Matt Damon, a constant force in support of the OneXOne charity foundation, was unable to attend the 2nd Annual Gala Fundraiser for the organization last night in San Francisco due to a family emergency. A rep for the event, which Damon had been scheduled to host, told E! News that “He wouldn’t have missed this otherwise.”

Nevertheless, the event did go forward as planned – with celebrities like Charlize Theron, Jeremy Piven, David Arquette, Josh Groban, and Mia Hamm in attendance.

The evening featured a keynote address by Vicki Escarra, CEO of Feeding America, performances by Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, and the announcement of a new partnership with Charlize Theron’s African Outreach Project. Check out some pictures from the event below.

Russell Crowe’s

And speaking of Robin Hood, Gwyneth Paltrow is a board member of the New York-based foundation (co-founded by the late John F. Kennedy Jr.) that raises money from successful New Yorkers and donates it to worthy causes. The 36-year-old actress was guest of honor at a Champions of Hope dinner at the Tribeca Rooftop on Wednesday. The event helped raise money for Children of the City, which helps children and their families achieve success in education, social relationships, home, financial and career.

Actor David Arquette spent 8 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday inside a Plexiglas box atop New York City’s Madison Square Garden marquee to draw awareness about hunger. The 37-year-old is chairman of Feeding America’s Entertainment Council — and is working with Snickers’ “Bar Hunger” initiative to help raise money for the organization. Arquette’s goal is to bring in more than $250,000. [Read more...]

David Arquette

Of course, as suspected, there were plenty of famous faces in attendance, including Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Sheryl Crow, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Tobey Maguire, Josh Groban, Amanda Peet, Nick Lachey, Kevin Connelly, Lukas Haas, Jason Bateman and many more.

The event showcased street artist Shepard Fairey’s new work, which will raise awareness for Feeding America and help them continue to provide food assistance to more than 25 million low-income people.

So a big thanks to Davey Boy for doing well and keepin’ all them bellies full!

Via: looktothestars.org

Before last night kicked off, however, Damon and Wyclef spent time with David Arquette passing out grapes at the San Francisco Food Bank’s Arriba Juntos pantry in the Mission. The three of them spent about an hour handing out food, signing autographs, and talking with folks in line. “I don’t expect anybody to know who the hell I am,” Damon told the SFGate, adding that in his travels, here and in Africa, many people he meets don’t have enough money for food, let alone a ticket to see his movies.

Next, Damon will head to Florida for the weekend to help the Obama campaign in getting out the vote. After that, he heads to Morocco to finish shooting a movie — but plans to stay involved with the political effort practically every step of the way. “I’m sure I’ll be on the phone over there after filming every night,” he said. “I’ll do telephone interviews or whatever they’ll have me do. I want to sprint to the finish with the millions of us who really have been desperate for this change.”

Regarding his previous negative comments on Sarah Palin, Damon said he would no longer talk about the Republican ticket. “The Obama campaign has decided to focus on the positive, and I should be a bigger man and be able to do that with them,” he said.

Photo credit: Goff/INFphoto.com

Actress Kate Walsh spent her Thursday afternoon helping the folks at Pedigree kick off the Pedigree Dogstore in Times Square! I know, I know-all the animal rights people just totally flipped out when I said, “Dogstore.”  You’re probably thinking: abused pets, dirty cages, lazy employees…no, no no!! Trust me, this is not your typical pet store!

The Pedigree Dogstore will act as a short-term adoption center where visitors can learn about dog adoption, meet adoptable dogs and make donations to support various shelters across the country.  This is all part of the Pedigree Adoption Drive, Pedigree’s non-profit organization that helps provide funding to select animal shelters and breed rescues nationwide.  And with over 4 million dogs in shelters across the country, Pedigree’s Adoption Drive couldn’t come at a better time!

Other stars like Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Molly Sims, and Kelly Ripa have stepped up to the plate by signing memorabilia which will be auctioned on eBAY to also benefit Pedigree.  So head on over to Dogsrule.com and learn how you can get involved and help make a difference. Because like singer/activist Nellie Mckay says in The Dog Song, “If you want a companion, well just go right to the pound, and find yourself a hound, and make that doggie proud. Cause that’s what it’s all about.”

photo credit: justjared.com