Hilary Swank Honored for Charity Work

Congrats to Academy Award winning actress Hilary Swank for receiving the Entertainment Industry Foundation's 2008 Courage Award. The award was given to Swank by her Million Dollar Baby co-star, Morgan Freeman, for her efforts on behalf of the EIF’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. In November, Swank donated 9 inches of her hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths. The campaign was working with the American Cancer Society to provide free wigs to women who have lost their hair during cancer treatment.

LeAnn Rimes's Summer Concert to Benefit the Kids

Country singer LeAnn Rimes will be performing this summer to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Rimes became the spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network in 2004. The June 28 concert will be held in Wausau, Wis. for more than 7,000 fans. Tickets went on sale Monday, Feb. 18 for $38. You can purchase tickets at Kinzie Benefit Concerts.
Children's Miracle Network raises money for children's hospitals across the United States. According to the foundation's website each year the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind.

Elton John's Party Raises $5.1 Million for HIV/AIDS Research

Elton John's annual Academy Award viewing party raised $5.1 million for HIV/AIDS research. The star-studded event welcomed guest such as, Ellen DeGeneres, Sean Penn, Billy Joel, Seal, Hedi Klum, and Stevie Wonder to name a few. John co-hosted the party with his partner David Furnish. Guest were even entertained by Elton himself. They also enjoyed a dinner and a live auction. Elton John has been hosting his Academy Award viewing party for 12 years and has raised more than $125 million for HIV/AIDS research.


For more information on Elton John's foundation please visit EJAF.org.

ABC Daytime Stars are Hitting the Broadway Stage

ABC daytime is saluting Broadway with an evening of musical numbers and comedy routines from your favorite ABC daytime stars. The event taking place on March 2 at the Town Hall in New York City will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS. The star studded night will feature stars from All My Children, One Life to Live, General Hospital and The View. Tickets range from $75 to $500. Some of the tickets include a meet-and-great pass, as well as a signed program of the event. To purchase tickets visit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Online Tickets.

Olivia Newton-John is Leading Fellow Stars on an Extreme Challenge

Olivia Newton-John is leading fellow celebrities on a 21-day extreme challenge to trek the entire length of the Great Wall of China. The challenge will benefit Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre. Olivia Newton-John, a breast cancer survivor, is aiming to earn $1 for each step taken. Her journey to Beijing starts on April 7, 2008. To join the team of walkers or to donate please visit The Great Walk to Beijing.


Below is Olivia Newton-John's television advertisement for her new cancer centre in Australia.

One Tree Hill Star Signs for Charity

Sophia Bush, known for playing Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill has signed a CosmoGIRL shirt for the charity Glamour Gals. Glamour Gals is a foundation that is dedicated to fostering intergenerational relationships that create compassionate teen leaders. Glamour Gals organize teen chapters that regularly visit local senior homes to give complimentary facials and makeovers. To bid on the shirt visit Charityfolks.com. The bid ends on February 18, 2008.

ABC is Going Red

ABC daytime has partnered with Campbell this February to celebrate Heart Awareness month. The View, All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital are all making efforts on their shows to promote healthy living. To celebrate the commitment to heart health, The View is selling a limited edition heart health View mug for $25; order yours here at the View's Website. All the soap opera's are celebrating by creating storylines that show their commitment to heart health. All My Children will partner with Campbell for a special fashion show. One Life to Live is having a special ball with Campbell to raise awareness of the issue with an art selection called "Get Off Your Chest." General Hospital will host a luncheon with Campbell's to raise awareness of the issue and will feature real women who have coped with their own heart disease. Toni Braxton, a heart disease survivor, is the spokesperson for the event. To read more on the event please visit the movements’ website at Go Red with Campbells.com.

"V to the Tenth"

Eve Ensler created "V to the Tenth" which takes place in New Orleans, LA on April 11 – 12, 2008. The event marks the 10th anniversary of the play, The Vagina Monologues. Ensler will be accompanied by stars like Jessica Alba, Ali Later, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Julia Stiles, Marisa Tomei, Calpernia Addams, Ashley Judd, Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek and Oprah Winfrey. There will be performances by Common, Eve, Jennifer Hudson and Joss Stone. Tickets are $25 and will benefit to end violence against women. To purchase tickets visit VDay.Org.

Soap Opera Star Shell Kepler Dies Way to Young

I am saddened to report that General Hospital star Shell Kepler has died. Kepler played the gossipy nurse Amy Vining from 1979-2002. Kepler was 48 years-old when she passed on Friday at Oregon Health & Science University hospital. According to TMZ.com the cause of death was renal (kidney) failure. Kepler was involved with many children's charities and also had her own clothing line called Lacy Afternoon.

Keira Knightley Gives the Clothes Off Her Back

Keira Knightley, who recently stared in the Oscar-nominated Atonement, is giving back, literally. The green dress that she wore during a passionate scene with co-star James McAvoy is being auctioned off by the Clothes Off Our Back to benefit Variety- The Children's Charity. The auction runs from Feb. 1st to March 1st. Bids have already reached $3000.

Brainiac Passes on Royalities

Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, co-developer of Nintendo's Brain Age series of games for the DS portable system, is passing his royalty checks onto Tohoku University. Dr. Kawashima will donate $6.5 million in construction projects on Tohoku's campus, which is located in Japan's north-east region. Dr. Kawashima enjoys working and is continuing work with Nintendo.
Finally someone taking their royalty check and doing something good with it!

Bob Barker out of retirement for the animals

Bob Barker has stepped out of retirement not to host another legendary game show but endorsing the idea of making sure that most pets are spayed and neutered by 4 months of age. According to OMG, Barker attended the event on Friday and stated that "the only answer is legislation." Kudos to Barker for helping this ordinance move through. Using his celebrity for a good cause, now who would have thought of that!

Sending Valentines for Charity

Julianne Moore is helping struggling kids by sending Valentine’s Day cards through the charity Save the Children. Moore is hoping that this love will spread in the school system instead of exchanging typical Valentines Day cards. Moore recently visited the ladies at The View and she told them that the cards are all kids artwork. I urge you all to think about sending the love this year; this is a great way to start. I did it and it is really easy. Hey if a college student on a college budget can donate then you can too! For more information or if you would like to donate please visit Save the Children.

Hayden Panettiere is stepping out to Save the Whales

Hero's star, 18-year-old Hayden Panettiere, is now rallying in Washington D.C. to help save the slaughtering of whales in countries like Japan, Norway and Iceland. Panettiere is the spokesperson for the Whaleman Foundation's international conservation campaign Save the Whales Again. If you would like to look further into the campaign please visit the foundations website at Save the Whales Again.

The G-Men take it all

Congratulations to the New York Giants for beating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl last night! As a New York native I am very excited for them!