearn for it to end, but that in time can build roads, schools and power grids and propel commerce to the point where aid is replaced by trade pacts, business deals and home-grown income.“

The full column can be read here.

Bob Geldof Launches One Campaign Report On G8

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of leaders and stars helped launch the ONE Campaign’s DATA Report in London yesterday.

Bill Gates, Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldof all talked at the event, which launched the annual report that aims to measure the G8 against commitments made at their 2005 summit in Scotland. But the news is not good, revealing that France and Italy are performing so poorly that they are threatening to cause the G8 as a whole to default.

“It saddens me and angers me that great nations like Italy and France are going in the wrong direction,” said Archbishop Tutu of South Africa. “We must all campaign to encourage the forthcoming G8 meetings to do better and do what is right.”

“That [the Italian] economy is in such a disastrous meltdown condition, they must steal from the poor, rob the ill and snatch education from the minds of the young not only beggars the imagination but must also surely beggar the soul of that most beautiful country,“ added Geldof. “Shame on you.”

The report laid out a number of findings:

By 2008, the G8 had delivered only a third of their commitment—just $7 billion of the total $21.5 billion increases promised to Africa by 2010. Some countries fared better than others: the US, Canada and Japan are meeting or beating modest targets; Germany and the UK are striving to meet their more ambitious commitments. France’s delivery is disappointing, and Italy—the host of the upcoming G8 Summit—has utterly failed to make progress on its promised aid.
Looking ahead to 2009, ONE estimates that the G8 will have delivered only a half of their commitment. 80% of the 2009 shortfall will be due to France and Italy. That means that in 2010, the G8 must deliver the entire other half to reach their target.
In 2008, the G8 met in Accra to review progress on improving aid effectiveness. While the forum helped accelerate progress towards achieving better aid, more must be done to reach the 2010 goals.
The steps taken by the G8 since 2005 have brought them close to fulfilling their commitments on debt. At the end of 2008, Africa had been relieved of $92.8 billion of its debt obligations.
But the global financial crisis threatens to overturn these advances. Among the 20 African countries that reached ‘completion point’ in the debt cancellation process, 11 now face a risk of debt distress through reaccumulation of debt.
The G8 are not living up to their promise to “make trade work for Africa.” Despite an increase in exports, Africa accounts for only 3.5% of global trade—the lowest share of any region in the world.

The report was launched the day before finance ministers from the G8 countries — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States — are to meet for two days of talks in Italy, ahead of the next G8 meeting in July.

“Why do we have the obligation to help another person we will never know and never see,“ said Geldof. "Why would [Bill Gates] decide to devote the rest of his entire life and his entire fortune to that end? It’s because that singular condition of poverty can be removed. Indeed, it must be removed [otherwise] we cannot build a new global financial architecture, one that collapsed because 50% of the planet was not included. They live on less than $2 a day – you cannot live on $2 a day! I will repeat that – you cannot live on $2 a day. So you die. So we remove from the world economy, the creative dynamic, the intellectual stimulus, the productivity that these people have. By injecting that into the world economy, they can have their own health systems, they can have coherent governments, they can buy our stuff and we can buy their’s. And we won’t have to give aid any more.“

A video of highlights of the launch can be found here.

Matt Damon Seeks Support With Petition

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Matt Damon is encouraging people to join him in signing a petition asking senators to cosponsor the Durbin-Corker Water for the World Act of 2009.

The Act will help 100 million people gain access to clean water and sanitation by 2015, but currently needs at least 15 more cosponsors to move forward.

“On my trip with the ONE Campaign to Zambia, I walked two miles with a 14-year-old girl to a well—the closest water source to her village,“ said Damon. "I asked if she wanted to stay in her village when she grew up, and her face exploded into a huge smile. The translator said, “she is being very shy…she says that she wants to move to big city, Lusaka, and that she wants to be a nurse.”

“Women and girls, like the one I met in Zambia, bear most of the burden of lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation. Women are more than twice as likely as men to be responsible for water collection, and on average, women in the developing world walk three and a half miles each day to collect water—time that could be spent in school or at work.

