Look To The Stars News: Muscular Dystrophy Association

Nigel Lythgoe To Be Honored At Star-Studded Charity Gala

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The 6th Annual MDA Tradition of Hope Gala, to be held Oct. 15, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, will be a star-studded event bringing more than 500 business and civic leaders together to fight ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Expected to raise more than $500,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Augie’s Quest, the funds will help speed research seeking treatments and cures for the devastating disease.

MDA’s Augie’s Quest is named for philanthropist and fitness industry pioneer Augie Nieto. Nieto and his wife, Lynne, co-chair the MDA ALS Division. MDA’s Augie’s Quest has raised more than $30 million to fight ALS.

LTTS Exclusive Interview: Jamie Gold Talks Poker And Charity

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:00:00 +0000

In 2006, Jamie Gold won the World Series of Poker, which not only made him an instant ‘celebrity’ but netted him one of the highest payouts in tournament history ($12 Million).

Since then, Gold has paused his high-stakes poker play in efforts to give back and support a variety of organizations, racking up over 104 charity-poker event appearances as an emcee, host or participant and helping raise over $170M for charity… and he’s just getting started.

Look to the Stars was pleased to speak with Gold about his philanthropy, love for poker and how he became one of the most inspiring charity fundraisers in the poker industry, supporting a number of organizations including the ALS Division of the MDA and the Global Creative Forum.

Eva Longoria Fronts Toy Guide For Special Needs Kids

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

For nearly 20 years, Toys"R"Us, Inc. has provided parents, caregivers and gift-givers with reliable toy recommendations for the children with special needs in their lives through the Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. Continuing that tradition, the company has announced the launch of the 2011 edition of the Guide featuring actress and philanthropist Eva Longoria on the cover, alongside Elijah De La Cerda, a 5-year-old boy with Down syndrome from Fresno, CA.

Released annually, this complimentary resource is created with guidance from the National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making play accessible to children of all abilities. The Guide is available in Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and online, in English and Spanish, at Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled.

Along with the company’s long-standing commitment to children of all abilities, this year’s Guide cover model, Eva Longoria, also has strong ties and a deep passion for the special needs community. One of her sisters was born with developmental disabilities and inspired her to establish Eva’s Heroes in 2006. Based in Longoria’s hometown of San Antonio, Eva’s Heroes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals with special needs to interact, play, learn and enrich their lives.

Jerry Lewis Telethon Exceeds Charity Expectations

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

After 21 ½ hours of great entertainment and powerful appeals, the final timpani rolled and confetti fell on the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon which raised $58,919,838 in contributions and pledges to advance the research and service programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“I’m heartened by the unique ability of Americans to help others in need, when they themselves are likely struggling financially,” said Jerry Lewis. “People see the progress MDA is making for children and adults living with muscle diseases. I’m truly grateful for their caring enough to brighten the future for ‘my kids’.”

Stars Back Jerry Lewis Telethon With Charity Auction

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

To celebrate Jerry Lewis’ Labor Weekend telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, charity auction site BiddingForGood.com has some fantastically massive celebrity items going under the hammer.

Here is a selection of what is on offer:

Celebrity Signed Harley Gas Tank

Jerry Lewis Announces 2010 Charity Telethon

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has announced that plans for its 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon are almost complete, and the 21 1/2-hour live show is going to be spectacular.

From live remotes to amazing dance and production numbers, to sensational music performances (e.g., David Archuleta, Enrique Iglesias, Lynyrd Skynryd, WAR, John Ondrasik, OneRepublic, Barry Manilow and many more), to side-splitting comedy and dramatic appeals by some of America’s most popular entertainers, the two-day television event is certain to delight viewers Labor Day weekend.

“Yes, the Telethon is consistently big on entertainment value,” said Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA president & CEO and Telethon executive producer. “But, unlike other live shows, our unique television program is an outstanding catalyst for the public support needed to advance MDA’s lifesaving mission year-round.”

Trey Morgan's 30 Deeds In 30 Days For Charity

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:30:00 +0000

New York City based radio personality Trey Morgan will embark on a journey designed to shock him into a more philanthropic way of life. Over the course of 30 days, Morgan will attempt to commit his time to 30 different charitable organizations, 1 for each day of September, all while holding down his ‘day job’ and making it home for dinner with his wife.

This non-profit crusade is called, 30 Deeds, 30 Days, a term Morgan coined for it’s obvious simplicity.

Trey Morgan, a well known radio personality for New York City’s Z100, came up with the idea for 30 Deeds, 30 Days while feeling much the same as many around the country. Morgan wanted to find a way to give back and get involved, but didn’t know how to go about it, who to get involved with, or where he would find the time in his day-to-day life. Not one to sit back idly, Morgan decided to dive in head first, and began to formulate his plan.

Jerry Lewis Passes Charity Torch To Son

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Comedian Jerry Lewis has passed the philanthropic flame to his son Gary, who wants to tour the Philippines with his band to raise money for people hit by storms last year.

