Gifts for star-struck friends -- Page 2

If you're shopping for an NFL fan, you might want to contribute to the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. This foundation gives financial and motivational support to at-risk children. Their biggest event of the year, Annual Holiday Spectacular, gives Christmas presents to the abused and neglected children of Illinois.

Another sports star, NASCAR's Kyle Petty, co-founded The Victory Junction Gang Camp with his wife and Paul Newman to give seriously ill children the opportunity to go camping.

Do you know a baseball fan? You can share the love of America's game with at-risk kids by donating to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. And for the tennis fan, check out the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation which provides recreation and education for at-risk children.

Country music fans will appreciate a donation to support literacy through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Dolly's charity makes sure that every child in participating communities receives a new hardcover book each month from birth to age 5. Garth Brook's Teammates for Kids Foundation provides financial assistance to children's charities.

For urban music fans, Barenaked Ladies, Harry Connick Jr., Garbage, Kid Rock, Metallica and Santana all support RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization.

Hollywood favorites
If you can't find a charity supported by a particular celebrity, check out one of the star-studded favorites, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the American Foundation for AIDS Research and the Make a Wish Foundation.

P.E.T.A. is an animal rights foundation whose most notable celebrity supporters are actress Pamela Anderson and Pearl Jam's lead vocalist Eddie Vedder.

The Pediatric AIDS Foundation funds research of diseases affecting children and is supported by virtually all of Hollywood through its many fundraisers attended by actors from Angela Bassett and Tom Cruise to Natalie Portman and David Duchovny.

AmFAR supports AIDS research and prevention. It is also supported by many celebrities including Sharon Stone, Rosie O'Donnell, Bruce Willis, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Seinfeld and Prince Albert of Monaco.

The Make a Wish Foundation is now famous itself with heart-wrenching stories of sick children's wishes. Many stars have supported Make a Wish, either by a one-time handshake or continual volunteer work and donations. Country star Vince Gill, professional wrestler The Rock, Food TV's Iron Chef Morimoto, music group O-Town, singer Nick Lachey of the band 98 Degrees and NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon are consistent supporters of Make A Wish.

Another star favorite is the charity started by Superman. The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation,funds research for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. The Foundation also works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities.

A membership, event ticket or donation to any of these charities would make an excellent gift for any star's fan. And though it may not be as exciting as receiving a gift-wrapped Keifer Sutherland, a donation to charity would do the world a lot more good than a hardback copy of another exclusive, unauthorized biography.

-- Updated: Nov. 18, 2004