Look To The Stars News: International Rescue Committee

Super Heroes Step Forward To Fight Famine In Africa

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

DC Entertainment, home of the world’s greatest super heroes, yesterday unveiled an unprecedented giving campaign to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

This multi-million-dollar commitment over the next two years will be supported across all Warner Bros. Entertainment’s and Time Warner’s businesses and feature DC Entertainment’s iconic Justice League characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, issuing the call to action, “We Can Be Heroes.”

Rashida Jones: Two Rescue Gifts I'm Giving This Year

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Actress and International Rescue Committee voice Rashida Jones wrote recently about her charitable holiday plans.

This holiday season I’m buying Rescue Gifts for my friends because I can’t think of a better gift than one that saves lives.

John Legend Supports International Rescue Committee

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

On October 28, recording artist, concert performer and philanthropist John Legend, announced on Facebook his support for the International Rescue Committee.

“I’m proud to be an ‘IRC Voice,’ helping raise awareness about the International Rescue Committee’s life-changing work providing educational opportunities to refugee children,” he said.

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by conflict and oppression. Of every $1 the IRC spends, 93¢ goes to programs and services that directly benefit refugees and war-affected populations.

Actress Rashida Jones teams up with International Rescue Committee

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:20:00 +0000

NEW YORK – Actress Rashida Jones has become an IRC Voice—joining other prominent young artists who use their voices to spotlight the critical needs of refugees and others uprooted by violence and natural disasters, the International Rescue Committee has announced.

Jones recently returned from Thailand, where she visited IRC humanitarian aid programs for tens of thousands of refugees from Myanmar (Burma) – her first trip as an IRC Voice.

“It was great to see the IRC in action – delivering health care and water to refugees who would otherwise have no access to these basic services,” says Jones.

Newman's Own Gives $300 Million To Charity

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week, during its “Over the Moon Celebration,” Paul Newman’s Newman’s Own brand announced that it surpassed over $300 million in charitable giving.

To cross the milestone, and in the company of dedicated individuals and organizations that made it possible, Newman’s Own Foundation awarded $1.4 million in grants. The evening’s reception was co-chaired by Joanne Woodward Newman and Clea Newman Soderlund, Paul Newman and Joanne’s youngest daughter.

“When people would thank Paul for his charitable giving, he would always reply that he didn’t think he was doing anything special,” said Robert Forrester, president of Newman’s Own Foundation. “He believed that the real thanks should go to those people and organizations… who work every day to make ours and the future’s a better world. For Paul, it was a privilege to be just one among these many. That’s how we all feel today as we carry on this unique and wonderful philanthropic legacy.”

Michael McKean Wins $1 Million For Charity In Jeopardy Final

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Actor Michael McKean (“Laverne and Shirley” and star of Broadway’s “Superior Donuts”) prevailed as champion of the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament during the weekend — winning $1 million for his charity the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF). This is the biggest amount ever awarded to charity in “Jeopardy!” history. It is also the largest single donation ever received by the IMF.

Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas, affecting an estimated 750,000 people worldwide. McKean became passionate for the cause when his friend, musician Lee Grayson, passed away from myeloma eight years ago. Regarding today’s victory, McKean said, “If some breakthroughs can be made or more research can be done due to this win, it would be incredible. There are so many amazing people at IMF who do great work.”

According to Susie Novis, president and co-founder of the IMF, McKean’s donation will be used for a special fund in honor of McKean and Grayson. “The money will fund research to find a cure and to help patients and their families through education,” Novis said. “His win has shown us how empowering being informed can be — it can change the lives of people all over the world!”

Affleck, Damon and More To Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer, and top poker professional Phil Hellmuth have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament July 2 at the 40th annual World Series of Poker.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are expected to go all in for the 3rd Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Celebrity-Charity poker tournament.

Celebrity Apprentice 2 To Feature Annie Duke

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:00 +0000

NBC will aim to repeat the success that was Celebrity Apprentice when a new series of the show premieres in January 2009.

Although most of the contestants cannot be named or have yet to commit, professional poker player Annie Duke confirmed her involvement during the weekend.

