Prior to now, contributions from the very wealthy to the poor had been most frequently made anonymously. Lots of the direct recipients of charity didn’t even know the id of their benefactors. At present all this has modified.
Nevertheless, there isn’t any doubt that endorsement of varied charities by well-known movie stars, musicians and sports activities personalities, coupled with the celebrities’ personal precise high-profile donations, can vastly improve public consciousness of some indisputably worthy causes.
Underprivileged kids, homeless refugees, victims of pure disasters and victims from illnesses akin to AIDS are among the many unlucky individuals who have been vastly helped ” not only by generous donations from wealthy personalities, but also thanks to contributions made by ordinary donors who have been deeply moved by the charitable activities of public figures they admire.
Caring Stars
One well-known celebrity philanthropist is actress Angelina Jolie, who uses her fame and fortune to raise awareness of the plight some 20 million refugees in 120 countries around the world. Her work on behalf of refugees began in 2001 when she was filming in Cambodia, where she decided to adopt a refugee child. By adopting orphaned children ” her son Maddox from Cambodia, and a daughter Zahara from Ethiopia in 2005 ” Jolie has also sparked interest among other prospective parents to help or adopt other needy children around the world.
Named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Commission for Refugees in 2001, Jolie has toured many other refugee locations including Thailand, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, the Balkans and Ecuador. Besides pledging and donating several million dollars to different charitable causes, she also champions the cause of banning land mines.
Film actor and producer George Clooney is another fervent supporter of significant causes. These include the ‘ONE Campaign’ to eliminate AIDS; and ‘Make Poverty History’, part of an 84-nation coalition calling for a breakthrough against poverty throughout the world. He is also involved in the Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP), which aims to narrow the gap between rich and poor by addressing man-made factors such as unjust global trade systems, debt burdens that suffocate any chance of a country’s economic recovery and ineffective aid in impoverished areas of the world.
Together with Samuel L Jackson, Clooney co-sponsors ‘Rock for Darfur’, a series of charity concerts organised by MySpace.com and Oxfam. The funds go to support Oxfam’s disaster relief work and to aid refugees in Sudan and neighbouring Chad. Finally, there is ‘United Way’ ” Clooney’s personal self-supported programme which collects cash and items from varied donors and distributes the proceeds to native charities.
Jackie Chan is Hong Kong’s most well-known movie star. In 1988, he based the Jackie Chan Charitable Basis to supply scholarships and energetic help to younger folks in Hong Kong. The inspiration’s motto is: ‘To assist, to heal and to excel.’ As Jackie explains: “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life. Long ago, when I was a child in need of assistance, someone was kind to me. My charitable foundation is my way of passing on that kindness. By providing scholarships, grants and funding … I am helping to make the world a better place.”
Chan’s charitable donations cowl a large spectrum that features dwelling care for children in danger; assist for unemployed children; skilled self-empowerment counselling; coaching camps for college students; and anti-suicide campaigns. Over time, the muse’s actions have grown considerably, broadening their scope to incorporate medical providers and assist for victims of pure disasters or folks affected by critical sicknesses.
Environmental Warrior
Popularly described as a ‘Hollywood heartthrob’, youthful film star Leonardo DiCaprio is a passionate defender of the surroundings. To foster better consciousness of environmental points, he actively cooperates with organisations akin to International Inexperienced USA, the Pure Sources Protection Council, the Worldwide Fund for Animal Welfare and Nationwide Geographic Youngsters.
His personal Leonardo DiCaprio Basis focusses significantly on world warming, which may be combated by lowering greenhouse fuel emissions and adopting different and renewable power sources. “I urge individuals around the globe to stand up,” he declares, “and ask local leaders, if they haven’t already, to pledge to purchase cleaner cars, build green facilities, and buy green power like wind or solar energy. Our actions may determine if we become a casualty in the war for a habitable planet for generations to come.” His issues additionally lengthen to sustaining clear water provides all through the world (DiCaprio estimates that 1.2 billion of the world’s folks shouldn’t have entry to protected consuming water) ” and he is a fervent advocate of preserving the earth’s biodiversity.
Philanthropic Sportsmen
In 1994, at the height of his sporting career, tennis champion Andre Agassi set up the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) to provide recreational facilities and educational opportunities for children in southern Nevada, USA, especially in the Las Vegas area. It has supported more than 20 organisations and raised more than US$60 million since it was launched. Its special mission is to help abused or abandoned children who are considered ‘at risk’ or deprived of basic opportunities in life. In order to foster character and self-esteem in these children and enhance their career possibilities, the Foundation funds a combination of emotional, physical and academic programmes.
The Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club, opened in 1997, features a basketball court, tennis courts, a computer lab, a library and a teen centre offering a variety of activities. Through the tennis Team Agassi and the basketball programme Agassi Stars, children learn the values of good sportsmanship. They also attend study sessions. By balancing athletics and education, the Agassi Club provides not only a safe place for youngsters to go after school, but a positive learning environment. In 2001, the Foundation donated an additional US$720,000 towards building an Andre Agassi Cottage for Medically Fragile Children.
