In the past, contributions from the very rich to the poor
were most often made anonymously. Many of the direct
recipients of charity did not even know the identity of
their benefactors. Today all this has changed.
However, there is no doubt that endorsement of various
charities by well-known film stars, musicians and sports
personalities, coupled with the celebrities' own actual
high-profile donations, can vastly increase public awareness
of some indisputably worthy causes.
Underprivileged children, homeless refugees, victims of
natural disasters and sufferers from diseases such as AIDS
are among the unfortunate people who have been hugely 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 own self-supported programme which collects money
and goods from various donors and distributes the proceeds
to local charities.
Jackie Chan is Hong Kong's most famous film star. In 1988,
he founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to offer
scholarships and active assistance to young people in Hong
Kong. The foundation's motto is: 'To help, 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 cover a wide spectrum that
includes home care for youngsters at risk; help for
unemployed youngsters; professional self-empowerment
counselling; training camps for students; and anti-suicide
campaigns. Over the years, the foundation's activities have
grown substantially, broadening their scope to include
medical services and help for victims of natural disasters
or people suffering from serious illnesses.
Environmental Warrior
Popularly described as a 'Hollywood heartthrob', youthful
movie star Leonardo DiCaprio is a passionate defender of the
environment. To foster greater awareness of environmental
issues, he actively cooperates with organisations such as
Global Green USA, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the
International Fund for Animal Welfare and National
Geographic Kids.
His own Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation focusses particularly
on global warming, which can be combated by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and adopting alternative and
renewable energy 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 concerns also extend to maintaining clean
water supplies throughout the world (DiCaprio estimates that
1.2 billion of the world's people do not have access to safe
drinking 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
bring extraordinary energy and talent to working with UNICEF
to improve the lives of children throughout the world."
Federer believes sport can help overcome injustice and build
bridges between cultures. "As tennis players, we have a
unique opportunity," he says. "We are given a chance to
visit so many different countries and cultures and interact
with people from all walks of life. It is our responsibility
to...use our fortune to make a difference in the lives of
those who most need it. If I can make a contribution to
this, I am more than happy to do so."
Fulfilling Dreams
As a child, Tiger Woods dreamed about becoming the world's
best golfer. "I worked hard," he says, "and applied my
family's values to everything I did. Integrity, honesty,
discipline, responsibility and fun " I learned these values
at home and in school, each one pushing me further toward my
dream." Knowing that thousands of other children dream about
their futures too, Tiger and his father set up the Tiger
Woods Foundation 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 Foundation makes direct community
investments through its grant and scholarship programmes. In
2005 it awarded nearly US$2 million in grants to
youth-related programmes, and gave the Baton Rouge Area
Foundation $200,000 to set up a Hurricane Katrina
educational fund. The Foundation also donated $100,000 to
Give2Asia to aid children displaced by the 2004 tsunami. The
Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) Tour
contributed a matching amount of $100,000. Another
well-known PGA champion golfer, Phil Mickelson, was the
catalyst behind a charity designed to benefit America's
military men and women. Called 'Birdies for the Brave', it
is sponsored by the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Gift
Fund. Amounts of US$100 for each 'birdie' and $500 for every
'eagle' that Phil makes are donated to help military
families by financing education for the children of deceased
military personnel, or support handicap-accessible homes for
severely-injured or disabled American veterans. In
partnership with Exxon Mobil, the Mickelsons also co-sponsor
a five-day 'academy' for mid-primary level teachers to
improve their skills in motivating children and teaching
mathematics and science.
Scoring for Families
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan's record-breaking
achievements on the basketball court may have ended with his
retirement in 1999, but his charitable work continues to
benefit organisations he helped establish. In 1996, at the
height of his athletic career, his US$2 million contribution
helped finance the opening in Chicago of the James R. Jordan
Boys & Girls Club and Family Life Centre (named after
Michael's father). The club offers children's recreational
and learning facilities, infant day care and a family
healthcare centre.
In the same year, he committed $1million to the University
of North Carolina to set up its Jordan Institute for
Families. At its dedication ceremony, he explained, "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 remains involved with the Boys & Girls Club of
America, UNCF/College Fund, Special Olympics and a variety
of other organisations supporting children and families.
British football icon David Beckham and his popstar wife
Victoria established their own charitable trust in 2002, and
more recently joined forces with UNICEF to raise funds for
children worldwide. In January 2005, Beckham was appointed a
UNICEF 'Goodwill Ambassador' with a particular focus on the
UNICEF's 'Sports for Development' programme. Sport is seen
as a positive force to improve the lives of children
throughout the world, particularly those who have been
affected by disease, poverty or conflict.
Beckham's first activity as a UNICEF ambassador was to
launch a global appeal on behalf of the 1.5 million children
who were victims of the 2004 tsunami, supporting the
organisation's humanitarian work in the region. He's
appeared in a series of films to raise awareness of those
children who are being forgotten in the fight against AIDS.
Through UNICEF's 'Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS'
campaign, contributions go towards helping millions of
children. Proceeds of a World Cup Party hosted by the
Beckhams in May this year generated funds that will enable
UNICEF to reach many more children around the world. David
and Victoria have also contributed to Children Today, a
London-based charity for disabled children.