“Economically, water is one of the smartest poverty-fighting investments we can make. My friend Ben Affleck and I met with the World Bank and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Tanzania, and we saw how a lack of good water infrastructure is holding back businesses. We talked to Prosper Mbarewoai of Allied Chemicals, who estimated his detergent-production business is operating at only 60% capacity because he spends anywhere from two hours to an entire day just getting water.

“The MCC in Tanzania is working to revamp the water treatment and supply infrastructure in two major cities, decreasing the risks of water-borne illness and enabling business productivity. In fact, every $1 spent on water and sanitation generates a return of $8 in saved time, increased productivity and reduced health costs in Africa.

“Improving access to clean water and sanitation is also an investment in women, making possible the dreams of young girls in Zambia and beyond. To help make this change happen for her and 884 million others worldwide who live without clean water, please ask your senators to cosponsor the Water for the World Act.“

To sign the petition, click here.

Be Published Next To World Leaders For The ONE Campaign

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The ONE Campaign is giving you the chance to have your writing featured in a book alongside Nelson Mandela, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Desmond Tutu and other world leaders, as well as Natalie Portman and Paulo Coelho.

In June, ONE and the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) plans to present a book called The Big Read to President Barack Obama, urging him to keep his promise to ensure children in developing countries have access to basic education through a U.S. contribution of $2 billion to a Global Fund for Education.

Contributions for the book come from children and adults who have struggled to gain an education; and local heroes who have helped make education possible for others. The book will be translated and distributed in over 100 countries, and will be used as a tool for promoting literacy and good quality, free and public education for everyone.

Deadline for submissions is May 1. Submissions should be no more than 1,000 words, and should be about your education-related or ONE advocacy work. Although many forms of stories appear in the book, ONE are looking for a personal narrative telling YOUR story: what does education mean to you? Why is it important to you that children in other countries receive a basic education?

Your story need not be heart-wrenching. ONE members are all heroes, using their voices on behalf of the world’s poorest people. That’s why a ONE member is getting this special opportunity to have a story published in the book.

To make a submission or learn more, visit the ONE Campaign website.

Bob Geldof To Meet With IMF Over Gold Sale Funds

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Bob Geldof will today meet with Dominic Strauss-Khan, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on behalf of the ONE Campaign to deliver the organization’s message that the IMF must make gold sale funds available to developing countries without harmful conditions and without creating new debts.

According to ONE: "The IMF is about to sell a small fraction of its gold reserves to raise $6 billion, but their plan for what to do with that windfall is completely backwards.

“Instead of using that money to fund direct grants focused on poverty-fighting results and accountability, it looks as though the majority will be spent on IMF operating expenses and staff salaries, with a small portion being disbursed as loans to developing nations. That’s bad news for impoverished countries, who will be forced to choose between getting the help they need now and facing crippling debts after the financial crisis is over.

“The more than two billion people who live on less than $2 a day did nothing to cause this financial crisis, yet they’ll still suffer from its consequences. This gold sale is our chance to make a difference for them and for the 53 million additional people who will slip into poverty this year if nothing is done.“

The One Campaign has organized a petition to make the voices of their supporters heard by the IMF, a private organization that oversees the global financial system by following the macroeconomic policies of its member countries.

To put your name to the petition and find out more about the issue, visit the ONE Campaign’s website.

Natalie Portman Makes A Powerful Noise For Women's Rights

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Natalie Portman has joined a panel that will discuss women’s rights in celebration of International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 5.

The panel discussion will follow screenings of the film A Powerful Noise in 450 theatres across America, in partnership with the ONE Campaign and the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The documentary “A Powerful Noise” features three extraordinary women creating change in Bosnia, Mali and Vietnam. Immediately after the film, the panel discussion from the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in New York City will be simulcast in each theatre.

The panel also features Madeleine K Albright – the 64th Secretary of State of the US – as well as model Christy Turlington, president of CARE Helene Gayle and many others.

