Celebs Help People Go Green

While many people have jumped on the bandwagon to help people and to contribute to a more sustainable future, there are some celebrities that have been referred to as trailblazers in the environmental arena.  One of those celebs is Ed Begley, Jr.  To celebrate Begley’s accomplishments, the 15th Annual Millennium Awards, sponsored by Global Green USA, will acknowledge Begley and others for their contributions in recognizing Global Green USA’s vision of “fostering a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure world.”

Global Green USA Chief Executive Matt Petersen will be on hand to honor the Los Angeles Business Council, Ed Begley Jr., Mark Ruffalo and Wendy Schmidt at the event.  Celebrity presenters scheduled to appear include Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Bacon, Christopher Guest and Kyra Sedgwick.

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of the honorees, the event is also designed to raise funds to help people support Global Green’s efforts to rebuild a greener New Orleans, create green schools and affordable housing in Los Angeles and throughout the country.  The charity organization also lobbies for effective policy changes to focus on climate changes.

Help Global Green Help People

Global Green USA, founded in 1993, is the American counterpart of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Green Cross International.  Its mission is to create and advocate solutions to climate change.  Global Green is based in California, with offices in New Orleans and Washington, D.C, and to date the charity organization has “greened” almost $20 billion in new construction for schools and housing and has authored numerous state and federal laws to help people go green.

CMT and Others Support Disaster Relief Organizations

Disaster relief organizations are receiving much needed support thanks to a recent concert on cable television. On Thursday, CMT premiered a 90-minute concert titled Music Builds that aimed at raising awareness and much needed funds for those affected by recent floods, storms and tornadoes. Charity organizations like the American Red Cross have stepped up to provide assistance wherever possible.

The event was co-hosted by HLN’s Robin Meade, ESPN’s Erin Andrews, and comedian Ron White.  During the evening many celebrities performed, including Tim McGraw, Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson, Alabama, Gretchen Wilson, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Sara Evans, Ronnie Dunn, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Trace Adkins.  The evening also featured a call to action from U.S. President Barack Obama.  All proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

The event was broadcast around the world via American Forces Network, local TV affiliates and radio stations and CNN.com.  It is estimated that the program reached tens of millions of viewers worldwide.

Victims Need Relief Organizations

Since the natural disasters have struck various parts of the country and the world, many victims are relying on relief organizations for support in many areas, including providing basic necessities such as shelter, food, water and clothing for those left homeless.  Affected areas include Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and North Carolina.

In addition to the evening’s performances, there were special calls to action from American Idol judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, with host Ryan Seacrest.  Carrie Underwood, Ellen DeGeneres, Courteney Cox, Taylor Swift, Big Kenny, University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban, Shania Twain and Nicole Kidman were among others that showed their support.

Those wishing to support disaster relief organizations can donate online.

Volunteer Opportunities for UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of the many celebrities that have embraced volunteer opportunities for the UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund.  Parker, an ambassador for UNICEF, will be on hand at the Global Business Coalition’s 10th Anniversary Conference to introduce the UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund.  The conference is scheduled to take place on June 2^nd.

Worldwide Opportunities

The Global Business Coalition’s 10th Anniversary Conference is being co-sponsored by UNICEF and the Global Business Coalition.  The fund is designed to raise UNICEF’s presence of mind and to join together a vast network of entities from more than 150 developing countries to gather information and to draw on the assets and experience of industry experts.  The ideas gained through this network will be reviewed and shaped by the GBC with the aim of refining ideas to provide a valuable base of resources for the fund.

The UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund is focused on bringing together HIV experts along with a group of diverse business leaders and philanthropists to invest in a variety of high impact, low cost technology and interventions that have a strong potential to alter the face of the AIDS epidemic.

UNICEF, one of the world’s foremost charity organizations plans to allocate $4-5 million annually through the fund to support projects with the highest potential success rate, and starting in 2011, the plan is set on a five year schedule with the hopes of achieving the possibility of an HIV/AIDS free generation by 2015 thanks to a number of volunteer opportunities.

Celebrities Provide Housing Assistance for Japan

Disaster relief organizations such as www.uniteforjapan.org and the American Red Cross are providing housing assistance to the Japanese people, along with funds that will allow them to rebuild their country and their lives after a devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck in March, killing thousands and leaving many more homeless.  Actor Ken Watanabe founded www.uniteforjapan.org, a charity organization designed to pull people together to assist in funding Japan’s relief effort.  In addition, the organization is working with other agencies such as the American Red Cross, Global Giving and Japan Society.

