ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

November 13th 2008

Stars Design Stars In Rockefeller Center For Children’s Charity

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events — parrish @ 12:39 pm

The air’s a bit chillier and the cider is a bit…mullier (?) and that can only mean one thing: THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!

Here in New York the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is a pretty big tradition and we’re excited to hear that this year they’re decking the halls with a charity initiative that’s sure to inspire goodwill in everyone!

Stars like Fergie ,Jennifer Garner, Ellen DeGeneres, Kristin Chenoweth, Forest and Keisha Whitaker and more have designed Swarovski stars for Rockefeller Center that will be auctioned off to benefit Clothes Off Our Back – a non-profit organization that contributes to children’s charities. On top of all of that awesomeness, Swarovski is donating $250,000 from the sales of its Annual Edition holiday ornament to the charity.

“I’m happy being a part of this Swarovski program as celebrities and designers come together offering their talents to benefit the lives of children in positive ways,” said Fergie. “Swarovski’s partnership with Clothes Off Our Back brings cheer to children across the globe.”

The famous stars will be auctioned from now until December 10th, so make sure you stop by ClothesOffOurBack.org and bid, bid, bid! Happy Holidays!

November 12th 2008

Steven Tyler, Kiss and Dee Snider Help VH1 Rock Autism!

Filed under: campaigns, contests, donations, events, music — sara @ 12:33 pm

You may have seen the VH1 Rock Autism campaign PSAs on TV. An old school aficionado myself, I was pretty stoked to see Steven Tyler, KISS, Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister), and several other rockers who are older than my father yet still kicking ass taking on this cause! If you haven’t caught it yet, you can see their PSA, “Rock Autism,” here.

Tomorrow Rock Autism is having a Celebrity Bowl-Off at Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood, from 7 to 10 PM, with benefits going to three different autism charities–Act Today, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, and the HollyRod Foundation. It will be hosted by Dave Navarro and Holly Robinson-Peete, and rocker bowlers will include Meat Loaf, Slash, and members of Anthrax, Great White, Ratt, Warrant, Candlebox, Lit, Cinderella, and L.A. Guns.

This is definitely something I would have sold a body part to attend when I was a teenager.

There will also be a silent auction of rock memorabilia, including signed guitars from Linkin Park and Tom Petty. Tickets are $150 and all go toward fighting autism. To get yours, visit Vh1ClassicBowloff.com

November 10th 2008

Will Bono, Clooney and Other Celebs Face Charity Controversy?

Filed under: donations — sara @ 1:57 pm

The legitimacy of a charity seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. I’ve been amazed at the responses to the recent post on a Scientology benefit for charity. That conversation may not have been that surprising (I’m not Scientology’s OMG #1 Fan myself!), but when I heard that charities run by Bono — one of my favorite celebs ever– George Clooney, and other famous people might not be as legit as they claim, I was pretty shocked.

Apparently, Bono’s DATA Foundation (now part of One), which works to eliminate poverty and AIDS in Africa, raised $31 million in 2006–but only used $6 million of that for charity. The rest went to transportation, security, and U2 tour tickets. Clooney’s Not on Our Watch (also founded by Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and others), which fights genocide, has some shady dealings with an offshore gambling company. Wyclef Jean, Osi Umenyiora, Tyra Banks, Larry King, Gary Payton, Petra Nemcova, Magic Johnson and Dyan Cannon also seem to have skeletons in their charities’ closets; read more about them here.

So what do you think? Do a few gray areas make a charity all bad? Do any of these charities sound completely illegitimate to you, or do you think they still have redeeming qualities?

November 10th 2008

Daniel Craig Auctions Off Watch For Children In Need

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events, web — parrish @ 11:55 am

Hey, do you know what time it is? No? Well you would if you owned Daniel Craig’s fancy-pants wrist watch!

Daniel Craig (aka James Bond) will donate his watch to Children in Need – a charity program organized by the BBC to positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. The watch is just one of many prizes being auctioned, including a lap with Top Gear driver The Stig and tickets to the final of Celebrity Scissorhands.

Last year’s event raised $55,000 for the organization and included prizes like Rio Ferdinand signed football boots, a BBC Weather experience, and a stick of celery signed by Peter Davison as Doctor Who. Granted, I live in the States so I have pretty much no idea what any of that means, but I’m sure for people in the UK it’s a big deal!

The auction starts later today and you can find out more by visiting the BBC’s Children In Need website.

via: looktothestars.org

November 5th 2008

Jenny McCarthy Proves She’s “Tired†Of Autism With Green Fashion

Filed under: donations, fashion, green and famous, products — parrish @ 4:52 pm

As Ecorazzi previously reported, Jenny McCarthy is a hard-hitting autism activist and even has her own organization called Generation Rescue. Long story short, earlier this week Jenny was seen sporting an “I’m Tired of Autism” bracelet at the Women’s Conference and we just HAD to find out more!

Turns out the geniuses over at ImTiredOnline.com have come up with a way to do their part for the planet and mankind by launching a brand new program to raise money for causes ranging from Global Warming to AIDS to Cancer to Animal Cruelty. The best part: it’s through green fashion!

Here’s how it works: simply visit their site and for $10 you can purchase one of the many fashionably forward eco-friendly bracelets made out of recycled tires and metal.  Then, once you’re order is processed, half the dough will be donated to one of the many important causes they support.

There are tons of topics to choose from — I just bought an animal cruelty one which will benefit the Best Friends Animal Society — and each purchase not only raises money for a wonderful organization, but also helps to promote environmentally-sound fashion.

