Look To The Stars News: Invisible Children

Joaquin Phoenix Joins Charity To Write Love On Her Arms

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:00:00 -0000

Joaquin Phoenix returns to the public after a 6-month absence and joins Miley Cyrus and Liv Tyler in a YouTube video for To Write Love on Her Arms, a charity to help individuals who suffer from depression, addiction, self-injury and thoughts of suicide.

TWLOHA was competing to win an on-line contest for a $1 million grant to fund their suicide prevention movement. They finished third in their bid, but are now encouraging people to vote for Invisible Children for the final prize.

A clean-cut Joaquin, 35, appears in the 4-minute video that opens with him and charity founder, Jamie Tworkowski, explaining how Phoenix inspired him to come up with the name of his cause.

“In January 2006, I was invited to a set of a music video. This guy (Joaquin) was directing the band “She Wants Revenge.” I did not meet him that day, but he had “crap” scribbled in magic marker on his arms and it struck me as strange…yet it was bold and it kind of stayed with me."

A little later in the video Miley Cyrus explodes into the picture and teaches Joaquin how to vote for TWLOHA’s on-line campaign using an Apple laptop. Actress and ex-girlfriend Liv Tyler appears next, and Joaquin passes his internet training onto her. The video is highly entertaining and it’s all to help prevent over 800,000 Americans from attempting to commit suicide.

“To Write Love on Her Arms” website also includes an informative video that promotes suicide awareness with James Earl Jones lending his famous voice as narrator. Mr. Jones reveals in this video that 32,000 people a year will succumb to suicide.

Please visit the TWLOHA website and click on the VOTE button to help.

Stars Flock To T-Shirt Launch For Invisible Children

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

GUESS and Vanity Fair Magazine unveiled special edition organic men’s T-shirts and women’s tank tops to benefit education and economic rebuilding in the war-ravaged African nation of Uganda last Thursday, October 21.

Held at the GUESS store in Beverly Hills, the event was hosted by Kristen Bell, Rachel Bilson and Peter Wentz and attracted stars such as AnnaLynne McCord, Ben McKenzie, Eliza Dushku, Rick Foxx, Chris Lowell, Shenae Grimes, Stephanie Jacobsen, Jeff Probst and many others.

The shirts are now available for purchase in all U.S. Guess stores and online at Guess.com. 100% of the proceeds from shirt sales will benefit Invisible Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth education and economic development in war-torn regions of Central East Africa.

Invisible Children was created by Jason Russell, Laren Poole and Bobby Bailey – who also attended Thursday’s event – after the release of their 2004 film “Invisible Children: Rough Cut,” a revealing documentary about the child soldiers of Northern Uganda. GUESS first partnered with the organization back in October 2006, when the daughters of Maurice Marciano, Olivia, 16 and Caroline, 18, were inspired to become involved in the noteworthy cause after seeing the filmmakers on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Kristen Bell To Host Charity Event For Invisible Children

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

GUESS – the American lifestyle brand famous for its trend-setting denim and unforgettable campaigns – and VANITY FAIR magazine, are excited to announce the launch event for a new line of organic t-shirts designed to make a difference: 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit Invisible Children.

This star-studded event will take place at the GUESS Rodeo Drive flagship store in Beverly Hills on Thursday, October 22, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by young Hollywood’s leading ladies, Kristen Bell and Rachel Bilson, with musical guest Peter Wentz accompanied by DJ White Shadow.

Three years ago, Caroline and Olivia Marciano—daughters of Maurice Marciano, Chairman of the Board and Co-founder of GUESS—approached their father about wanting to make a difference by supporting Invisible Children. Caroline, now a freshman in college, and Olivia, a senior in high school, came across Invisible Children while watching an episode of Oprah. The short segment made such an impact on the girls that they went to their father to see how they could get involved. Their father told them, “I will help you, but it has to be your project.” Three years later, GUESS is thrilled to unveil organic men’s T-shirts and women’s tank tops whose entire proceeds will go to benefit Invisible Children. Guests will have the opportunity to get a preview of the men’s and women’s Invisible Children T- shirts prior to their arrival in all U.S. GUESS stores and www.guess.com in early November. The design inspiration for the men’s T-shirt ($29) was drawn from the shape of Africa, which is printed on the front of the shirt. The gradient text, which highlights the daily strife of the children in Uganda, drives home the message of peace, love, and hope reflected in the colors of the Uganda flag. The women’s tank top ($26) features the LOVE logo with the “O” representing the globe. Both shirts will be manufactured by EDUN LIVE out of Uganda from 100% percent certified organic cotton, and will support sustainable socioeconomic development in that country.

“We are excited to celebrate the launch event for the third collaboration between GUESS and Invisible Children,” says Maurice Marciano. “Not only am I thrilled to see the GUESS name aligned with Invisible Children, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for war-affected people in Northern Uganda, but it means so much to me personally that my daughters, Caroline and Olivia, came up with the initial idea to partner with this organization, and have spearheaded the partnership since its inception in 2006.”

