Previously, the contributions of the richest and poorest were most often made anonymously. Many of the direct beneficiaries of charitable activities did not even know the identity of their benefactors. Today everything has changed.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the approval of various charitable organizations of famous movie stars, musicians and sports figures, in combination with celebrities, their own actual commitments to high-profile ones, can significantly increase public awareness of some undoubtedly worthy reasons.
Street children, homeless refugees, victims of natural disasters and those suffering from diseases such as AIDS are among the unfortunate people who have tremendously helped “not only with generous promises from wealthy individuals, but also thanks to the contribution of ordinary donors who were deeply moved by charitable activities of public figures who admire.
Star care
One famous celebrity philanthropist is actress Angelina Jolie, who uses her fame and wealth to raise awareness of the fight against some 20 million refugees in 120 countries. Her work on behalf of refugees began in 2001, when she was filmed in Cambodia, where she decided to adopt a refugee child. By adopting the orphans "of her son Maddox from Cambodia and the daughter of Zahara from Ethiopia in 2005," Jolie also aroused interest among other prospective parents to help or accept other needy children around the world.
After being named Goodwill Ambassador to the UN Refugee Commission in 2001, Jolie traveled to many other refugee sites, including Thailand, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, the Balkans and Ecuador. In addition to the promise and donations of several million dollars for various charitable purposes, she also advocates a ban on landmines.
Actor and producer George Clooney is another hot supporter of significant reasons. They include a “ONE Campaign” to end AIDS; and “Make a history of poverty”, part of a coalition of 84 countries calling for a breakthrough in the fight against poverty around the world. It also participates in the Global Campaign against Poverty (GCAP), which aims to reduce the gap between rich and poor by addressing man-made factors, such as unfair global trade systems, a debt burden that stifles any chance of a country’s recovery and ineffective aid to the poor. areas of the world.
Together with Samuel L Jackson, Clooney, sponsor of Rock for Darfur, a series of charity concerts organized by MySpace.com and Oxfam. Funds are used to support the Oxfam disaster relief work and help refugees in Sudan and neighboring Chad. Finally, there is the United Way & Clooney Self-Managed Program, which collects money and goods from various donors and distributes receipts to local charities.
Jackie Chan is the most famous movie star in Hong Kong. In 1988, he founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to provide scholarships and active assistance to young people in Hong Kong. The foundation’s motto is “Help, Heal and Succeed.” As Jackie explains: “Sometimes it only takes one act of kindness and care to change a person’s life. Long ago, when I was a child in need of help, someone was kind to me by providing scholarships, grants and funding ... I help make the world a better place. ”
Chan's charitable responsibilities cover a wide range of services, including home care for at-risk youth; help unemployed young people; professional advice on self-study; training camps for students; and campaigns against suicide. Over the years, the fund’s activities have expanded significantly, expanding their coverage, including medical services and assistance to victims of natural disasters or people suffering from serious diseases.
Ecological Warrior
Popularly named the “Hollywood Heart,” young movie star Leonardo DiCaprio is a passionate environmentalist. In order to raise awareness of environmental issues, he actively collaborates with organizations such as Global Green USA, the Council for the Protection of Natural Resources, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and National Geographic Kids.
His own Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation focuses specifically on global warming, which can be combated by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting alternative and renewable energy sources. “I urge people all over the world to stand up,” he said, “and ask local leaders, if they have not already done so, to pledge to buy cleaner cars, build green objects and buy green energy, such as wind or solar energy. to determine if we will become a victim of war for a habitable planet for future generations. " His concern also extends to maintaining clean water supplies throughout the world (DiCaprio believes that 1.2 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water), ”and he is an active supporter of the conservation of Earth’s biodiversity.
Philanthropic athletes
In 1994, at the height of his athletic career, tennis champ Andre Agassi created the Andre Agassi charity foundation (AACF) to provide recreational and educational opportunities for children in southern Nevada, especially in the Las Vegas area. He supported more than 20 organizations and collected more than $ 60 million. USA since its inception. His special mission is to assist children who have been abused or abandoned children who are considered “at risk”. or deprived of basic life opportunities. In order to develop the character and self-esteem of these children and expand their career opportunities, the Foundation finances a combination of emotional, physical, and academic programs.
The Andre Agassi boys and girls club, opened in 1997, has a basketball court, tennis courts, a computer lab, a library and a center for teenagers offering a variety of activities. Through the Agassi tennis team and the Agassi Stars basketball program, children learn the values of good sportsmanship. They also attend training sessions. Balancing athletics and education, the Agassi Club provides not only a safe place for young people to go after school, but also a positive learning environment. In 2001, the Foundation donated an additional $ 720,000 for the construction of Andre Agassi's cottage for medicinal and fragile children.
