The point of STOMP Out Bullying is to raise awareness of this very real and very dangerous issue in all its forms — the introduction of new technology means new forms of bullying are popping up all the time. Posters, brochures, V spots, videos, and wristbands will all help to carry the message to students and parents.

“It offers hope for every kid who experiences the harmful effects of bullying and teaches parents to keep open communication with their children and to look for signs,” says Ron Ellis, founder and CEO. “It also educates school administrators across the country, who have swept this issue under the rug for too long.”

In addition to the celebrities involved, several popular TV shows will also lend a hand in spreading the word. Watch for STOMP Out Bullying on Live with Regis and Kelly, Dancing With the Stars, among others.

Did you know that one in four kids is bullied? That makes this situation close to all of us. If you want to do more, go to the Love Our Children website to see how you can help.

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Already Speedo International and Warnaco have donated an additional $200,000 to get the foundation started, and Michael is putting his plans into effect, starting with an eight-city tour across the U.S. to discuss his experiences with children. The tour will be the launch of an education program — Dream, Plan, Reach.

The Dream, Plan, Reach program will teach children about planning, goal-setting, and responsibility, which are qualities that are important in athletics, in the classroom, and in life in general.

Michael is proud of his accomplishments, but he also knows he didn’t get there by himself. “Thanks to a lot of hard work, some good fortune, the inspiration I drew from so many supporters around the world, and my incredible teammates, I was able to achieve that dream by winning eight Gold Medals in Beijing,” he said. “Now, my goals reach beyond the pool, to helping others realize their dreams, and continuing to grow the sport I love so much. I feel it’s only appropriate that I continue the momentum that Speedo helped to create, by committing my bonus to the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which I hope will help me inspire others to achieve their dreams, and give back to the sport that has given me so much.”

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This past weekend, Cindy made some appearances in Madison, Wisconsin, to raise awareness of pediatric cancer. She’s the honorary chair of Kids with Courage, a group that reunites childhood cancer survivors and their families. This year marked the fourth reunion. Cindy took part in the three previous reunions in 1993, 1998, and 2003.

According to the University of Wisconsin, Cindy has been contributing her time and her money to its Pediatric Oncology program for almost two decades. She said, “When I was able to start raising money and awareness, I was able to choose where do I want to give back in my life and this just was the first place that popped into my head.”

The Kids with Courage reunions not only allow patients who survived childhood cancer to see each other again, but also allows the families of children who did not survive to see the children and families they spent time with in the hospital when their child was sick. And, former patients get to see their old doctors, which is great for both of them.

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The donations will be given to four different organizations which will help children who have lost parents, homes, and schools in Iraq. Three organizations in Iraq will split $500,000 which will pay for the basics, including school supplies, rehabilitation programs, and refugee aid.

The $500,000 that is staying in the U.S. will go toward the Armed Services YMCA Operation Hero Program. The program assists children who are affected by either a parent currently serving or the loss of a parent who served. Operation Hero knows that children of military families face special challenges, such as feeling isolated and experiencing low self esteem, having a parent deployed (or both deployed) for long periods of time, and problems with school work because they’ve moved around so much.

With Angelina and Brad busy expecting their newest additions, it’s great to see them bringing attention to other children in the world!

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Gwyneth wasn’t alone in warbling for a worthy cause. She was joined by celebrities like Lily Cole, Lou Reed, Bruce Forsyth, and Stella McCartney. Altogether the event raised $440,000 for the HOPING Foundation.

The HOPING Foundation believes that the next generation of Palestinians hold the key to peace, and HOPING stands for Hope and Optimism for Palestinians In the Next Generation. HOPING works to show Palestinian children that their struggle for even the smallest daily victories is noticed and encouraged by people the world over, specifically in Britain. Grants go toward small community initiatives that make instant improvements to the community and “are provided to encourage and improve all aspects of children’s lives; through art, music, social and sporting activities, and through their education and health needs.”

We might not all be able to raise thousands of dollars by belting out our favorite songs (in fact, I think people would be more likely to pay me not to sing, personally), but if you’re interested in donating to HOPING, you can do so on their website — no singing required.