“When I first saw the catastrophic damage, I was in shock and utter disbelief,” said Watanabe.  “In the days following the earthquake, it was devastating for me to watch the homeless taking shelter at evacuation centers.”  Watanabe talks about people not having an adequate supply of clothing and food, a fact that caused him to feel helpless.

Disaster Relief Organizations Create Funding

Unite for Japan gathered together a group of A-list celebrities to help record two Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness about the plight of the Japanese in the aftermath of the disaster.  Participating in the PSAs were: Paula Abdul, Jamie Lee Curtis, Matt Damon, Zac Brown, Ellen DeGeneres, Rob Marshall, Ben Affleck, Johnny Depp, Mikael Hafstrom, Katy Perry, Clint Eastwood, Ayako Fujutani, William Shatner, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Muramasa Kudo, Jennifer Morrison, Aisha Tyler, Sharon Lawrence, Cameron Diaz, John Legend, Hideki Matsui, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Patrick, Richard Lewis, Zoe Saldana, Cillian Murphy, Julian McMahon, Cobie Smulders, Apolo Ohno, Steph Song, Maggie Q, Charlize Theron, Jake Shimabukuro, Jonah Hill, Masi Oka, John Travolta, Ben Stiller and Mark Wahlberg.

Those who want to make a donation to charity organizations that help Japan can donate online and provide much needed housing assistance.

Olivia Newton-John Sings for Micro Charity

International pop star and music legend Olivia Newton-John is scheduled to sing at an upcoming AFL football match with the aim of raising money for her micro charity, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.  The performance will take place on May 27^th at the match between Melbourne and Carlton.  Melbourne is Newton-John’s hometown.

Olivia’s Charity in the Works

Olivia Newton-John’s online charity was founded in 2003.  Since that time, $15 million has been raised to fund the facility.  Due to open next year, the “O” centre requires another $10 million in donations to make the dream a reality.

“I’m incredibly excited at the opportunity to perform in front of a big crowd in my home town of Melbourne and urge all footy fans to come along and give generously so we can now help complete the O” said Olivia.  ”I also want to acknowledge the Melbourne Football Club and especially president Jim Stynes for all their tremendous support.”

Newton-John goes on to say that Stynes has his own personal battle, one that inspires Olivia to move forward with the project.

In addition to the public donations expected to be received for the charity organization, Olivia has released a new cookbook titled LivWise.  The proceeds from the book will be added to other funding sources for the centre.  The book’s publisher’s stated: “The recipes were created in her own kitchen along with recipes contributed by friends and chefs at her Australian health retreat, Gaia.  In Livwise, Olivia explains her belief in the importance of eating a healthy diet in order to maintain wellness and balance.”

Those wishing to give to her charity organization can make a micro charity donation online.

Ferrells Beat Illiteracy Through Emergency Financial Assistance

Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin-Ferrell, held an emergency financial assistance fundraiser at their home in the Hollywood Hills to benefit the charity organization Room to Read, a non-profit designed to help people worldwide beat illiteracy by providing schools, libraries and books to children that may not have access to the materials otherwise.

Will Ferrell took the stage as Viveca served as the evening’s auctioneer.  Room to Read founder and co-chair John Wood was also on hand.  The event, and the auction, raised nearly $300,000 to support the construction of four schools, nine libraries and 10,000 young adult books that will provide as much as 256 years of education.  Celebrities participating in the auction include Jack Black, Molly Shannon and Fred Savage.

Ongoing Events to Raise Money for Financial Assistance

The founders and supporters of Room to Read along with committee members, plan to make the fundraiser an annual event with the hopes of raising awareness for the program and its goals.  The organization’s goals include gender equality through education and developing literacy skills for children to help them succeed in their secondary education careers.  Since its inception in 2000, Room to Read has helped to impact more than five million people in Africa and Asia.  The goal of the charity organization is to continue to help people and provide emergency financial assistance to as many as ten million people by 2015.

Micro Loans with Business Opportunities

There are several ways in which one can look at the micro loans process.  It can be viewed as a way to raise money for charity organizations, a type of idea funding or a combination of the two.  In some cases, crowdfunding can be combined with business opportunities such as the ones being offered by some online donation sites.

Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

Giving to charity is always rewarding from a social standpoint, giving one a sense of community or the opportunity to give back.  Some also utilize the tax deductions that come along with donating to non-profit organizations.  Whatever the reason, there are many charities that benefit from the crowdfunding process.

