This Wednesday, Dec.12, Kristen Stewart will join some of the biggest names in music, film and TV to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Nearly two billion people in more than 190 countries will get the chance to see the “12-12-12” benefit concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

A friend of Kristen’s tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively, “Kristen is really looking forward to participating in the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy benefit concert. She is eager to help out and support the cause. She actually asked to be part of it and the organizers were like ‘Yes, of course.’”

“She feels really sad about what happened and hopes the music event will raise tons of money. This is really important to her and dear to her heart,” said the friend.

The “12-12-12″ Hurricane Sandy concert will be the most widely distributed live musical event ever, organizers said.

The Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert Lineup

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the lineup for the concert includes The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Roger Waters, Eddie Vedder, Kanye West, The Who and Paul McCartney.

Latest celebrity presenters include Steve Buscemi, Jessica Chastain, Chelsea Clinton, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Billy Crystal, Leo DiCaprio, Jimmy Fallon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Karlie Kloss, Seth Meyers, Bobby Moynihan, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Susan Sarandon, Jon Stewart, Quentin Tarantino,  and rian Williams.

The event organizers said in a joint statement, “The massive distribution means that the concert will be available to almost anyone on the planet with a television, a radio, a smartphone, tablet, computer or Internet-connected device.”

Online live streams will be available on YouTube, AOL, Yahoo, Hulu, and others, which on a combined basis reach more than 1.4 billion monthly unique users worldwide.

Are you proud of Kristen for participating in such an important event? What do YOU think HollywoodLifers? Are you excited to watch the concert and help the Sandy Hurricane victims?

WATCH: Preview Kristen Stewart’s Daily Show Interview

Pia Toscano and Jared Lee are using their voices for good! The two joined forces to record a special cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Pia, former American Idol Season 10 contestant, was personally affected by the terrible hurricane that ravaged the Eastern Coast. “I have been devastated by the destruction that Hurricane Sandy caused in my hometown and equally inspired by all of the amazing people who have come together to help those affected,” the star posted on her Facebook page.

The 24-year-old singer teamed up with singer-songwriter Jared Lee to lend both of their voices to the touching Coldplay song. Pia then tweeted and posted on her Facebook encouraging fans to donate money to the Red Cross to help with Sandy relief efforts.

Pia and Jared sound amazing in their duet! We’re so glad these two stars are using their talent to make a difference! Take a listen, HollywoodLifers!

–Caitlin Miller

More Hurricane News:

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Drita D’Avanzo might be one feisty woman on television but off-screen she truly has a heart of gold! After seeing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, specifically in her hometown of Staten Island, Drita knew something needed to be done.

“Can you believe what happened?,” Drita said immediately as we spoke. “I took it very personal. This is my neighborhood. This is where I grew up…my closest friend lost everything she had.”

Being a block away from the ocean, Drita said that she expected her house to be gone. Thankfully, Drita only lost power and was unable to get gas for her car.

To avoid the storm and what was thought to be a washed-away house, Drita weathered the storm at her parent’s house. Unlike those who are still without power, Drita’s parent’s were lucky enough to have their power restored soon after the storm.

“My parents power came on early. I honestly wish it didn’t because I got to watch the news,” Drita said. “I was crying every day all day because no one else was seeing the effects of the aftermath. I was watching it. I was trembling. It was so scary. It’s still so scary. It was scary and then when you see it in real life it’s even more scary.”

It was at that point she had an idea — she was going to help those in need. She might sometimes resent the fame that Mob Wives has brought her way, but Drita realized she could use it for a better cause.

Drita decided to host a fundraiser to help those that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

“I do feel when people have [a charity], you give your money and you did your good deed but you don’t see what happened with it,” Drita said. “What I would love to do is film – and I’m not talking Mob Wives – I’m talking my own camera — take it to Costco and take everyone shopping with me. Say I get $10,000 — you see where your money is going and who you’re going to help.”

On Nov. 15, Drita is hosting an event at WIP in New York City from 7 p.m to 10 p.m. A $20 cover charge will be used to buy items needed by Hurricane Sandy victims.

Drita is reaching out to everyone and anyone who will help — longtime friends and family, promoters and those she’s met being involved in the business.

Some names she mentioned that will be there to help out are Mob Wives stars Big Ang and Carla Facciolo and Jersey Shore star Deena Cortese. You can definitely expect performances by Raquel Castro from The Voice, Mike John and Jerid Nowell.

