John has much experience working in the philanthropic world, and takes great interest in charitable goings on today.

New York Concert Battles Extreme Poverty

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , , , ,

Late this September, three hot bands will combine their efforts at one of the most popular concerts of the year- the Global Festival 2012.

Tickets for the event, which will feature The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, cannot be bought in advance, however. Instead, fans must take part in an effort to fight extreme poverty though the event’s website or app, thus earning entry to the Central Park performance. Participation involves simple activities such as posting info on social media networks, signing petitions and small donations.

The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney explained:

“The scale of things that they’re trying to do just felt really cool, and we’re trying to get the ball rolling. Especially with everything that’s been going on for the last three years, I supposed, after the stock market crashed. There’s attention on the amount of people living below the poverty line and the disparity between the rich and the poor and everything that’s going on now… It just felt like the right time to do something.”

Efforts against worldwide poverty have increased as the UN meetings in NY proceed. Hugh Evans, organizer of Global Poverty Project, has called the concert a “crescendo” to the outstanding effort.

“I think what’s exciting is all the world leaders are going to be in town that week for the United Nations meeting. And this concert and the associated campaign will give us the opportunity to ask these world leaders to make practical and tangible monetary commitments to the world’s poor and to the achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.”

Charlie Sheen to Donate $50,000 to Match Brennaman’s Reds Fund Project

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Last week’s match between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh’s Pirates captured the hearts of fans everywhere thanks to Marty Brennaman’s charitable efforts.

The amount broadcaster had pledged to shave his head if the team won ten consecutive games. He added that the haircut would be done publicaly if fans could collect $20, 000 for the Reds Community Fund, which is ‘dedicated to improving the lives of youth.’

Actors Martin and Charlie Sheen were both present on Friday for the head-shaving event. They visited Great American Ball Park to support the Reds and to celebrate Martin Sheen’s birthday. Upon hearing that Brennaman’s drive generated $50,000 for the organization, the younger Sheen vowed to match that amount. Martin is a Dayton native, and Charlie has been a Reds fan since his childhood.

“The City of Cincinnati has opened its arms to me so graciously and I’m compelled to give something back,” Sheen said. “If this contribution points one kid in the right direction, then we’ve done our job.”

 

Hans Zimmer Composes Song for Aurora Shooting Victim Charity

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By JohnPosted In: FamilyTagged: , , , , , ,

Hans Zimmer, the composer famous for his unbelievable movie soundtracks in films such as Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Black Hawk Down, recently released an eight minute song to honor the victims of the Aurora shooting last week. Zimmer composed the music for all three of Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies as well.

On Facebook, he posted:

“’Aurora’ is dedicated to those who lost their lives and were affected by the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. I recorded this song in London in the days following the tragedy as a heartfelt tribute to the victims and their families. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Aurora Victim Relief organization.”

After mere days, ‘Aurora’ has already become the #1 song by Zimmer downloaded on iTunes. It is available for $1.29.

Reviewers around the country were blown away by the composition.

“Every emotion you can think of was put in this beautifully crafted music that Hans Zimmer provided; anger and sadness intertwined so beautifully. My thoughts are still out to the lives that were taken away. I hope you find peace wherever you are. As well as to the families whose lives are now shattered. My heart and soul go out to you,” one wrote.

 

Dog-Washing Events Raise Money for Man’s Best Friend

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By JohnPosted In: Animals and NatureTagged: , , , , , ,

 

Service Dog and Child

Dogtopia branches throughout the United States have held dog-washing events in an effort to raise money for service, therapy, military and police dogs. Charity Dog Wash events took place in local areas including Tysons Corner, Alexandria, Manassas, Woodbridge, Herndon and Dulles.

More than 1,750 dogs were washed and groomed over the past week, and the drive raised almost $21,000 for Dogtopia’s charity K9 Support. This organization helps other institutes purchase specialized equipment for search and rescue dogs. Contributions will go to Virginia Task Force 1, an urban search-and-rescue team that operates all over the world.

Dogtopia’s founder and CEO Amy Nichols explained:

“With the state of the economy and funding cut across the country, it is more important than ever to give back to the working dogs in our communities. I am so excited to see the community involvement and to watch this event grow every year. We are truly making a different in the lives of these canines and the people who love them.”

