Els to Host Historic Charity Golf Event
Golf Hall of Famer, Ernie Els, is set to host the second annual Els for Autism Golf challenge, which has become the largest charity-driven, amateur golf tournament in history.
Backed by SAP, one of his top corporate sponsors, Els said: “SAP has taken over the golf challenge, so they’ve come in all guns blazing this year, and I think we’re going to have a wonderful time. I think we can double what we did last year.” Continue reading
Drogba Unites Ivorians Via Sport
Athlebrities has had a long standing crush on Cote d’Ivoire/Chelsea player, three time English Premier League champ, two-time African Footballer of the Year hottie Didier Drogba…long before he was even named in TIME Magazine’s Top 100 of 2010.
In 2005 when Cote d’Ivoire qualified for their first World Cup, Drogba gave his fellow Ivorians an inspirational and heartfelt speech that caused the divided nation to briefly pause: “Ivorians, men and women, from the north and the south, the centre and the west, you’ve seen this. We’ve proved to you that the people of Ivory Coast can live together side by side, play together toward the same goal: qualifying for the World Cup. We promised you this celebration would bring the people together. Now we’re asking you to make this a reality.” Continue reading
Bravest v Finest Surf Challenge
Bravest v Finest Surf Challenge
The 2011 Quiksilver Pro New York Surf Competition just wrapped up with Owen Wright defeating Kelly Slater in the final heat. Wright robbed the ten-time World Champ of number 11 and took home the $300k purse in the first ever world championship surfing event in New York.
“Its been an amazing week…we almost didn’t have the contest last week and then it all came together, I’m stoked for Owen, congratulations, first win,” said Slater when accepting his $100k second place purse, “I think we might have a little surfing out here tomorrow with firefighters versus the policeman…my mom was a firefighter so I might be on their side.”
Huh? Who? What? Where? After a little research into Slater’s ‘charity-drop-mention’ I found some information regarding the ‘Bravest vs. Finest Surf Competition’ being held September 10 in NY.
Apparently, members of the NY Police department will battle against members of the NY Fire department to see who are the better surfers. Quiksilver has held a few events in New York in efforts to give back, for example on September 3, the Waterman Wall St. Challenge pitted Wall Street companies against each other to find the best surfers on Wall Street in an invite-only challenge…also, on September 11, there will be a Benefit Concert and a Memorial Paddle Out. More info is apparently available on the QuiksilverPro website, although I can NOT find enough info to satisfy my ‘need-to-know-everything-charity-related-about-surfers’ mind.
Maybe…just maybe…the event is part of the World Police and Fire Games?
- The New York City Police Department, The New York City Fire Department, The Port Authority Police Department, and the New York City Department of Corrections are inviting you to experience our City and participate in the most memorable World Police & Fire Games ever. Spread throughout the five Boroughs, the city that never sleeps will be the setting for the world’s largest multi-sport, Olympic style event. As many as 20,000 full time firefighters and law enforcement personnel from 70 different countries are expected to compete in 65 sports.
Great story here as well about firefighters and police surfing at 2011 World Police and Fire Games which wrapped up on September 5.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Worlds Top Surfers Gather to Honor Boobies
Worlds Top Surfers Gather to Honor Boobies
This year, SIMA’s Liquid Nation Ball 8 will be honoring Shaney jo Darden: Keep A Breast co-founder as their ‘2011 SIMA Humanitarian of the Year.’
- The annual Liquid Nation Ball serves as the main fundraising source for the SIMA Humanitarian Fund and has become one of the surf industry’s can’t miss events. Each year surf industry legends, surf stars, and La Jolla VIPs gather for an amazing night of dancing, live music, great food, open bar, and a short live auction of a unique collection of one-of-a-kind items to exclusively benefit the surf-related humanitarian organizations selected by the SIMA Humanitarian Fund Board of Directors.
It goes down Saturday, September 17, 2011 in La Jolla, California. I HIGHLY recommend you nab tickets before it’s too late, as the list of guests who have confirmed their attendance to honor Shaney includes a trifecta of the world’s greatest surfers: Kelly Slater, Rob Machado and Greg Long (among others).
Liquid Nation is going on during the Hurley Pro but thankfully, Hurley will be shuttling down the athletes, because really, its take very little to get the surf industry to mobilize for the greater good.