To get your bracelet, visit ImTiredOnline.com!

November 5th 2008

Rihanna Promotes UNICEF With Gucci

Filed under: campaigns, donations, fashion — sara @ 4:49 pm

I’ve never bought anything Gucci in my life, but I’m becoming a fan.

You might remember that PETA took the company on last spring for selling boots lined in seal fur (just typing that made my stomach churn…) and won. Gucci agreed to stop selling such a monstrous product.

Then, they became a sponsor of UNICEF. This sponsorship made activists very skeptical, as it seemed a frivolous gesture to tug a few public heartstrings from such an opulent company (not to mention its shady Madonna benefit), but I am a huge fan of UNICEF. So I still got excited when I saw that Gucci has a new line coming out with 25% of every purchase going to UNICEF. I don’t think that’s as much as the RED campaign, but damn, that IS a chunk of change for a large company to agree to give.

These products, featured in the “Tattoo Heart Campaign,” are being promoted by Rihanna. Hopefully she’ll do the cause a bit more justice than Madonna did… Gucci brought her on board after seeing the singer at a UNICEF benefit, so it sounds like her heart is in the right place.

Image via teendiariesonline.com

November 5th 2008

Razzi Snap: Kelly Preston Holds Scientology Concert Benefit

Filed under: babies and bumps, books, campaigns, donations, events, honors, music, politics, shopping — sara @ 4:44 pm

Kelly Preston held a Scientology Concert on Monday to benefit the Sussex Air Ambulance Service. Say what you will of Scientology, but the event did raise $82,000. Sussex Air Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Dave Philpott, says the money will enable them to save 50 lives.

Singer Mariah Carey has revealed that not only does she sleep a whopping 15 hours a night (IS there 15 hours in the night?), she also uses “20 humidifiers around [her] bed.” Yikes. I wonder how much water that is a night? [Editor's note: Not to mention the electricity!]

Marama Davidson, daughter of actor and New Zealand Green Party Member Rawiri Paratene (Whale Rider, Xena: Warrior Princess), painted her pregnant belly with the words “Vote for Me” in green in support of her father’s Party while doing outreach at Auckland University.

Kerri Russell was recently spotted with an organic Ergobaby Carrier when out and about with son, River. Want one for your own green tot? Click here.

The New York Public Library’s 2008 Library Lions benefit was the place to be for many celebs on Monday. Barbara Walters, Charlie Rose, and Ivanka Trump, among others, all made an appearance. The benefit honored Edward Albee, Ashley Bryan, Nora Ephron, and Salman Rushdie; and one of my all-time favorite writers, Nobel Laureate and Library Trustee, Toni Morrison, was the Master of Ceremonies.

October 30th 2008

Jessica Alba Lends Support to Sick Children

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events — sara @ 3:41 pm

Throughout November, Revlon is donating a percentage of their profits to the Rainbow Trust children’s charity. The organization supports 1,000 families every year. Each family has a child or children with a terminal or life-threatening illness.

Jessica Alba is supporting the cause. Along with Revlon and In Style, she is offering supporters of Rainbow Trust a chance to win a Chloe bag she has personally signed.

Other celebrities are also joining in: Keira Knightley, Elle McPherson, Claudia Schiffer, Thandie Newton, Sharon Osbourne and Eva Green are auctioning personal handbags as well, on November 4 at a charity tea event in The Berkeley hotel ballroom.

In Style editor Trish Halpin says, “This is going to be a fun, uber glam event which will raise lots of money for an incredibly good cause. After all - what woman doesn’t want a fantastic handbag?â€

Photo credit: INFPhoto

October 30th 2008

Prince William And Prince Harry Celebrate War Heroes At James Bond Premiere

Filed under: campaigns, donations, film-tv, movies — michael @ 11:04 am

Not since they attended Spiceworld: The Movie in 1997 with their father Prince Charles, have Prince William and Prince Harry hit the red carpet for a premiere. Last night, they made up for their dreaded first choice by attending the premiere of the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

Of course, this was no ordinary movie celebration. Both Princes wanted the event to also recognize the efforts and sacrifice of Britain’s true miliatry heroes. The brothers invited war veterans and their families to line the red carpet and attend the premiere. From the article,

No word yet on totals, but it’s great to see yet another premiere used to raise money for some worthy organizations. Jump here to see some additional pics from the event.

Photo credit: INFphoto.com

October 30th 2008

Razzi Snap: Get Artsy with Brad Pitt’s Kids

Filed under: art, babies and bumps, campaigns, donations — sara @ 9:23 am

The Little Stamp Company, an eco-friendly business established to help preschoolers learn to spell their names, is a favorite of celeb kids. Brooke Shields, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, Victoria and David Beckham, Mark Walhberg, and Reese Witherspoon all have customized stamps for their children.

Spice Girl Mel C is inviting you to adopt. Along with fellow celebs Kim Wilde and comedian Timmy Mallet, Mel is promoting the Adopt a Word campaign, an initiative of I Can. I Can supports speech skills for children with special needs, and by making a donation to adopt a word for a year, you can help a youngster learn to communicate.

Freaky-beautiful (anybody who can make human meat pies, kill Sirius Black, and still seduce King Arthur is entitled to that description!) Helena Bonham Carter is the new patron of Action Duchenne, a UK muscular dystrophy charity. She says, “As a patron of Action Duchenne, I would like to urge as many people as possible to find out about the work of the charity and the devastating effects of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Treatments and a cure seem tantalisingly close but they will not appear without further support and funding. Please join Action Duchenne in helping to make muscle wasting history.”