In addition, the commitment to protecting children is seven-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. In 2003, he founded the Roger Federer Foundation in Basel, Switzerland, to finance projects for children from disadvantaged families, especially in South Africa. After the devastating tsunami in 2004, he initiated a number of other fund-raising initiatives, including an All-Star ATP rally to help. This led to a global partnership with UNICEF, and in April 2006, Federer was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Venaman expressed confidence in his ability to make a difference when she said: “Roger Federer will bring extraordinary energy and talent to work with UNICEF to improve the lives of children all over the world.”
Federer believes that sport can help overcome inadequacies and build bridges between cultures. “As tennis players, we have a unique opportunity,” he says. “We got the chance to visit so many different countries and cultures and interact with people from all walks of life. I can contribute to it, I am more than happy to do it. ”
Fulfilling a dream
As a child, Tiger Woods dreamed of becoming the best player in the world. “I worked a lot,” he says, “and applied my family & # 39; s values everything I did. "Honesty, honesty, discipline, responsibility and fun" I learned these values at home and at school, each of which moved me further to my dream. " Knowing that thousands of other children are dreaming about their futures too, Tiger and his father created the Tiger Woods Foundation in 1996. “Through personal enrichment programs, scholarships, direct grants, junior golf teams and the new Tiger Woods training center, completed in 2005,” explains Tiger, “the foundation helps millions of children achieve their dreams.”
The Tiger Woods Foundation makes direct investments in communities through grants and scholarship programs. In 2005, he allocated grants in the amount of about $ 2 million. USA for programs related to youth, and provided the Baton-Ruzhsky Foundation with $ 200,000 for the creation of the Hurricane Katrina educational fund. The fund also donated US $ 100,000 to Asia to help children displaced by the 2004 tsunami. The Professional Association of American-Americans (PGA) Tour provided the appropriate amount of $ 100,000. Another famous PGA golfer, Phil Mickelson, has become a catalyst for charity to help America’s military and women. Called Birds for the Brave, sponsored by the Phil and Amy Mickelson Gift Foundation. The amount of $ 100 for each bird; and $ 500 for each order. that Phil is donated to help military families, financing education for children of disabled soldiers, or supports homes with disabilities for people with severe injuries or disabled Americans. In collaboration with Exxon Mobil, thekelsons are also one of the sponsors of the five-day academy. for middle-level teachers to improve their skills in motivating children and teaching math and science.
Evaluation for families
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan in record achievements in the basketball court may have stopped his performance in 1999, but his charitable work continues to help organizations that he helped establish. In 1996, at the height of his sports career, his $ 2 million contribution helped finance the opening of the James R. Jordan Club for Chicago in Boys and Girls and the Center for Family Life (named after Father Michael). The club offers children's recreational and educational institutions, children's day care and a family health center.
In the same year, he allocated $ 1 million to the University of North Carolina to create his Jordanian Institute for Families. At the dedication ceremony, he explained: “I was very lucky and lucky that I had a family structure that cherished and gave a positive influence on me and my brothers and sisters. I support the Jordanian Institute of Families, because I believe that everything that may need to be done to save the family and improve the quality of life for all people, especially children and the elderly. ” Jordan continues to participate in the Boys and Girls Club of America, the UNCF / College Foundation, Special Olympics and a number of other organizations that support children and families. British football icon David Beckham and his wife, pop star Victoria, created their charitable trust in 2002 and recently joined forces with UNICEF to raise funds for children all over the world. In January 2005, Beckham was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. with a particular focus on UNICEF sport for development; program. Sport is seen as a positive force for improving the lives of children around the world, especially those suffering from disease, poverty or conflict.
Beckham's first activity as a UNICEF ambassador was to make a global appeal on behalf of the 1.5 million children who were victims of the tsunami in 2004, supporting the organization’s humanitarian work in the region. He appeared in a series of films to raise awareness of those children who are forgotten in the fight against AIDS. Through the UNICEF “Unite Children”, “Unite Against AIDS” campaign, contributions are being made to help millions of children. Proceeds from the World Cup Party, organized by Beckham in May of this year, generated funds that will allow UNICEF to reach many more children around the world. David and Victoria also contributed to Children Today, a London-based charity for disabled children.
Combating poverty and malaria
Irish pop star Bono (real name, Paul Hewson) has been actively involved in social and political issues since the 1980s. The participation of U2-stars in the charity projects of Bob Geldof & Aid and Live Aid ensured his place as a world legend. Since 1999, he has increasingly devoted himself to freeing up the debts of the third world and raising awareness of the layout of Africa.