She added,

“The Dogtopia annual K9 Support dog wash is our biggest event of the year to raise funds for working dogs. I’m overjoyed to see so many of our locations working together to raise much needed awareness for the loyal canines that are dedicated to humans every day. Most family dogs leads pampered lives, and we want to show our appreciation for those working dogs that strive to protect and support their human counterparts.”

 

Best Year Yet for Great Black Hills Duck Race

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Rubber Ducks Race

This past weekend, tens of thousands of rubber ducks were unleashed on Rapid Creek for the 23rd Annual Great Black Hills Duck Race.

According to project Coordinator Betty Quasney of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation, the event raised $95, 000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. All proceeds go towards equipment for the pediatric intensive care unit and the neonatal pediatric ward at Rapid City Regional Hospital, as well as to educational programs for children.

“So it really makes a big difference,” Quasney said. “I’d like to thank the community and all of our sponsors, because without their help this wouldn’t be possible.”

Angie Kliewer, director of the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation, expressed her gratitude as well:

“I thank everyone in this area for their outstanding support of the Great Black Hills Duck Race and the Children’s Miracle Network. The Duck Race is a fun family event which truly benefits our young patients in a big way.”

Before the event, locals and other contributors buy rubber ducks with which to compete in the race. The first duck to cross the finish like wins its buyer $5,000.

This year, Deb Bastgen’s duck won the competition. She explained that she bought ten ducks in honor of her nephew, who was forced to deal with liver failure at just seven years of age.

“My daughter gave him part of her liver, and now he’s 22 and in college and the perfect picture of health,” Bastgen shared. “The Children’s Miracle Network did so much for him, and I just had a great feeling doing that. It’s just wonderful to donate and feel helpful.”

This year was the most successful Duck Race yet, according to the event chairman Kevin Phillips. T-shirts of the event ran out in the first few minutes!

“For me and my family there is no organization closer to our hearts. We’ve seen it firsthand,” he said. “My youngest grandson, Owen, was born six years ago during the duck race. And he was born premature and we needed the help of the Children’s Network and the NICU up at the hospital.”

Know Your Score Celebrity Golf Tournament with Julius “Dr. J” Erving

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The Project to End Prostate Cancer is thrilled that Julius “Dr. J” Erving is now scheduled to attend the Know Your Score Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala that will take place at Pawleys Plantation on August 18th. Erving will be joined by baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan and former NFL stars Lynn Swann, Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Richard Dent.

The event will be the fifth annual Know Your Score Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala and all proceeds will benefit ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer.

The event includes teams of four, who pay $2000 a team to join. Almost all of the teams are projected to have a celebrity with them this year. The celebrity host will be NBA player Gus Williams.

As tournament director and Zero Director of Marketing and Communications Heath Carter said,

“The longer it goes the more people hear about it, and it’s easier for us to get people to commit when they know people who were here in the past. Plus having Gus Williams as our celebrity host has helped. We already have people that have committed to return next year.”

For the price of the $2000entry fee, each time will receive a table of eight for the post-tournament gala. The gala will include a cocktail reception, dinner, performances by Branford Marsalis, and the emcee by Mitch Laurance with athletes discussing topics and answering questions.

The 300 seat event is nearly sold out for this year. As Carter said, looking to the future, “Next year we’re hoping to open it up to the community on a limited basis, probably sell a limited amount of tickets.”

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Donates $1.2 Million to 11 Children’s Charities

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens CharitiesTagged: , , , , , ,

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation recently donated its largest sum to 11 children’s charities, and revealed that it hopes to add three more organizations to its recipient list next year.

The $1.2 million donation was given to charities in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The foundation’s president, Mr. John Russell, said:

“This is the first time that we have given over a million dollars. We have increased revenue every year since the inception of the Wine Auction in 2006. As a result, we have been able to generate increased recognition and participation.

The overriding mission of our organization is to enhance the lives of the children in our community. As our giving capacity continues to grow, we are able to provide increased assistance. Our participants are very connected to the organizations we help. All of the funds we donate stay right here on the Emerald Coast.”

One of the benefitting charities is Children in Crisis. President and CEO Ken Hair explained: “Children in Crisis has been a recipient of the Foundation’s generosity for six years. The Destin Wine Auction Foundation’s gifts to us total almost $1 million and have helped us to provide assistance to hundreds of kids in need. The Foundation has been a wonderful community partner to a lot of the local children’s organizations.”

This year’s charities include Children in Crisis, Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, the Children’s Volunteer Network, Youth Village, Shelter House, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Pathways for Change, Horizons, Emerald Coast Autism Center and Fisher House of the Emerald Coast.

