Editor's Note: In an American Morning original series, “Big Stars, Big Giving,” Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved. Originally posted December 21, 2009.

By Alina Cho, CNN

When you talk about celebrity philanthropy, there’s no denying Elton John is an original.

In 17 years, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised millions of dollars. So what keeps him going? He says, just like writing music, philanthropy is part of his life.

The 62-year-old music legend says he wasn't moved until he met 14-year old Ryan White in 1986. The Indiana teen was expelled from his school because he had AIDS.

John became so close to the White family he gave them financial assistance and was at Ryan's bedside when he died.

“I never heard Ryan complain about having AIDS. I never heard him whine or be miserable. He carried everything with such dignity. It just taught me about humility, how my life was completely out of whack. About six months after Ryan died, I began to change my life.

"I'd lived a charmed life, you know, taking drugs, drinking, having unsafe sex at a time when I should have been so much more well-behaved. After Ryan died, I thought I can give something back. I've come out of this HIV negative, I've got to do something positive.”

That something positive was the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In 17 years it has started programs in 55 countries and has raised more than $150 million.

“People are so grateful for even the smallest thing. It doesn't take a lot of money to run a project in Africa. $15,000, $20,000. This is something that's never going to go away in my lifetime, so I've got to try and each year step up and try and do a little bit more.

Even when it means supporting other causes, like Andy Roddick's foundation to help needy children.

Watch John's moves on the tennis court

“He doesn't just want to come and play. He wants to know exactly where the money we're raising is going. How it's going. He always calls two or three days later and asks what's the total tally? How much did we raise?” says Roddick. “He's just really involved in the whole process.”

Why? John says, why not?

“Once you've seen people suffer like this you just don't ever think of stopping. I'll be doing this 'til the day that they put me in the ground because I love doing it, and I just want to try and make a difference.”

To learn more about the organizations these stars have created to make a difference,

and how you can get involved, visit Impact Your World.

Editor's Note: In an American Morning original series, “Big Stars, Big Giving,” Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved. Originally posted December 22, 2009.

By Alina Cho, CNN

He makes a living making people laugh, but talk about philanthropy and suddenly a side of Ben Stiller emerges that few people see.

”I think I've always come at it from a pretty cynical point of view, maybe just charity fundraisers and the whole show business aspect of it, because a lot of times it can be self-serving. It's very easy to make fun of that. And I've made fun of it in the past, but you see, I think what's going on in our world and it's kind of hard to sit back and not do anything.”

It all began this summer. The actor traveled to Haiti with the charity Save the Children. He saw how kids didn't have access to clean water, how they weren't going to school, and he wanted to help.

“It's sort of overwhelming when you see the level of poverty that these people are living with everyday. It's just a different reality.”

The problem is serious, but Stiller, by nature, is not. So when he thought about how to raise money he turned to what he does best: making people laugh.

“Basically, I'm going to sell these headbands. 3, 4, 500 bucks a pop. And you get one, all the money goes to the school.”

StillerStrong’s slogan: Stealing great ideas from other charities to build a school in Haiti.

“I just thought it would be great to, you know, somehow raise money by selling a piece of, you know, an accoutrement. … So, I came up with the idea of a headband. … I later learned that Lance Armstrong, I guess, had done something with a [bracelet]. But it doesn't really do anything. See, the great thing about the headband is that it actually wicks away sweat.”

Go to StillerStrong.org and you'll find a social media bonanza, what some call the future of fundraising. Connect to Ben via Twitter, buy a headband, watch a series of funny videos featuring Owen Wilson.

StillerStrong has raised more than $150,000, half the money needed to build a school in Haiti.

Stiller knows comedy can help shed light on the world's problems and maybe even begin to solve them.

"When you're somebody who people know, celebrity or whatever, it doesn't mean that you know anything. … I'm not claiming to be an expert on Haiti. I've been there once, but it affected me and I'm trying to do something. You know, that's it."

To learn more about the organizations these stars have created to make a difference,

and how you can get involved, visit Impact Your World.

Editor's Note: In an American Morning original series, “Big Stars, Big Giving,” Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved.

In part five of the American Morning original series, "Big Stars, Big Giving," Alina Cho interviews Sir Richard Branson about his nonprofit foundation Virgin Unite.

To learn more about the organizations these stars have created to make a difference,

and how you can get involved, visit Impact Your World.

Editor's Note: In an American Morning original series, “Big Stars, Big Giving,” Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved. In part five, Alina sits down with Virgin mogul Richard Branson. Friday, 6-9 a.m. ET – only on CNN.

In part four of the American Morning original series, "Big Stars, Big Giving," Alina Cho interviews Martha Stewart about her Center for the Living, where the elderly can age gracefully.

To learn more about the organizations these stars have created to make a difference,

and how you can get involved, visit Impact Your World.

Editor's Note: In an American Morning original series, “Big Stars, Big Giving,” Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved. In part four, Alina sits down with Martha Stewart to discuss her living center for older adults. Thursday, 6-9 a.m. ET – only on CNN.

And check out the rest of Alina's series on celebrity philanthropy, Big Stars, Big Giving.

To learn more about the organizations these stars have created to make a difference,

and how you can get involved, visit Impact Your World.