Gary Lewis and the Playboys are a major drawcard in the country, and the devastating storms ripped through Manila just after the band’s last tour.

“Gary likes to get out there once every few years, but we’d really like to get back to the Philippines in 2010,” Lewis’ manager told WENN. "Gary Lewis and The Playboys are like The Beatles over there because they had a lot of local hits with Beatles tunes – because the Beatles were banned from the Philippines.

General Hospital Star Named Charity Ambassador

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:30:00 +0000

The man many General Hospital fans love to hate, Brandon Barash, has been named the National Celebrity Ambassador of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The 30-year-old actor – who lost a childhood friend to the disease – will spend the next year dedicating his time to the organization.

One of the first acts the actor plans to carry out for the charity is through the sale of his new photography book and personal travel photos.

ICAP To Hold 17th Annual Charity Day

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

ICAP, the world’s premier interdealer broker, will hold its 17th annual global Charity Day on Wednesday, 9 December, 2009. On this day, 100% of company revenues and commissions will be donated to a selection of over 120 charities around the world.

Since the inception of ICAP Charity Day, ICAP and its customers in over 50 countries have raised funds for over 700 well-deserving charities globally. This year, ICAP will be supporting a further 120 charities globally, almost 30 in North America alone. Last year, $16.3 million was raised on Charity Day, bringing the total to over $100 million since 1993. These funds went towards such diverse programs in North America as helping sick children, supporting literacy, and funding cancer research.

Nancy O'Dell Launches New Charity

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Nancy O’Dell, longtime co-host of the entertainment newsmagazine “Access Hollywood” and author of the book Full of Life, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) have founded Betty’s Battle in honor of O’Dell’s mother who died of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, last year.

Betty’s Battle is a special MDA ALS Division campaign that raises funds supporting services and research to find treatments and a cure for those with ALS.

“I’m excited to tell the nation about MDA’s Betty’s Battle,” O’Dell said. “I’m so grateful to MDA for everything they did for me and my family during my mom’s illness. It’s my hope that through Betty’s Battle, we will eradicate ALS so that no other family will have to go through what mine did.”

Jerry Lewis Awarded Oscar For Charity Work

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Actor Jerry Lewis was awarded a very special humanitarian award at last night’s Oscars.

The 82-year-old actor received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his untiring work in hosting the annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as an advocate of “Jerry’s Kids” – a role he has taken on every year since 1966.

“For most of my life I thought that doing good for someone didn’t mean you would receive commendation for that act of kindness,” Lewis said in his acceptance speech. “At least until now. This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from, and those who will benefit.”

Nick Lachey Tees Off For Charity

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

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

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

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

Love Ride 2008 Attracts The Big Names

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:30:00 +0000

20,000 motorcyclists from across the U.S. and around the world rode in the 25th Annual Love Ride late last month and raised over US$1 million for Southern California-based charities.

The event – which was hosted by Jay Leno and featured celebrity riders such as Gene Simmons, Peter Fonda, Robert Patrick, Rutger Hauer, Larry Hagman, Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar, Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica_), and Carmine Giovinazzo (_CSI: NY) – culminated in a concert featuring the Foo Fighters, ZZ Top, and members of Velvet Revolver.

The annual Love Ride – held along the West Coast of the US from Glendale to Pomona – has raised over $21 million since it was launched in 1984, and is now one of the biggest one-day motorcycle events in the world. Beneficiaries of this year’s event included the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Autism Speaks, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Reading By 9 Child Literacy Initiative, Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Special Olympics of Southern California, Frostig Center, Scleroderma Foundation, Glendale Community College, Rett Syndrome Foundation, Optimist Youth Homes & Family Centers, Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation, Friends of Castaic Lake, and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Still Going Strong

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:30:00 +0000

If ever there was a main event in the name of charity it would be the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

Year after year, millions of Americans tune in to watch the all-day event. This year’s line up of celebrity hosts for the telethon included Jann Carl, Tom Bergeron, and Alison Sweeney among other esteemed personalities, with performances by Céline Dion, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock and Reba McEntire. Running 21-1/2 hours, the MDA telethon began at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 31 and continued through the evening of Labor Day, with about $65 million raised during the run.

A special plea was also made for MDA-registered families forced to leave their homes because of the hurricane, which made landfall Monday in Louisiana.

Jerry Lewis Tops Charity Survey

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:48:18 +0000

A survey has named comedy actor Jerry Lewis as the most effective celebrity for charity causes, with 43% of those surveyed saying he is the best at raising funds and driving change for the issues he supports.

The survey, carried out by the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, put the 81 year old veteran of movies including “The Nutty Professor” at the top of a list of ten philanthropic celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, Michael J. Fox, Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie, Bono, Lance Armstrong, Katie Couric, and Rosie O’Donnell.
Jerry Lewis helped establish the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1952, and has organized and hosted a Labor Day Telethon every year since 1966. His fundraising efforts have raised over $2 billion for neuromuscular care and research, with last year’s telethon raising $61 million alone. He has also been involved with fundraising for The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. He is the only media celebrity to have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.