Posts Tagged ‘charity’

Even Vampires Can Be Good!

March 18th, 2009

Not all vampires are bad – just ask Twilight star Ashley Greene!

 

The 22-year-old who plays clairvoyant blood sucker Alice Cullen, sister to Edward Cullen played by Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson, took a break from filming the sequel, New Moon, in Toronto to host the Donatemydress.org prom dress drive at Saks Fifth Ave in NYC March 14.

 

“I don’t think a lot of people realize how big a deal prom is to a 16-year-old girl,” Ashley tells OK!. “I think it’s something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

The Twilight star says she didn’t always have the fame and fortune that’s come with the film’s success.

 

“I had to buy my own dress and we didn’t have the money,” she told OK! at the event where she encouraged girls to donate their prom dress to girls in need. “I’ve borrowed dresses before so I kind of know what it’s like to be in that position. I’m lucky enough right now to not be as effected by our economic decline and there’s a lot of people who aren’t so lucky.”

 

Ashley made time for the event during her two-week break from filming New Moon, which is expected to be released in November 2009.

 

Fans can bid on dresses donated by Hollywood starlets including Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Ashley!

 

<img src="http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww235/gingervision/AG1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

(Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

 

For more information on the prom dress campaign go to: www.charityfolks.com/donatemydress.

 

By Laura Lane

Nigel Barker Gives Budget Beauty Tips

January 9th, 2009

Nigel Barker charms during his Haiti: Hunger and Hope art exhibition held Thursday at NYC’s Milk Gallery.

While tunes such as SWV’s Right Here and Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours blare, the America’s Next Top Model judge and fashion photographer gamely entertains guests with kisses on the cheek and sparkling conversation.  

Any budget beauty or fashion tips?

“I always say ‘keep it natural, keep it simple,’” he tells me. “People tend to overdo it. People ask ‘what can I do on the red carpet? I want to have a more relaxed look.’ Just be confident in yourself. Don’t think because of the makeup, because of the hair, because of the gown, you’re going to look fantastic. There’s enough fashion faux pas out there. You have to feel fantastic and the camera will pick it up.”

Nigel perks up when asked about his favorite body part.

“I’m more of a butt guy than I am a boob guy,” he laughs. “And legs as well. Legs and butt are very important — and feet. I’ve got a bit of a foot fetish. I’m all about the lower part of the body.”

Nice.

Despite pleas from the government to cancel his trip, Nigel traveled to Haiti to document the situation so that he could raise awareness about their desperate plight. (It’s just 45 minutes from the U.S.) His striking photographs adorn the walls tonight.

Giving back is key to the British-born father of two, 36, who is married to Cristen Chin.

“I think it’s fantastic that stars like Angelina Jolie get involved with charity,” he tells me. “The more people the better. We need to help out more in general, and on Top Model we always go on about our girls becoming role models. It’s not a joke. It’s important. If you’re in a position where people listen to you or you’re in the public eye, that celebrity should be used for something. It shouldn’t just be used to make your life better. I guess it’s an Asian thing, but the pleasure is in the giving in my family.”

He continues, “When you have children, it’s not when the kid gives you something, it’s when you give your son something and you see that smile on their face. We can all identify with that. Charity’s the same way. When you help people and they are physically moved by what you’ve done or you’ve changed their life, there’s nothing in the world that makes you feel better.”

I ask designer Zang Toi whether he’s spoken to Farrah Fawcett recently. (She was diagnosed with cancer of the intestine in 2006.) The Charlie’s Angels star has been his muse, and I once had time with her backstage after one of his shows.   

“I haven’t talked to her for several months,” Zang tells me. “I try to leave a message every two weeks. I just left a message at Christmas, but the last time I called about six weeks ago, I spoke to the housekeeper and she said she’s fine, so I hope she’s OK.”

Any fashion advice?

“Create your own style, and don’t follow trends blindly. You have to understand yourself, and have your own individual look.”

He gives props to “glamorous” Sharon Stone, “original” Drew Barrymore and “youthful” Cameron Diaz for having the best style.

Um, Sharon?

“Anything I mention to my clients – if Sharon has it, they all want it.”

Campaign 2008 Goes Cabbage Patch!

October 28th, 2008

If you’ve ever wanted your very own Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden or Sarah Palin to cuddle up to at night, get your wallets out: In honor of their 25th anniversary, Cabbage Patch Kids have teamed up with Toys for Tots to create one-of-a-kind dolls of the political nominees.

 

Starting tomorrow, Oct. 30 at 9am ET, and running until 5am ET on election morning, Nov. 4, interested collectors can go online to place their bids on these unique election collectibles (would that be collectionables?) only at ebay.com/cabbagepatchkids.

 

The proceeds from the winning bids will benefit the Toys for Tots foundation and Operation Smile.

 

Just make sure you don’t get so excited about your new doll that you don’t go vote for your favorite (real) candidate!

Rachael’s Philanthropic Pup

October 6th, 2008

Celebrities are picking up the paintbrush and adding a personal touch to the definition of giving back to the community – Rachael Ray, along with Vanessa Williams, Richard Gere and more, has hand-painted a life-size fiberglass dog to be auctioned off for charity.

 

You can bid on Rachael’s personalized "Yum-O!" themed orange pooch, complete with a yellow mask and apron, at CharityFolks.com until Nov. 1, starting at $1,000. Along with the adorable doggie the winner will also receive two tickets to The Rachael Ray show and the chance to meet with the daytime diva herself.