Next year’s three new charities are: the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Food for Thought, and Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care/Opportunity, Inc.

Russel said:

“We are very optimistic that we can sustain the momentum generated this year into 2013. The reputation of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation continues to grow. We are attracting top tier vintners and chefs to our events and our auction attendees look forward to the ability to secure rare and unusual wines. But the cornerstone of our organization and the reason we exist is to enhance the lives of our children in our local communities. That is our mission; that is our goal.”

Win a Dinner with Ian Somerhalder

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Some lucky person is soon going to be lunching with actor Ian Somerhalder. He just closed an auction as part of the charity appeal he’s created for his animal sanctuary. As part of his Ian Somerhalder Foundation, the rescue center helps abused animals, works on environmental issues and more.

As it describes at the website for the Ian Somerhalder Foundation,

“The global problems and challenges we are facing are infinitely interconnected and co-dependent, therefore our solutions and actions must be enacted in an interconnected manner. There are numerous causes, many campaigns and organizations aiming to encourage change, which includes ending deforestation, planting trees, eliminating pesticides and healing our planet. How many of these organizations or campaigns team up to become a united spirit of change?”

The auction at CharityBuzz.com ran until July 18th. Now, some lucky person will be able to have lunch in Atlanta, Georgia with the Vampire Diaries heart-throb.

As Somerhalder explained his motivation for the project, “There are too many animals that are abused, mistreated, and abandoned. They’ve been ostracised, they have behavioural issues, and they’re starving. It’s just unbelievable what we’ve done to the animals, and I think that’s why this is so important. I appreciate you and your generosity. I will try not to bore you to tears…”

“If we can give animals a home, we can also take the youth of our country and our world – kids who have behavioral issues, bullying other kids, and halting the progression of those around them – and bring them together to learn compassion from one another. If you have compassion for an animal, then you’ll ultimately have compassion for another human being.”

NE-YO Charity Event Honors George Lucas

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NE-YO and George Lucas

Last week, NE-YO and Arsenio Hall hosted the Annual “Fostering A Legacy” Benefit for NE-YO’s charity, the Compound Foundation.  The event took place at an East Hampton estate of CEO Bill Nuti and his wife Michele.

The event raised over $150,000 to design programs and events for children in foster care and group homes. It will also help with The Compound Foundation’s Giving Tour that occurred last December and with their Future CEO Academy program.

The Compound Foundation, founded in 2007 by NE-YO and Reynell Hay helps children in foster care and group home placements by encouraging entrepreneurship and empowering them to control their own destinies.

The event included a cocktail hour, a private dinner and auction (of NE-YO’s hat and other items) and a performance by NE-YO. In attendance were Russell Simmons, Andre Agassi, Paula Abdul, Adrienne Bailon, Anthony Anderson and Jason Kidd. George Lucas was honored at the event for his support of children in foster care (he has three adopted children).

Bill Gates Accepts Award at International AIDS Conference

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On Saturday, amfAR recognized Bill Gates for his generous contributions to the struggle against AIDS.

The leading charity presented Gates with the Award of Courage at the International AIDS Conference at the Kennedy arts center, in honor of all scientists, health workers and those who suffered from or continue to cope with AIDS and the HIV virus.

“We have many potential game-changers that are bringing us closer to the end of AIDS,” Gates said, referring to antiretroviral medications and new vaccines. “What’s important is to remember that we can continue to make these breakthroughs if we stay committed.

“I’m optimistic… that we will develop these new tools, and that we will make AIDS history. Working together, I know we will,” he said.

The American Foundation for AIDS Research, also known as amfAR, is one of the leading non-profits working to solve the global AIDS-HIV issue. Co-founded by the late Elizabeth Taylor, the organization’s fundraising events often attract celebrity guests and supporters.

Gates and his wife Melinda, through his highly successful software company, have contributed more than $2.5 billion to HIV grants around the world. According to a recent report from amfAR, he has also committed more than $1.4 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

During the event, Gates said:

“We need to invent a vaccine. We need to keep the funding levels going up. We need to grow out new prevention tools. There are still millions of people being affected.”

Sharon Stone, who presented Gates at the event, added:

“I think what we feel like is that we are at the beginning of the end. There isn’t a family left that hasn’t been touched by the AIDS crisis. Now is the time to push this through to the end. We must find a cure. We must find a vaccine. We need to draw this to a close.”