Look To The Stars News: Red Cross

Inaugural Noble Awards Celebrate Hollywood Philanthropy

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look To The Stars was proud to be part of the inaugural Noble Awards on Sunday, October 18 – an event that honored a host of charities and the celebrities that support them, elevating awareness of the significant impact of their work.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the event honored Morgan Freeman with a lifetime achievement award, as well as Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

Lionel Richie was on hand during the ceremony to present an award to Joel Madden, who attended the event with Nicole Richie and his brother Benji.

“I want to welcome him to our family and present this Noble award to a guy I love very much – Joel Madden!” said Lionel as he introduced Joel to the crowd.

“They are just as much a part of it,” said Madden, paying tribute to Nicole and Benji. “Nicole does just as much as I do with Art of Elysium and all the charities we work with. And so does Benj – Benj actually does more then I do, and he plays the guitar better then I do, so he is a little more entertaining for the kids.”

Madden later Twittered about the emotions he felt as he accepted his award: “Just left the NOBLE awards. Got an award that was really for the people at the Art of Elysium. Awesome folks and I’m humbled to know them. By the way got totally choked up when I got my award. I hate thinking about kids in the hospital, they should be getting the awards not us.”

The award itself was designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Morgan Freeman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work and dedication to over a dozen non-profits. Freeman’s diverse charitable efforts include working with American Red Cross, Artists for a New South Africa, the Campaign for Female Education, Earth Biofuels, Grenada Relief Fund, Mississippi Animal Rescue League and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman has also done PSAs for Sierra Club, and a number of Entertainment Industry Foundation campaigns, covering issues like colon cancer prevention, health care reform and volunteerism.

“I think so often we don’t know that our gestures matter,” said Teri Hatcher, who was also honored. “I think when you get involved in your local community charity you really do see you make a difference and it’s empowering for you.”

Look To The Stars was at the awards, and we will bring you more about the fantastic event over the coming days.

Look To The Stars Helps Promote Hollywood Philanthropy At Noble Awards

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look to the Stars is pleased to announce that we will work year-round with The Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.

The inaugural Noble Awards, taking place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18, has announced five new award honorees. The Blind Project, The Lollipop Theater Network, Padres Contra el Cancer and Playing for Change will be honored along with six previously announced charities. In addition, Morgan Freeman will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The two-hour event, hosted by “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the significant impact of their work.

Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org). During the ceremony, each will be presented with an award sculpture, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum will provide live musical performances throughout the evening.

“We are delighted to present these eleven distinguished charities and their celebrity supporters with the inaugural Noble Award,” stated Janeen Mansour, creator and executive producer of The Noble Awards. “With the presentation of The Noble Awards, our goal is to turn the spotlight back onto these celebrities and charities to provide recognition, to educate, to inspire, and to encourage even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large.”

Morgan Freeman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work and dedication to over a dozen non-profits. Freeman’s diverse charitable efforts include working with American Red Cross, Artists for a New South Africa, the Campaign for Female Education, Earth Biofuels, Grenada Relief Fund, Mississippi Animal Rescue League and Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman has also done PSAs for Sierra Club, and a number of Entertainment Industry Foundation campaigns, covering issues like colon cancer prevention, health care reform and volunteerism.

“The Entertainment Industry Foundation is pleased to be a part of the inaugural Noble Awards,” said Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of Entertainment Industry Foundation. “We are honored and so proud to present our dear friend and exceptional actor Morgan Freeman with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding charitable work and ongoing contributions to so many important social causes.”

The Noble Awards will kick off the “Be A Noble” Movement, a perennial effort to encourage each and every person to “Be A Noble,” and inspire them to give back and take action with a purpose on a global scale. Some of these initiatives include:

Look to the Stars will work year-round with The Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.

As part of next year’s Cup with a Cause program, 7-Eleven, in collaboration with The Noble Awards, will produce a series of celebrity-designed coffee cups featured in stores nationwide. A minimum of $250,000 will go towards each participating celebrity’s charity of choice. During The Noble Awards’ cocktail hour, guests will be asked to design cups as part of the program.

Participant Media and Takepart.com, the official “action” platform for the Awards, have partnered with the “Be A Noble” Movement to provide the Foundation with a web platform to showcase the work of all the organizations they are honoring throughout the year.

ONEHOPE Wine has bottled an award-winning varietal of wine to be labeled “NOBLE.” 100% of all proceeds from each bottle will go towards the “Be A Noble” Movement, to be distributed among the honored charities.

Rumblefish Jewelry will design a jewelry line based on The Noble Awards and “Be A Noble” Movement, where a percentage of sales will be donated to Noble charities.

Additional partners include EIF/iParticipate, The Hollywood Reporter, Audi, Beverly Hilton, Mobile Cause, Rosenthal and GoodSearch.

As the film industry has the Oscars, television the Emmys and the music industry the Grammy Awards, the charity community and its most dedicated Hollywood supporters will gain global recognition with the staging of The Noble Awards. Produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a non-profit organization, the first annual awards will take place on October 18, 2009. The Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round movement to BE A NOBLE to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service. For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.

Neil Finn To Headline Charity Concert For Samoan Relief

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A concert featuring Crowded House’s Tim and Neil Finn – and a host of other New Zealand-based musicians – will take place in Auckland later this month to raise money for victims of last week’s Tsunami in Samoa.

The Finn Brothers will be joined by Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, Che-Fu, King Kapisi and many more at Auckland’s Vector Arena on October 19. Also performing will be New Zealand Hip Hop stars Savage and Scribe, who both lost family in the disaster.

