We love it when celebrities use their star status for good.

And new mom Nicole Richie and her husband boyfriend Joel Madden have done just that.

The couple spent 13 months of fundraising to benefit some under privileged kids by helping to raise $35,000!

Yesterday, Nicole and Joel helped break ground for a new playground at a homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles.

The shelter, Beyond Shelter's Broadway Village 2, is located in one of the highest crime and poverty areas in the city. Several of the kids even showed up to celebrate the event and their future playground.

Richie stated, "It's so rewarding to see the smile on these kids faces. I spend tons of time here. When I found out the kids play on a concrete slab or play inside all day, it hit me. Kids need to have an imagination, to be outside and to be free."

And according to Joel, little Harlow might even be passing by for some playdates.

Says the dad, "Absolutely. Now that she's playground age, she can!"

Celebrities going good, always a nice sight.

[Image via Getty Images.]

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You might remember the days when Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie were BFF.

But those times have come and gone and you can really see that Nicole has totally changed her focus to family while Lindsay continues in her downward spiral.

But that doesn't mean mommy can't let loose once in awhile! Nicole and her boyfriend Joel Madden went out last Friday with none other than Lindsay's on/off-again girlfriend SaMAN Ronson! La Loca was none too happy with their outing!

The threesome went out dancing at Playhouse Hollywood where the group downed lemon drops in the VIP room. Sam even hopped in the DJ booth to play some of Nicole's favorite tunes! An insider says of Nicole, Lindsay and Sam:

"Nicole has made it very clear to Lindsay and to their mutual friends that she wants a better life for her. Nicole hopes Lindsay will get it together and change her behavior, but until she makes a change, Nicole avoids her. Sam and the rest of the Ronson family have remained close to Nicole, Joel and his brothers. Sam loves Nicole and Joel and she cares deeply about Lindsay. She in no way wants to hurt her, but Sam will not drop her friendship with Nicole."

Yikes! Just another event to further propel Lindsay off the deep end.

Nobody likes a jealous girlfriend, Lindz!

You better keep your cool if you want your MAN back one day!

[Image via WENN.]

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It's not true!

Although Star Magazine is claiming Nicole Richie and Joel Madden tied the knot in a private ceremony last week, Joel says otherwise!

The Good Charlotte member has posted a message on his official blog, debunking the marriage rumor!

Writes Madden:

"I keep getting emails from old friends and family asking about a wedding. NO we didn't get married."

Enough proof???

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Can we now call Nicole Richie Mrs. Joel Madden?????

According to the latest issue of Star Magazine, Nicole and Joel have finally tied the knot!!!!

Richie and Madden reportedly had a small ceremony at their own home on October 14th as a part of the mass wedding event arranged by the Unification Church, in which 45,000 people were married around the world!

"Nicole is a free spirit, and she wanted a wedding ceremony that reflected that," an insider revealed.

"She found out about the mass wedding online and thought it would be perfect for the two of them."

So cute! We never took these two as the flashy, show-stopping wedding type anyway.

Joel and Nicole, who have been together since late 2006, never seemed in a rush to wed, even after the birth of their two children, Harlow and Sparrow - or at least we thought!

Says a source: "Joel had been begging Nicole to get married since before Harlow was born. She wasn't in a rush to make it official."

So why the change of heart?

The source says after the sudden death of Richie's former fiance and close friend, DJ AM in August, Richie realized she "didn't want to spend another day not being Mrs. Joel Madden."

Touching!

Mazel tov, you two.

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He's a cutie!

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden nabbed the cover of People magazine showing off their newest addition to their family, Sparrow James Midnight. Richie says of her family:

"I couldn't be happier. The only thing you want is for your kids to be healthy and happy, and they are. I'm right where I belong."

Apparently Harlow is already enjoying her new role as big sister and taking good care of her baby brother. Joel says that "she's very gentle with him."

What an adorable family! We love Harlow's huge smile!

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Sources reveal exclusively to PerezHilton.com that baby pics of Nicole Richie's new son - dad is Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden - will appear in an upcoming issue of People magazine. As early as this week!

Can't wait!

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Nicole Richie and hubby Joel Madden hit up the early bird special at Denny's The Noble Award last night in Beverly Hills.

We just think they look adorable, enjoying a night out on the town without the little ones.

Just precious!

[Image via WENN.]

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Happy birthday Nicole Richie!

We can see that Harlow has her daddy pretty wrapped around her tiny finger.

Joel Madden took his eldest out to the L.A.'s farmer's market this weekend, while Nicole Ritchie stayed home with the newest addition to the family, baby boy Sparrow.

Looks like the older sister enjoyed some quality time with her dad as he pulled her around in her own personal Radio Flyer red wagon!

She looks more and more like Nicole everyday.

Adorable!

[Image via Fame Pictures.]

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Could this be the inspiration behind little Sparrow's name?

New daddy Joel Madden, took to his Twitter account, perhaps leaving a little clue about the origin of his son's name, revelaing "A song for the little songbird" and linked to the video "Sparrow" by Simon & Garfunkel.

So could it be? Even if it isn't the origin behind the name, it's still a beautiful song tribute to the newborn.

Where do U think Sparrow got his name from???

P.S. CLICK HERE to "follow" Perez on Twitter!

[Image via RK/WENN.]

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