Look To The Stars News: Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

Be An Intern For Richard Branson And Russell Simmons

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons has joined with British businessman Richard Branson to give you the Ultimate Intern Experience.

A new charity auction is giving you the chance to meet two of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and experience first hand how their companies operate, as well as having the opportunity of a week at each of their foundations – Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and Virgin Unite – to see how they are addressing tough social and environmental issues.

The lucky bidder will spend a total of six weeks learning the business skills that will give you an insight into the success of these great brands. One week at each of the following companies:

Virgin Mobile USA, Warren, NJ (near New York City)
Virgin Unite, the non profit foundation of the Virgin Group, New York City
Virgin America, San Francisco, including round-trip economy airfare from NYC to San Francisco and a week of accommodation at Clift San Francisco
Def Jam Enterprises, New York City
Rush Communications, New York City
Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, New York City

To meet Sir Richard Branson: On 26th October 2009, the intern and a guest will fly to LA, courtesy of Virgin America (round-trip economy), stay for two nights at the luxurious Mondrian Hotel and be VIP guests at the ‘Rock the Kasbah’ Fundraising Gala, hosted by Sir Richard Branson for Virgin Unite.

To meet Russell Simmons: the winner will get to meet him during their tenure at the Rush companies and will also have a lunch with him while in New York City.

The auction runs until July 28 and can be accessed here.

Join Bill Clinton For Vegan Lunch In Charity Auction

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Russell Simmons has launched an online auction to 10th anniversary Art For Life Garden Benefit Party.

Simmons will flex his charity muscles on July 18 with the Art For Life Garden party benefit on July 18th in East Hampton. The auction and event benefits Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the organization he founded with his brothers, Danny and Joseph Simmons, that connects disadvantaged youth with art programs. Held at the private East Hampton Estate of Russell Simmons, this evening will once again celebrate the creative energy of New York City youth and honor exemplary individuals in the community, including Vanessa Williams, at a star-studded dinner and gala featuring live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

The online auction features the chance to join an intimate and private dinner where Bill Clinton will be hosted with 35 guests at Simmons’ private residence in New York on July 20. The others in attendance will be 35 of the most influential movers and shakers in America under the age of 35, part of the noted Summit Series. Past Summit Series attendees have included founders and top officials of companies as Zappos, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Trump International, as well as top entertainment personalities. An extraordinary vegan dinner will be prepared by world famous chef Tom Colicchio, head judge on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, and founder of NYC’s famed Craft restaurants.

Other items include the chance to meet Deepak Chopra and Ice T, yoga lessons with Simmons, meet-and-greets with Third Eye Blind and Fall Out Boy, exclusive tickets to Coldplay, and much more.

The auctions run until July 18 and can be accessed here.

Vanessa Williams To Be Honored By Russell Simmons' Charity

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0000

On Saturday, July 18, 2009, the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will celebrate 10 years of one of the most anticipated and attended Summer events, ART FOR LIFE East Hampton.

Held at the private East Hampton Estate of Russell Simmons, this evening will once again celebrate the creative energy of New York City youth and honor exemplary individuals in the community.

This year’s event will honor Vanessa Williams and others at a star-studded dinner and gala featuring live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation was established by Russell Simmons and his brothers to direct funding to non-profit organizations who provide arts and education programming to New York City youth.

More info about the event can be found here.

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Kim Kardashian

Thu, 21 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Brandy Reynolds

Look To The Stars recently had the chance to talk to television personality Kim Kardashian about the charities she supports.

Which charities do you support?

I am a heavy supporter of the Dream Foundation. My mom and stepdad are on the board. The Dream Foundation grants wishes to terminally ill adults. Every six months I do huge Ebay auctions through Auction Cause, where I give a portion of the proceeds to the Dream Foundation.

I also work closely with Russell Simmons and help him in his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. A while ago I hosted his big charity event in Miami and we are planning a trip to Africa soon!

Why do you feel this is a worthy cause?

I feel the Dream Foundation is extremely important because there is no other foundation like it that grants wishes to adults.

Were you raised to think about others, or was there an event in your life that spurred it?

I was raised always being taught to give 10% of my earnings to the church, and always went to the Special Olympics with my step dad, Bruce Jenner. Giving back and helping others in need has been a way of life!

What do you get out of it? What would you recommend others do to get involved?

When you can help someone that can’t help themselves, it is the most heart warming feeling in the world! I would recommend to just lend your time, giving back doesn’t mean financial, anyone can do it!

What would you like to see change about the world? What would you do to fix the issues?

We are in obvious need of change right now and I would love to see the economy rise up again. I would tell people to donate their time because the charity world is hurting really bad too, and anyone could help! Its key to stress that!