According to a statement made on www.ultimatebet.com on Friday, ""Annie Duke wasn’t able to attend… the Aruba Poker Classic because, as you may have heard, she was selected to be on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice this season. She had to fly to L.A. for the premiere party and she’ll be competing for the Ante Up for Africa charity. Annie and Donald Trump in the same boardroom… that should make for some interesting TV."

Jolie-Pitt Foundation Donates To War Children

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have donated $1 million to support the education of war-affected children through their Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict will distribute the donation to four organizations working with children who have lost parents and homes in Iraq, and children in the United States who have lost parents in the conflict will also benefit.

“These educational support programs for children of conflict are the best way to help them heal,” said Jolie, who co-chairs the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

George Clooney - A Messenger Of Peace

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Academy Award winner George Clooney was made a United Nations Messenger of Peace at a function in New York yesterday, January 31, and has pledged to “shine a light” on UN peacekeeping efforts around the world, particularly in Darfur.

“When I stood in the hospital next to women who had been raped and set on fire, they looked up to me and said ‘please send the UN’ – not the US, not China, not Russia, just the UN,” said the 46-year-old actor who has just returned from visiting the war-torn nation of Sudan. “You are their only hope.”

However, several UN member nations claimed the actor’s trip was “inappropriate”, and blocked him from delivering his full message to the assembly. Instead, Clooney read it to reporters during a press conference that followed.

Celebrities Wear Their Hearts On Their Sleeves

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:33:55 +0000

This Summer has seen both style and flair in the fashion world, and nowhere has this been more evident than in the clothes worn by celebrities. From the metallic mini-dresses that made a splash at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards to the dazzling array of gowns seen at the 79th Academy Awards, celebrity fashions have made it a year to remember. Yet, in a season that has included a host of environmental and humanitarian events, many stars have used what they wear to raise awareness of some big social and ecological subjects. They have embraced issue-based labels as a way of provoking thought on some of the most important problems facing the world today.

One such label is Threads For Thought, a contemporary lifestyle brand of clothing for men and women. With a portion of its proceeds going to the Natural Resources Defense Council and the International Rescue Committee, Threads For Thought produces designs which draw inspiration from three major areas: Africa, the Environment, and Peace.
The 100% organic cotton garments have been worn by a multitude of celebrities who support the brand’s concepts, including American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, and actor Jamie Foxx. Singer Gwen Stefani has been setting trends with a selection of Threads For Thought scarves and tops, and actor Don Cheadle, well known for his humanitarian work in Darfur, was spotted wearing a TFT t-shirt on “Inside The Actor’s Studio”.

Clooney, Damon Keep Helping Africa

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:34:46 +0000

The stars of “Ocean’s Thirteen” recently raised over $9 million, and within three weeks donated over $5 million of it to various charities in Sudan’s Darfur region. Most of the money was contributed to the Ocean’s stars’ humanitarian organization, Not On Our Watch, during the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. George Clooney and his co-stars created Not On Our Watch to bring global attention to the plight of the people of Darfur where over 200,000 people have died since 2003 in a rebellion between local rebels and the Sudanese government, and 2.5 million civilians have fled their homes.

The first donation by Not On Our Watch was $2.75 million to the International Rescue Committee. A further $750,000 went to Oxfam, $1 million to Save the Children, and now their latest donation of $1 million to the U.N. World Food Programme will deliver food and other necessities by helicopter to remote villages in Darfur.

Clooney was so impressed by the fundraising success of Not On Our Watch that he plans to turn every film festival into a charity drive for the cause. After filming a documentary about the genocide in Sudan, he has become a leading advocate for action. “There are only a few things we can do – protect them where we can, and provide food, water, health care and counseling,” he says.

Stars Raise The Stakes For Darfur

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:44:33 +0000

Las Vegas is to host a star-studded poker tournament on July 5 to raise much needed aid for the current humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

The Ante Up For Africa event will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, and will see “Ocean’s 13” stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon compete in the high stakes world of Texas Hold ’Em against a host of other celebrities.

The event has been organised by actor Don Cheadle and professional poker player Annie Duke, and will coincide with the annual World Series of Poker. The pair hope the event will generate funds to help the “millions of people who must roll the dice every day in their struggle to survive (in Darfur).”