Click here for more information.

Will you help Drita reach her goal of $10,000 for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, Hollywoodlifers?

– Reporting by Dory Larrabee, Written by Julianna Spence

More Mob Wives News:

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2. Renee Graziano Filming Time In Rehab For ‘Mob Wives’
3. Renee Graziano: I Filed A Restraining Order Against My Ex Husband

Rihanna is always thinking of others. The 24-year-old just hit up the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and has been working nonstop but she’s taking a moment to reflect and help those less fortunate than her – she’s such a cool chick.

“Now is the time for us to come together,” she told the New York Daily News. “And do whatever we can to aid those in need.”

Rihanna is holding the Rihanna & Friends party at Jay-Z’s 40/40 club in NYC and there’s only one thing you have to do in order to get through the doors. Just bring supplies! Fans can bring anything like: coats, shoes, blankets, baby items and more. This is such a fantastic idea.

The party will be held at the club from 4:30pm ET to 6:30pm ET. Immediately following the event all of the relief items will be packed into a New York Daily News truck and sent to the victims of the hurricane.

Meanwhile, Chris has been super charitable himself and we told you he just launched his Symphonic Love Foundation for programs for teens and families.

— Chloe Melas

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Hurricane Sandy has left certain parts of the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in a state of irreparable destruction, and downtown Manhattan has been left without any power, while the New Jersey boardwalk has been completely destroyed. By Nov. 2, many people are still without power and water, including Katie Holmes, Chelsea Clinton and Melissa Joan Hart.

Katie and her daughter Suri Cruise were forced to evacuate their Chelsea apartment in downtown Manahattan, as reported by The Huffington Post. The stylish mother and daughter were in their building when the power went on Oct. 29, and were forced to leave the following day when the water was shut off.

Another resident of the building said, “Suri might be used to helicopters and chauffeured cars, but once the storm hit we were all the same. They had to walk from the 12th floor, with no lights, like everyone else.” We wonder how Suri felt about that!

Chelsea, her husband Marc Mezvinsky, and their dog Soren have stuck it out in their $4 million dollar Flatiron apartment without power, and are managing by eating canned foods and lighting candles. She tweeted “‘Marc, Soren and I are at home with candles, kindles and canned food! Any must-read recommendations for waiting out a storm?” on Oct. 29.

Things are much worse, however, for Melissa, as she and her husband  Mark Wilkerson were left without power and water in their Westport, Conn. home with their three young sons Mason, Brady and Tucker.

She tweeted “When you are living without power, it seems to be all you can focus on. Takes all day to make preparations for the dark and cold ❄” on Nov. 2, and later added that she could be waiting another week for power to return.

The cast of Jersey Shore have also spoken out about their devastation about how badly the Jersey shore area has been hit, as Jenny “JWoww” Farley tweeted “Crying over the damage the jersey shore and my town received. Legit boats are on the roads I used to drive. I cannot believe this,” on Oct. 30.

Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy.

– Eleanore Hutch

More Hurricane Sandy News:

1. Two Kids Die After Being Ripped From Mom’s Arms In Hurricane
2. Miracle Babies Born As Hurricane Sandy Hits & Knocks Out Power
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New York City is one of the greatest cities on Earth, but sometimes we all need to take a step back and reassess our priorities. Mayor Bloomberg has said the annual race will boost the city’s economy and raise morale after the storm, but I think it will pull valuable resources away from those who need it most.

UPDATE: As of 5:15pm EST on Nov. 2, the marathon has been cancelled. Below is the editorial I wrote just minutes before the announcement came in.

Snooki, who is famous for being on the reality show, Jersey Shore, set in Seaside Heights, which is now in ruins, tweeted on Nov. 2, “They’re still doing this damn marathon & heating tents for the runners? IS THIS A JOKE?! Help the f*cking people who just lost their homes!”

Anderson Cooper tweeted on Nov. 2, “I hadn’t realized the NYC marathon starts in Staten Island. Does that seem appropriate now? What do you think?”

‘The Forgotten Borough’:

Staten Island was one of the hardest hit places, and many residents are calling it “the forgotten borough.” Others fear that as rescuers continue to search flooded homes, bodies will be found and the death toll will rise.

It’s hard to focus on a race when, as I write this at 5:00pm EST on Nov. 2nd, half of Manhattan is without power, in the cold and in the dark. Even rich and powerful celebrities like Chelsea Clinton have tweeted that they are, “at home with candles, kindles and canned food! Any must-read recommendations for waiting out a storm? #Sandy”.