If you could ask people to do one thing, what would that be?

I would ask Hollywood to continue to support charities and businesses.

Does any of your recent work reflect your feelings on world issues?

All of my work does. From charity events to how I live my everyday life.

Look To The Stars would like to thank Kim Kardashian for taking the time to speak to us.

Simmons Commits Money To Charity

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons has revealed that he would rather give his fortune to people in need than spend it on himself.

The 51-year-old made the announcement at the annual BET awards held in Atlanta on Saturday.

“I’m not going to cut down on [my charities] so I can have another ride on a private plane,” said the producer, who took home the I Am Hip Hop icon award at the ceremony. “I want to make sure everyone keeps getting fed.”

Simmons is Co-Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network – which harnesses the cultural relevance of Hip-Hop music to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy – and also co-founded the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation with his brothers, Danny and Joseph Simmons. In 2007 he founded the Diamond Empowerment Fund to raise money to support education initiatives to help people in countries where diamonds are a natural resource.

“I want to contribute more to earth than I take away from it,” Simmons said.

Hip Hop Royalty Auction “Crown Jewels” for Charity

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

On October 1, an unprecedented collection of jewelry from hip hop superstars will be auctioned by Phillips de Pury & Co., with a portion of proceeds benefitting Russell Simmons' Rush Community Affairs.

The auction features such iconic pieces as Missy Elliot’s diamond, black diamond and gold turntable ring; Sean "Diddy" Combs' diamond and platinum bracelet; and Lil’ Jon’s Guinness World Record-holding “Crunk Ain’t Dead” pendant, which weighs almost 12 pounds.

Of the 50 pieces included in the auction, a representative from the auction house says, “The artists are very tied into these pieces emotionally. That they consigned them over is a big statement.”

Rush Community Affairs is a coalition of Russell Simmons’ non-profit organizations and includes the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the Hip Hop Summit Action Network and the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

For more information on the auction, click here

Bid For Yoga With Russell Simmons

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One lucky bidder will have the chance to stretch their limbs with Russell Simmons at a private yoga lesson in a new charity auction the hip hop mogul has launched on eBay.

The 50-year-old has launched the auction to raise money for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a charity he established to provide arts and education programming to New York City youth. Over 75 items have been donated to the auction by a variety of celebrities, all of whom want to reach out to urban youth and offer personal testimony to the transformative power of creative expression.

As well as the yoga opportunity, items up for auction include a one week internship with Simmons at his executive office, a personalized George Clooney cell phone, the chance to meet Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, and Dionne Warwick, the opportunity to attend a baseball game with Petra Nemcova, and a personal rendition of Happy Birthday from John Legend.

The auction runs until July 24, and can be accessed through Charity Buzz.

John Legend Buys Himself At Charity Auction

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:30:11 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation held its first Miami Gala on Saturday night, with a huge celebrity turnout to celebrate the occasion.

The Art For Life event was held at Miami Beach and honored John Legend, Wyclef Jean, and Suze Orman for their efforts to help improve the lives of others. Chaired by Sean 'P.Diddy' Combs and hosted by actress Nia Long, the event was co-organized by a legion of well-known names, including Dwayne Johnson, Petra Nemcova, and Rush founder Russell Simmons.

The main attraction of the evening was a massive celebrity auction, which featured a large selection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and items. However, the auction took on a slightly skewed course when John Legend spent $19,000 on the very item he donated – a Happy Birthday serenade over the phone from… well, from John Legend! Quite how he is going to ring himself up and sing is anyone’s guess.

Legend also pledged a further $10,000 to the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which was followed by $10,000 from Sean Combs and another $10,000 from former NBA player Larry Johnson. And although they couldn’t attend, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie pledged $5,000 in honor of Wyclef Jean.

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation was established in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny, and Joseph Simmons to provide funding for non-profit organizations that give disadvantaged urban youth exposure and access to the arts. Although based in New York, a large percentage of the proceeds from Saturday’s gala will go directly to programs in Miami, including One Art, the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet, and the Theatre Institute of South Florida.

This is the third year the event has been held in South Florida – in previous years it was held at Palm Beach – and last year’s event raised over $2 million.

Look To The Stars News: Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

Be An Intern For Richard Branson And Russell Simmons

Related past articles

Join Bill Clinton For Vegan Lunch In Charity Auction

Related past articles

Vanessa Williams To Be Honored By Russell Simmons' Charity

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Kim Kardashian

Related past articles

Simmons Commits Money To Charity

Related past articles

Hip Hop Royalty Auction “Crown Jewels” for Charity

Related past articles

Bid For Yoga With Russell Simmons

Related past articles

John Legend Buys Himself At Charity Auction

Related past articles