Some organizations give back to their donors in various ways through public acknowledgment, awards and prizes.  Auctioning off special events and experiences such as concert tickets and celebrity-related items is also a popular way to go.  The latest trend in charity donation is to bid for a chance at a business opportunity with a celebrity.  Many celebrity organizations are auctioning off internships at their companies as a way of raising funds for their charities.  This idea provides money for the charity while offering a business opportunity for the donor.

Some current examples include internships with fashion designers Diane Von Furstenburg, Rebecca Taylor and Patricia Fields or an internship at Jay-Z’s ROC National record label.  Other auctions include internships with H&M’s marketing department and an overseas internship in Hong Kong.

Those interested in participating in any opportunities involving micro loans can donate online.

Online Donation for Celebrity Experiences

A recent trend in the online donation and celebrity charity world is a chance to meet-and-greet one or more famous celebrities.  The premise is that people will clamor to donate online to meet a celebrity.  The opportunities are given to those who bid the highest amount for a particular event, whether it is a simple meet-and-greet or a special event such as tickets to a popular show, day long experience, lunch or other fantastic opportunity that a fan would most likely never have the chance to receive otherwise.  One such organization that is participating in this recent trend is charitybuzz.com.  The site gives various charity organizations a chance to raise money in a unique way.  By auctioning off the experiences with the celebrities, it is almost guaranteed that the charity organization receives funds that it may not have received from a single donor under other circumstances.

Online Donation for the Chance of a Lifetime

Recent offerings at charitybuzz.com include once in a lifetime experiences that may never be available again.  The website shows the event, the current highest bid, the number of bids entered, the estimated value, and the date the auction ends.  The celebrity experiences going on right this minute include a stroll through Strawberry Fields with Yoko Ono, a tour of the U.S. Air and Space Museum with famed Astronaut John Glenn, an invitation and meet-and-greet with former President Bill Clinton, and a tour and meet-and-greet at Howard Stern’s Sirius studio. Those interested in giving to charity organizations that raise money in such a unique way can look at the various online donation opportunities.

Karan Celebrates Haiti’s Efforts to Helping Poor People

International fashion designer Donna Karan is helping poor people in Haiti rebuild their lives after the latest disaster.  As a token of Karan’s dedication to Haiti, she is offering a weekend trip to the island nation accompanied by actor, humanitarian and comedian Ben Stiller along with other special guests.

Helping To Preserve Culture

Karan shares her vision for helping Haitians in their quest for development via micro charity and crowdfunding efforts.

“For me, Haiti is where all the initiatives I care so passionately about come together; preserving culture, securing the health and well-being for people and the education of the children who represent their tomorrow” said Karan.  She then talked about the island speaking to her heart and embracing everything that people seek to accomplish at Urban Zen.  She said that the vision for Haiti was a simple one: “Help Haiti help itself by utilizing and organizing its artisans, natural resources and production potential to create business models that can be properly marketed and distributed throughout the U.S. and Europe.”

The American designer and businesswoman stated that she had a good sense of what makes products desirable to consumers in the West.  Her trip to Haiti followed a previous visit with the Clinton Foundation that served to focus on some opportunities for creative business development.

This Clinton Foundation trip was about working with the creative Haitian communities and helping them.  Karan added that Haiti brought out every emotion people have: “Despair, compassion, love and hope” – in addition to the excitement of what can be achieved with a heartfelt connection and creative collaboration.

Micro charity donations for helping poor people and other efforts for Haiti can be made online.

Jason David’s Corner Foundation Continues to Help People

Jason David’s Corner Foundation (JDCF) has announced its 3rd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic to help people, which will be held on June 24 at the Industry Hills Golf Club . On board will be actor James Denton, best known for his role as Mike Delfino in the TV series “Desperate Housewives.” Denton is on a long list of professional athletes and celebrities who have made a commitment to help inform people about the prevention of kidney disease.

Raise Awareness about Kidney Disease

In some ways, Denton has already begun his work as a supporter of charity organizations such as JDCF through his role as Delfino. In the series, Delfino is struggling with the illness of his wife Susan Mayer (Terri Hatcher) who is in dire need of a kidney transplant after her dialysis treatment has failed.

Susan’s story may not be real but it reflects the stories of many Americans. Kidney disease patients may experience kidney failure if it is not properly treated. Without treatment patients can die within a matter of days due to build-up of fluids and toxins and fluid in their blood.

