Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Joins ‘Save the Children’
Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo is kicking off 2013 as Save the Children’s new Global Artist Ambassador. In his new role, Cristiano will fight child hunger and obesity, and promote physical activity and healthy eating.
“When I learned that 1 in 7 kids around the world go to bed hungry each night, I jumped at the chance to get involved,” said Cristiano Ronaldo. “It is an honor to join Save the Children. I want to work with them to make sure that fewer parents will have to struggle with putting the right kinds of food on the table. I also want to encourage kids to get out there, get active and get fit.” Continue reading
One-of-a-Kind “Surf-Uke” Available
One-of-a-Kind Ukulele Signed by Surfing Champion Joel Parkinson, Jack Johnson and 33 Legends
An amazing ukulele and celebrity signed guitar have come up on the eBay Auction Cause store. The nonprofit Guitars in the Classroom has collected the signatures of the “Stars, Icons and Legends of The Surfing World” on this Kohala Kanikapila-style concert ukulele and a Fender Classic Vibe Telecaster to raise funds for their programs to bring music into education. The auction will be live until Thursday night, December 20th, 2012 at http://stores.ebay.com/auctioncausestore/pages/guitars-in-the-classroom.
The “Surf Uke” features the 35 iconic autographs, including the following surfers: Joel Parkinson – 2012 World Champion and Pipe Masters winner; Kelly Slater – 11x World Surfing Champion and 18x Surfer Poll winner; Jack Johnson – famous musician and surfer; John John Florence – top pro surfing prodigy and #2 on the Surfer Poll; Gerry Lopez – legendary “Mr. Pipeline”; Rob Machado – iconic soul surfer; Dane Reynolds – futuristic surfing hero; Shane Dorian – big wave legend; and John Cruz – Hawaiian master musician. Continue reading
Ian Somerhalder Foundation Leads #FX Challenge on Crowdrise
Since it’s #givingtuesday we thought we point out a great initiative from Crowdrise and Mozilla Firefox.
Mozilla Firefox will donate $100k to the cause that raises the most funds…the grassroots fundraiser makes it easy to see what causes people are strongly supporting.
Leading the pack is actor/activist Ian Somerhalder and his Foundation:
My birthday is on December 8th. I don’t need any presents. My only ask is that you please support our foundation so that we can reach our goal and win this challenge. This would be a huge leap for ISF.
ISF supporters are a kick ass bunch of peeps. From young children to Grandparents, standing together, supporting each other with each generations’ strengths, collectively combining passions, skills and leadership into one massive population of change makers…The IS FOUNDATION aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures…Our ISF Groups span across all continents, creeds, languages and passions, forming an ever growing family of more than 200 groups world wide, all working as a united force to radically transform the world. Where people who love the planet and those who hold hands with paws come together to create a real future for all life on this miraculous planet we call Earth.
Hot on Somerhalder’s heels is Sophia Bush and her Pencils of Promise. Jonah Hill (FCancer), Seth Rogan (Hilarity for Charity) and Ed Norton (Maasai Wilderness) are also atop the leader board in terms of garnering donations. Not far behind is one of our favorites, Cancer for College led by Will Ferrell. Failing miserably (so far) Rob Machado, Adrian Grenier and Randy Foye. Continue reading
Yao Ming and Michael Phelps Help Raise Big Funds at Mission Hills Pro-Am
World Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament Raises US$500,000 for Yao Ming and UNICEF
Mission Hills Group, one of China’s leading golf and tourism operators, announced that the 2012 Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am has raised a total of US$500,000 for the tournament’s charitable partners—Yao Ming and UNICEF.
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the international sports scene descended on the tropical island of Hainan in southern China for the three day spectacular.
Billed as ‘China’s top entertainment event of the year,’ Celebs in attendance included: Yao Ming, Michael Phelps, Ronaldo, Stephen Hendry, Pat Cash, Andy Garcia, Adrien Brody, Ryan Reynolds, Minka Kelly, Matt Kuchar, Darren Clarke, Michael Campbell, Simon Dyson, Ian Woosnan, and Tony Jacklin.