In fact, Liquid Nation Ball host, Fernando Aguerre will be speaking at SDSU’s Center for Surf Research ‘Rising Tide Symposium’ the morning of Liquid Nation Ball. The ‘intellectual jam session on surf philanthropy’ brings together surf industry veterans Rusty Miller, Jon Roseman, (Co-owner Tavarua), Dr. Dave Jenkins (Founder of SurfAid); Steve Barilotti (Surfer Magazine) and Dr. Serge Dedina (WildCoast), in efforts to inspire students, showcase the ‘social movement’ of surf philanthropy and explore the needs from non-profit partners etc…oh, and its FREE.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Make Your Mark on the World Event
Make Your Mark on the World Event
Recently I interviewed ‘90210’ actor Manish Dayal for Look to the Stars about his involvement with charity…the young actor, who also appeared alongside Vincent ‘Pooh-Bear’ D’Onofrio on the series finale of Law & Order Criminal Intent, turned me onto an incredible organization he is involved with called Nanubhai. (Read the interview here).
And now, like a dream come true, Nanubhai is set to benefit from the ‘Make Your Mark On the World’ event. Details: Griffin Lounge in NYC this Friday July 29 at 7pm (VIP hour) or 8pm (Free entry).
Without a single Athlebrity involved, I choose to blog about this event because it’s the perfect combination of all my ‘loves’ in the world: charity, India, giving back, Nanubhai, a Lost Boy (Valentino Achak Deng), and (gulp) M. Night Shyamalan.
From the good peeps at Nanubhai: ‘Givology’s goal is to raise $20,000 on Friday night to be donated to various organizations that they partner with, including Nanubhai. The event will be attended by a number of Nanubhai volunteers including our Executive Direct…and the auction portion of the evening will consist of photographs of Nanubhai students, along with photographs and artwork from a number of other attending organizations.’
Makes my heart sing: Co-founded by M. Night Shyamalan and his wife, Dr. Bhavna Shyamalan, the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation is dedicated to increasing the opportunities of the disadvantaged in the pursuit of empowerment and social justice. Since its creation in 2001, the Foundation has contributed almost $1.7 million to projects in support of education, sustainable agriculture, water projects, health, poverty alleviation, hunger relief, and other fields.
About the Keynote Speaker, Valentino Achak Deng
Valentino Achak Deng’s life has been described by The New York Times as a testament “to human resilience over tragedy and disaster.” Born in the village of Marial Bai, in Southern Sudan, he was forced to flee in the 1980s, at the age of seven, when civil war erupted. As one of the so-called Lost Boys, he trekked hundreds of miles, pursued by animals and government militias, and lived for years in refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. He eventually resettled in America, to a new set of challenges. Deng’s life is the basis of Dave Eggers’ epic book What Is the What, which Francine Prose calls “an extraordinary work of witness, and of art.” In 2009, as part of his Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, he opened the Marial Bai Secondary School, the region’s first proper high school.
The Event: VIP entry is $75, but Look To the Stars readers can receive a special discount of $10 off VIP entry when they use the discount code GivVIPt. To inquire about an invitation, contact Julia Gooding at julia.gooding@givology.org. For more information, click here. Griffin is located in New York City’s meatpacking district at 50 Gansevoort Street.
The Nanubhai Education Foundation, founded in 2004, is dedicated to providing equal access to India’s rapidly growing economic opportunities to the students of India’s rural public high schools through education. We work to inspire the students of our partner schools, especially women, to achieve excellence, enroll in higher education and participate in India’s new economy.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Waterman’s Weekend Environmental Fundraiser
Waterman’s Weekend Environmental Fundraiser
***Event Alert***
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) will honor big wave surfing champion Greg Long as Waterman of the Year, former Malibu mayor and environmental stalwart Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner as Environmentalist of the Year, and Hawaiian big wave pioneer and legendary shaper George Downing with the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of the association’s annual Waterman’s Weekend environmental fundraiser.
The 2011 Waterman’s Weekend will be held August 11-12th and will raise funds for 20 ocean conservation organizations. The weekend begins Thursday, August 11, with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament at the Monarch Beach Golf Links, and culminates on Friday, August 12, with the 22nd annual Waterman’s Ball and auction to be held at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Calif.