Throughout the event, guests will enjoy savory and sweet hors d’oeuvres as well as signature beverages while enjoying the musical stylings of Pete Wentz and DJ White Shadow. Large plasma screens displayed throughout the store will show footage from Invisible Children documenting the bustling streets and dancing children of Uganda, as well as shots of the Lord Resistance Army, and will remind guests how revolutionary this organization has been since its launch in 2003. Guests will receive a 20% discount during event hours with a minimum donation of $5.00 to Invisible Children.

Oprah Gets Behind The Invisible Children

Wed, 06 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

In 2003, three guys from Southern California with a passion for filmmaking took a trip to the Sudan in search of a story. Instead, they ended up in Uganda where they learned that over 30,000 children had been kidnapped to fight for the rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Their film, Invisible Children, is a moving and powerful documentary about one of Africa’s longest running wars and how thousands of people are being brutally and viciously attacked by the rebel army and fleeing their villages without any sign of hope.

The filmmakers – Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole – first screened ‘Invisible Children’ on June 22, 2004 at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego to friends and family of the filmmakers. Not long after, students across the United States were passing along DVDs of the documentary and wanted to know how to help the children in northern Uganda.

“The world knows that they are just a rebel army, but in truth they are children,” says Poole in the film.

Due to overwhelming public response, the filmmakers co-founded the nonprofit Invisible Children Inc. – an awareness and development organization about the great humanitarian crisis of child soldiers.

And the organization took it to the streets, where last week, what started with one volunteer camped out in front of Oprah’s Harpo Studios, soon turned into a crowd of thousands begging Oprah to hear their voices. And she did.

She’s urged viewers to visit the Invisible Children website and watch the 36-minute film. Activists outside the studio thanked Oprah and cheered as they were given a plug by one of the worlds most powerful and influential women.

The films opening credits explain the title: “They are Invisible because no records are kept of their numbers or age. Their own armies deny they exist. They simply vanish.”

To join the movement, watch the film or simply learn more about how to help the children of Uganda escape this outrageous humanitarian crisis, please visit Invisible Children.com.

Pete Wentz Comes To The Rescue

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fall Out Boy's Peter Wentz played a special gig in Washington DC on Saturday, April 25, to raise money and awareness of Invisible Children, and blogged in the Huffington Post about why the cause is so close to his heart.

“Invisible Children is staging an event called the RESCUE, in 100 cities across 10 countries worldwide. Thousands of people are going to symbolically ‘abduct’ themselves and stand in solidarity with all the abducted children forced to fight as soldiers,” he wrote before the gig. "In turn, every group will be ‘rescued’ by a celebrity, politician, local luminary — someone who will make noise and bring the media out. I will be there, in Washington, D.C. standing in solidarity with thousands of other people so that these kids in Uganda will be noticed. And if no cultural leader shows up in one particular city, then everyone in the surrounding cites that were rescued, will take a bus to join them. This will continue until every participating city is rescued. Now, this could take days, or even weeks, but it’s going to happen.

“I thoroughly believe that after April 25th, the world will see a shift in consciousness, and things will be different. You will be changed, or at least you’ll have a hell of a story to tell. Go to therescue.invisiblechildren.com and watch their new film called The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers to learn more about the specifics of why this is the next step. Then sign up. This is your chance to be a part of something great, not for the glory, but for the courage it takes to stand up for justice.”

Invisible Children is an organization that draws attention to the issue of kidnapped child fighters in Uganda and the Congo.

“They’re a movement of people who literally gave up everything because they believed in humanity. They put their money where their mouth is. I watched the film Invisible Children: Rough Cut a while back, about kids sleeping in the streets in Northern Uganda — hundreds of them — because they feared being abducted by rebel leader Joseph Kony and forced to fight in his rebel militia, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They’re kids. Except no one told them they were, so they carry AK-47s, kill their parents and murder, rape and terrorize their own people on command. In the past two decades, 30,000 of them have been abducted. This is a reality neither you nor I could ever begin to understand. It was one of those times in my life where I was given a choice — continue ignoring the issue because it wasn’t in front of me, or forget about myself and do something.”

The RESCUE events around the US also featured appearances by Kirsten Dunst,Kristen Bell and Ryan Gosling.

Stars Call On Their Heroes To Join Rally

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden has joined a video campaign organized by the Invisible Children organization to raise awareness of The Rescue, a global rally that takes place on 25 April.

The campaign allows people to upload videos to YouTube and call on their role models to take part in the rally, which aims at drawing attention to the issue of kidnapped child fighters in Uganda and the Congo.

“Of all the people that I could think of, I thought Emile Hirsch," said Madden in his video. “He actually really cares about Africa. He means it.”

Madden joins a host of stars who are lending their support to the rally, which will feature events in over 100 cities around the world. Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Bell are both due to appear in events in LA, while Ryan Gosling will appear in New York and Peter Wentz is due to take part in Washington DC.

To find out about events near you or to upload your own video, visit the Rescue IC website. Or to view videos made by Madden, Kristen Bell and others, click here.

Pete Wentz Plays Cupid For A Cause

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

This Valentine’s day, Peter Wentz from Fall Out Boy and singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells are playing cupid for a cause.