Aid agencies such as the Red Cross, World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are still seeking donations for the massive clean-up required after last week’s devastating disaster that killed over 180 people.

Tickets for the concert are NZ$25 and are available through Ticketmaster New Zealand.

Aid Agencies Seek Donations For Samoan Tsunami Vistims

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New Zealand-born comedy actress Pamela Stephenson has given a harrowing first-hand account of the devastating Tsunami that hit Samoa last week.

The wife of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly was staying in Samoa and is urging the world to come to the aid of the island nation after the massive wave killed over 180 people – including villagers and tourists – and left many more homeless.

“Huge piles of debris lay everywhere; it was clear the wave had whacked every structure with incredible might,” she told the Guardian newspaper in the UK. “Cars teetered where they had been thrown, on top of rubble from collapsed dwellings. Fridges and air conditioners floated in the sea. I looked along the bay and saw that a well-known jetty was missing. So were villages that once lined the shore. I saw a thatched fale [house] surrounded by three policemen and some villagers. A woman was lying inside and someone was trying to revive her.”

New Zealanders have already donated over $600,000 to aid agencies operating on the islands, but the Red Cross and Oxfam are desperately asking for more.

“Any money given to the Red Cross for an emergency goes to that emergency, we ensure that it’s spent where it’s most needed and that’s at the ground in the communities,” said Andrew McKie from the Red Cross.

Organizations such as World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are also seeking donations.

“Many are homeless, but the extended family system means they will stay with relatives in other villages,” said Stephenson. “Samoans are extraordinary people, and their resilience is evident."

For more information on how to donate to victims of this disaster, click here.

American Red Cross Announces Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

The American Red Cross is pleased to announce five new additions to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need.

New members to the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet include country singer and professional ballroom dancer Julianne Hough, Tony Award-winner and actress Anika Noni Rose, who lends her voice to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure “The Princess and the Frog” and appears in the HBO/Anthony Minghella television drama series,“#1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”, Hollywood Records artist and Disney Channel star Demi Lovato, who is supporting disaster relief via a Text 2 Help campaign throughout her summer tour, actress Sally Pressman from Lifetime’s “Army Wives” who will be supporting Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces, and actress Amanda Peet.

Peet has already made a personal commitment to support the Red Cross Measles Initiative. “As a mom, I feel privileged to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to vaccinate millions of children around the world through the Measles Initiative, a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. I commend the American Red Cross for tackling this global health problem in developing countries, where measles remains a leading cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. I am passionate about this cause and look forward partnering with the American Red Cross to ensure children worldwide have this life-saving opportunity.”

“The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes,” states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

The announcement of these celebrity supporters closely follows First Lady Michelle Obama’s official launch of the United We Serve initiative, a call for nationwide service to begin a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to meet community needs. The initiative spans throughout the summer and will culminate with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. During this time, the Red Cross will promote volunteer opportunities throughout its network of more than 700 chapters to help encourage community service.

“I am honored to be a part of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and help support an organization that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war and aid to victims of devastating natural disasters. Being part of this amazing organization will provide me with an opportunity to join its efforts to help others and encourage the American public to become involved with their local Red Cross and make a difference,” said Julianne Hough.

The Red Cross benefits from the involvement of public figures and celebrities dating back to World War I. Over the years, actors, artists, and sports figures committing their time and talents to the organization have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services nationwide.

This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Peyton and Eli Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, “Access Hollywood’s” Nancy O’Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Raven Symone, Elisabeth Rohm, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, and Daddy Yankee.

The Red Cross is honored to have Sherry Lansing, former chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Group, Paramount Pictures and former member of the Red Cross Board of Governors, to serve as National Celebrity Cabinet Chair.

Please visit www.redcross.org/celebritycabinet/ to learn more about the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

Jackie Chan And Jet Li Give To Typhoon Victims

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li have stepped up to help victims of the typhoon that devastated Taiwan last week.

Jet LI – who founded the One Foundation to help victims of natural disasters – lined up with aid workers from the Red Cross to hand out urgently needed supplies to people who have lost their homes in the floods and mudslides.

“It will get better,“ said the star, who took part in a celebrity fundraiser on Friday that raised Taiwan$1.1 billion (US$33 million). “Everybody is working very hard. We should have more understanding and give more encouragement.”

Look To The Stars can also reveal that Jackie Chan has donated over 2 million RMB (US$293,000) to the disaster relief effort after Typhoon Morakot swept across parts of mainland China.

Chan recorded a Chinese language video to encourage people to help by making donations they can afford. He also promised to keep himself informed of the relief effort and to provide continued support to the victims.

The video (Chinese, no subtitles) can be viewed here.

More photos of Jet Li can be viewed on Facebook.

Sex And The City Star Volunteers For Diabetes Camps

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Sex And The City actor Willie Garson is currently volunteering at camps for children with Type 1 diabetes.

The 45-year-old actor – who played Stanford Blanch on Sex and the City and has appeared in over 50 films, including “There’s Something About Mary,” “Being John Malkovich” and “The Rock“ – is lending his time to Camp Joslin in Charlton (a boys’ camp) and the Clara Barton Camp (a girls’ camp) in North Oxford, Mass. The Barton Center for Diabetes Education runs both camps.

Along with his 8-year-old son, Nathan, Garson is undertaking a wide range of responsibilities at the camp – he does everything other staff workers would do, ranging from being responsible for one of the cabins to washing dishes. Several years ago, he attended a fundraiser for children with diabetes and wanted to help. He found that volunteering at camp was a good way to stay involved and to expose his adopted son to volunteering. Neither he nor his son have diabetes.

