Fifth Annual First Star Celebration Features Major Star Power

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:40:00 -0000

A bevy of stars, including Youth Ambassador and actress Dakota Fanning, came out to support the First Star organization’s Celebration for Children’s Rights on June 7, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.

Industry moguls were honored for their extraordinary contributions, such as Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media, receiving the Humanitarian Award. Additionally, Peter Levinsohn, President of Fox Interactive Media received the Community Award.

Celebrities from the worlds of music, television and film showed their support for the mission of First Star to improve the life of child victims of abuse and neglect. That’s So Raven/Corey in the House star Kyle Massey and his older brother Chris Massey – featured on Zoey 101 – have been involved with First Star since 2005. Kyle expressed, “This is a great organization… It gives the children hope.” He added that he hopes to be a part of the organization for a really long time.

First Star and the Child Advocacy Institute are pushing for changes in state and federal laws. They support changes that would clarify and strengthen disclosure requirements so states know how to comply with the intent of the legislation. Another matter of great concern relates to the release of information about child fatality or near fatality unless a person is criminally charged. The First Star advocacy group believes that disclosures should not be dependent on a district attorney’s decision to prosecute.

When asked how she came to be involved with an organization which deals with such heavy issues, Dakota Fanning replied, “Peter Samuelson is someone that I came to know through Starlight Starbright. He told me be about this, and I thought would be another really great organization to be a part of.”

Other young stars in attendance included Maria Lark of the hit show Medium, and actress Alexandra Rose Rieger. Before the awards ceremony took place, kids got the opportunity to indulge in play in a carnival environment. Celebrity kids joined in the festivities.

Big time celebrity support also came from Val Kilmer, Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Every Body Hates Chris actress Tichina Arnold, actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break, host Spike Feresten of Talk Show With Spike, film & TV star Arlen Escarpeta, and rap artist David Banner.

First Star's Children’s Rights Celebration

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:16:24 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

First Star’s fifth annual Celebration for Children’s Rights takes place on the evening of June 7, 2008 and honors humanitarians and visionaries who are devoted to helping children, and to support First Star’s legislative, public awareness and professional education programs to help abused and neglected kids across the country.

Dakota Fanning has confirmed her spot at the event, which will be held at the Wilshire Ebell in Los Angeles. First Star is a national public charity that has attracted such star supporters as Salma Hayek, Pierce Brosnan, Katherine Heigl, Kristin Davis, Debbie Mazar, Sir Ben Kingsley, Macy Gray, Gary Marshall, and many more.

  The ‘Come Be a Kid Again’ theme will prevail as celebrities turn in their traditional black tie clothing for jeans and tennis shoes for carnival games, live music, and a special performance by members of the original Los Angeles cast of Wicked.

 This years honoree’s include Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media LLC, Peter Levinsohn, President of Fox Interactive Media and Stephanie Sperber, Executive Vice President of the Universal Studios Partnership Group-all to be recognized for their specific humanitarian efforts on behalf of children.

 The event is open to the public, for more info and to purchase tickets, please visit FirstStar.org.

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Fifth Annual First Star Celebration Features Major Star Power

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