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One X One has raised over $7 million for charity since its inception in 2005. Its Toronto event last year alone raised half that, and it’ll be holding the fourth annual gala there again this year. Coincidentally, the gala, which will be held in September, will be hosted by Ben’s buddy, Matt Damon.

One X One states that “Life Belongs to Everyone,” and to make sure that is true, they “have selected philanthropic partners and supported major initiatives that serve [their] mandate of helping children find a better world and securing their future.” They select charities to spotlight and support each year and select new initiatives to fund along with supporting those partners that have been around since the beginning. The ultimate goal is to help children in Canada and around the world live safely and with dignity.

To see how you can help, check out their website for more information or to make a donation.

Photo courtesy of Ecorazzi.

Love Our Children USA has come out with their Third Annual “Mothers Who Make a Difference List,” and there are a bunch of well-known names on it — Cate Blanchett, Marcia Cross, Geena Davis, Salma Hayek, Holly Hunter, Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, Ashleigh Banfield, Marcia Gay Harden, Jill Hennessey, Finola Hughes, Vanessa Mathison, Melania Trump, Nancy O’Dell, and Kim Raver all made the 2008 list.

The “Mothers Who Make a Difference List” is Love Our Children USA’s way of honoring mothers who, despite a heavy work schedule, find a way to balance their home and career lives so they can serve as solid parents and role models.

Love Our Children USA comes out with this list because there are over three million children in our country who are affected by violence, and bullying, cyberbullying, and a bevy of other internet-related dangers are all too prevalent for a large percentage of school-age children. It’s important to recognize the impact a loving, nurturing mother can have, not only on her own child, but on every mother and child with whom she comes into contact because she makes her family her priority.

Can you think of a mother who makes a difference? Tell us all about her in the comments!

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The Global Campaign for Education “promotes education as a basic human right,” and works to put pressure on governments to provide “free, compulsory public basic education for all people.”

Having grown up surrounded by poverty in Colombia, Shakira was able to speak from her heart about growing up in a world where parents “are desperate to provide education for their children.” She spoke inspiringly, saying, “I know this is a challenge, but it’s also a historic opportunity for all of us. We know how to address this and it is within our reach, and we can truly be the architects of change and be the first generation in our history to bring education to all children so that no child is left behind.”

Just as the Grammy winner’s Hips Don’t Lie, the campaign is asking countries all over the world to keep their promises regarding education for children. Additionally, with Shakira’s help, the Global Campaign for Education plans to raise up to $3 billion by 2012 to provide basic education for 77 million disadvantaged children who aren’t currently in school.

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Nicollette Sheridan and fiance Michael Bolton have posed in a steamy picture featuring a classic London Fog trench coat (and a nude Sheridan wrapped up in it) to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for kids.

The Hole in the Wall Gang is an organization founded by Paul Newman for kids facing life threatening diseases like cancer. The camp allows these kids to have an outdoor experience they otherwise might have missed. And, more importantly, it gives them a chance to feel like kids and accomplish things that, beforehand, they might have thought were impossible. (And here I thought that posing nude for a children’s charity was impossible!)

As for Sheridan and Bolton, they have been engaged since 2006, but have yet to take the walk down the aisle. There are rumors that Bolton’s three daughters from his first marriage aren’t exactly Desperate Housewives fans, which has caused some familial tension. Perhaps after this act of kindness for the children (offbeat as it may be) will smooth things over.

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Barrymore doesn’t sit back and write checks, though — she’s taken two trips to Africa to see the work accomplished by the World Food Programme, and says, “I have seen with my own eyes what a difference a simple cup of nutritious porridge can make in a child’s life. It helps them learn, stay healthy and sets them on track for a bright future.”

The 33-year-old Charlie’s Angel made the announcement on Oprah’s show, with boyfriend Justin Long in the audience and BFF Cameron Diaz making a telephone appearance. Long gushed about Barrymore, calling her “the most compassionate person” he’s ever met, and Diaz got all choked up about Barrymore’s generous donation.

The World Food Programme has a goal — they want to feed 10 million hungry school children in Africa by Thanksgiving. You can help by visiting their website and making a donation (even if it isn’t a million dollars).

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