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education is one of the largest, independent camping and educational program in the country dedicated to children who live with diabetes and the people who care for them. The Barton Center, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007, is located at the birthplace of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. The Barton Center is a year-round camp, retreat, and conference center where learning and shared experiences combine to support and motivate children and families. Some 1,500 children and their families participate in its programs annually, including the Clara Barton Resident Camp; Adventure Programs; Family Programs; Fall, Winter, Spring Programs; and Day Camps in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

To find out more about the camps, click here.

Celebrities Do Whatever It Takes For Charity

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge selection of celebrity-designed bags and T-shirts are currently available at the UK’s premiere celebrity charity auction website, Buy Once Give Twice.

The auction site is hosting the auction for Whatever It Takes, a unique charity artwork project which inspires hope by gathering artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. The artworks are used to ethically produce Whatever It Takes products which are then sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

Going under the hammer in the auction are T-shirts featuring designs by The Killers, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Duff, Lucy Liu, Toni Collette, Coldplay, Minnie Driver, Keane, Whoopi Goldberg, Green Day, Barry Manilow, Penelope Cruz, Melanie C, Annie Lennox, and the Kaiser Chiefs. There are also bags and purses designed by Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Lucy Liu, Kanye West, Slash, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, and Stella McCartney.

Charities supported by Whatever It Takes include: Adopt-A-Minefield, Anti-Slavery International, Breast Cancer Campaign, CARE, Children of the Andes, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Christian Children’s Fund, City at Peace, Comic Relief, Dreams Can Be Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Greenpeace, Healthlink Worldwide, Heifer International, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, Red Cross, LIFEbeat, LifeLine & Rape Crisis PMB, Opportunity International, Oxfam, ROTA, Rights and Humanity, S.A.F.E., Save the Children, Sharon Osborne Colon Cancer Program, Snoop Youth Football League, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Teenage Cancer Trust, The BRIT Trust, Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, Little Dreams Foundation, Lotus Outreach, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Toothfairy Foundation, Trade plus Aid, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WaterAid.

To make a bid in the auction, which runs until June 30, click here.

Tim McGraw And Faith Hill To Perform For Country United

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

The American Country singer and actor Tim McGraw and his wife Faith Hill will perform during Country United, a two-day event comprised of the Partnership for Military Medicine Symposium and the Country United Gala. The events will take place on November 6 & 7, 2009, in Washington , D.C., to support the United States’s wounded warriors.

Symposium registration and Gala tickets are both available at www.countryunited.org.

The symposium and gala are supported by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine and the Tug McGraw Foundation.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF) for the Advancement of Military Medicine is a private, not-for-profit organization authorized by the US Congress to support military medical research and education at USU (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences) and throughout the armed forces. Country United is an extension of HJF’s ongoing efforts to advance military medicine. (www.hjf.org)

The Tug McGraw Foundation was established in 2003 to enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors, and in 2009 expanded programs to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. TMF collaborates and partners with other organizations to accelerate new treatments and cures while improving quality of life in areas of physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of those debilitating conditions.

McGraw and Hill are co-chairing the event that will raise money to help advance medical care and improve quality of life for service members and civilians. Hill is also scheduled to provide the keynote address during the Nov. 6 symposium.

“My father, Tug McGraw, proudly served as a Marine, and I’m honored to play a role in this very special event,” Tim McGraw said. “The goal of Country United is aligned with our own mission to accelerate treatment and cures around quality-of-life issues.”

Tim Mc Graw is very involved in social activities. As his success has grown, McGraw has become increasingly interested in giving back to the community. When McGraw first reached fame in 1994, he established his annual Swampstock event. Begun as a charity softball game to raise money for hometown little league programs, the event now includes a celebrity softball game and a multi-artist concert that attracts over 11,000 fans per year. The combined events have funded new little league parks and equipment and established college scholarship funds for students in the Northeast Louisiana area.

From 1996-1999 McGraw also hosted an annual New Year’s Eve concert in Nashville with special guests including Jeff Foxworthy, the Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride. The 1997 show raised over $100,000 for the Country Music Foundation Hall of Fame and Museum. Beginning in 1999, McGraw would pick select cities on each tour, and the night before he was scheduled to perform, would choose a local club and host a quickly-organized show. This tour within a tour became known as “The Bread and Water Tour”, and all proceeds from the show would go to a charity from that community.

In the days immediately following Hurricane Katrina, McGraw and his wife, who was raised in Mississippi, joined groups taking supplies to Gulfport, Mississippi. The two also hosted several charity concerts to benefit those who were displaced by the storm. Later in the year the couple established the Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation, which provides funding for community charities to assist with basic humanitarian services in the event of a natural disaster or for desperate personal circumstances.

McGraw is also a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, in which various celebrities donate their time, skills, and fame to help the Red Cross highlight important initiatives and response efforts.

McGraw has helped out with charity events held by NFL Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. The Favre Forward Foundation has featured McGraw (and at other times Faith Hill) performing concerts during dinners and auctions that benefit children with disabilities in Wisconsin and Mississippi.

On July 12th, 2007, it was made public that McGraw and his wife Faith Hill, while in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a performance, donated $5000 to Kailey Kozminski, 3 year-old daughter of Officer Robert Kozminski, a Grand Rapids police officer who was killed on July 8, 2007 while responding to a domestic disturbance.

Samuel L. Jackson To Host Charity Golf Bash In London

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Linda St Cyr

Samuel L. Jackson, star of films such as The Spirit, Snakes on a Plane and Pulp Fiction, will be hosting a star-studded benefit in London on June 11, 2009.

