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
Michael Phelps Foundation Expands Program to 28 Boys & Girls Clubs
Foundation’s Water-Safety, Health & Wellness Program Now Available in 22 States & a U.S. Military Base in Naples, Italy.
The Michael Phelps Foundation today announced the expansion of its signature program to 28 Boys & Girls Clubs, including one on a U.S. Naval installation in Naples, Italy. The Foundation will work with each Boys & Girls Club to implement its signature program, a learn-to-swim program designed to grow the sport of swimming and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle, especially among children. The program was launched as a national pilot in 2010 with six Boys & Girls Clubs and has instructed more than 2,300 children how to swim, with more than 80% of the participants receiving swimming instruction (safe) for the first time in their lives. Continue reading
Kelly Slater ‘Honored’ to Help Challenged Athletes Foundation
According to my Twitter feed, Kelly Slater has agreed to give surf lessons to athletes from the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Slater was asked to participate by Rich Cruise Photo, “Would you consider giving some @CAFoundation (Challenged Athletes Foundation) athletes surf lessons?”
Took the surf-king less than 30 minutes to reply: “I’d love to. Would be an honor.” Continue reading
Messi Partners with EA Sports for Kids
Last week, soccer star Lionel Messi become the first player to net five goals in a Champions League game, a pretty impressive accomplishment on its own, earning him ‘best player ever’ chit-chat from the soccer world.
Even more impressive is the fact that the Barcelona player-via his Foundation- has joined forces with EA Sports to rebuild a popular street soccer pitch located in the Bon Pastor neighborhood of Barcelona. Continue reading
Adrian Peterson Remains 28
NFL Viking Adrian Peterson has been pouring his heart out to fans on Twitter about why he can’t- excuse me, why he WON’T change his current jersey number from 28.
According to Peterson “#1 I’m in the top jersey sales! # 2 I see maybe 10,000 from those sales, #3 I get paid under 1million a year, #4 but I oder (in order) to change MY number…I have to pay a Million Bucks! Somebody’s winning in that situation & ITs not me! So clearly with that said I won’t be changing my number.” Continue reading
Sarah Burke: Give Forward
Awesome website Athlebrities wants to give a Sunday shout-out to, it’s called Give Forward. And it’s amazing.
Here’s how it works: Create a page describing your fundraising; Spread the word: Receive your funds: Pay it forward by sharing the site. Yeah it’s that easy.
So far the site has raised almost $10 million for medical expenses and other causes.
The most notable fundraiser on Give Forward is Sarah Burke’s family. Continue reading
Celebrity ‘Stars and Strikes’ Bowling Event to Benefit ACT
Celebrity ‘Stars and Strikes’ Bowling Event to Benefit ACT
On Sunday, January 29, 2012, in Tustin California, ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) and The Eddie Guardado Foundation (EGF), will host a celebrity STARS & STRIKES bowling tournament to help provide resources and grants to children with autism whose families cannot afford the necessary care and treatment.
