NBA Legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Earvin “Magic” Johnson received the 3^rd annual USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award. It was presented by USA TODAY President and Publisher Craig A. Moon. Johnson was honored for his work in entertainment, under served communities and funding of the Magic Johnson Foundation.

The foundation was founded in 1991. Its purpose is to work on developing programs and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.

Over the past few years, the Magic Johnson Foundation awarded more than $1.1 million to community-based organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention It supported more than 800 minority high school students with college scholarships (through the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program), opened 20 Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Centers located in under served communities across the country, and provided a range of community-based initiatives including an annual Children’s Mardi Gras and holiday toy drive.

“He’s the perfect Hollywood Hero,” said USA TODAY president and publisher Craig Moon, “the award is about someone who gives more than just their name or money. Magic is a man who gives his time.” -looktothestars.org

Jolie and Charity

Besides being on the board of advisors for the Yele Haiti Foundation, Angelina Jolie is also the Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. Brad Pitt and her took time to help Wyclef Jean with his Clean Streets project. She has arranged a deal with People Magazine allowing them to print the first picture showing her visibly pregnant for a $500,000 in exchange to give to the charity.

Angelina has traveled to refugee camps around the world since filming Tomb Raider. When she visited Afghan refugees in Pakistan, she donated $1 million to help. She also took time during her missions to visit places like Sudan’s war-torn Darfur, Sierra Leone, Cambodia and Tanzania.

She covered all her costs while on the missions, and shared the working and living conditions as the UNHCR field staff. Jolie pledged $5 million to set up a wildlife sanctuary in the north-western province of Battambang in Cambodia.

According to tax records, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt donated more than $8 million to charity in 2006 alone.

Rainforest Help :)

Sting and his wife Trudie Styler co-founded the Rainforest Foundation International (RFI). It’s a foundation fund that was created in 1989. The charity is to save the world’s rainforests, and so far it has raked in millions, but less than half the riches actually funded tree-saving programs, according to charity watchdogs and a New York Post review of tax records.

According to Look To The Stars the purpose of the fund is to raise awareness about the need to conserve tropical forests, support indigenous peoples, their land, their rights and to develop resource management. Sting and his wife will celebrate their 15^th annual Rainforest Foundation Fund benefit concert, called some Kinda Legacy, at Carnegie Hall on May 8^th. RFI began its focus on Brazil and then spread throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The Mayor declared May “Rainforest Awareness Month.” This is to help raise awareness of both the rainforest and the Fund’s mission. Furthermore, the Empire State Building will be lit in green Thursday evening during the event.

Other than sting, performers at the concert will include Billy Joel, James Taylor and Brian Wilson. After the concert their will be a dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the plaza Hotel, then items will be up for auction to raise money. Some of the impressive items will be a smart car, an opera night in Paris and stay at the Ritz, Bruce Springsteen memorabilia and concert tickets, tickets to a Police concert, a meeting with Tiger Woods, a visit to Law & Order, and much more.

Making a Difference

A popular organization people and celebrities get involved with is Save the Children. It is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in the United States and all over the world. Actress, Mischa Barton showed her support at the 75^th Anniversary Benefit at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. This organization is recognized for its commitment, heart, innovation and collaborating events. Volunteers are welcomed into the communities. They help children and families help themselves.

Rascal Flatts Helps Children’s Hospital

Rascal Flatts, country music band will receive the &th Annual Academy of Country Music/Home Depot Humanitarian Award this month for their donation. According to looktothestars.org the generous band donated over $2 million to the Monro Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. This is known to be the largest fund-raising donation in the hospital’s history.

The 43^rd Academy of Country Music Awards on May 18 will take a look and recognize “country music artists who serve others, have a kind heart and spirit and help build the dreams of those in need.” The award will be presented to the members Jay DeMarus, Gary LeVox and Joe don Rooney.

The donations from the band will be given to the research hospital, one of the top 10 pediatric cancer care centers in the US. The proceeds came from their concerts.

“We have been blessed with some incredible successes in our career the past couple of years,” said Rooney. “The most rewarding thing for us is the opportunity to give back to our communities.”

Celebrities Make Their Voice Heard For Burma

Entertainers like Will Ferrell and Jennifer Aniston have joined the Us Campaign for Burma. They are asking others to help and do the same for the Burma: It Can’t Wait Campaign. Celebrities are striving tp raise one million voices in 30 days against the human rights atrocities that are involved in the Southeast Asian country.

The government of Burma aren’t being fare and serving justice to the people of the country. They are asking for the freedom of Nelson Mandela. The focus of the campaign is asking people to speak up for the leader of Burma’s democratic party, Aung San Suu Kyi, which has been deprived of her freedom for 12 of the last 18 years. She has appealed to people around the world, saying “Please, use your liberty to promote ours.”

On Friday, May 2 southwestern Burma was hit by a cyclone, leaving up to 60,000 dead. Tens of thousands went missing after the disaster and hundreds of thousands displaced or homeless. This devastating disaster is being called the worst in Asia since the 2004 tsunami. Despite the information about the approaching cyclone in advance, the government did not warn its citizens. The Campaign For Burma is accepting donations to help with the relief efforts in the medium-term. The Burmese government is currently blocking aid agencies from offering their support.

For more information visit the U.S. Campaign For Burma and to view celebrity videos go to BurmaItCantWait.org