The benefit – which is called “Shooting Stars in Desert Nights” – will take place at two locations. The benefit will start off at London Golf Club, where charity supporters will be able to play golf with Samuel L. Jackson and many of his celebrity friends. Then the evening will bring a luxury Black and White Ball Benefit, held at London’s Hurlingham Club, and a feast of wonders with a menu designed by famed Michelin Star chefs.

Shooting Stars in Desert Nights will raise money for the Rainbow Trust and the Samuel L. Jackson Foundation. Rainbow Trust is a charity that provides practical and emotional support for families with a child suffering from a life threatening or terminal illness. The Samuel L. Jackson Foundation supports numerous charities including AIDS institutes, orphanages, the Dreams Can Be Foundation, the Breast Cancer Campaign, Red Cross, Save the Children and many others.

Many stars will be coming out to join Jackson on the golf course and also at the decadent black and white ball. Some will be team captains for the golf competition preceding the ball. Team captains will include Jackson, Alice Cooper, Jesse Metcalfe, Damian Lewis, Michael Bolton, Luke Wilson, JJ Field and Flex Alexander. Michael Campell and Colin Montgomerie are the pro golfers who will be attending the event.

Ticket packages for the evening can be found here. Shooting Stars in Desert Nights will be a day and an evening to remember with music from world class surprise performers, food, fun and a charity auction to support great causes.

Stars For A Cause To Raise Charity Funds Tonight

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A selection of items designed and decorated by some of Entertainment’s biggest stars will go under the hammer at Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House in Los Angeles tonight, May 28.

The Stars For A Cause Auction features a wide range of rare and collectable items, such as posters signed by Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anna Paquin, David Duchovny, Rumer Willis, Jonas Brothers, P. Diddy, America Ferrera, Hayden Panettiere, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, Emma Thompson, Marisa Tomei, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Tina Fey, Steven Spielberg and many more.

There are also shoes from William Shatner and Ludacris, and bags adorned with kisses from Al Roker, Nancy O’Dell, Nicollette Sheridan, Marcia Cross, Hugh Laurie, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Geena Davis, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Reese Witherspoon, Kelly Clarkson, Green Day, Keira Knightley, Paula Abdul, John Legend and many more.

And if that is not all, there are also cufflinks from Miley Cyrus and Trace Adkins, and jewelry from many others.

A public preview of the lots will take place between 12pm and 5pm today, at the Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House at 7601 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. The auction will begin at 8pm.

Half of the proceeds of the auction will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

More information can be found here.

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Kate Linder

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Brandy Reynolds

Kate Linder has appeared on The Young and the Restless for 27 years and was named celebrity spokesperson for The ALS Association in early 2005.

Earlier this month, she went to Washington to lobby for more funds to fight ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – for the fifth year in a row. In 2006, Linder won the organization’s All-Star Award for her passionate service to the cause and won their Packman Award in 2007. Kate travels around the country to participate in and encourage other volunteers at the ALS Association’s fundraisers, Walk to D’Feet ALS, and in their fundraising dinners for local chapters.

The ALS Association’s mission is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy – through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

Why did you decide to support this organization?

My brother-in-law, Scott, was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, and I had heard about ALS before because Michael Zaslow, who was on Guiding Light, had it. When Scott came down with it, I thought “Oh gosh, I have to get involved and see what I can do here”.

Have you seen improvement and passion towards people who have ALS by this foundation?

Oh yes, they’re definitely passionate. I just came back from Washington DC, because they were having their conference and advocacy day… There are more and more new people coming. There’s a new CEO now, Jane Gilbert, who I was very impressed with, and I think that we’re going to see the association grow by leaps and bounds and the Association will be able to help everyone across the country.

What did you see different in her that’s different than the past CEO?

She really gets it. Her best friend’s husband had ALS, so she knew about ALS and was close to the situation. She was also head of the Red Cross and had managed over 760 chapters across the country, so she’s no stranger to dealing with adversity and problems. She has a passion for ALS because of her involvement with the disease through her friend. She really cares about the patient, chapters, care givers and everyone. She just wants to raise awareness. A lot of that is my job; I’m out there trying to raise awareness. They call it an orphan’s disease because they say that there’re not that many people that have it, but that’s not the case at all. Just as many people come down with ALS as cancer. With a lot of cancers now, they’re treatable – but with ALS, it’s a death sentence and you don’t survive it. So that’s why the numbers are lower.

For someone who has never volunteered with the Association, where’s a good place to start?

Contact the association. There are lots of different chapters in different states. If you can’t find a chapter, one could contact the association and then the association would put them in touch.

What was the first job you did when you first became a volunteer for the Association?

They have walks, called the Walk to Defeat ALS. I’ve appeared at lots of the walks to raise money, and I shot a PSA with my brother-n-law …right in the beginning I did that. I also narrated a video that they have as well. I really just did what I could and went to as many places as I could.

Where you raised to give back?

Well, I’ve always given back. I saw my parents giving back and donating every since I was a little girl. But, I’ve been on the Young and the Restless for some time; I’ve just had my 27th year. It’s so amazing…here I am doing what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s not only my privilege, but it’s my duty to give back. I feel so fortunate and if I can give back and help people, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m so grateful to Young and the Restless, because they’ve afforded me the opportunity to be able to do this. Hopefully people will listen to me about ALS.

Do think that people in Hollywood are doing enough to raise awareness about ALS?

