Celebrity Fundraisers Galleries

Justin Timberlake and Friends benefit for Shriners Hospitals for Children, Las Vegas : Las Vegas  October 13th-19th, 2008. Justin Timberlake took Vegas by storm this week. First, he kicked off the week by hosting and playing in the PGA golf tournament benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. As if that was not enough, the star added even more excitement to the strip on Friday, October 17th by hosting a concert at Planet Hollywood's Theater for the Performing Arts. The benefit concert for Shriners was titled 'Justin Timberlake and Friends' and JT proved that he has a lot of friends. The show was sold out in advance with 7 thousand seats packed with fans and supporters of Justin. The concert alone is said to have raised over $1 million for Shriners Hospitals which are 90 per cent privately funded.
   Justin Timberlake and Friends kept everyone rocking for more than 3 hours. Teen heart throbs The Jonas Brothers kicked off the show, followed by Boyz II Men who proved that chivalry is not dead by delivering long stemmed red roses to the ladies in the audience, Leona Lewis flew in from London to add her gift of song, sexy song bird Rihanna captivated us as she strutted across the stage, Esmee Deters who is on JT's record label Tennmann Records sang solo and performed a duet with Justin which I am sure we will be hearing a lot more of. It was nonstop talent and energy as one after another stars took the stage to belt out hit after hit with JT often performing with his friends, like Will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas, Adam Levine from Marroon 5, and the notorious mega star 50 cent. Lionel Richie, also a Shriner, took the stage as a surprise to perform his hit "Easy" with JT. 
   I am sure there was nothing "easy" about putting an event of this magnitude together. Justin was hands on throughout the concert, dazzling us with his talent. We were captivated by his enthusiasm as he danced, sang many of his hits, performed a guitar instrumental, played most instruments on the stage, and paid extreme attention to every detail. Justin made us laugh with his quick wit and touched our hearts with his humanitarianism for helping such a noble cause. There is no doubt in my mind, Justin Timberlake was the perfect host for this venue. 
   Founded in 1922, Shriners Hospital for Children is celebrating its 85th birthday this year.  Every year, twenty-two Shriners Hospitals provide care for thousands of children under the age of 18 without cost to the patient or family. The medical staff provides the highest quality of care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other certain special care needs. If you would like to learn more go to www.shrinershospitals.org.
   Justin Timberlake's gift of himself and his time will help save and alter thousands of children's lives this year alone. It is refreshing to see a gifted individual such as Justin Timberlake share his gift of kindness to help save lives. Thank you Justin for helping give the gift of life to so many in need and for helping to make their dream of living a reality.  Photos and story by Sara Herbert-Galloway.  To read more of my work go to www.blacktiemagazine.com and click on celebrity philanthropy.

Justin Timberlake and Friends benefit for Shriners Hospitals for Children, Las Vegas

Las Vegas October 13th-19th, 2008. Justin Timberlake took Vegas by storm this week. First, he kicked off the week by hosting and playing in the PGA golf tournament benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. As if that was not enough, the star added even more excitement to the strip on Friday, October 17th by hosting a concert at Planet ...

Updated: May 29, 2009 12:33pm PST

Happy Hearts Fund 2008, A Masquerade in Venice : November 17th, 2008. New York City. Cipriani Wall Street rolled out the red carpet for the Happy Hearts Fund 2008 Ball. Guests were adorned with Venetian masks, hundreds of large golden candelabras decorated the long tables in the grand room, a Cirque du Soliel performer hung from a trapeze swing, all that was missing were gondolas. 
 
Petra Nemcova, Founder and Chairwoman took the stage to welcome us and acknowledge the distinguished supporters receiving Heart of Gold Awards. Infinite Heart of Gold Awards were presented to two men: Bernhard Lotterer, CEO AFP Integra, ING Columbia and Peru who brought tears to our eyes when he spoke of the devastation the earthquake caused in Peru and Wyclef Jean Founder and Chairman of Yele Haiti.
 
Heart of Gold Awards were presented to Carol and Stewart Rahr of Kinray, Inc. Stewart surprised everyone  during his acceptance speech when he volunteered to donate $1 million dollars to The Happy Hearts Fund. The second recipient, David M. Hryck, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP spoke of his legal work for the organization and about the catastrophic devastation of the earthquakes in Haiti and Peru. The third recipient of a Heart of Gold Award was Jeffrey Tarrant who practically brought the 'house down' as guests applauded him. He is CEO of Protege Partners LLC, a Hedge Fund. Jeffrey is well respected for his humanitarian efforts. 
 
Simon du Pury, Chairman of Phillips de Pury & Company ran the live auction. One would never know that our economy is in trouble by the money being bid. A week at the East Hampton home of Russell Simmons fetched $28,000. A gentleman bought car # 234 prior to the production of the 100% electric sports car made by Teslo motors for $160,000 and donated it back. The car was auctioned again for another $150,000. Another gentleman stood up and made a $250,000 pledge. Other amazing live auction items included Valentine's Day in Venice, A Day with Quincy Jones, a trip to Germany to meet Wladimir Klitschko, current holder of the IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, trips to Utah and Italy, a VIP visit to the Indy 500 including a ride in the pace car and on and on. Petra announced that the total raised last night was $3,448,000. Now that is impressive!

Happy Hearts Fund is a charitable foundation which improves the lives of children through education, technology, and sustainability. HHF was launched in 2006 with the ultimate objective of uniting people under the same umbrella of providing hope and opportunity to disaster-struck areas worldwide through the creation of educational and sustainable initiatives for children. Today, just two years on, the Happy Hearts Fund is present in 12 countries on 5 different continents, and has positively contributed to the lives of over 20,500 children and in turn over 100,000 community members. To date, all costs and expenses have been underwritten allowing 100% of the money raised to help the children. 

Story and photos by Sara Herbert-Galloway
To learn more go to www.happyheartsfund.org 
For more stories go to www.blacktiemagazine.com

Happy Hearts Fund 2008, A Masquerade in Venice

November 17th, 2008. New York City. Cipriani Wall Street rolled out the red carpet for the Happy Hearts Fund 2008 Ball. Guests were adorned with Venetian masks, hundreds of large golden candelabras decorated the long tables in the grand room, a Cirque du Soliel performer hung from a trapeze swing, all that was missing were gondolas. ...

Updated: Nov 18, 2008 6:25am PST