Commenting on the donation, former NBA star Yao Ming said, “I’m extremely grateful to Mission Hills and everybody involved with this fantastic event for making this donation. We’ll continue to improve the lives of children both in China and the US and these funds will go directly towards projects we’ve got underway in these countries.” (Yao even received a custom-made golf club for the event) Continue reading
Celebrities Join #GivingTuesday Movement
A diverse group of musicians, actors, athletes, artists and the nation’s top creative talents are joining the #GivingTuesday movement to help inspire the first national day dedicated to giving coinciding with the Holiday season. Instead of focusing solely on sales and shopping, these celebrities are supporting some of the most innovative charities, volunteer organizations, global campaigns and community groups as they “get out the give” this November 27.
With more than 1,000 partner organizations in all 50 states, there are many ways these men and women are building awareness and support for issues ranging from Hurricane Sandy relief to children’s education to women’s health to aid for veterans…and myriad causes in between.
A few examples of some of the top stars who are supporting their favorite charities include:
Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers point guard is urging fans and friends of the Steve Nash Foundation, which helps children to access critical health and education resources, to support the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign this #GivingTuesday. Continue reading
Rob Machado Foundation Benefit Concert at The Belly-Up
Rob Machado Foundation Benefit Concert at The Belly-Up
Zen master, wave dancer, humanitarian, pro-surfer Rob Machado will be hosting his first ever benefit concert November 12 at The Belly-Up in Solana Beach, California to benefit the Rob Machado Foundation.
The event, which costs only 40 bucks to attend, will feature one-of-a-kind surf memorabilia and merchandise, surprise musical performances, lots of celebs, and acoustic sets from John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, and Jon Swift.
The Rob Machado Foundation does an amazing job at teaching children that our resources are precious.
“We need to respect our water and land,” says Machado via his website, “Each one of us can make a difference. From turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth, to eliminating single-use plastic bottles, to understanding your watershed, we can all work together to make an impact. We can’t keep operating the way we do or we’ll pay a price. So, I hope to encourage people to take a look around and realize that there is an issue but ultimately, we can make it better.”
Last month, Machado went back to his high school, the San Dieguito Academy, where he kicked off Hydration Nation with his foundation and Hurley’s h20. Thanks to Global Tap the kids now have a clean water fountain that they will actually use to refill water bottles. No plastic needed. Continue reading
Tony Hawk on Cupcake Wars
The king of all things skateboarding, Tony Hawk, will be appearing on a upcoming episode of the Food Network’s program Cupcake Wars for a special event for Stand Up for Skateparks.
While we don’t think it’s likely that Hawks gazillion fans watch Cupcake Wars, we do and were wondering what kind of cupcake you’d create for Hawk?
Our creation would be The Tony Hawk Skate-Cake: vanilla cake with a mojito-cayenne cream center topped with chocolate cream, mini marshmallows set atop a tiny edible skateboard.
Be sure to tune in to check him out on Sunday, July 8th at 8pm/7c.
http://standupforskateparks.org/
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Bucky Lasek and Rickie Fowler Prepare for X-Games
Hotties are about to take over the X Games in Los Angeles this weekend, but it’s the RallyCross debut on Sunday that has us excited.
The Global RallyCross Championship consists of five wheel-to-wheel RallyCross races, all featuring an X Games-style 70-foot gap jump.
Although we don’t really know much about Rallycross, we are enjoying the mini-exodus of action-sports stars getting behind the wheel. To wit, 14-time XG skateboard medalist Bucky Lasek who will be making his X Games RallyCross debut on Sunday.
Earlier this week, Lasek was joined by PGA Tour babe Rickie Fowler at the Subaru PUMA Global Rallycross Team Testing Day. Continue reading
Beckham Not Selected for UK Olympic Team
Beckham received a major blow today…hot stuff’s been widely expected to be named as one of the three over-age players in Stuart Pearce’s Under-23 squad for the London Games in July and August…but it’s not gonna happen. Beckham has been left OFF the squad.
“’Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me. So I would have been honored to have been part of this unique Team GB squad…Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me,” Beckham, 37, said in quotes relayed by his spokesman on Thursday. “As a Londoner, I will have been really proud to have played a small part in bringing the Olympics to my home town as part of Seb’s [Coe] team, and I can’t wait for the games to begin and enjoy every moment along with the rest of Great Britain.”
Reuters reports:
As a globally recognized figure, he has had a major role both in London winning the Olympics and in the build-up to the Games, helping bring the flame back from Greece.