No, I don’t. You say ALS and people will look at you like what’s that. It’s a horrific disease; you are trapped in your own body. Can you imagine that your mind works perfectly? My brother-in-law’s brain is probably better than mine. He knows what’s going on, but he’s lying in a bed and can’t move anything. He can blink his eyes maybe and communicate by that. It’s horrific. I can’t tell you how bad it is. I know that there will be a cure found. It’s just a matter of when. There will be a cure, it’s just that we have to make it happen faster. It’s unbelievable. It attacks the nerve cells and then attacks its way through the brain and spinal cord, so when those cells die the muscle control and the movement dies with them. The person is totally paralyzed, but the mind is just as sharp and alert as it ever was. The average life span is 2-5 years, but some people do live longer and I have met some that have.

What would you like to see change about the world when it comes to charity work?

If everyone could help and gave a little time, times are tough for everybody. It’s a bad time right now and the charities are really hurting. They are totally suffering, because people have to cut down on things, and maybe people that gave before feel like they can’t do it, they don’t have the money. If every person gave a dollar, that would be a lot of money. If people can’t give money, at least volunteer, that would be so helpful.

Will any of your upcoming work reflect your work you have done with the ALS Association, maybe a book or movie something?

I’m always looking for that and that would be great. There’s nothing right now, but I think that would be just fabulous.

In being named celebrity spokesperson for the ALS Association, have you been able to make a lot more progress in raising awareness? Do you feel like the position appointed to you has really helped you do more with the Association?

I’ve had people come up to me and thank me. So many people came up to me in the last couple of days in Washington, DC and thanked me for coming and being there, and they feel I put a face to the disease. If I can help in that manner then I am so grateful, because I will do anything that I can to try and get awareness out that this is not a rare thing. Every day an average of 15 people are diagnosed. That’s 5,600 people a year, and as many as 30,000 American people are affected right now.

Can people volunteer as a care person?

Yes, Congress has provided money for the Respit Care Act and for the registry. We wanted $5 million – they’ve given several million. So they know how many men and women get the disease and what their occupation was.

What is the last thought you want to leave with people regarding ALS?

Andrew Sweetson made a statement that has always stuck with me. I have to give him credit. “It doesn’t matter how many breaths you take in this lifetime, but what you do with them.” That is how I feel and that’s what I’m trying to do. A lot of people that have ALS are out there trying to make a difference, their life span may be shorter, but they are doing something with what they have. You have to look at yourself and say what can I do to help.

There was a gentleman who lost his wife who had ALS, he has two young kids and when they were going through it he said his neighborhood organized help. He kept a list of everything he needed done. When people came up to him and asked what they could do, he would go down his list. One of his neighbors organized a dinner for them every night. All the families in the neighborhood made a little extra dinner every night so his family could have a home cooked meal every night. Little things like that go a long way.

Look To The Stars would like to thank Kate Linder for taking the time to talk to us. To learn more about the ALS Association, visit their website.

Stars For A Cause On Display

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A selection of celebrity designed/autographed jewelry, footwear and other unique items will be on display at auction house Bonhams in New Bond Street, London, tomorrow before being auctioned at Bonhams and Butterfields in Los Angeles on May 28.

Half of the proceeds of the auction, organized by Stars For A Cause, will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

Celebrities taking part in the campaign include Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Ricky Gervais, Charlize Theron, Goldie Hawn, Miley Cyrus, Colin Farrell, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Sigourney Weaver and more.

To learn more about this amazing auction, visit the official website.

Kiss Singer Donates Wine To Red Cross Auction

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

KISS vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley will donate the first bottles of his new range of wines to a charity auction to help victims of February’s devastating bush fires in Australia.

The first bottles of the Paul Stanley Collection – produced in the Barossa Valley – won’t be available to the public until 2010, but Stanley has donated the first bottles and an original painting to the Australian Red Cross to be auctioned off simultaneously in Melbourne and Sydney on May 30.

“We have decided to offer something unique that will capture the imagination of bidders,“ said Paul Roper of Wines To The Stars. “We are in fact presenting the opportunity to bid for wines that are ‘one-off bottles’ and extremely rare and collectible. Also, the added opportunity to own a piece of art history, a real genuine showpiece to hang in their home, office or where ever they desire. It is Paul’s and our wish that we can raise as much as possible for this very special charity and Paul has personally signed each of the labels as well as the original painting. These wines will be fantastic collectables for years to come. It is only fitting that we use the international and popular status of Paul Stanley as well as one of Australia’s great boutique wine producers, to create interest to attract bidders to raise as much as we can.”

Josh Duhamel Films PSA For Storm Relief

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Transformers star Josh Duhamel has filmed a public service announcement in a bid to help fellow North Dakota natives who have been hit by the state’s recent storms.

“Many people in my home state of North Dakota have been impacted by floods and severe weather,” he said. “Help people affected by disasters like the current floods and winter storms by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Your donation enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. The American Red Cross relies on your support to meet the needs of disaster victims.”

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund has already provided the victims with 181,993 meals and 500 “comfort kits”, but desperately need more help.

“To make a contribution, contact the American Red Cross today,” said Duhamel. “Your help is urgently needed.”

To view the PSA, click here.

Jet Li Appointed Goodwill Ambassador

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jet Li was appointed as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization (WHO) – the United Nations’ public health arm – on Friday, and is expected to launch World Health Day in Beijing on Tuesday.

“I would like to thank WHO for this great honor and opportunity,” he said. “Health is essential to the well-being of humanity, and I am very happy that WHO trusts me to take on this important responsibility. If we do not take care of our bodies, we will not be able to do many things. This is our common belief, and I will do my very best to spread this shared belief to the world.”