“I am happy to help out in any way I can,” Denton said in a recent interview. He praises the work being carried out by JDCF and notes that kidney disease is “something that touches everyone, I’ve got a friend who just donated a kidney to a guy he works with and I know Jason had a personal encounter with kidney disease.”

Fans may donate online to JDCF to further support the cause and help people affected by kidney disease.

Michael Jordan Supports Micro Loan Charities

Many charity organizations can be considered to be micro loan charities because they rely on a wide range of donations and support rather than a handful of large donations by philanthropic organizations.  One micro charity that has received the attention of sports legend Michael Jordan is the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Jordan has been working with Make-A-Wish since 2001 and has raised over $5 million.

This year is no different.  The 2011 Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational has once again made a sizable donation to the micro charity with a total of $100,000.  The funds will be used to help people support the wishes of children with terminal or life-threatening diseases

Granting Wishes

The idea is that a wish experience brings happiness to those children who make a wish, making them stronger and more able to fight against life-threatening medical conditions, according to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America’s President and CEO, David Williams.  He also thanked Michael Jordan for his donation saying that the charity was grateful for Jordan’s continuing commitment to empowering children through the foundation’s wish-granting mission.

Jordan is also one of the people that granted a child’s wish.  Marc Garcia, a 16-year-old boy from Kunkeltown, PA met his basketball idol in a private chat.

“It was an honor to grant Marc’s wish and enable everyone associated with the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational to see how their commitment is helping young people like him realize their fondest wish” said Jordan.  “I’ve seen over and over how the Make-A-Wish Foundation brings happiness and positively impacts a child’s life with an unforgettable wish experience.  Through our charitable efforts, more children will see their wishes come true.”

Those who want to donate to a micro loan charity such as this can donate online.

Britney Asks People to Donate Online

Britney Spears has asked fans and supporters to donate online, namely the St. Bernard Project.  The St. Bernard Project is working alongside the United Way to help people in the New Orleans area and Spears was recently named as a charity ambassador.

“It’s time to bring families back home to New Orleans” she tweeted today.  “Join the @Stbernardproj with me & help rebuild lives.”

Give to Charity

Spears posted the following on her FirstGiving.com page: “Your donation today will help St. Bernard Project (SBP) get families home and help rebuild the New Orleans area.  You can be a part of the rebirth of New Orleans and have a significant impact on helping families finally return home almost 6 years after Hurricane Katrina.”

The St. Bernard Project was launched in 2006 by Zack Rosenberg and Liz McCartney.  To date the organization has been able to help more than 350 families move back into their homes after the catastrophes surrounding hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  There are still approximately 200 families living in FEMA trailers while thousands of others reside in temporary housing.

In order to carry out this mission successfully, the St. Bernard Project has founded a Volunteer Driven Rebuilding Program, which is able to rebuild homes in approximately 12 weeks of volunteer labor with around $15,000 in building supplies.  It has also established a Good Work Good Pay (GWGP) Program, an Opportunity Housing Program and a Center for Wellness and Mental Health. Britney Spears is urging those wishing to make a contribution to donate online.

Sheen Supports Micro Lending Via Ticket Sales

Actor Charlie Sheen has been in the news a great deal lately, mostly for all the wrong reasons. In fact, Sheen has created quite a buzz with his spontaneous micro lending to charity.  Since the beginning of Sheen’s Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour, the actor has devoted a portion of ticket sales to helping various charity organizations in need of support.

Lending for Charity Organizations at the Forefront

During the Toronto portion of Sheen’s tour, part of the total ticket sales went to support disaster relief organizations in Japan.  Sheen also asked fans to participate in a two kilometer walk to raise funds for the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder.  The actor also announced that he would match the donations dollar for dollar.

Last week, Sheen’s publicist announced the actor’s plans to donate funds from merchandise sales to the Bryan Stow Fund.  Bryan Stow is a baseball fan that was viciously attacked and severely beaten at a San Francisco Giants game.  Currently, Stow’s doctors are attempting to revive Stow from a medically induced coma.  Stow, 42, was attacked in the parking lot of the stadium by two men that have not yet been identified.  There is a $100,000 reward to anyone that can identify Stow’s attackers.

Stow’s co-workers have planned a micro charity fund raiser.  Supporters wishing to make online donations may do so through the family’s Facebook page.  Sheen’s micro lending donation to the Bryan Stow Fund is the first from Sheen’s Korner Foundation.