He had been tipped by media to light the stadium cauldron when the Games begin in his east London birthplace on July 27.
This now looks unlikely while he definitely will not be able to be the British flag bearer at the opening ceremony as he is not competing.
Critics who believe football has an uneasy place in the Games because of the vast sums of money professionals earn had said they would be uncomfortable with the Olympics becoming a “David Beckham show”.
Huh? Even in his prime, I don’t recall any Olympic games that turned into “a David Beckham show.” Beckham was part of the closing ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as part of the London 2012 team…that seemed to go well, no?
Beckham told reporters last month: “I don’t want to be picked on a shirt sale or a stadium filler. I want to be picked because of what I can bring to the team.”
Apparently, the finicky Brits are done with the man who brings class and talent to the games. Because that is what he represents-and sex appeal of course. We suspect his absence is going to cause a bigger side-show than his involvement would have.
And, if our judgment serves correct, you will see Beckham looking finer than hell, with a smile on his face, cheering for the squad that snubbed him while using the opportunity to raise global awareness for the causes he supports.
It was less than a year ago that Golden Balls-acting as a Paralympics Games Ambassador- joined Team GB’s visually impaired footballers for their training session-and scored a goal while blindfolded. Apparently, even that doesn’t qualify him for the squad.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Celebrities Take Part in Thirst Project
Last night, celebrities flocked to the Beverly Hilton Hotel for The Thirst Project 3rd Annual Gala presented by Take Part.
TakePart is a digital media organization and cause services agency that provides content, products and services that inspire, empower, and ignite people to take daily action in making the world better…we here at Athlebrities are big fans of the organization. Continue reading
Jason David Talks Kidney Disease
As a former New Orleans Saint and member of the Super Bowl XLI Champions Indianapolis Colts, Jason David is using his career and talent as an effective tool to reach out to the community, particularly youth.
On June 28-30, 2012, Jason David will host his fourth annual Celebrity Golf Classic to benefit his Jason David’s Corner Foundation.
The cause dearest to David’s heart is kidney disease. Inspired by the death of his cousin Segun “Shay” Ukome Moruka, who passed away from kidney disease in 2007, all proceeds from the Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament will go toward increasing the awareness and research of kidney disease in order to promote prevention and ultimately find a cure.
Athlebrities was honored to speak with David about his unwavering commitment to give back to his community as well as his efforts to prevent kidney disease. Continue reading
Kick-It or Win It with Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon has driven laps around his competition, clearly making him king of motor sports in the US- NASCAR, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 etc…and off the track-in terms of philanthropy, charity, giving-back or improving lives-Gordon is also running laps around the competition as he seeks to help children gain their own victories over pediatric cancer.
The first thing he wants to do, is give you his car…in support of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, hot-stuff is offering you his PERSONAL 2011 Corvette Convertible Grand Sport 4LT. For only $100 you have a one in 7,500 chance of winning his car via a raffle which ends Monday September 24, 2012 or when all 7,500 tickets are sold…pretty good odds of winning, count us in.
If owning Gordon’s personal car isn’t enough, you can join the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and Kick-It who have teamed up on the kickball field by challenging supporters to kick cancer out of every childhood once and for all. Continue reading
Game of H-O-R-S-E with Los Angeles Lakers’ Star Kobe Bryant
Twenty-seven people placed bids for a chance to win a game of H-O-R-S-E with Kobe Bryant.
The eBay Giving Works auction ended yesterday with a final bid of $22,322.22.
The winner- and one friend- get to play a game of H-O-R-S-E with Kobe at UC Santa Barbara on Monday, July 2nd. They each are permitted to bring one item to have Kobe sign (subject to prior approval of course) and will also be able to keep the “game ball” as a souvenir.
Two additional guests will be allowed to attend the event as spectators. The winner and his/her guest will have the opportunity to take photos with Kobe, and are allowed to bring their own cameras. The experience will be professionally video recorded and the winner will receive a digital copy of the video.
All proceeds benefit the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation’s Youth Homelessness Initiative.
*H-O-R-S-E is a classic basketball game in which players try to out-shoot each other from various locations on the court. The first player chooses the location and style of the first shot. If he/she makes the shot, the second player must duplicate that shot. If the first player misses, the ball goes to the second player who may choose his/her shot. If the first player succeeds, but the second player fails, the second player receives an “H”. If every player successfully makes the shot, the ball is given to the second player who establishes the shot for the next round. The game may be played with multiple players, but each time the player must duplicate the shot using identical technique, stance, and physical location as the player who establishes the round.