The action star will use his position as ambassador to raise awareness of issues such as public health responses to emergencies, as well as mental health. Both causes are close to the star’s heart, and he founded the One Foundation after narrowly escaping the December 26, 2004 tsunami with his family. He has also been a Red Cross ambassador since 2006.

“I am very pleased to appoint Jet Li as a Goodwill Ambassador for WHO,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “Jet Li’s commitment to promoting community involvement and young people’s participation in social and health issues will be a great asset to WHO’s work. He has been personally involved in providing emergency response following natural disasters and has promoted mental health amongst youth. We are grateful that he is willing to use his energy and fame to promote health and well-being.”

Kylie Minogue Leads The Stars In Australian Charity Concerts

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 120,000 people attended the Sound Relief fundraising concerts in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, March 14, to raise money for victims of devastating fires and floods in Australia.

The concerts have raised over AUS$5 million to go towards the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Fund Appeal and Queensland flood relief efforts, with some of the world’s greatest entertainers turning on performances of a lifetime for a good cause.

Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift, Kings Of Leon, Neil Finn and Crowded House, and Kasey Chambers were just some of the artists that entertained the crowds, which included celebrities such as Toni Collette, David Wenham and Shane Warne. Kylie Minogue appeared at the Melbourne concert with a special rendition of I Still Call Australia Home, and the Sydney concert was closed by Olivia Newton-John and Barry Gibb, who performed Islands In The Stream and a wide range of Bee Gees hits. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also joined Aussie legend John Farnham on stage for a duet on You’re The Voice.

“I was ready and I think the cause is so great – it’s essential,” said Barry Gibb, who flew in from the US the day before the concert. “I think we all need to be incensed about what happened and I think we need to care and I think we need to make the statement, so [that’s why] we’re here.”

Prince William and Prince Harry also made their first ever Australian address – via video – telling the crowds that they could “only imagine” what victims were going through and asked people not to forget the “amazing efforts” of the emergency services.

“It was a day for the ages, an event like no other that will live in the hearts of many Australians for generations to come,” said concert organizers, who went on to say that it was the biggest paying audience at any Australian concert or charity event ever. Millions more heard the concert on television and radio.

Among other bands to perform on the night were reunions of Hunters And Collectors, Icehouse, Split Enz, and Midnight Oil.

Kylie Minogue To MC Australian Bush Fire Relief Concert

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop star Kylie Minogue is to MC one of the Sound Relief concerts to benefit victims of Australia’s bush fires.

The concerts – to be held in Sydney and Melbourne on March 14 – will raise money for families of the 210+ people who lost their lives in last month’s fires, as well as the thousands left homeless. The Melbourne concert has already sold out – making it the largest paid concert event ever held in Australia, with 78,000 expected to attend – and extra tickets have been added to the Sydney concert.

Minogue will fly to Melbourne from India – where she is currently filming a Bollywood movie – but is not expected to perform musically at the event.

“The lineup is without doubt a once in a lifetime one, but it’s truly impressive how much the Australian public has gotten behind this. It speaks volumes of the passion of our great country – helping a mate in trouble,“ said Sound Relief co-organizer and music promoter Michael Gudinski. “To me, Kylie is Melbourne. Her attendance is the cherry on the top of an already phenomenal lineup. She’s our girl.”

All profits from the Melbourne concert will be donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, while half of the proceeds from the Sydney concert will go to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund Appeal in QLD to aid the victims of the Queensland floods.

Acts expected to perform at the shows include Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Kings Of Leon, Neil Finn, Kasey Chambers and many others.

Tickets to the Sydney show are $75 and are available from Ticketek.

Coldplay To Headline Bushfire Benefit Concert

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge selection of bands have agreed to take part in Sound Relief, two concerts benefiting victims of Australia’s bushfires early next month.

Coldplay, Kings Of Leon and Jack Johnson are just some of the names signed up to appear in the concerts, to be held in Melbourne and Sydney on March 14. Organizers are hoping the twin concerts – labeled by some as ``the single largest music concert event in Australia’s history” – will raise up to $5 million dollars. 100-per-cent of the money raised from the Melbourne show will go to the Red Cross bushfire appeal, while the Sydney proceeds will be split between the bushfire appeal and for victims of the Queensland floods.

Also set to appear are Kasey Chambers, Paul Kelly, Liam Finn, Split Enz and a reformed Midnight Oil and Icehouse. Aussie legends Hunters and Collectors are also reforming for the concerts, with lead singer Mark Seymour telling the Herald Sun: “The sheer magnitude of this tragedy has really hit home for all of us – how important it is to show that we care about the lives of fellow Australians, especially given that they suffered a tragedy that simply came about because they lived in a certain postcode. What’s happened to them could have happened to any of us.“

Country singer Kasey Chambers shared similar feelings about the tragedy that has claimed over 200 lives and left thousands homeless.

“You try and find the thing you can do,” she said. “I can’t put out fires, I can’t rebuild houses for people but I can use my position as a musician to raise some money and hopefully inspire people to find their thing that they can do. It’s a pretty proud day to be Australian to see all of us come together.”

Tickets are expected to cost $75 and will be available from Ticketek from March 4.

Look To The Stars Exclusive: Live Stream Of Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be involved in one of Hollywood’s premier charity Oscar parties this weekend. Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference will take place on Sunday, February 22, at the iconic Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, with a host of celebrities expected to attend. And Look To The Stars is streaming the event LIVE.