“Serving as a Global Ambassador for CARE, I’ve met women in impoverished communities who still lack basic rights, access to education and health services – rights we often take for granted in the United States,“ said the film’s executive producer, Sheila C Johnson. “And I have learned that when you empower women in these communities, you strike at the very root causes of poverty. Their stories inspired me and my production team to make the documentary “A Powerful Noise.” It’s one of the most important projects I’ve ever had the honor of working on. Through the A POWERFUL NOISE Live event on March 5th, it has become so much more than just a film. This is a forum to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful global change.“

To find out more about the event and where you can attend the screenings, visit the official website. To find out more about Natalie Portman’s thoughts on women’s rights, check out Look To The Stars’ interview with her here.

Exclusive Interview: Look To The Stars Talks To Eric Roberts

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ Michelle Vink was recently lucky enough to sit down with actor Eric Roberts and talk about his charitable influences.

The real Eric Roberts has a lot more heart than his mob boss character, Sal Maroni from The Dark Knight. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a sensitive tough guy who isn’t afraid to speak his mind or from his heart and cares as much about his family as his career. Sitting across from me was just the kind of guy that this city could use more of. He is a father that believes in his children and supports their dreams and ambitions, a husband that cannot stop praising his wife and mother in law and even credits them as being his inspiration and greatest influences in his life, and a celebrity that doesn’t just attach his name to a charity he believes in but becomes actively involved and wants to spread the word. This is my interview with the Eric Roberts a lot more people should know.

You have a very successful and accomplished career in Hollywood. What would you consider your greatest professional achievement?

Probably winning the Theatre World award for “Burn This” on Broadway. But also that is also equal to my nomination for best newcomer at the Golden Globes. I didn’t win it but it was pretty exciting. And also achieving a voice where I can create awareness of things that are important in the world.

What do you consider your greatest personal achievement?

My family. I am just mad about my wife. She is my hero; she is all the things I want to be when grow up. Also anything to do with the kids – if I’ve inspired them or opened any doors for them. That would be Emma, Keaton and Morgan.

And he has every reason to be proud. His children are all on their personal journeys of success. His daughter, Emma Roberts, recently starred in Hotels for Dogs, his son Keaton is signed by CBS Records and is currently on tour, and his daughter Morgan has successfully launched her own catering company that caters to the stars.

Who has been the biggest influence in your personal life?

My biggest influence came late in my life. It is my one and only wife. I have been looking for an influence my whole life…. I have no sense of Self. I am an actor who lives through my work. But this relationship has made this better because I think so much of her and she thinks enough of me to have me that I must think a little more of myself. I cant say enough about my wife.

Who has been the biggest influence in your professional life?

That’s been my wife as well…and I do get thrilled when someone talented breaks through and I’d say new talent inspires me.

What inspired you to get involved in charity?

That’s a no-brainer. There’s a lot of work to do on this planet! I started to see a pattern. People who grew up around violence continue to create wars and violent environments.

I thought things needed to be nipped in the bud. We need to stop abusing kids, and that will bring us peace on the streets and on the planet everywhere. There is no need to yell at a child. You explain to the child instead of yelling or raising your voice. Even all the learning things can be cool.

What do you consider the most difficult point in your life? How did you overcome that and turn it into something positive?

I would get depressed sometimes for weeks when I saw sad things.

My wife realized how affected and closed down I would get by mankind’s conditions and gave me a mantra to live by: “When in doubt, give”.

Who inspires you the most now?

I am inspired by Carl Sagan, Andrew Weil, Helen Caldicott, my mother-in-law, longtime activist & award winning screenwriter, Lila Garrett… who has a radio show called Connect the Dots on KPFK 90.7 for any political novice to open your political point of view in an honest way. My mother-in-law is one of two smartest women I have ever kissed.

Anyone who stands for peace & pacifism is a hero of mine. Every child abuse intervention Eliza or I participate in inspires me.

Tell me about one of your most memorable moments involving charity or philanthropy.

This story is about abuse and how if you don’t do it, you don’t have to deal with it, but if it is done, it can be undone but it will be a lot of work. One of my favorite examples is this: the day my stepdaughter, Morgan Simons, brought home a broken and abused pitbull dexter that had been tied up so long outside that the rope had grown into his neck. She had rescued from the shelter in south central Los Angeles and wanted to fix him. He had been raised to kill and was broken emotionally and physically… so I let her have the dog and with the help of a great vet, she fixed this dog.

