Look To The Stars News: Magic Johnson Foundation

Ashley Judd To Receive Hollywood Hero Award

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Accomplished film, television and Broadway actress and philanthropist, Ashley Judd will be honored November 10 as the recipient of the fourth annual USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award being presented by USA TODAY President and Publisher David Hunke. The award recognizes her work as Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS, the education and prevention program of Population Services International (PSI).

Judd will be feted at a private award gala on the evening of November 10 at The Montage Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Guests will enjoy special celebrity tributes to Ashley Judd, dinner, a silent auction and an exciting live auction, with all proceeds to benefit PSI.

“I am honored to receive the USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award. I accept it on behalf of the world’s poor, vulnerable, and exploited, who in my capacity as global ambassador for YouthAIDS and board member for PSI, I am committed to serving. I am grateful to PSI and its grassroots mission of providing basic health products, services, and the care necessary to empower people to lead healthier lives, which is the basis for all sustainability and is vital for what we are all working toward: stability and peace,” said Ashley Judd.

“We are very pleased to present our fourth annual USA TODAY Hollywood Hero award to Ms. Judd. Her work as an ambassador for YouthAIDS is an inspiration to us all and should be celebrated,” said USA TODAY President and Publisher David Hunke.

In what has become a USA TODAY signature event, the USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award is presented annually to an entertainment industry humanitarian who has made remarkable contributions of time and energies with a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for others. The USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award recipient is unique in that his or her efforts extend far beyond charitable contributions or lending one’s celebrity to enhance a cause or concern.

Previous winners of the USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award have been film and TV producer, entertainment entrepreneur and sports legend Magic Johnson, for his work with the Magic Johnson Foundation in providing HIV/AIDS prevention and health care education to adults and children throughout the minority community; Academy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress/producer Geena Davis, honored for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media in breaking stereotypes and improving gender portrayals in all media produced for children; and United Nation’s Medaille d’Excellence award-winning actress/choreographer Zina Bethune and her Infinite Dreams program, which has introduced more than ten thousand physically-challenged children across the country into actively participating in the performing arts.

Magic Johnson Receives 3rd Annual USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:30:43 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

NBA Legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist Earvin "Magic" Johnson received the 3rd annual USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award presented by USA TODAY President and Publisher Craig A. Moon. A long-time humanitarian and social advocate, Johnson was honored for his work in entertainment, underserved communities and the founding of the Magic Johnson Foundation.

“He’s the perfect Hollywood Hero,” said USA TODAY president and publisher Craig Moon, “the award is about someone who gives more than just their name or money. Magic is a man who gives his time.”

The caliber of celebrities who came out to honor Magic Johnson for his outstanding work in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention in minority communities was nothing short of spectacular. Guests including Chaka Khan, Samuel L. Jackson, Regina King, Russell Simmons and others, offered their words of praise to Magic Johnson, and by the end of the night there was barely a dry eye in the house.

“I want to thank you for loving mankind, " said Chaka Kahn during her speech.

“He showed me that you can live and be vital and change from one thing to another,” said Samuel L Jackson, “And that affects us and a lot of other people.”

“Thank you very much for asking me to be here, that in itself is an honor,” said Regina King, who spoke openly about her adoration of Magic and his wife Cookie. “Every time I see [Cookie] she has something incredible to say and represents us women so well.” She said, “You remind us that we can’t back off. As you are nurturing your souls, and fortifying your character, it’s about you inspiring us to be better, to want to be better, and I thank you so much for being you, I appreciate you.”

Founder of Def Jam records, Russell Simmons gave a heartfelt speech which highlighted Magic’s courage, “Its important to acknowledge the courage, to remind people to be courageous,” said Simmons, “The inspiration and knowledge you give goes way beyond what people see. You are truly an inspirational image in this country and the world.”

Magic’s wife Cookie explained her feelings about when Magic was ready to announce that he was HIV-positive, “I was absolutely against it,” she said. “At that time, HIV was a huge stigma. … But he said, ‘I have to do this because it’s the only way I can help save lives.’ He risked his own reputation, and that’s what makes him my hero.”

Words such as courage, inspiration, love, admiration, respect, thank-you, and perseverance were prevalent in all speeches.
And when Magic hugged each guest speaker after his or her words, he was quick to share his thoughts on what motives him, “My kids hug me, and that’s the only congratulations you want.”

Chanté Moore and her nine-piece band, including Kenny Lattimore, performed at the gala, which was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Other guests included: LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Paul Sorvino, Mo’Nique, Phil Jackson (LA Lakers Coach), Jeanie Buss (LA Lakers Exec), Kurt Rambis, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Susan DeLaurentis (Producer), Miguel A. Nunez (Kickin’ It Old School), William Abadie (Cashmere Mafia), Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes), Steven Sawalich (Director), Telma Hopkins (Love Guru), Judge Joe Brown, and the recipient of the first USA Hollywood Hero Award, Zina Bethune.

The USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award is presented annually to an entertainment industry humanitarian who has made remarkable contributions of time and energies with a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for others. The USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award recipient is unique in that his or her efforts extend far beyond a charitable contribution or simply lending one’s celebrity to enhance a cause or concern.

The Magic Johnson Foundation, founded by Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 1991, works to develop programs and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Over the past few years, the Magic Johnson Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million to community-based organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention, supported more than 800 minority high school students with college scholarships (through the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program), opened 20 Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Centers located in underserved communities across the country, and provided a range of community-based initiatives including an annual Children’s Mardi Gras and holiday toy drive.

(Photos copyright Alberto Rodriguez)

Charity Folks Help Charity Drives

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:42:02 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Charity Folks takes on the daunting task of organising online auctions for celebrity-driven fund raisers for charity.

Winning bidders acquire celebrity memorabilia or attend various types of events, such as television show tapings, concerts, trips abroad or the opening game, donated by celebrities, musicians, sport stars and high-profile personalities, all to support non-profit organisations.

Right now you can bid on meeting hip-hop icon Ludacris at his restaurant opening and dine with 11 of your friends on a special chef’s menu, your donation benefiting the Magic Johnson Foundation. Or you could bid on meeting Magic Johnson himself. Or two tickets to the new Sex And The City movie to support ACLU of Southern California, front row tickets to a Police concert to benefit Unitus, or tickets to the Broadway production of South Pacific and a backstage tour for Only Make Believe.

Charity Folks arrange the auction from beginning to end, from design, promotion, managing the auction and collecting the payments, and have raised over $6 million for nonprofit organizations around the world to date. Click here to see what else is up for auction this month.

Look To The Stars News: Magic Johnson Foundation

Ashley Judd To Receive Hollywood Hero Award

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