This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

Hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster, the Night To Make A Difference will attract stars such as Paris Hilton, Jessica Biel, Forest Whitaker, Slash, Alan Thicke, Ashley Tisdale, Brooke Burns, Cheryl Burke, Cheryl Ladd, Chevy Chase, Danny Boyle, Darryl McDaniels, Dee Wallace, Hilary Duff, Holly Robinson-Peete, Jaclyn Smith, Jane Seymour, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Ken Paves, Mario Lopez, Mel B., Melissa Gilbert, Rick Schroder, Suzanne Somers, Taraji P. Henson, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk and many more.

“The Night To Make a Difference party is to benefit the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and my own Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center,” Olivia Newton-John told Look To The Stars. “But now it has morphed into a bigger night than just our two charities – it’s about everybody’s philanthropy and giving back. It’s a new era in America with the new Obama presidency, and it’s all about giving back, so we decided to make the night an evening about celebrity giving – like the theme of Look To The Stars.”

Other charities to be involved with the event are Jessica Biel’s Make The Difference Network, the Felix Organization, the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition, Cancer Schmancer Movement, Blessings in a Backpack, the Red Cross, TreePeople, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the David Foster Foundation, Smiles For Life, The HollyRod Foundation and many more.

“This event is truly different from the others and one of the aspects I am most excited about is the ability for viewers at home to be a part of the experience via the live webcast,” said Leeza Gibbons. “With Arquiva and Highwinds handling the technical wizardry, we are able to focus on our message of advocacy and philanthropy. Our hope is to inspire people at home and around the world to take action and knowing that we are able to reach a broad audience on the web means we truly have a chance to help create the change presented by our on-camera Hollywood celebrities. I think it’s what happens when Hollywood stars converge with technical stars like Arquiva and Highwinds. Our combination of being behind the scenes of movie’s most glamorous night along wtih it’s most passionate and purposeful stars takes the gold for best new web idea!"

The event kicks off at 4pm in Beverly Hills with Red Carpet arrivals. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website. And be sure to visit Look To The Stars’ special live stream of the event on Oscars night.

Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Donate Half A Million To Red Cross

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

During a telethon held last week to raise money for communities devastated by the bushfires sweeping through Victoria, Australia, actress Nicole Kidman and her musician husband Keith Urban appeared by satellite from Tennessee to show their support and make a $500,000 donation to the Red Cross.

“As Australians, I think the biggest thing is that no matter where you are in the world we support each other,” Kidman said on camera. “We’re Aussies, and we support each other and we rally. We would like to donate a half a million dollars on behalf of our family to the families that need it now.”

Kidman and Urban weren’t the only Australian celebrities to back the telethon. Russell Crowe was one of the first people on the phone when it was announced. Hugh Jackman was also quick to get involved.

“We’re Australians. We help our mates,” Jackman said. “And in the toughest times that’s when we come together.”

Red Cross’ CEO Robert Tickner announced last week his appreciation for public response to the disaster. “We have been inspired by the overwhelming outpouring of community concern and the unprecedented scale of the response,” he said. “In less than four days, more than $50 million has been given by the Australian public. Government contributions and a huge number of additional corporate donations will swell that figure even higher.”

“For us it’s been gut wrenching as Aussies watching this and in particular to be so far away at the moment,” said Urban. “Our hearts go out tonight to all the families that are dealing with the loss of loved ones and having to rebuild their lives again too, which is really what this whole telethon has been about.”

The televised appeal raised over $19 million.

Olivia Newton-John Sends Message Of Hope To Fire Victims

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Olivia Newton-John has sent a message of hope and love to the victims of the Australian bushfires. Speaking exclusively to Look To The Stars, the multi Grammy winning artist has urged people to donate to disaster relief funds

“My heart goes out to [the victims],” she said. “My heart hurts for my country and the animals and people of Australia and I just can’t imagine the horrors they’re going through. I send my love, I wish I was there to do more at this moment. I’ve been really touched by the generosity of the Australian people because they are an amazing resilient people that have always dug deep to help. I ask everybody to dig even deeper because this is just an unprecedented catastrophe. I send out my love and light to everybody affected.”

The singer’s words come the day after a massive benefit concert/telethon was held in Australia to raise money for the cause. Australia Unites featured a host of celebrities including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Rachel Griffiths, Naomi Watts, Ellen DeGeneres, Anthony La Paglia, Shane Warne, Rove McManus, and Australian Olympic legend Cathy Freeman. Manning the phones for the evening were Orlando Bloom and girlfriend Miranda Kerr. Among the performers were The Living End, Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, Lee Kernaghan, Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano, and John Williamson.

Hosted by Eddie McGuire on Channel 9, the telethon raised over $20 million for Red Cross relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out tonight to all the families that are dealing with the loss of loved ones and having to rebuild their lives again,” said Nicole Kidman, who appeared via satellite with husband Keith Urban and donated $500,000 to the cause. Canadian singer Michael Buble donated a further $50,000, as did Australian actor Anthony La Paglia.

The Red Cross Fire Appeal has already raised over $75 million, but much more is needed to help the thousands of victims who have lost their homes, possessions and even their families in the disaster. Over 180 people have been confirmed dead, with the toll expected to rise above 200. To donate to the appeal, contact your local Red Cross, or visit the Australian Red Cross website.

Be sure to click back to Look To The Stars early next week for an exclusive interview with Olivia Newton-John.

Pierce Brosnan Asks For Holiday Charity Donations

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:59:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Pierce Brosnan has wished his fans a Merry Christmas on his official bolg and has asked a special Holiday favor.

“In the spirit of giving this holiday season please consider making a small contribution to those in need,“ he wrote. “The following organizations were on our holiday gift giving list: the Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots, American Red Cross, Kauai Humane Society.