He is a madly loved member of our family now. It was years and thousands of hours of love that helped him.

Have you been successful at making any changes in Hollywood?

Absolutely. My wife always tries to get me to add a line in any part I play-even if it’s a bad guy. She always tries to give me a cool line about anti-child abuse but it usually ends up on the editing room floor. But we have managed to make the changes.

How would you work that into The Dark Knight?

[laughing] It doesn’t always work.

Why would you recommend for others to get involved in charity and philanthropy?

When you see the impact from the positive intervention and it helps you remember what life is all about. But you have to drop the bad guy routine… it’s better than any drug, drink or distraction.

Helping gives you an answer to the question about the purpose of life, as ridiculous as that sounds.

Has any of your work influenced your view of the world or society? What project and how?

I object to the violence in some of my films.

“It’s My Party” was important to me because I have a gay stepdaughter, and my heart breaks when I see that some of her friends’ families do the cruel thing of telling their kids they wouldn’t accept them being gay.

What would you like to see change about the world?

I would like to see peace and the elimination of all weapons.

I would like to see people feel secure enough so that they would not be prone to religious fanaticism.

I would like to see people stop speaking harshly to their children, and certainly the hitting of kids has to stop…. same with the treatment of animals.

On a closer scale, I would like to see my stepson, Keaton Simons,
find great success as a recording artist; and my stepdaughter to find great success as a caterer and chef.

What would you do to fix the issues?

I’d love for everyone to listen to the audio book, “The Natural Child”. It encompasses my entire philosophy.

If you had the opportunity to use your celebrity status to make changes for the better of the world, what would you do?

I would gift everyone with “Natural Child”, and I would get Keaton’s music out there, because it is a message of love, patience, truth and support.

Why is it important for Hollywood to lead the way and set an example for advocacy and philanthropy?

Because Hollywood people are visible. We are out there to be seen. We are famous and people listen to our endorsements. If a celebrity says stop hitting kids, maybe one of their fans will stop hitting kids.

What advice could you give to your fans that are interested in getting involved in volunteer or charity work?

Go to naturalchild.org and contact Jan Hunt and see what they can do to help with her family-saving charity.

Let’s talk about The Natural Child Project. The vision of Natural Child project is to create a “world in which all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding and compassion.” How do you think this is achieved? How can more people get involved?

Everyone needs to just try Jan’s methods of relating to their children, and call Jan‘s counseling line if stressed. There is counseling available at: naturalchild.org/counseling/

The Natural Child project believes that “in such a world, every child can grow into adulthood with a generous capacity for love and trust.” How does this charity aid in this type of development? Why is this so important for the future of our country and the live of our children?

Thank you for researching Natural Child! If you read about the Nazis in the books of Alice Miller, you learn that those people became monsters due to having been abused as kids.

It’s a very serious issue with a very clear ounce of prevention solution.

What is your most memorable moment as a child or with a child? Has this affected your decision to get involved with natural child project or to be involved with children’s orphanages?

I’ve watched small children be berated with insults from parents they’re afraid of. You can watch the child’s mind twist under these conditions. I am determined to stop this from continuing to happen.

What do you get out of helping others and being a part of such a cause?

It makes me want to live.

Precious Paws is another charity that you support. Precious Paw’s primary purpose is to rescue and/or abandoned companion animals. Why did you become involved in this particular charity?

The person who runs Precious Paws used to work as my wife’s casting assistant in TV and movies. She left the business to personally vet and care for animals. She gave up her life to help animals and she is a really groovy chick.

What should people reach out to Precious Paws over some of the better-known animal rescues?

Some of the rescue organizations or other charities have a lot of money and support already…. and then you have someone like Georgyne at Precious Paws who literally goes into the pounds and takes home animals and has to figure out how to feed them. She has vet skills, so she does her own neutering and spaying and does everything she can but she needs help.

