by Beata L. Santora

Whether it's this week's Clinton Global Initiative or the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Congress, celebs have been unusually eager to use their star power to help those less fortunate. Case in point: after a trip to Guatemala with the World Food Programme, singer Christina Aguilera was inspired to join WFO in raising awareness and funds for young children and mothers in areas hardest hit by the hunger epidemic. Her simple black-and-white PSA (above) reveals a startling statistic--a child dies of hunger every 6 seconds. But even a single dollar donated to the WFP can help change that.

Music legend Bob Dylan has also partnered with WFP. In fact, "partnered" is an insufficient word for his contribution. Besides promoting the organization, he is donating all of the royalties from his upcoming Christmas in the Heart album to feed half a million children in developing countries.

Even more drastic (and dangerous) steps are being taken by the organizers of Summit on the Summit. Ethiopian-American rapper Kenna is leading a group of his high wattage friends to a trek in Tanzania this coming January. Their goal? To summit the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest mountain (over 19,000 feet!). Musicians Justin Timberlake and Lupe Fiasco, with actress Jessica Biel and others, are joining Kenna on this journey to help end the world's drinking water shortage.

It seems some celebrities have discovered that doing good can be more important (not to mention more rewarding) than looking good. Hats off.

Further reading:
* Video: Highlights from Monday's World Savers Congress
* Boldface: Celebrity travels