Also committed to children’s welfare is seven-time Grand Slam tennis champion Roger Federer. In 2003 he launched the Roger Federer Foundation in Basel, Switzerland to fund projects for disadvantaged children, especially in South Africa. Following the devastating 2004 tsunami, he instigated several other fund-raising initiatives, including the ATP All-Star Rally for Relief. This led to a global partnership with UNICEF, and in April 2006, Federer was appointed a UNICEF ‘Goodwill Ambassador.’ UNICEF Executive Director Ann M Veneman voiced her confidence in his ability to make a difference when she said: “Roger Federer will convey extraordinary power and expertise to working with UNICEF to enhance the lives of kids all through the world.”
Federer believes sport can help overcome injustice and build bridges between cultures. “As tennis gamers, now we have a singular alternative,” he says. “We’re given an opportunity to go to so many alternative international locations and cultures and work together with folks from all walks of life. It’s our duty to…use our fortune to make a distinction within the lives of those that most want it. If I could make a contribution to this, I’m more than pleased to take action.”
Fulfilling Dreams
As a child, Tiger Woods dreamed about becoming the world’s best golfer. “I labored exhausting,” he says, “and utilized my household’s values to all the things I did. Integrity, honesty, self-discipline, duty and enjoyable ” I learned these values at home and in school, each one pushing me further toward my dream.” Understanding that hundreds of different kids dream about their futures too, Tiger and his father arrange the Tiger Woods Basis in 1996. “Through personal enrichment programmes, scholarships, direct grants, junior golf teams, and the new Tiger Woods Learning Center completed in 2005,” explains Tiger, “the foundation is helping millions of children reach their dreams.”
The Tiger Woods Basis makes direct neighborhood investments by way of its grant and scholarship programmes. In 2005 it awarded practically US$2 million in grants to youth-related programmes, and gave the Baton Rouge Space Basis $200,000 to arrange a Hurricane Katrina academic fund. The Basis additionally donated $100,000 to Give2Asia to assist kids displaced by the 2004 tsunami. The Skilled Golfers Affiliation of America (PGA) Tour contributed an identical quantity of $100,000. One other well-known PGA champion golfer, Phil Mickelson, was the catalyst behind a charity designed to profit America’s navy women and men. Known as ‘Birdies for the Courageous’, it’s sponsored by the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Reward Fund. Quantities of US$100 for every ‘birdie’ and $500 for each ‘eagle’ that Phil makes are donated to assist navy households by financing training for the kids of deceased navy personnel, or assist handicap-accessible properties for severely-injured or disabled American veterans. In partnership with Exxon Mobil, the Mickelsons additionally co-sponsor a five-day ‘academy’ for mid-primary stage academics to enhance their expertise in motivating kids and instructing arithmetic and science.
Scoring for Households
Basketball famous person Michael Jordan’s record-breaking achievements on the basketball court docket might have ended together with his retirement in 1999, however his charitable work continues to profit organisations he helped set up. In 1996, on the top of his athletic profession, his US$2 million contribution helped finance the opening in Chicago of the James R. Jordan Boys & Women Membership and Household Life Centre (named after Michael’s father). The membership affords kids’s leisure and studying amenities, toddler day care and a household healthcare centre.
In the identical 12 months, he dedicated $1million to the College of North Carolina to arrange its Jordan Institute for Households. At its dedication ceremony, he defined, “I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had a family structure which nurtured and provided a positive influence for myself and my siblings. Many young people today are overwhelmed by the pressures of life, struggling and trying to survive. I am supporting the Jordan Institute for Families because I believe that everything that can be done should be done to preserve the family and to improve the quality of life for all individuals, especially children and the elderly.” Jordan stays concerned with the Boys & Women Membership of America, UNCF/Faculty Fund, Particular Olympics and quite a lot of different organisations supporting kids and households. British soccer icon David Beckham and his popstar spouse Victoria established their very own charitable belief in 2002, and extra just lately joined forces with UNICEF to boost funds for kids worldwide. In January 2005, Beckham was appointed a UNICEF ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ with a specific give attention to the UNICEF’s ‘Sports activities for Growth’ programme. Sport is seen as a constructive pressure to enhance the lives of kids all through the world, significantly those that have been affected by illness, poverty or battle.
Beckham’s first exercise as a UNICEF ambassador was to launch a worldwide enchantment on behalf of the 1.5 million kids who had been victims of the 2004 tsunami, supporting the organisation’s humanitarian work within the area. He is appeared in a collection of movies to boost consciousness of these kids who’re being forgotten within the battle in opposition to AIDS. By way of UNICEF’s ‘Unite for Kids, Unite in opposition to AIDS’ marketing campaign, contributions go in the direction of serving to thousands and thousands of kids. Proceeds of a World Cup Celebration hosted by the Beckhams in Could this 12 months generated funds that can allow UNICEF to achieve many extra kids world wide. David and Victoria have additionally contributed to Kids At present, a London-based charity for disabled kids.