Invisible Children, a media-based organization that provides relief for the war-affected people of northern Uganda, is holding a raffle to win a personalized Valentine’s videogram for your sweetheart. Tickets can be purchased as two for $2, four for $5, or 20 for $20 on Invisible Children’s online store until February 11th.

Winners will receive a personal love-note from Pete or Tyrone to their Valentine via video on February 14th, with all proceeds going to Invisible Children. The raffle’s inception came about with Wells in 2008, who has largely been involved with Invisible Children throughout the years. Wells has participated in their national event called the Global Night Commute, and by selling the original ‘Rough Cut’ documentary on the road. Wentz has also been an active advocate for the organization, taking Invisible Children out on three Fall Out Boy tours, including their upcoming tour in April, along with his involvement in other fundraising initiatives, including his recent art show in Los Angeles with Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes.

Invisible Children’s ability to creatively integrate a community of musicians and artists around its mission has generated a global awareness about the longest-running war in Africa in an entirely unique way. With the success of 12 band tours, benefit shows, and music festivals like Bamboozle and Warped tour, Invisible Children has empowered artists to use their voice in a powerful and inspiring way.

Click on the links below to choose which artist you would most like to send a heart-filled message to the one you love:

Pete Wentz.
Tyrone Wells.

Nicole Richie Wants To Give You A Fruitcake For Christmas

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Tony Hawk, Nicole Richie and Fall Out Boy are on a mission to “re-gift” the classic fruitcake this Christmas with a new charity application on Facebook.

“The fruitcake has always been a bad gift. You never eat it or keep it. You just always end up re-gifting it,” said skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. “This year we’re changing the fruitcake and making it a symbol of giving and charity.”

Two-pound fruitcake bricks will be given away through a PayPal application on Facebook to benefit the stars’ favorite charities. Recipients will be invited via a personal video to contribute through PayPal to the charities and “re-gift” the fruitcake to friends and family all across the world.

“We’re trying out different kinds of technology and approaches to get people involved and learn about causes,” said Joel Madden. “This time, it’s a fruitcake.”

Celebrities will kick off the fruitcake’s virtual voyage starting with 10 friends each. As the fruitcakes make their way across Facebook, recipients can choose to donate to the celebrity’s cause or continue the fruitcake’s journey simply by re-gifting to friends for free. The Re-gift the Fruitcake program is presented by PayPal, which will make a $20,000 donation to each celebrity charity.

The charities that will benefit from the initiative include the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, the Yao Ming Foundation, the Richie Madden Children's Foundation, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, and Invisible Children.

“By re-gifting this fruitcake you will help build more than 8,000 Classrooms and give children the education they deserve,” said Houston Rockets’ Center Yao Ming.

The initiative can be accessed through http://apps.facebook.com/regiftthefruitcake or www.regiftthefruitcake.com.

Meet Kristen Bell And Enjoy Some Frozen Yogurt For Charity

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Kristen Bell will meet and greet her fans for charity this weekend.

The 28-year-old Heroes star – who is well known for her support of animal welfare charities and is also a member of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet – will be at frozen yogurt giant Red Mango’s 1-year anniversary in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 2. The actress will be signing autographs at the store on Weyburn Avenue from 1-3pm, and the store will be donating all of its proceeds for the day to Invisible Children, a charity that aims to create awareness regarding the plight of the people of northern Uganda by educating and inspiring individuals to use their voices for change.

Motivated by the unseen war in Northern Uganda, Invisible Children was created by three young filmmakers with a singular mission: To use the power of stories to change lives around the world. The charity has garnered support from bands such as Fall Out Boy and Paramore, and the original founders created a video to raise awareness of the tragic realities of Northern Uganda’s child soldiers.

Fall Out Boy Wants to Rock Your Heart With the Story of Invisible Children

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:01:19 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

In 2006 Fall Out Boy Band member Peter Wentz watched the documentary video Invisible Children, which brought to light how children in Northern Uganda were being kidnapped in the night and forced to fight as child soldiers. Wentz learned that the war in Uganda has spanned over 20 years and more than 38,000 children have been abducted.

Pete and the other members of Fall Out Boy answered the call to action they heard by collaborating with the non-profit organization Invisible Children to produce the band’s latest music video “Me and You”. Filmed in Uganda, the Chicago fab four’s compelling video seeks to make the story of these invisible children less invisible.

You too can make a difference by supporting the Invisible Children organization. The funds generated help to improve the quality of life for war-affected children.

Look To The Stars News: Invisible Children

Joaquin Phoenix Joins Charity To Write Love On Her Arms

Related past articles

Stars Flock To T-Shirt Launch For Invisible Children

Related past articles

Kristen Bell To Host Charity Event For Invisible Children

Related past articles

Oprah Gets Behind The Invisible Children

Related past articles

Pete Wentz Comes To The Rescue

Related past articles

Stars Call On Their Heroes To Join Rally

Related past articles

Pete Wentz Plays Cupid For A Cause

Related past articles

Nicole Richie Wants To Give You A Fruitcake For Christmas

Related past articles

Meet Kristen Bell And Enjoy Some Frozen Yogurt For Charity

Related past articles

Fall Out Boy Wants to Rock Your Heart With the Story of Invisible Children

Related past articles