The game continues as players choose shot locations and take turns trying to sink the basketball. Missed shots accrue the letters spelling H-O-R-S-E. The first player who spells out H-O-R-S-E, loses.
Giddy-Up!
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Camilo Villegas & Caddy for a Cure Make Fathers Day Special
At this week’s St Jude Fed-Ex Classic, most golf fans had their eyes on the players, while I, as usual, kept my eyes on the amazing Caddy for a Cure organization.
Caddy for a Cure offers the public the opportunity to experience a day “inside-the-ropes” at a PGA TOUR venue, caddying for a PGA TOUR player—with 100% of the proceeds going to charity.
During the event, Camilo Villegas’s caddy was part of the Caddy for a Cure program…Villegas is not new to the organization, but his latest involvement embodies what the organization is all about.
Mac McNeil is a young patient at St. Judes Hospital who is recovering from brain cancer …his father bought him a Caddy for a Cure experience and he escorted his Dad while he caddied for Villegas.
Caddy for a Cure: ‘Watching a father, and a son with brain cancer, enjoy the best that golf has to offer, with Camilo Villegas, is something very special. See the arm around the son as only a father can do, at this week’s St Jude Fed Ex Classic…there have been times in 10 years of ‘caddying for a cure’ that have choked us up.”
And for me, this is one of those rare moments in life where sports and humanity renew my faith in the power of love.
Thanks Camilo and Caddy for a Cure.
Get more HERE.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
John Salley Talks Veganism
NBA legend John Salley went vegan five years ago after filming a PSA for PETA, and he recently bought ownership in a vegan wine company.
After interviewing him for Look to the Stars about his involvement with an amazing organization called ‘Walking With Anthony’, we spoke a bit about PETA, veganism, stem-cell research, wine, health and yes, shampoo. Continue reading
David Beckham and the Olympic Torch
The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed that London 2012 ambassador David Beckham will attend the Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony in Athens and bring the Flame back to the UK ahead of its 70 day journey, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.
The best part? Sir Golden Balls will be joined by five young people who’ve been invited to take part in recognition of their commitment to sport and their role in promoting the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect within their school or college. Continue reading
Jason Taylor’s ‘Ocean Time Project’
Former NFL player Jason Taylor has teamed up with Invicta Care to establish the “Ocean Time Project” to improve the lives of seriously ill children.
Invicta Watch CEO, Eyal Lalo and All Pro, Jason Taylor, both love fishing and decided to make a commitment to get children out of hospital beds by offering them a day out in the open Ocean for cruising and fishing. Continue reading
Philip Rivers & “Rivers of Hope” Aid Foster Kids
Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers is working hard to help foster kids find forever homes.
The NFL player has adopted a collection of images known as the ‘Heart Gallery’-it’s a collection of portraits taken of local foster children who are waiting to find a forever family…and last week, the Heart Gallery found a new home via a partnership with Rivers. Continue reading
Tony Hawk: Rad Science Exhibition Premieres May 26 at the Lawrence Hall of Science
Tony Hawk, along with other pro-skateboarders, will perform on a specially designed vertical skate ramp set up outside UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science during the launch of ‘The Tony Hawk: Rad Science Exhibit’ on June 2, 2012.
The event, which begins May 26, demonstrates the important physics principles of skateboarding.
“Tony Hawk is famous for skateboarding, and UC Berkeley is famous for science,” said Gretchen Walker, Associate Director of the Lawrence Hall of Science. “This is a great match, like centripetal force to a kickflip.” Continue reading
Usain Bolt’s First Song is Pre-Olympic Re-Mix by DJ Steve Porter
The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, has long dabbled in DJ’ing and rapping as a hobby…so its no surprise that Bolt has laid down some tracks and recorded his first ‘song’ remixed by DJ Steve Porter in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
“Faster Than Lightning” feat. Usain Bolt – DJ Steve Porter Remix
London 2012 Olympics…83 days till opening ceremonies!
Need more Bolt?
You can read more about his off-track adventures with Sir Richard Branson or how Bolt adopted a cheetah HERE.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com