Their website is preciouspaws.com and they need volunteers, foster homes and donations. It’s like the Obama campaign. You don’t have to send in big money…. send in $2, $3, $5 …that feeds a dog for several days. Do that. That is cool.

What is one of your most memorable moments with Precious Paws or with a companion animal?

Watching inventor Jon Hoffman’s dog transform from a terrified little creature to a furry ball of love. He had rescued a bijan and this dog was shaking and making noises and now he is a social fairy tale of a dog.

You have been involved in philanthropy and charity for some time. Tell me about some of the other charities or philanthropic efforts you have been involved in.

Several years ago, I visited an orphanage in Moscow. I am a huge star in Russia and it blows my mind. So I go to this orphanage and they all know me from one of my earlier movies, “The Best of the Best.” I bought them shoes and would like to think I gave them hope. “He is just a guy and I could be like him”. It is important to have hope when some of those orphans will never leave the home and will be on the street at 17.

These are some of the other charities that Eric and his wife support:

Tails of Joy with Elayne Boosler
Donate for Life
Prevent Child Abuse America
K9’s Rock
Best Friends Animal Society
Animal Alliance
Save Darfur Coalition
New Leash on Life
www.drawingdreams.org
www.childfriendly.org (child friendly initiative)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Virgin Unite
ONE Campaign

Eric and his wife also support charities involving organ donation or stem cell research.

Give me an example of how now, more than ever, we need to support each other and work for change in the world?

We are at a time right now because of our past administration, that either we work together or we mess it up. Either we act as a unit or we keep being greedy and selfish. we are all in this together.

Obama is a together guy with no alternative motive, I believe… this guy just wants to be a good leader and I want to help him any way he will let me.

People are homeless. They are scared and in agony and at odds with each other. We need to reverse that!

Despite all the time Eric dedicates to philanthropy and family, he still manages a successful career in Hollywood. His latest movie, Project Solitude – in which he plays a sociology professor who takes 6 students out to the woods to show them how they react with stress and monitors their unraveling, will be released next year.
It seems that if a tough guy celebrity like Eric Roberts can manage to do all of this charity and family stuff and still come out looking like a tough guy, then maybe philanthropy isn’t for just the ladies who lunch after all.

Look To The Stars would like to extend their warmest gratitude to Eric Roberts for taking the time to talk to us.

Forest Whitaker Brings The Dream To Los Angeles

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Forest Whitaker will host a special screening of Kassim The Dream, a multiple award-winning documentary based on the journey of a Ugandan child from child soldier to world champion boxer.

The film is the true life story of Kassim Ouma, the seventh of thirteen children in his Ugandan family, who was abducted at age six along with a class of school children by the National Resistance Army, the rebel gorilla force that took governmental control through a coupe d’etat in 1986. Forced to fight as a soldier, Ouma also joined the army’s boxing club, and excelled. Fourteen years later he was able to obtain a visa to the US for a military boxing tournament and took advantage of the opportunity to defect, an act that cost his father his life but led to Ouma’s world title and a chance to help back home.

Today Ouma still fights professionally, but he also advocates for the plight of the 300 thousand child soldiers around the world today: “My heart is into working with my African people, working with the UN, helping my people in Africa as much as I can.”

Whitaker’s screening should also help – proceeds will go to Hope North, a refuge for orphans and escaped child soldiers in northern Uganda that provides schooling and training to rebuild their lives. The $25 tickets include the 29 January movie screening with VIP seating at ArcLight Cinemas in Los Angeles, and a cocktail reception and question and answer period afterwards.

“There are a lot of groups out there really helping, like ONE Campaign Ouma told New York Magazine. “Celebrities like Oprah and Madonna have gotten involved in African problems. It’s all part of the same issue, the same fight.”

Bono Becomes A Man Of Peace

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

Nobel peace laureates gathered in summit in Paris on Friday 12th December to award Irish rocker-turned-activist Bono the annual “Man of Peace” prize for his struggle against poverty, disease and debt in Africa.

Paul Hewson (born 10 May 1960 in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland), more commonly known by his stage name Bono, is the main vocalist of the Irish rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Ali Hewson, and the future members of U2. Bono writes almost all U2 lyrics, often using political, social and religious themes. During their early years, Bono’s lyrics contributed to U2’s rebellious tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences with members of U2.