Expected to join the Two-time All Star “Everyday Eddie” will be:
Torii Hunter, LA Angels of Anaheim 4-Time All-Star
Michael Young, Texas Rangers 6-Time All-Star
Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers 2-Time All-Star
Derek Holland, Texas Rangers
Rod Carew, Hall-of-Famer
Garret Anderson, LA Angels of Anaheim 3-Time All-Star
J.J.Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Pitcher
LaTroy Hawkins, Milwaukee Brewers
Rex Hudler, Former MLB Player and Radio Personality
Jamie Moyer, All-Star Pitcher
Adam Melhuse, Former MLB Player
Aaron Sele, 2-Time All-Star Pitcher
Gary Pettis, Texas Ranger Coach and Former MLB Player
Chad Cordero, All-Star Pitcher
Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers
Carlos Fisher, Cincinnati Reds
Brad Thompson, St. Louis Cardinals
Rafael Nadal Children’s Charity Foundation Visit
Rafael Nadal Children’s Charity Foundation Visit
Tuesday, Rafael Nadal said he was looking forward to something special: ”Tomorrow I’ll have a dinner of my charity foundation, today I went to visit one of the projects that we sponsor (Children’s Villages) Paz Vega, Freddie Highmore and Nastassja Kinski thanks for your interest about my project:). ”
The extraordinary 10 Time Grand Slam Champion was accompanied by his mother Ana Maria Parera as they visited Nadal’s Children’s Charity Foundation on Wednesday, which it was one of his dream project sponsors at Children’s Villages in Barcelona. Continue reading
GQ Better Man Better World Search
GQ Better Man Better World Search
GQ is asking us to cast votes in the ‘Better Man, Better World’ search contest they have going on. They’ve nominated several mighty-mighty-fine men who ‘strive every day for the betterment of society through charitable work, volunteerism, and community involvement.’ And for me, it was a no-brainer who to vote for:
- Laren Poole, Co-Founder & Filmmaker, Invisible Children, San Diego, CA
Granted, I live in San Diego and tend to be biased, but Poole and his army of ‘Invisible Children’ have made startling progress towards-well-eradicating the use of African kids as LRA soldiers.
- Earlier this year, in 17 cities across the U.S., supporters of Invisible Children participated in 25 hours of silence to speak out without speaking against the 25 years of war in East Africa. The money raised by the participants of 25 is allowing Invisible Children to begin building the region’s first rehabilitation center for child soldiers. It’s also creating radio towers that will help protect remote villages from LRA violence.
My apologies to the other GQ ‘Better Man’ contestants, admittedly, I did not read your profiles. No need. Poole’s movement started on a whim and gave voice to a generation of kids that will have a lasting impact on a global scale. Invisible Children has a long list of celebrity supporters, a plethora of initiatives to get youth involved and has literally changed the world. INVISIBLE CHILDREN.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Ian Somerhalder Looking for Teammates
Ian Somerhalder Looking for Teammates
While searching for a nice feel-good sports related story today, I came across some info on Paul Pierce fundraising via Crowdrise, but then soon found myself sidetracked by something better, Ian Somerhalder and his blue-eyes.
Best known for his role as Boone on ‘Lost’ and as Damon on The Vampire Diaries’ the actor apparently has a soft spot for sea turtles and the environment and has started his own movement on Crowdrise with the goal of raising funds to help develop youth based educational and support programs.
Additionally, on his Foundations website this week, Somerhalder issued a press release asking President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to deny the Keystone XL Pipeline Permit.
- The pipeline project, which would transport extremely toxic tar sands oil nearly 2,000 miles from Alberta, Canada through the middle of the U.S. heartland to the Texas Gulf coast for refining, has drawn criticism from environmental communities in both the US and Canada.
- “The proposed Keystone XL pipeline puts fish and wildlife at risk, threatens the health and livelihood of countless American farmers, and perpetuates the United States’ unhealthy dependence on oil,” says ISF founder Ian Somerhalder. “On behalf of myself, the IS Foundation, and the 22,000 people who have already signed our Stop the Tar Sands Oil Keystone XL Pipeline Petition, we strongly urge the Obama Administration to follow through on its promise to ‘end the age of oil in our time.’”
Granted, Somerhalder is not the only celebrity, athlete or activist to voice strong opposition to this ridiculous pipeline project but he got my attention after posting raw footage of NBA players scrambling during the lock-out
Without a doubt, one of the best celebrity foundation websites I’ve come across.
IS Foundation (ISF): Founded by actor and activist Ian Somerhalder, the IS Foundation aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. ISF believes that 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.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Nike MAG Shoe Benefits Michael J. Fox Foundation
Nike MAG Shoe Benefits Michael J. Fox Foundation
Cristiano Ronaldo is doing his part as a Nike-endorsed stud…the international soccer sensation asked his fans to “Check out this charity fundraiser presented by Nike,” so we did.