Since the end of his "Height" in 2001, Bono has been actively campaigning for debt relief in Africa and has visited many African countries. In 2002, he created an organization called “DATA” to raise awareness about debt, aid and trade in Africa. He is currently particularly concerned with the eradication of malaria, which is the biggest killer on the African continent. Bono said that the idea of conquering malaria in Africa would be as exciting as Neil Armstrong’s first walk on the moon. In 2003, 2005 and 2006, Bono was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1984, Bob Geldof organized Band Aid to help children dying of hunger in Africa. He gathered the main group of singers and musicians in the UK to record the single “Christmas for them”, which became the best-selling album in the history of music in the UK, rising above him £ 8 million worldwide to help in Ethiopia. In 1985, Geldof continued to organize two Live Aid concerts, one in London and the other in Philadelphia, which features over 60 of the biggest rock stars. To alleviate hunger in Africa, more than 100 million pounds were raised.
In January 2004, Geldof visited friends in Ethiopia, where he found that more people were at risk of starvation than during the famine of the 1980s, which inspired Living Aid. Geldof loudly conveyed his concern to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The result was the creation of a Commission for Africa consisting of 16 African political leaders and others. Proposed relief measures, including doubling of aid, cancellation of debt, and reform of trade rules. After the Commission’s 2005 report, Gelfdof decided to organize eight simultaneous concerts around the world to put pressure on the so-called rich countries. Club: G8. The event was named Live 8.
Fighting aids
British singer, composer and pianist, Sir Elton John, is well known for his support of charity organizations of AIDS. Back in 1986, he made a profit on his records in the American Foundation for AIDS Research and encouraged his fans to do the same. Since then, he has worked diligently to raise awareness of the disease among the general public.
In 1992, he established the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) as a charitable organization to fund specific HIV / AIDS prevention programs and support AIDS victims. This non-profit foundation is dedicated to ending discrimination and prejudice against people affected by HIV / AIDS; It also provides specialized services for AIDS victims and preventive education programs for people at risk of contracting the disease. Since its inception, the EJAF has raised more than $ 100 million in support of AIDS-related programs in 55 countries around the world.
The fund’s work is supported not only by John’s own contributions, but also by numerous fundraising events, sports programs, art and photographic exhibitions, Oscar parties and gala dinners organized or sponsored by John, sometimes with auctions of his own and other characters. Last year, the EJAF introduced new initiatives to prevent HIV among people in the southern United States and the Caribbean, young people and drug users, and people recently released from prison.
In setting with kids
In the 1980s, pop idol Madonna became a supporter of the charity organization amFAR, the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Since then, she has also turned her attention to needy children: “a charity that provides practical and strong support to thousands of young people of 18 or young people who may have been neglected, abused, homeless or impoverished and may suffer from serious diseases, disabilities, frustration or addiction. The Make-a-Wish Foundation, which satisfies the desires of children suffering from life-threatening diseases, is another of the supportive causes of the Madonna.
Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, suffers from hunger, drought, poverty and diseases such as HIV / AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Совсем недавно Мадонна внесла щедрый вклад в воспитание Малави, благотворительной организации, чья Инициатива по уходу за сиротой предоставляет еду, медицинскую помощь, одежду, чистую питьевую воду и школьное обучение 32 000 детей-сирот в обедневшей африканской нации. Недавно Мадонна продемонстрировала степень своей преданности этому благотворительному делу, приняв малазийского ребенка.
В 1999 году американская певица Мэрайя Кэри получила премию Конгресса за ее вклад в молодежные благотворительные организации и некоммерческие организации. Она была признана за ее работу с Управлением по делам детей в Нью-Йорке, и она участвует в услугах «Дети & чтобы обеспечить воспитание детей в стабильной семейной среде. Один вклад Carey в размере более 1 000 000 долларов США отправился в детский фонд «Fresh Air», который позволяет городским детям наслаждаться летним кемпингом в сельской местности.
Camp Mariah является лагерем по повышению осведомленности о карьере для нью-йоркских подростков, которые работают под эгидой Фонда Fresh Air, целью которого является расширение их осведомленности о возможностях образования и карьеры. Он предлагает уникальную возможность для почти 300 мальчиков и девочек в возрасте от 12 до 14 лет участвовать в учебной программе, наслаждаясь приключениями в лагере. Интенсивные три с половиной недели летние занятия и походы в выходные дни дополняются круглогодичными мероприятиями в Нью-Йорке. Лагерь Мэрайя была названа в честь Мэрайи Кэри за ее щедрую поддержку и преданность детям Fresh Air.