Among his non-U2 endeavors, he has collaborated and recorded with numerous artists, sits on the board of Elevation Partners, and owns a hotel with fellow band member, The Edge. Bono is also widely known for his activism concerning Africa, for which he co-founded DATA. He has organized and played in several benefit concerts and has met with influential politicians. He is the co-founder of EDUN, the ONE Campaign and Product (RED). Bono has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and was named as a Person of the Year by Time, among many other awards and nominations.

In the presence of five Nobel Prize winners, Bono received his latest accolade from the hand of Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, the host of this annual summit in recognition of two decades of global anti-poverty activism.

“This is a very big award for me because, let’s be honest, this is as close as I am going to get – as close as a rock star is ever going to get – to the Nobel Peace Prize,” the 48-year-old Bono quipped to the audience. “I am an over-awarded, over-rewarded rock star. You are the people who do the real work,” he said to Nobel winners present, who included F.W. de Klerk of South Africa, Lech Walesa of Poland and Northern Ireland’s John Hume.

“So I am very, very pleased to be in such esteemed company.”

Organizers said Bono was chosen for his global campaigning to persuade rich nations to lighten Africa’s debt burden, combat poverty, promote fair trade and raise funds for the treatment of HIV-AIDS and malaria.

“We decided to nominate a man who has given a lot and will continue to give a great deal to the struggle for human rights, to the fight against poverty, with his music and with his words,” said Italian left-wing leader Walter Veltroni, co-host of the event. “He has put pressure on the world’s governments to reach the UN’s Millennium Goals. To give him the prize, is to say that fight will carry on.”

Last year’s recipients of the peace award were US actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle, who have spoken out against the violence in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur.

Nobel winners were meeting in Paris for a three-day summit, coinciding with celebrations marking 60 years since the UN declaration of human rights was adopted in Paris.

Affleck Tops Charity Stars in Denver

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Denver saw an outpouring of celebrity love during last week’s DNC, with Ben Affleck leading the philanthropic pack.

On the Tuesday night, Affleck took part in a poker tournament, along with Richard Dreyfuss and Montel Williams, which ultimately raised over $60,000 for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“A lot of important organizations use this environment and the people who are here, celebrities, members of Congress, to try and raise money. This is not a Democratic or Republican group, this is a group serving our veterans,” Affleck said of the charity.

Wednesday morning, the Pearl Harbor star was down at a local food bank, the Food Bank of the Rockies, to participate in a repack event for America’s Second Harvest. Also on hand for the event were members of the Senate Hunger Caucus and members of the House – all there to see who could pack the most boxes of food in five minutes. Affleck, incidentally, won both the poker and the packing events.

He was joined by wife Jennifer Garner for a book reading at the Starz Green Room. Also set to attend were Charlize Theron, Daryl Hannah, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Josh Brolin, Kal Penn, Stuart Townsend and Hill Harper.

Jennifer Lopez spoke at a reception sponsored by the Jennifer Lopez Foundation in honor of Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. Fran Drescher, Ashley Judd and Joy Bryant joined Lopez in honoring Edelman.

The Black Eyed Peas performed at the Fillmore Auditorium for the Creative Coalition, and Kanye West performed at a party benefitting the ONE Campaign. Forest Whitaker, Kal Penn and Jamie Foxx were in attendance at the latter.

Moby performed at a private party for DoSomething.org, and Willie Nelson sang out for the people of Darfur at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Daughtry Rocks DNC, Packs Kits for Charity

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Do-gooder rockers Chris Daughtry and his bandmates packed World Vision’s AIDS caregiver kits at a local Denver high school.

The students of Manual High School in Denver, Colorado were treated to a very special photo op last Tuesday: Daughtry was on hand to assist in the students’ efforts to pack AIDS caregiver kits to send to Africa.

Chris Daughtry and his bandmates thanked the school’s volunteers for their work and posed for photos inside a large ribbon which consisted of 6.1 million pennies – a penny for every person who has died of AIDS since the last election.