- On each of the next 10 days 150 pairs of Nike MAG shoes will be listed in the 24-hour eBay auctions. 100% of all sales proceeds go to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
Famed Nike designer Tinker Hatfield and footwear innovator Tiffany Beers have returned to recreate the footwear legend. Based on an original movie prop used in Back to the Future Part II, the 2011 Nike MAG shoes have been rebuilt to the exact specifications of the originals. It features an electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials and a rechargeable internal battery good for 3,000 hours. And while they are not recommended for playing sports, these highly limited shoes will very likely command attention wherever they are worn…Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, and his wife Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of personal genetics company 23andMe, are matching up to $50 million in funds raised by the Foundation between now and December 31, 2012. Net proceeds from the 2011 MAG auctions on eBay will be matched.
The 2011 Nike MAG: Back For The Future – Kevin Durant, Tinker Hatfield & Doc Brown Commercial can be viewed HERE.
More info: BACK 4 THE FUTURE OR The 2011 Nike MAG Back For The Future EBAY AUCTION HERE
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Bethany Hamilton & Friends Changing the World?
Bethany Hamilton & Friends Changing the World?
‘Life can be beautiful for each of us if we look for that beauty. Life is also different for each of us; and we need to realize that. I think that it’s important to find the beauty in yourself and the people around you, and to be thankful for what you do have!’ –Bethany Hamilton
Athlebrities has a new favorite athlete-activist…actually, she’s not new to us but after following her career for a while, we can’t help but think ‘Soul Surfer’ Bethany Hamilton and friends can really change the world.
Hamilton is a 21-year-old surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack eight years ago. Most people would have given up, but Bethany returned to professional surfing with her story documented in the movie ‘Soul Surfer.’ Bethany has been using her fame to help others through her ‘Friends of Bethany’ Foundation and was nominated for a Do Something Award earlier this year. (Great interview with her HERE)
And this morning, Hamilton, along with actress Anna-Sophia Robb, were in New York as part of the BGC 7th Annual Global Charity Day. Hamilton’s Foundation (FOBH) is one of the recipients this year event that sees BGC’s offices around the world help raise over $10 million for charity.
”My goal in life is to serve and please God and do well in what he has called me to do, which is surf for Him and share His love and hope every chance I get,” said Hamilton via her Facebook page, “Currently my focus is competing in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Star series events. I travel the world surfing these events and try each year to qualify for the ASP Women’s World Tour!”
Bethany supports a number of non-profits, and we here at Athlebrities are so proud to add her to our growing list of young do-gooders who prefer to inspire and give-back rather than tweet about pop-gossip.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Serge Ibaka Aids Efforts in Horn of Africa
Serge Ibaka Aids Efforts in Horn of Africa
“It is my duty to contribute and help other kids from my continent so they have the same will to improve every day and, through basketball, become role models, responsible persons and proud of their origins. This is the spirit of the adidas Ibaka Charity Program.” ~Serge Ibaka
During the NBA lock-out, we’ve seen ‘big names’ scrambling for the next good run, hosting exhibition games that are allegedly for charity-yet nary a word about the beneficiaries. Personally, I’m more interested in our mighty-mighty-fine ballers who are out there doing more than just ‘talking the talk’, to wit, NBA player Serge Ibaka.
The Oklahoma City Thunder player, currently hooping it up overseas, hails from the Congo and has used his NBA lock-out time to spread the word about his collaboration with Unicef and adidas to raise funds for the Horn of Africa. Ibaka will donate $100 for every block during the Eurobasket 2011.
“My country and all the African continent are my roots and they form my identity, that is why it’s a priority for me to try to help the sports and social development,” writes Ibaka on his website. “Basketball is a powerful tool to encourage the personal development and the learning of positive values and to acquire aptitudes for life. At the same time, increasing the social unity and the communication between cultures helps reaching peace and the economic development of all the communities.”