King of Queens star Leah Remini tweeted on Nov. 2, “No resources r being taken away from ppl 4 marathon? Wow. Ppl in SI,jersey,queens,bklyn need help! Get themGenerators! #Bloomberggotheat”

Lady Gaga, who grew up in NYC, tweeted on Oct. 29, “i know its gonna be ok, but that water flooding downtown while my friends are sitting in the dark is making me sad. i love you new york.”

It’s A Moral Issue:

As I write, bridges have restrictions, tunnels are closed, train lines are suspended — who thinks we are ready for millions to flood the city for a race? Furthermore, are all subways going to be up and running as the streets shut down for the runners? How will people get from place to place?

This isn’t a political issue — it’s a moral one. People need help! It’s not about the impending election, which is also a concern, but it’s about getting the people who are suffering BASIC necessities like food, water, clothing and blankets.

People can’t go to school, people can’t go to work — we have bigger problems! We need every resource available. People are lining up to get food out of dumpsters. A man was arresting for pulling out a gun while waiting for gas — supplies are scarce — we need to concentrate and conserve.

Stars Pitch In:

Even celebs like Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder have pledged to help. On Oct. 30, he tweeted, “It’s a rough night on the east coast right now-to the greatest city in the world and you or beautiful East Coast, we’re going to help you!!!”

So I say, NYC, thank you for postponing the marathon — you’ll still get the revenue and morale boost — but it’s not an appropriate time to do it.

What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Are you happy the marathon was postponed?

– Dory Larrabee

More Hurricane Sandy News:

1. Miracle Babies Born As Hurricane Sandy Hits & Knocks Out Power
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After searching for Brandon Moore, 2, and his brother Corey Moore, 4, police found the bodies of the two boys just yards from where they went missing. Their mother Glenda Moore, 39, spent 12 hours screaming for help after they were ripped from her arms during the hurricane — and no one would help.

Just before 6 p.m. on Oct. 29, Glenda’s car got stuck in the road right as the hurricane was hitting Staten Island. The floodwaters overpowered her vehicle, and even though Glenda tried to hold on to her boys, they got sucked away by the rushing water.

When they disappeared, the frantic mom kicked on a neighbor’s door for help — but was turned away.

“I can’t believe the way she was treated by the people she went to for help,” Glenda’s cousin Nancy Jean told NBC.

“The first person she knocked on, she begged them and said, ‘please call 911. They told her: ‘I don’t know you,’ and closed the door. She tried another door but they turned the lights off,” she said. ”I can’t imagine what she was thinking then. She sat down for 12 hours and was just screaming. She was out of it. When it got to morning she went and found a police car and told him what happened.”

After the storm cleared and police could search for the bodies, they found the brothers just 30 yards from where they went missing, buried under water and covered in trees in debris.

“Terrible, absolutely terrible,” police commissioner Ray Kelly said. “It just compounds all the tragic aspects of this horrific event.”

Such a tragedy. Our thoughts are with Glenda and her family during this difficult time.

What do YOU think of what happened to Glenda and her boys HollyMoms?

– Christina Stiehl

More Hurricane Sandy news:

1. Miracle Babies Born As Hurricane Sandy Hits & Knocks Out Power
2. The Tragic Young Women Who’ve Died In Hurricane Sandy
3. Two Children Killed By Fallen Tree During Hurricane Sandy — So Sad

Christina Aguilera, Bruce Springsteen, and many more musicians are joining the networks of NBCUniversal on Friday, Nov. 2, for a benefit concert to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The one-hour special, entitled Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together, will be hosted by Matt Lauer. It will air at 8:00pm EST on NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, Style, Syfy, and USA. It will also be live-streamed on NBC.com

Christina and Bruce, along with his E Street Band, with be joined by Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, and Billy Joel. Jimmy Fallon and Brian Williams are slated to make appearances, as well.

Money collected from the benefit will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts. If you wish to donate, you can text REDCROSS to 90999 ($10 donation) or visit RedCross.org.

Will you watch Friday’s benefit concert, HollywoodLifers?

– Billy Nilles

More Hurricane Sandy news:

1. Two Children Killed By Fallen Tree During Hurricane Sandy — So Sad
2. Justin Bieber & More Celebs Tweet Support For Hurricane Sandy Victims
3. Kim Kardashian, Snooki & More Celebs Prepare For Hurricane Sandy