Celebrities Give to Charity for Children

Celebrities banded together on April 30^th to give to charity and participate in the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital event, “Walk for Kids, Street Party and Turn on the Lights Celebration.”  Among the celebrities that participated in the event were American singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox, supermodel Heidi Klum, and actresses Jennifer Grey, Jamie Lee Curtis and Melanie Griffith.  Another famous face also participated in the event – six-year-old actor Max Page, who appeared as Darth Vader in this year’s popular Super Bowl commercial.

“I’m so happy to be part of the celebration because Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a very special place,” said Bowersox, a singer-songwriter that gained prominence on American Idol and released her first solo album Farmer’s Daughter late last year.  “I’m glad to bring my music to the Street Party celebration for families to enjoy so we can all have a good time.”

The volunteers walked through the streets of Los Angeles to help support the new children’s hospital.  The walk began in Griffith Park through the neighborhood of Los Feliz to the hospital entrance at 4650 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The volunteer opportunities continue to abound even though the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital has been built.

Opportunities Abound

The 317 bed facility is scheduled to open its doors to patients on July 10^th but the hospital will continue to take donations from those who give to charity – in person or online donations, to secure its ability to run efficiently and to serve the vast number of children that come through its doors each year.

Disaster Relief Organizations and Ryan Gosling Focus on Congo

Disaster relief organizations have their hands full these days with the numerous natural disasters around the world from the earthquake in New Zealand, to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, to the recent tornados in the southern U.S.

The ENOUGH Project is one of many charity organizations speaking out on behalf of the people of the Congo, a war-torn area of the world that seems to be forever mired in violence.  Activist and actor Ryan Gosling recently took a trip to the eastern Congo with the ENOUGH Project to witness first-hand the issues faced by the country and its people.

Video Supports Relief Organizations

Gosling managed to capture scenes on video for ENOUGH Project’s “Raise Hope for Congo” campaign.  The campaign is designed to create a permanent solution to the war in the Congo.

“We recently traveled together to Congo, where the deadliest war in the world is occurring,” the men wrote.  “It’s a war which most people know nothing about, despite the fact that we’re all directly connected to it.  Armed groups are fighting over the lucrative minerals that power our cell phones and laptops, leaving a trail of human destruction that has no equal globally since World War II.

While in the Congo the men spent most of their time talking with survivors of this silent war.  They were keen to know what people had experienced, and also what messages they might have for the rest of the world’s population who have come to depend on laptops and cell phones that inadvertently connect them to the region.

Disaster relief organizations such as the ENOUGH Project, along with support from celebrities like Ryan Gosling, help to highlight the troubles of this war-torn area to the rest of the world.

Micro Credit to Support Alzheimer’s Victims

Micro credit is one way in which Leeza’s Place, a program from The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, is helping to raise awareness and gain support for Alzheimer’s research.  The newest project from Leeza’s Place is a documentary to be shown on CNN in May.  The special, Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic will feature Larry King’s crew trailing Leeza as she conducts interviews with caregivers regarding their work and experiences with the “thief of memories”.  In addition to the documentary, centers such as Leeza’s Place help to raise funds and help people through various crowdfunding programs. Leeza will also take viewers into a Leeza’s Place support center where caregivers receive training and activities designed to help them in their journey.

Raising Awareness

Alzheimer’s is a pervasive disease and it is estimated that 5.4 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the condition.  Currently it is number six on the list for leading cause of death, yet much is still unknown about it.

Host Larry King will be joined by many people who have been touched in some way by Alzheimer’s disease and will include interviews with Leeza Gibbons; the former First Lady of California and Alzheimer’s activist Maria Shriver; former First Lady Laura Bush; actors Angie Dickinson; Seth Rogen and David Hyde Pierce; football star Terrell Owens and Ron Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan.  Also included in the documentary will be Dr. Sanjay Gupta who is a neurosurgeon and the CNN chief medical correspondent.  Dr. Gupta will explain Alzheimer’s and how it can affect the human brain.

Those who want to help people such as Alzheimer’s suffers can make a donation through crowdfunding and micro credit programs.

Online Donations and Celebrities Help City of Hope

There are many charity organizations that rely on online donations to help raise funds for important programs.  One of those charities is City of Hope, an agency that dedicates itself to research for life threatening diseases such as diabetes, cancer and HIV/AIDS.  City of Hope will also raise funds through a special charity event to honor Irving Azoff and his wife, both of whom are longtime supporters of the City of Hope charity.

Online Donations can Support Important Research

City of Hope’s annual Spirit of Life concert and gala honoring the Azoffs will be held on May 7^th at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios.  Appearing at the event will be the Eagles, who are under Azoff’s management company.  Also present will be MC Billy Bush, Big Time Rush, Darren Criss, Cody Simpson and Greyson Chance.