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Ron Artest: Dancing For a Cause
Ron Artest: Dancing For a Cause
“That’s the only reason I’m doing it, I’m doing it for a cause.” –Ron Artest in re: ‘Dancing With the Stars’
After much speculation, the rumor-mill is closed and it’s confirmed that Lakers forward Ron Artest has joined the cast of “Dancing With The Stars.” Granted, I’ve never watched an episode but between Ron-Ron and Nancy Grace it might suck me in this year-especially since Artest – one of the most entertaining ballers to hit the court- is gonna dance his way towards a huge donation for the Cancer Research Foundation.
“I’m doing the Cha-cha-cha my first week,” Artest said. “We’re going to get past [the first round]. I want to work hard and see where it takes me. I don’t know how far I’m going to go, but I’m going to try.”
According to the LA Times, Artest agreed to ‘dance for a cause’ after his daughter Diamond said “Daddy you can do it.” In 2007, Diamond was diagnosed with wilms tumor, a kidney cancer that affects children. She successfully fought the disease and Artest said he plans to donate the money he earns (allegedly a minimum of $125,000) on “Dancing with the Stars” to the Cancer Research Foundation.
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
Jason David’s Charity Weekend
Jason David’s Charity Weekend
The 3rd Annual Jason David Celebrity Charity weekend went down in So-Cal June 23-25 to benefit his Foundation and raise awareness/funds for kidney disease while making over 250 kids smile.
The three day event, hosted by the former NFL player and Superbowl Champion, Jason David, was held in memory of his cousin Shay, who tragically passed away from kidney disease in 2007.
“My cousin Shay endured many surgeries before he passed away which crippled him sometimes to the point where he was unable to walk. My cousin never gave up he fought through all of his surgeries and struggles with the same resolve each time. It is important to me that I continue his fight for the sake of others who suffer from the disease,” stated Jason David, founder and president of JDCF.
Over 250 kids attended the 6th Annual Youth Football Skills Camp portion of the event-for FREE while enjoying hands on coaching, football drills and love from their ‘coaches’ Jason David, Hamza Abdullah (Arizona Cardinals) and Husain Abdullah (Minnesota Vikings).
Jason David’s Corner Foundation (JDCF)
JDCF is a 501©3 public charity and was founded by Covina, CA native and NFL cornerback, Jason David. Founded on the basis of “Bringing Faith and Courage to Every Corner of the Community, JDCF provides guidance to young boys and girls in and around Covina, CA by offering a summer Youth Football Camp at Charter Oak High School. After losing a family member to kidney disease in 2007, Jason decided to donate proceeds from his Annual Celebrity Golf Classic towards the increasing the research and awareness of kidney disease to help promote prevention and ultimately find a cure.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Robert Horry’s Letter to His Daughter
Robert Horry’s Letter to His Daughter
It’s Fathers Day and aside from thinking about my own father, I thought about NBA great Robert Horry and the pain he must be feeling after the recent death of his daughter Ashlyn to a rare genetic disorder known as ‘1p36 deletion syndrome.’
I wanted to write about it, but felt my words would have fallen short. And I would have been right. Horry penned a letter to his daughter ‘Ashlyn’s Smile’ and can be read in its entirety HERE.
In part, Horry writes:
On this day, Father’s Day, your spirit is watching over me and making sure we are all safe and warm. I know you are smiling on life, love and family, and waiting for us to join you. There will come a time when we will again see that engaging smile that brought us so much joy each day of your life…In your loving memory, we will persistently seek to increase awareness of 1p36 deletion syndrome through your foundation. We will bring hope to others around the world, to the children who suffer from the same genetic disorder, and to those parents and families who share the same desperation.
Pure love. ASHLYN HORRY FOUNDATION
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah
Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): An atypical member of the cat family capable of reaching speeds between 112 and 120km/h (70 and 75mph) and covering distances up to 460m (1,500ft), and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 103km/h (64mph) in three seconds, faster than most racecars….recent studies confirm the cheetah’s status as the fastest land animal, just as recent historical events have confirmed Usain Bolt as the world’s fastest man.
Usain Bolt took a four-day visit to Kenya to assist in the launch of a Foundation and to adopt a baby cheetah named “Lighting Bolt.” Bolt has agreed to sponsor the three-month-old male cheetah as part of an effort to boost Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment. The world record-holder paid $13,700 to formally adopt the precious cub, with the money going to the Kenya Wildlife Service…Bolt will also pay $3,000 a year to care for Lighting Bolt, who will be raised at an animal orphanage in Nairobi. Lighting Bolt is among three cubs rescued by KWS officials after their mother abandoned them in a game park.
Besides the adoption of Lighting Bolt, Usain was in Kenya to help launch the Zeitz Foundation, a foundation that seeks to promote innovative and holistic approaches that enhance economic, social and environmental sustainability. Bolt made the rounds in Kenya with Colin Jackson, a former 110-meter hurdles Olympic champion, and Jochen Zeitz, the chief executive of athletic gear manufacturer Puma-who made the visit to launch his charity’s campaign to preserve ecosystems.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) conserves and manages Kenya’s wildlife for the Kenyan people and the world. The challenges facing wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Kenya are many and varied. They include climate change, habitat degradation and loss, forest depletion, tourism market volatility, human wildlife conflict brought on by population growth and changing land use habits of communities that co-exist with wildlife as well as wildlife crime.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
What Does Carmelo Anthony Smell Like?
What Does Carmelo Anthony Smell Like?
“Be more than what you were before, try to do more than what you dream of…be more of a better parent, more of a better human being, just be more.” Carmelo Anthony
Any excuse to indulge in my Melo obsession…and now the powers that be are actually asking me to smell Carmelo Anthony? Well, kind of…you’ve probably heard by now that Carmelo, Ludacris and Rob Dyrdek have teamed up with Tag Body Spray to release a Signature Series of branded scents, each of which bears the name and likeness of its respective celebrity co-signer…Rob Dyrdek: Makes Moves; Ludacris: Get Yours, and Carmelo Anthony: Stay Up…with visions of Melo in my head, I imagine Melo-er, Stay Up, smells like a dream…perhaps with undertones of vanilla, a hint of sweat, a splash of vodka and a whiff of marshmallows…
And to promote the new line, the beasts are taking part in Tag Signature Series Charity Challenge. For the challenge, Melo, Luda and Rob have each chosen a charitable organization to represent, and each charity will receive 10% of the net sales from the sale of their respective body sprays. Whichever hottie sells the most body spray between now and the end of the contest, November 2nd, will receive an additional $25,000 donation for their charity.
Carmelo is hoping to add an additional $25k to The Carmelo Anthony Foundation, a national organization dedicated to providing opportunities for underprivileged kids…Ludacris will campaign on behalf of The Ludacris Foundation, an Atlanta-based organization that empowers children to take control of their own destiny…and Rob will compete on behalf of The Skate Plaza Foundation, an organization that builds skate parks in developing communities.
The winning charity will be announced on www.Facebook.com/TAG on or around November 19. Now pa-leeze, Melo, commere and let me smell you…
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Michael Phelps & Speedo Visit Boys and Girls Club
Michael Phelps & Speedo Visit Boys and Girls Club
“It was great to spend time talking with all the kids and being able to present them with a donation from Speedo and my foundation.” Michael Phelps
Last month, Olympic gold stud, Michael Phelps, along with Speedo, visited the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx for a special event…
Last year, Phelps coughed up $1M of his own money to start a foundation…its goal is to work with charitable programs to promote water safety and encourage youth swimming. “I feel it’s only appropriate that I continue the momentum that Speedo helped to create by committing my bonus to the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which I hope will help me inspire others to achieve their dreams, and give back to the sport that has given me so much,” said Phelps at the time. Since then, a Foundation website has not yet been established, BUT, as evidenced by the above video, he hasn’t reneged on his word to keep giving back to others while inspiring us all to become more charitable. Good work Michael…and of course thanks to Speedo for supporting the cause.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com