“These funds will be used to sponsor environmental education and youth based humanitarian programs, provide clean, safe drinking water to a developing nation by distributing thousands of portable water purifiers, offer relief services for the victims of the Southern California Wildfires, and care for numerous stray animals while also supporting the spay and neuter shelter program on the island of Kauai.“

Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye are committed environmentalists, with interests that include clean air and water campaigns, marine mammal and wetland protection, and opposing environmentally disruptive projects such as the Cabrillo Port Liquefied Natural Gas facility being proposed off the coast of Malibu. In 1997 he was awarded the Environmental Leadership Award by Green Cross International. He is also a member of Oceana’s Ocean Council.

“Holiday Blessings from my home to yours and every good wish for the coming year ahead,“ he wrote. “May the spirit of the season fill you with love, joy and peace.“

The full blog can be read here.

Jet Li Reveals Philanthropic Vision

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jet Li has revealed his ideas about philanthropy to INSEAD Knowledge, a business research website.

“In 1997 I started thinking about the meaning of life,“ he told INSEAD during the recent Global Social Innovators Forum in Singapore, where he received the SIP Distinguished Fellow Award. “Why do we live? What do people hope to gain from living? Regardless of whether you’re Chinese, European or Asian … I think every living thing desires happiness. People feel anxious and insecure because they lack happiness.”

The star founded the One Foundation to help victims of natural disasters after almost drowning on the Maldives during the 2004 Asian tsunami.

“In the past seven years, my understanding of life – of which the tsunami was one of the driving forces – was that one shouldn’t wait for retirement before helping others… We position the One Foundation as an engine to drive charitable activities in the 21st century. If we can accumulate one-dollar donations, we would be able to effectively address the natural disasters in the world.”

The One Foundation – which has partnered with the Red Cross – has become one of the leading charities in China. But natural disasters are not the only cause on Li’s mind. The Foundation also addresses youth suffering from mental health problems, and Li is also interested in appealing to people’s inner soul to help alleviate poverty.

“Governments around the world are trying to resolve poverty but none of them can successfully achieve it. We don’t expect NGOs to achieve such a goal. Rather we’re building a platform to get people to express what’s in their hearts.“

Li also indicated his hope that the One Foundation survives after he has gone: “Regardless of whoever heads the One Foundation in the future, the importance is that people identify with the spirit and ideals of the foundation. That’s the ownership for everyone not just Jet Li.”

The One Foundation has led Li to a place where he can be at peace with himself while encouraging people to find happiness through giving.

“Because I’ve learnt that life and death are naturally unavoidable, I’ve learnt to live happily and to the fullest every day. Because I’m happy and have no pressure on myself, I can choose to produce or not to produce movies, and I can choose to do or not to do charity work. But I choose to share my happiness with others.

“Actually what I’m really asking for is not money. Rather it’s the heart. What’s in your heart, your love, your kindness and your goodness. Everyone has it, but most of the time we just put that into our families, but I’m asking people to spread their kindness to others.“

A video of the full interview can be found at the INSEAD website.

Chris Evert Charity Tennis Event Attracts Celebrities

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The 2008 Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic was held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, November 1-2nd, and once again proved to be a raging success – so much so, that tennis legend Chris Evert has now raised close to $20 million for charities!

The event kicked off with a Pro-Am at the Boca Raton Resort & Club tennis courts and attracted some new faces this year. Comedian Billy Crystal and 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres joined regulars such as Chevy Chase, Stone Phillips, Maeve Quinlan, Bud Collins, Vince Spadea, Alan Thicke, Jana Novotna, Gavin Rossdale, and Jon Lovitz.

Evert created the fundraising event to fight drug abuse and assist neglected and abused children in South Florida.

“What these treatment centers do is they get these women or men back into the mainstream of life, back on track, whether they’re gonna work, whether they want to go to school, whether they want to be great parents, whatever, it gets them back into mainstream of living,” says Evert. “Circumstances in life sometimes get you to a very low and a lot of people in the world, that’s how they reacted by turning to drugs and its not something that you should look down on and snub, it can happen to anybody.”

Chris Evert Charities partners with The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a public -private partnership administered with the State of Florida, to raise money for needy programs which otherwise would not be fully-funded by the State. The Ounce of Prevention Fund matches moneys raised through the Chris Evert/Bank of America Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic.

While Chris has been busy with her own work at Chris Evert Charities, she also donates her time and efforts to other worthwhile programs including: The Special Olympics, The March Of Dimes, The Martina Navratilova Youth Foundation, The Michael Bolton Charities, The American AIDS Foundation, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Red Cross and The U.S. Olympic Ski Team.

Prince Charles brushes up on first aid skills

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

As President of the British Red Cross, HRH The Prince of Wales is well aware of the value of knowing life-saving skills. And that’s why he recently requested a refresher first aid course.

Joe Mulligan, head of first aid, was only too happy to visit the Prince to deliver a ‘save a life’ course. Joe recalled: “He showed a great appetite and enthusiasm for the subject, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy freshening up his first aid skills.”

The Prince added: “I asked the British Red Cross to arrange for me to refresh my first aid skills because these simple skills can save lives.

“I was staggered to learn that each year in the UK three million people attend hospital with injuries that could have been helped by first aid. In an emergency, an unconscious person with a blocked airway can die within four minutes. In less time, we can all learn how to deal with such a situation.”

The Red Cross’ save a life course covers key adult life-saving skills and provides a quick introduction to basic first aid.

Find out more about the organisation’s courses here.

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