“The SIMA Board of Directors and Environmental Fund are proud to honor Greg, Jay and George at the 22nd annual Waterman’s Ball,” said Paul Naude, Chairman of the Waterman’s Weekend Event Committee and President of the SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors. “All of the honorees have undoubtedly earned our respect and appreciation for their accomplishments in and out of the water, and for the influence they have had on the sport and culture of surfing.”
Waterman of the Year, Greg Long, is often referred to as “the best young big wave surfer on the planet.” He’s won the 2003 Red Bull Big Wave Africa; 2008 Mavericks Surf Contest; 2009 winner Quiksilver Eddie Aikau…has become one of only two surfers in the world to be invited to all three major big wave paddle events…and when he’s not tackling the world’s biggest waves, Long gives back to the community by giving motivational presentations to schools and community groups, as well as through his involvement in environmental organizations including Surfrider, Save the Waves, Wildcoast and The San Onofre Foundation.
Environmentalist of the Year, Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, is a longtime advocate and protector of one of surfing’s sacred spots – Malibu. In addition to owning a surf shop and formerly serving as the city’s mayor, Zuma Jay is dedicated to the fight to preserve Malibu’s beaches and keep its waters clean…he is currently promoting the restoration of Malibu lagoon, and worked with the California Coastal Commission and the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors to establish Malibu as the 1st World Surfing Reserve.
For decades this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, George Downing, has been a leader in the surf industry and community…he’s a major stud in the surf industry, with a resume that includes constructing what is known as the first board for truly big surf… he serves as the president of the Surfing Education Association which is dedicated to the preservation of our oceans, coral reefs, waves and beaches…and has just secured himself a spot in the Surfers Hall of Fame.
The two-day fundraising event benefits the SIMA Environmental Fund, a 501©(3) charitable foundation that awards grants to various environmental groups based on their dedication to preserving and protecting the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. Last year’s event attracted more than 700 people and raised more than $400,000 for 19 ocean conservation groups.
MORE: SIMA.COM
I hope to see you all there~
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Detroit Pistons’ Historic Community Service with Samaritan’s Feet
Detroit Pistons’ Historic Community Service with Samaritan’s Feet
“They’ll walk out in their shoes standing six feet tall because their role models touched them in a way they’ll never forget.” Manny Ohonme, president and founder of Samaritan’s Feet
Of all the community outreach being done as part of the NBA Cares ‘Week of Service,” I do believe the Detroit Pistons have so far held the best event…last week at the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit, volunteers from the Palace, sponsors National City and Fathead made it possible for the Pistons and the nonprofit relief organization Samaritan’s Feet to positively impact nearly 2,000 children in three hours…this event was special for several reasons, aside from just giving away free socks and shoes to the kids, the Pistons got down on their knees and washed the kids’ feet before placing new, clean, free socks and shoes on their feet. According to my semi-rusty memory, this is only the second time I’ve seen any of our athletes washing children’s feet for charity. Last January the Grizzlies got down and scrubbed 350 little pairs of feet, which at the time was the largest event held in conjunction with an NBA team…but now, the hotties from the Motor City hold that distinction. “This is a monumental effort,” said Good Samaritan founder Manny Ohonme, “To actually see an entire team come support this and the staff and organization, this is the first time. This is a historical moment for us.” And really, a historical moment for all of us.
(Original story: NBA Cares)
Founded in 2003, Samaritan’s Feet made headlines in January 2008 when IUPUI coach Ron Hunter coached a game barefoot to bring attention to the charity and the organization’s goal of donating 10 million pairs of shoes to impoverished children worldwide in the next 10 years. Since then, Samaritan’s Feet has hosted “Shoes of Hope” distribution events across the country, including one in Detroit last spring during the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Usain Bolt Playing Cricket for Charity
Usain Bolt Playing Cricket for Charity
“Cricket is my first love, I grew up watching cricketers like Courtney Walsh take the West Indies to new heights and I am a big admirer of Chris Gayle for his power batting and calm attitude; he is my favorite player right now. So, to have the chance to play with these guys is a dream come true for me.” Usain Bolt, Olympic and world 100 and 200-meter champion and record-holder (photographed with Jude Law, who has no connection to this post aside from being eye-candy)
Being a California girl, I haven’t had much exposure to cricket, but what I have seen is a fast, wicked, competitive sport brimming with some of the world’s best athletes. And one of the worlds best, Usain Bolt, has agreed to lend his speed to the sport and play cricket this weekend for charity…the world’s fastest man will play with some of his Caribbean cricket heroes in a 15-over tournament organized by West Indies captain Chris Gayle at Discovery Bay…
“When I heard about the event that Chris Gayle was planning, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Bolt said. “It’s great that he is finding ways to use his sport to spread positive energy and get the kids excited about improving their game and learning the right attitude to succeed on the pitch and in life.”