 

Proceeds from the painted and autographed pups will go to Green Chimneys, a 60-year-old non-profit organization that operates a operates a special education school, a residential treatment center for children and a farm and wildlife rehabilitation center in Brewster, N.Y.

 

Brad Donates Money for Gay Marriage

September 17th, 2008

Brad Pitt is putting his money to yet another good cause.  On Wednesday, the actor donated $100,000 towards fighting California’s November ballot initiative that would overturn the state Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

"Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn’t harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8," Pitt said.

The actor’s political and philanthropic advisor, Trevor Neilson, told the AP that Brad was surprised his peers in the entertainment industry had not donated more money to support the battle against Prop. 8

Earlier this week, both Pitt and girlfriend Angelina Jolie announced they donated $2 million to fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Ethiopia.

Matt Damon: “I’m Speechless”

September 15th, 2008

There are celebrities who just talk about making a difference, and then there are those who actually do make a difference.

 

Matt Damon and musician Wyclef Jean recently visited the storm-ravaged city of Gonaives, in Haiti, as reported by the New York Times. The city has been hit by Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurrican Ike and has suffered through massive flooding, ruining homes and causing widespread hunger for those who live there.

 

The two stars made a trip to the region to help call the U.N. to call attention to the suffering there, and Wyclef’s Yele Haiti charity is also helping the World Food Program and the Organization of American States-affiliated Pan American Development Foundation distribute food to 3,000 families.

 

"It’s inhumane. I wish there was a word in the dictionary. No human should be living like this,” said Wyclef.

 

While Matt and Wyclef were only there for four-hours, they helped passed out cooking oil and beans at a school shelter and spent time touring the damage the storms have done. Four tropical storms have hit the region since August, and Matt and Wyclef’s visit is part of the U.N.’s bid to raise $100 million for the 800,000 Haitians in need.

Generous Stars!

September 10th, 2008

We all hear about who’s buying the flashiest cars and the blingiest bling, but when it comes to contributing to worthy causes, who’s got the deepest pockets?

 

The Sept. 14 issue of Parade lists the top most generous givers when it comes to celebrities, a rundown put together by The Giving Back Fund, an organization that seeks to encourage philanthropy.

 

So, who’s the most charitable? Take a look at the top 5:

 

Oprah Winfrey: $50.2 million - The Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network: education, health care, and advocacy for women and children worldwide.  

 
Herb Alpert: $13 million - The Herb Alpert Foundation: music education, including the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.    

Barbra Streisand: $11 million - The Streisand Foundation: the environment, women’s issues, civil rights, AIDS research, and advocacy.    

Paul Newman: $10 million - Scholarship for Kenyon College, his alma mater.    

 

Mel Gibson: $9.9 million - Holy Family Church.  

 

 

 

Jen’s a Good Samaritan

August 15th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may get all the attention when it comes to their charitable work, but Brad’s ex, Jennifer Aniston is also helping others, one child at a time!

Besides her scheduled Sept. 5 appearance at the Stand Up to Cancer Telethon, Jen recently shot a PSA for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  And on Aug. 7, she quietly slipped into the 5th Annual Friends of El Faro Benefit for the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico.

The star donated two of her own purses:  A white Tod’s bag and a brown Henry beguelin, to the auction.

"She also signed them ‘With love, Jen Aniston,’" a partygoer tells OK!.  "The cause of children is very important to her.  She doesn’t make a big production of it, but you can tell she really cares."

Matt Damon Blabs About His Flab

July 28th, 2008

Who would have thought Oscar winner Matt Damon would be obsessed with his weight?

The actor, who once graced the cover of People as its Sexiest Man Alive, recently packed on a solid 30 pounds to play a whistle-blower in the 2009 drama The Informant.

"Now I’m the Sexiest Man Alive’s chunky cousin," the actor,37, joked in an interview with USA Today.

Damon says he’s working overtime to shed the extra pounds by September–He has to be back in tip-top shape in time for re-shoots for the film Green Zone, in which he plays a soldier looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

"If you put it on, it’s easier to get it back off," he says, adding that his weight-loss strategy consists of a lot of contact sports. "I’m just boxing. I figure if you get hit enough times, it will fall off."

After the Green Zone wraps, Matt says he’s taking "the rest of the year off" to "just hang out with my family." His wife, Luciana, is "due soon" with the couple’s second daughter. The new baby will join Isabella,2, and Damon’s stepdaughter Alexia,9.

"I’m so outnumbered down here it’s crazy," he said of his estrogen-powered household.

When it comes to a name for the new addition, the Ocean’s Thirteen star says they’re waiting.

"We decided to wait til she’s born, and then we’re going to get a look at her and we’ll probably keep debating it," he said.

And as if all this wasn’t enough to keep one man busy this summer, Matt is also gearing up for the launch of One X One Foundation’s U.S. operation–a Canadian born charity that helps children worldwide.

"It’s about helping kids," Damon says. "It’s not like before I was a father I was like, ‘The hell with those kids.’ But something does shift when you have a child of your own. It’s hard not to look a every child as somehow connected to you."

He continues, "I have to make calls. Sheryl Crow is going to play at one of our events. It’s the easiest call in the world to make. I just tell what the charity is about, and everyone wants to do anything they can."

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