Preventing Poverty and Malaria
Irish pop star Bono (actual identify, Paul Hewson) has been deeply concerned with social and political causes for the reason that Nineteen Eighties. The U2 star’s involvement with the Bob Geldof’s Band Help and Stay Help charity tasks secured his place as a worldwide legend. From 1999, he has more and more devoted himself to relieving third-world debt and elevating consciousness of the plight of Africa.
Because the finish of his ‘Elevation’ tour in 2001, Bono has been actively campaigning for debt-relief in Africa and has visited many African international locations. In 2002, he arrange an organisation referred to as ‘DATA’, to boost consciousness of Debt, Aids and Commerce issues in Africa. At current, he’s significantly involved about the issue of eradicating of malaria, which is the most important killer on the African continent. Bono has been quoted as saying that the thought of defeating malaria in Africa can be as thrilling as having witnessed Neil Armstrong’s first stroll on the moon. In 2003, 2005 and 2006, Bono was a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1984, Bob Geldof organised Band Help to profit kids dying of hunger in Africa. He assembled Britain’s prime group of singers and musicians to document the only, ‘Do They Know It is Christmas’, which grew to become the fastest-selling single document in UK music historical past, elevating over 8 million pound worldwide for help in Ethiopia. In 1985, Geldof went on to organise two Stay Help concert events, one in London and the opposite in Philadelphia, that includes greater than 60 of rock music’s greatest stars performing ‘stay’. Over 100 million pound was raised for African famine reduction.
In January 2004, Geldof visited buddies in Ethiopia, the place he found that extra folks had been susceptible to hunger then than throughout the famines of the 1980’s which impressed Stay Help. Geldof communicated his concern vociferously to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The outcome was the institution of a Fee for Africa, comprised of 16 African political leaders and others. Reduction measures proposed included the doubling of help, cancelling debt and reforming commerce guidelines. Following the Fee’s 2005 report, Gelfdof determined to stage eight simultaneous concert events world wide to exert stress on the so-called wealthy nations’ membership: the G8. The occasion was entitled Stay 8.
Combating AIDS
British singer, composer and pianist, Sir Elton John, is well-known for his assist for AIDS charities. As way back as 1986, he was contributing earnings from his recordings to the American Basis for AIDS Analysis and inspiring his followers to do the identical. Since then, he has labored diligently to foster better consciousness of the illness among the many normal public.
In 1992 he arrange the Elton John AIDS Basis (EJAF) as a charity to fund particular programmes for HIV/AIDS prevention and to assist AIDS victims. This non-profit basis is devoted to the elimination of discrimination and prejudice in opposition to folks affected by HIV/AIDS; it additionally offers specialised providers to AIDS victims, and preventive training programmes to folks susceptible to contracting the illness. Since its founding, EJAF has raised over US$100 million to assist AIDS-related programmes in 55 international locations world wide.
The inspiration’s work is supported not solely by John’s personal contributions, however by way of quite a few fund-raising occasions, sports activities programmes, artwork and photographic exhibitions, Oscar events and gala dinners organised or co-sponsored by John, generally with auctions of his personal and different stars’ private gadgets. Final 12 months, EJAF launched new initiatives geared toward HIV prevention amongst residents of the southern United States and the Caribbean, younger folks and drug customers and folks just lately launched from jail.
In Tune With Kids
Within the Nineteen Eighties, pop idol Madonna grew to become a supporter of the charity referred to as amFAR, the American Basis for AIDS Analysis. Since then, she has additionally turned her consideration to Kids in Want ” a charity that gives sensible and lasting assist to hundreds of children 18 years previous or youthful who might have skilled neglect, abuse, homelessness or poverty, and could also be affected by critical sicknesses, disabilities, psychological issues or addictions. The Make-a-Want Basis, which grants the desires of kids affected by life-threatening medical situations, is one other of Madonna’s favoured causes.
Malawi, one of many poorest international locations on this planet, is affected by famine, drought, poverty and illnesses akin to HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Most just lately, Madonna has contributed generously to Elevating Malawi, a charity whose Orphan Care Initiative offers meals, medical care, clothes, clear consuming water and education to 32,000 orphaned kids within the impoverished African nation. Madonna just lately demonstrated the extent of her dedication to this charitable trigger by adopting a Malawian little one.
In 1999, the American singer Mariah Carey obtained a Congressional Award for her contributions to youth charities and non-profit organisations. She was recognised for her work with the Administration for Kids’s Providers in New York Metropolis, and she or he participates in Kids’s Providers’ programmes to make sure that kids are raised in a steady household surroundings. One Carey contribution of over US$1,000,000 went to the kids’s Recent Air Fund, which permits metropolis kids to take pleasure in summer time tenting within the countryside.
Camp Mariah is a Profession Consciousness Camp for New York adolescents operated below the auspices of the Recent Air Fund that goals to develop their consciousness of academic and profession choices. It affords a singular alternative for practically 300 girls and boys aged 12 to 14 to have interaction in an academic curriculum whereas having fun with camp adventures. Intensive three-and-a-half-week summer time classes and weekend tenting journeys are complemented by year-round actions in New York Metropolis. Camp Mariah was named after Mariah Carey for her beneficiant assist and dedication to Recent Air kids.