Fighting Poverty and Malaria
Irish pop star Bono (real name, Paul Hewson) has been deeply
involved with social and political causes since the 1980s.
The U2 star's involvement with the Bob Geldof's Band Aid and
Live Aid charity projects secured his place as a worldwide
legend. From 1999, he has increasingly dedicated himself to
relieving third-world debt and raising awareness of the
plight of Africa.
Since the end of his 'Elevation' tour in 2001, Bono has been
actively campaigning for debt-relief in Africa and has
visited many African countries. In 2002, he set up an
organisation called 'DATA', to raise awareness of Debt, Aids
and Trade problems in Africa. At present, he is particularly
concerned about the problem of eradicating of malaria, which
is the biggest killer on the African continent. Bono has
been quoted as saying that the idea of defeating malaria in
Africa would be as exciting as having witnessed Neil
Armstrong's first walk on the moon. In 2003, 2005 and 2006,
Bono was a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1984, Bob Geldof organised Band Aid to benefit children
dying of starvation in Africa. He assembled Britain's top
group of singers and musicians to record the single, 'Do
They Know It's Christmas', which became the fastest-selling
single record in UK music history, raising over 8 million
pound worldwide for aid in Ethiopia. In 1985, Geldof went on
to organise two Live Aid concerts, one in London and the
other in Philadelphia, featuring more than 60 of rock
music's biggest stars performing 'live'. Over 100 million
pound was raised for African famine relief.
In January 2004, Geldof visited friends in Ethiopia, where
he discovered that more people were at risk of starvation
then than during the famines of the 1980's which inspired
Live Aid. Geldof communicated his concern vociferously to
British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The result was the
establishment of a Commission for Africa, comprised of 16
African political leaders and others. Relief measures
proposed included the doubling of aid, cancelling debt and
reforming trade rules. Following the Commission's 2005
report, Gelfdof decided to stage eight simultaneous concerts
around the world to exert pressure on the so-called rich
nations' club: the G8. The event was entitled Live 8.
Combating AIDS
British singer, composer and pianist, Sir Elton John, is
well-known for his support for AIDS charities. As long ago
as 1986, he was contributing profits from his recordings to
the American Foundation for AIDS Research and encouraging
his fans to do the same. Since then, he has worked
diligently to foster greater awareness of the disease among
the general public.
In 1992 he set up the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) as a
charity to fund specific programmes for HIV/AIDS prevention
and to support AIDS victims. This non-profit foundation is
dedicated to the elimination of discrimination and prejudice
against people affected by HIV/AIDS; it also provides
specialised services to AIDS victims, and preventive
education programmes to people at risk of contracting the
disease. Since its founding, EJAF has raised over US$100
million to support AIDS-related programmes in 55 countries
around the world.
The foundation's work is supported not only by John's own
contributions, but through numerous fund-raising events,
sports programmes, art and photographic exhibitions, Oscar
parties and gala dinners organised or co-sponsored by John,
sometimes with auctions of his own and other stars' personal
items. Last year, EJAF introduced new initiatives aimed at
HIV prevention among residents of the southern United States
and the Caribbean, young people and drug users and people
recently released from prison.
In Tune With Children
In the 1980s, pop idol Madonna became a supporter of the
charity called amFAR, the American Foundation for AIDS
Research. Since then, she has also turned her attention to
Children in Need " a charity that provides practical and
lasting support to thousands of youngsters 18 years old or
younger who may have experienced neglect, abuse,
homelessness or poverty, and may be suffering from serious
illnesses, disabilities, psychological disorders or
addictions. The Make-a-Wish Foundation, which grants the
wishes of children suffering from life-threatening medical
conditions, is another of Madonna's favoured causes.
Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, is
suffering from famine, drought, poverty and diseases such as
HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Most
recently, Madonna has contributed generously to Raising
Malawi, a charity whose Orphan Care Initiative provides
food, medical care, clothing, clean drinking water and
schooling to 32,000 orphaned children in the impoverished
African nation. Madonna recently demonstrated the extent of
her dedication to this charitable cause by adopting a
Malawian child.
In 1999, the American singer Mariah Carey received a
Congressional Award for her contributions to youth charities
and non-profit organisations. She was recognised for her
work with the Administration for Children's Services in New
York City, and she participates in Children's Services'
programmes to ensure that children are raised in a stable
family environment. One Carey contribution of over
US$1,000,000 went to the children's Fresh Air Fund, which
enables city children to enjoy summer camping in the
countryside.
Camp Mariah is a Career Awareness Camp for New York
adolescents operated under the auspices of the Fresh Air
Fund that aims to expand their awareness of educational and
career options. It offers a unique opportunity for nearly
300 boys and girls aged 12 to 14 to engage in an educational
curriculum while enjoying camp adventures. Intensive
three-and-a-half-week summer sessions and weekend camping
trips are complemented by year-round activities in New York
City. Camp Mariah was named after Mariah Carey for her
generous support and dedication to Fresh Air children.
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