The one-day tournament, which has attracted main sponsorship from Digicel, will feature some of the biggest cricketing names…and yes ladies, some of these cricket players are mighty fine beasts…participating hotties include: Chris Gayle®, Ramnaresh Sarwan (L), Jerome Taylor, Courtney Walsh, Richie Richardson and Curtley Ambrose…Kieran Foley, marketing director for sponsor Digicel Group said: “We are delighted that another member of the Digicel family – in the shape of Usain Bolt – has come on board to support this event. Digicel is committed to giving value back to its communities and this event is yet another example of that. With the mix of world-class cricketers and the world’s fastest man, the crowds are guaranteed a fantastic time this Sunday.”
Need more Bolt? The three-time Olympic gold medalist-who is single handedly redefining our reasons for wanting a Jamaican vacation, has also clinched the number two spot on the ‘Ask Men’ list of the Most Influential Men of 2009…according to the site: ‘Usain Bolt’s phenomenal achievements on the track made him an obvious choice for the 2009 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, and the runner earned a number of prestigious honors from his native country as well. In September, Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding announced that the champion sprinter will receive the Order of Jamaica, making the soon-to-be titled Honorable Usain Bolt the youngest recipient ever of the Order.’
And in case you missed the news, Usain’s Super Party is gonna be off-the-hook…now if I could just find someone to take me…
USAIN BOLT SUPER PARTY LAUNCH PROMO from Adrian Allen on Vimeo.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
The Best Thing About the Lakers Win?
The Best Thing About the Lakers Win?
I’ve been getting a lot of flack for not being a Lakers fan…as you all know, I cheer for character, so it was hard for me to watch Dwight Howard lose to Kobe Bryant and Gasol. My distaste for the Lakers also stems from the behavior of their fans. Sorry people, but I’d like to hear just ONE Lakers fan give props to an opposing team-any opposing team…but I have yet to see that happen. Instead I witnessed the ‘amazing’ destruction of police cars, burning trees, broken windows and looting in celebration of the Lakers 99-86 victory over the Magic…
But…there are some good guys on the Lakers and perhaps the non-violent and sane Lakers fans will use their passion productively and support Jordan Farmer and his foundation?
Farmar’s gearing up for two days of fundraising to benefit a variety of charities supported by his foundation including Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, Seeds of Peace Camp, Peres Peace Center Basketball Clinics, and others. The inaugural Jordan Farmar Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala will be held on July 19-20 In Los Angeles…the Gala will be Sunday evening at Ten-Ten Wilshire in L.A. and the Golf Classic will be held on Monday at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California.
At the Gala guests will get to mingle with Jordan and a plethora of invited hotties and celebrities while enjoying the usual party swag- awesome food, music, and auction items to include unique sports memorabilia and event packages…the following day, athletes and celebrities will golf for the greater good. For those interested in a night of fun I highly recommend you purchase a ticket to the Gala because they are only $100.00 and it will be a sell-out. You can’t even go to a Lakers game and get out of Staples Center for less than that, so why not cough up a few bucks to party with some Lakers and their celebrity fans? (For ticket information, call the Jordan Farmar Foundation at 310 473-5445 or visit the website.)
Partial list of hotties invited to Jordan Farmar’s “All White Affair” include: George Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Earvin Magic Johnson, Rob Morrow, Mia Hamm, Flea, Kenny Lofton, Royce Clayton and Darryl Strawberry (Huh? He still around?), UCLA coach Ben Howland, and Lakers’ teammates Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher, and others.
Hope to see ya there…
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Yao Ming Foundation Cut Out of the Loop by the NBA
Yao Ming Foundation Cut Out of the Loop by the NBA
The Yao Ming Foundation has been cut out of the charity loop and is no longer one of the beneficiaries of next week’s Tux & Tennies Charity Gala. Apparently, there are some new “NBA Guidelines” is place to prevent salary-cap circumvention…now, I’m not going to pretend that I’m well versed on all these ‘rules’ but apparently, because Yao can opt out of his contract with the Rockets after the 2009-10 season, the ‘league’ office said donations to his foundation could be interpreted as influencing negotiations. “I know, it’s all about 2010,” Yao said. “They have rules. All we want to do is help people who were hurt by the earthquake in the Sichuan Province.”