Also on hand were Democratic Senator Tom Daschle and Representative Nita Lowey, as well as Princess Zulu of Zambia.

“I want to thank all of you for being here at the convention, ready to do something very unconventional. This is a good example of how American voters are ready to elect a candidate who will show leadership when it comes to issues of extreme poverty,” Princess Zulu said.

Daughtry visited Africa earlier in the year as representatives of Bono’s ONE Campaign.

Isaac Hayes - A Man With Soul

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

American Soul and Funk legend Isaac Hayes has died at his home in Memphis, at the age of 65.

Hayes, best known for his work on the 1971 film Shaft and as the voice of “Chef” on South Park, won multiple Grammys and even an Academy Award during his illustrious career. Raised by his grandparents in Covington, he escaped his cotton picking upbringing to become a session player for various acts of the Memphis-based Stax Records. After co-writing a series of hits that have since become R&B standards – such as Soul Man and When Something is Wrong With My Baby – Hayes hit the bigtime with the soundtrack of Shaft.

Hayes was also well known as a champion of human rights. As an international spokesman for the World Literacy Crusade, Isaac Hayes encouraged young people to stay in school. He was also a longtime supporter of the Shepherd Foundation, a Harlem-based charity that researches alternative treatments for degenerative diseases. In 1999 he established the Isaac Hayes Foundation, a charity that supports global causes, serves the needs of the community, and – according to his website – assists “vulnerable populations in realizing their full potential through grants, technical assistance and program development in the areas of health care, economic, community, environmental and human development”.

In 1992, Hayes was appointed Honorary King for Development of the Ada Tradition area in Ghana in Western Africa. This meant he was responsible for improving literacy as well as spurring industrial and economic growth. In the summer of 2000, he opened a school in Ghana designed to link children in Africa with those in American inner cities via the Internet. He also supported Youth for Human Rights International, the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, and the ONE Campaign. Hayes also wrote a free eBook called The Way To Happiness, which gave easy and straightforward hints on how people can make choices to determine their happiness and quality of life.

“Isaac Hayes was a wonderful human being,” said Collin Stanback, an A&R executive at Stax. “His spirit will live long in the form of his music.”

Demi And Ashton Lend A Hand For Homes

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Demi Moore and husband Ashton Kutcher have just returned from a week building homes for the disadvantaged in Central America, following in the footsteps of Moore’s teenage daughter.

According to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, the 45-year-old star of Indecent Proposal spent a week in Guatemala’s slums digging foundations and shifting bricks.

“They were working… for a charity that helps indigenous organic farmers,’ said a source from the newspaper. “Demi’s daughter, Scout Willis, went out to do the project a while ago. Demi and Ashton were actually building houses with tin roofs and shlepping breeze blocks in the midday sun. Ashton’s father is a carpenter so he has experience.”

16-year-old Scout Willis is actively involved in a number of charities, including Habitat For Humanity, the ONE Campaign, Save the Children, and her father’s Bruce Willis Foundation.

Scout Willis In Action

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:16:25 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Scout Willis, 16-year-old daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, is spending her spring break building houses for the needy in Guatemala.

No stranger to charitable causes, Scout has been involved in fund raising activities for Habitat For Humanity, Save the Children and ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History. She is also an advocate and active participant in her dad’s Bruce Willis Foundation, an organization aimed at helping kids to express themselves creatively to reach their full potential.

At one fundraising event, Bruce said, “My daughters and I have been moved by the recent tragedies that have impacted our nation, and they have shown us that now is a time to react and support those in need. … the Bruce Willis Foundation will reach into the community and educate young people on how they too can make a difference.”

Part of that is raising awareness of charities dedicated to improving the lives of those in need. For Scout, another part of that is heading to Guatemala to build communities.

Bono Awarded For AIDS Work

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:32:08 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Bono has received an award at an AIDS charity event in New York.

The U2 frontman was honored for his humanitarian work at The Black Ball, a ceremony held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 25 to raise money for the Keep A Child Alive foundation, a non-profit organization that provides treatment to AIDS victims in Africa.

The sparkling evening of cocktails, dinner, and rare musical performances was organized and co-hosted by Alicia Keys, a Global Ambassador for the foundation, who described Bono as “an amazing man [who] works tirelessly at really having a cause and fighting for it. He is an inspiration and single-handedly made it cool to have something to speak about.”

“Rock stars always want to do two things,” said Bono, who was honored to accept the award but insisted he would rather be giving out the accolades. “They want to have fun and change the world. If you can do both at the same time, you’re OK.”

The event, which featured performances by Gwen Stefani and Sheryl Crow, as well as by Bono and Keys, attracted a host of celebrities who are both known for their support of the foundation and who wanted to show their respect for Bono’s work. David Bowie, Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Petra Nemcova, and members of Green Day were all spotted during the evening.

“This is an awesome opportunity to step up out of compassion and try to do the smallest of things,” said Crow, a few minutes before performing a duet with Keys. “Just to play some music and raise some money. I’m really proud of Alicia for doing it, and obviously I’m a huge fan of Bono and all the work he’s done.”

“I love Bono,” added Keys, who teamed up with the Irish singer in 2005 to record a version of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up” for Keep A Child Alive. “I really respect what he has done for Africa, and how he has used his fame to do good in the world. I hope I can do half as much in my life. Keep A Child Alive is my passion and heartfelt mission. I believe AIDS is the most important issue we face, because how we treat the poor is a reflection of who we are as people. I urge everyone to recognize the extreme disaster Africa is facing.”

Africa currently has 12 million AIDS orphans, and less than 5% of the population has access to life-saving anti-retroviral treatment. It is estimated that there are 40 million people infected with the disease, 3 million of them children, with 700,000 more children becoming infected every year. Through its fundraising, Keep A Child Alive has funded several AIDS clinics in Africa, saving lives in Kenya, Durban, Johannesburg, Kigali, Rwanda, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Uganda. They also provide funds for the Agape Orphanage and the Go Go Grannies in South Africa. Keep A Child Alive is a partner of the ONE Campaign, which aims to help Americans to work against the worldwide emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty.

“I am a Global Ambassador for Keep A Child Alive,” said Iman, who co-hosted the Black Ball with Keys. “So it is something I have been doing for quite a while. I am from Africa, and there are a lot of orphan children in Africa whose parents have died from AIDS, and also there are a lot of kids infected with HIV. So we want to provide the drugs that are available in the West, and to make them affordable for poor countries as well, especially the continent of Africa.”

More information on Keep A Child Alive, whose Global Ambassadors also include Liv Tyler and Jessica Alba, can be found at www.keepachildalive.org.

Bono To Receive Liberty Medal Honours In US

Sat, 26 May 2007 12:48:01 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

The US National Constitution Center is to honour Bono for his charity work in Africa by awarding him the Liberty Medal in September.

Award winners are those who have “demonstrated leadership and vision in the pursuit of liberty”, and six past Liberty Medal winners have also received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The award carries a 100,000 dollar prize, which will go to Debt AIDS Trade Africa (DATA), the charity founded by Bono in 2002.

National Constitution Centre President Joseph M Torsella announced the award, saying, "Working hand-in-hand with DATA, Bono has become the ultimate civic entrepreneur – but on a global scale that the Founders could have only imagined.

“Bono and DATA don’t just raise awareness, important though that is. They challenge the world’s richest nations to do better by Africa, and challenge African nations to do better by their own people.”

Bono said: “This is a real honour for myself and my bosses at DATA – I am very proud of their work.”

He later commented that each of the 2.4 million American participants in the ONE Campaign should receive a medal too.

“I don’t suppose there are enough Liberty Medals to go around, but in truth, those people should all be wearing one, too,” he told the BBC.

Bono Pleased With Stars' Charity

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 13:50:45 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Bono feels that he has helped inspire other celebrities to join the ONE Campaign to end poverty and fight AIDS.

Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney have all joined the campaign, which Bono hopes will help raise American awareness of the cause.

He says, “By 2007, the year of the next American election, I am assured that there will be five million Americans (One Campaign members), which makes us bigger than the National Rifle Association.”

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