The Eagles will bring their Long Road to Eden to a special celebrity charity event to honor their manager Irving Azoff and his wife next month.

“We are grateful and privileged to receive this year’s Spirit of Life award, and are proud to help recognize the incredible work being done by researchers at City of Hope” said Mr. Azoff.  “The institution’s level of advanced research into finding cures for life-threatening diseases is unparalleled, and we’re pleased to support its vision.”

Also on hand will be Khloe, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian who will conduct tram tours throughout Universal Studios.

Volunteer Opportunities Abound on Easter

There were plenty of volunteer opportunities over the Easter holiday, especially in downtown Los Angeles where The Los Angeles Mission opened its doors for its 75th year of helping the homeless on Skid Row.  The streets were closed down so that the thousands of homeless could be fed and clothed as a part of the Mission’s service program.  In addition to leading civic figures, there were many celebrities on hand to help hand out Easter baskets, serve food and pass out shoes to those in need.  The Los Angeles Mission served over 600,000 people last year by offering meals, clothing, medical care, dental care, housing assistance, job training and placement services and emergency financial assistance.

Stars Embrace Volunteer Opportunities

Among those helping out the Mission on this holiday weekend were Joey King (Ramona and Beezus), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Melissa Gilbert, Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff, Leeza Gibbons, Gilles Marini (Brothers and Sisters), Stephanie Pratt (the Hills), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), William Mapother (Lost), Angie Everhart, Jayde Nicole (Holly’s World), and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“Many of the nearly 600,000 meals we served last year were to people who came to us because of the recession’s impact on their lives,” said Los Angeles Mission President Herbert L. Smith.  ”The impact of losing a job and sometimes a home is devastating.  Our guests are seeking more than a free meal or a hand out, they want to restore their lives.  The Mission is working every day to give them the hand up.”

For the most up to date news on volunteer opportunities across the nation, Microgiving.com is the number 1 resource on the Web.

Online Charity Organizations Target Schools

There are many online charity organizations that focus on supporting and funding schools.  One of the latest is the Pencils of Promise Movement (PoP), an organization that is working alongside Schools 4 All, a fundraising campaign designed to raise money for PoP to provide basic educational skills and to build schools for the 75 million children around the world that do not have access to education.

Online Charities Give Back

In exchange for assistance for PoP and Schools 4 All, the top school that has raised the most funds will receive a visit from Justin Bieber and PoP founder Adam Braun. The contest will run from April 15^th to June 30^th.  Students participating in the challenge will also have an opportunity to fly to Guatemala to visit with the PoP team plus other great prizes.  Students are encouraged to involve faculty, family, friends and community to help people gain access to education.

Justin Bieber has given a great deal of his time lately to becoming involved in many worthwhile fundraising programs for PoP and other charity organizations.  In the last year, Bieber has given $1 from each ticket from his “My World” tour to the PoP charity.  To date, enough money has been raised to build twenty schools for underprivileged children.  DoSomething.org has included Bieber in their 2010 list of “Top 20 Celebs Gone Good.”  Bieber has also auctioned off a lock of his hair for the PoP cause.

Supporters and fans may donate to the online charity via the PoP’s website.

Ivanka Trump Joins Crowdfunding Efforts

Ivanka Trump is no stranger to crowdfunding.  She is one of many celebrity presenters that will be on hand for the annual Women Who Care luncheon to be held next month in New York.  The event is scheduled to take place on May 5^th at the iconic Cipriani on 42^nd Street.  Other presenters will include former president of Chile and CEO of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, Project Runway’s Camilla Burungi, actor and model Tyson Beckford, Nightline/Primetime anchor Cynthia McFadden, The Ropes star Timothy Mandala, Chuck star Robin Givens and Amazing Race winner Rachel Lehmkuhl.  Being honored at the event are Lauren Bush and Petra Nemcova.

Crowdfunding to Benefit United Cerebral Palsy of New York

The event will help to raise awareness and funds for the United Cerebral Palsy of New York.  UCP is one of the oldest charity organizations in the country dedicated to helping children with disabilities throughout the boroughs.  Currently UCP/NYC serves over 14,000 individuals and families via its 75+ programs.  According to the UPC website, the mission of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City is to “create opportunities for people with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.  UPC helps more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time.  UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities.  For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society.”

The ability to donate online is available at the UPC/NYC website.