The NBA is also claiming that after the Rockets named Yao’s Foundation as a beneficiary, commissioner David Stern’s office received complaints from several other NBA teams…if I were to guess…my money would be on the Cav’s and the Lakers as the cry babies who messed it up for Yao. “We appreciate the league’s position and will work with them and will certainly abide by their wishes and work according to their direction on how we can make the event as successful as possible while supporting Yao to the best that we can,” said Tad Brown, Rockets chief executive officer.
This is straight-up BS if you ask me. Even though the proceeds from the event still go to charity, the Rockets have one of the hottest rosters in the NBA-in terms of charitable work. Between Dikembe Mutombo, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Yao, and yes, even Ron Artest, they’ve got some mighty-mighty fine men shooting hoops, helping kids, and bettering humanity.
Since 1996, the Tux & Tennies Gala has raised nearly $5 million. Last year and in 2006, proceeds benefited the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, with a portion of the proceeds being used to help build the Women & Children’s Center of the Biamba Maria Mutombo Hospital. The NBA takes issues because Deke twice signed free-agent contracts to return to the Rockets during that period. GOOD. That’s how it should be. Wouldn’t it be great to see the NBA encouraging free-agent signing by greasing players-foundations with hefty donations? Or would you prefer to see players driving around in $100,000 vehicles purchased with bonus money or bribe money or whatever you want to call it?
I’d like to see players hold out from signing unless there is a guaranteed yearly donation to the players foundation or charity of choice. But hey, that’s just me…
Proceeds from the event this year will go to the ‘Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund’ and to various organizations providing humanitarian relief to earthquake victims in China…
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Celebrity Athletes in 2008
Celebrity Athletes in 2008
2008 has been a great year for some of our favorites. Yes, I made a vow to take the month off but unfortunate I can’t stay away…too many of our guys are out there playing Santa, making cookies with kids and spreading the holiday cheer…I couldn’t possibly cover all the action, just a few memorable moments that made my estrogen spike and my man question my sanity…
Rafa is sitting tight at number one after sending the Swiss Mister down the rankings ladder and finally clinching his spot atop the world rankings…Our kitten Camilo Villegas grabbed a few headlines, several trophies and a shit load of estrogen en route to 2009…Lewis Hamilton became the youngest champion in Formula One history and owned the word “class” while kicking ass in the face of racism…we fell in love with Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt while raising awareness for genocide…Men’s USA Basketball did us proud and brought home the gold…and we, the people, elected one of the hottest ballers alive to be Our President. All in all, I would say a mighty good year.
Ideally, I would elaborate on Carmelo Anthony’s ‘Very Melo Holiday Event’ which was held in Denver…however, I am at a loss for words. Only one comes to mind…Geez-Us. Carmelo Cares people and don’t ever doubt it. “It’s important to me to make a significant impact on the communities that have positively affected me. My family and I are committed to growing my Foundation so that we can continue to help families in need.”
Another Nugget up to do-gooding…Chauncey Billups, along with Ray and Rodney Billups-spread some holiday cheer during a holiday event for families at the Hiawatha Davis Rec Center in Denver.
Shane Battier gets mad props for helping this little kid from Casa De Esperanza pick out some toys during the Houston Rockets Season of Giving in Houston…and gotta give a massive hug to the most underrated ‘giver’ in the League-Ron Artest…Ron-Ron made cookies during the Rockets event and passed out gifts along with Luther Head, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey…
And this is the fifth year in a row that the NBA has teamed up with ‘Feed the Children’… This years event in Detroit saw five Pistons Kwame Brown, Allen Iverson, Jason Maxiell, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace stepping in as the Fab-Five for this years ‘Miracle in Motown’ where they fed five thousand families…For me, the Pistons embody something that transcends basketball. Off the top of my head I can’t think of any controversy, jail time or scandal involving the Motown boys that would deem them unworthy of praise, so correct me if I’m wrong-until then, they get my vote for sincerity, good will and never saying no when asked to help others.
Have a safe and happy holiday season…remember to check out all the celebrity philanthropy we’re covering at Look to the Stars…have a rocking new year, hug a child and I’ll see ya in (yikes) ’09.
As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo