Celebrities and Athletes Support Steps4Paws
Last weekend, Los Angeles based clothing company, Steps4Paws, presented their new collection of graphic tees to celebrities and sports personalities for a Golden Globes event in Hollywood, California.
Celebrities who walked the red carpet with Steps4Paws mascot/rescue dog Coco included NBA star Oldin Polynice (pictured above), Terrell Owens, Madchen Amick from “Gossip Girl,” Gilles Marini from “Dancing With The Stars,” Lauren Potter from “Glee;” Brandon Tyler Russell from “Tosh 2.0” and many others. Continue reading
Los Angeles Clippers Partner with Fred Jordan Missions
The Fred Jordan Mission held it’s annual ‘Skid Row Toy Ride’ on Sunday, delivering thousand of new gifts to some of Los Angeles’ most underprivileged children.
The organization, which serves hungry, impoverished families and children every day of the year, has partnered with the LA Clippers for a Season of Caring Fundraising event to benefit the Mission.
Proceeds from the LA Clippers Game on Wednesday December 19th will be donated to the Fred Jordan Missions. If you are not able to purchase a ticket, the Mission is asking businesses, churches, groups and individuals of good will to make charitable donations of food, new clothes, new toys, diapers and blankets for cold winter nights. Cash donations are also welcome – - and tax-deductible.
The Fred Jordan Missions, open 365 days a year since 1944, feeds hundreds of hungry people and provides assistance to impoverished individuals and families. The Mission is a non-profit, faith-based, educational and relief organization that focuses on education, job training, and self-reliance.
More Info HERE.
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Ballers Give San Diego Youth A Chance
SDSU Graduate, and NBA All-Rookie of the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard, is hosting his first Annual Youth Basketball Camp with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the Boys to Men Mentoring Network, (August 7-9) in San Diego, California.
Athlebrities stopped by the camp to see what this rookie sensation had to say for himself. After all, he’s an SDSU alumni. And although Leonard is notorious for being quite-and perhaps a bit shy-we had no trouble getting him to speak longer than our allotted time.
On College:
“I went for two years and haven’t gotten my degree yet, right now I’m not taking classes but hope to finish in about three-years when I’m established in the league, we’ll see what happens.”
On his role with the San Antonio Spurs next season:
“Pretty much the same guy, probably a little bit more aggressive, I’ll probably get more play since I shot the ball well and you know, you’ll see me being more aggressive and more comfortable on the court.” Continue reading
NBA Player Ronnie Brewer ‘Can’t Imagine’
NBA Player Ronnie Brewer ‘Can’t Imagine’
The Chicago Bulls’ Ronnie Brewer caught our attention last night after blasting his fans via social media: “What’s up fam… check out this new design for my Brew Crew shirts to help support my foundation, what do you think?”, he asked, “Chicago charity event at the UC turned out to be a pretty sweet event so far fans have been great.”
Brewer also can’t imagine what life would be like if he started smoking…the NBA star filmed a PSA late last year that just seems to be making the rounds. Continue reading
STOP KONY 2012
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS OF OUR TIME.
Invisible Children’s latest film, KONY 2012, premiered ONLINE this week, serving as the cornerstone of a new joint campaign of Invisible Children, Resolve, and the Enough Project. The goal is to make this year Joseph Kony’s last as the leader of Africa’s longest running insurgency, the LRA.
Shaq to be Awarded ‘Father of the Year’
Yeah, you read that right. TNT Commentator, four-time NBA Championship winner and three-time Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal will be honored at an upcoming event as ‘gasp’ a ‘Father of the Year.’ Continue reading
Children Uniting Nations to Honor Metta World Peace
Metta World Peace is about to add another ‘award’ to his resume this weekend when he’s honored by Children Uniting Nations February 26, 2012.
The baller formally known as Ron Artest, will be given the Global Humanitarian Award during a celebrity studded Awards Viewing Dinner and Celebration being held in Beverly Hills. Continue reading
Adrian Peterson Presents: NBA All-Star Weekend of a Lifetime Raffle
Celebrities for Charity have a raffle going that ends tomorrow…you can attend the NBA All-Star game and weekend events and party it up with Adrian Peterson AND Dwight Howard…all for charity of course.
It’s a raffle: tickets are $2 each and you gotta buy 5 of them… Continue reading
Will Ferrell 80’s Night with Bulls-Hornets
Will Ferrell delivered a hilarious starting line-up intro for last nights 80s-themed (Chicago) Bulls- (New Orleans) Hornets game in New Orleans…perhaps one of the best partnerships in the world is Ferrell and anything to do with sports.
After you’re done laughing at Ferrell’s colorful call-outs-which include: ‘Carlos Boozer, he still lives with his mother’ and ‘he’s a Scorpio and a horrible dancer, Joakim Noah’ remember that Ferrell’s charity work is mainly focused on Cancer for College. (http://www.cancerforcollege.org/)
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
*Note: Athlebrities™ is NOT associated with E! Entertainment Television’s on-line ‘Athlebrity Zone’ or ‘Athlebrity Madness’. Their use of my legally protected company name is without my consent and constitutes a direct, well-documented theft of my intellectual property.
Richard Branson’s Kobe System Ad for Charity?
I’m calling out stud Sir Richard Branson today…the Virgin Group Founder and Athlebrity favorite appears in one of Nike’s latest spots for the new Kobe System…afterward, Branson was asked why he would advertise for someone else, his response:
“Since then I have agreed to do the occasional ad for companies I respect, like Nike, if they are humorous and I can raise a lot of money for charity. Both of those criteria were met with the current #KobeSystem ads.”
One question Richard, HOW was this criteria met? How are you raising a lot of money for charity by appearing in the Kobe Systems ad? Curious fans want to know…thanks.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
*Note: Athlebrities™ is NOT associated with E! Entertainment Television’s on-line ‘Athlebrity Zone’ or ‘Athlebrity Madness’. Their use of my legally protected company name is without my consent and constitutes a direct, well-documented theft of my intellectual property.
Top 30 Celebrity Donors for 2011
Top 30 Celebrity Donors for 2011
The Giving Back Fund (GBF), a nonprofit organization that provides philanthropic management and consulting to the sports and entertainment industries, released its fifth annual Giving Back 30, a list of the 30 celebrities who made the largest donations to charity in 2011 according to public records.
“Encouragement by example is the main reason we compile the Giving Back 30,” said Marc Pollick, President and Founder of The Giving Back Fund. “One cannot help but be influenced by the generosity of his or her peers.” Pollick continued, “We are also often asked by the media and the public about which celebrities actually give the largest donations to charitable causes so we decided it made sense to publish the research for all to see.” Continue reading
Rajon Rondo Launches New Website/Foundation
Rajon Rondo Launches New Website/Foundation
“I firmly believe that it takes just one person to turn a child’s life around.” ~Rondo
During the NBA lockout, players had plenty of free time to do something constructive and one such player gets props from Athlebrities. Boston Celtic, Rajon Rondo. Rondo launched the ‘Assisting Youth Foundation’ to provide children living in low-income areas with safe, reliable resources and hope for the future. Continue reading
Right to Play With Dignity
Right to Play With Dignity
So…the NBA ‘lock-out’ continues with the first few weeks of the NBA season being canned, the commish is asking fans to focus on Euro games, players are tweeting like its their last day on earth, scrambling to resolve the matter even though they were told a year before the lockout not to spend their money on lavish trip to Vegas, but to hoard it. That’s a fact…so where is the dignity?
While I don’t support either side of the NBA lock-out situation, I feel that everyone has the Right to Play-as in ‘Right To Play’, the leading international humanitarian and development organization using the transformative power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby drive social change in communities affected.
With support from all corners of the world-including Jordan, Lebanon, Uganda, Liberia, Rwanda, and the UK-Right to Play could school any organization on dignity and mutual respect for humanity and I dare any NBA locked-out player to take aim at something higher than Ego-games in their free time.
Why not do something dignified during the lockout and volunteer with Right to Play or any other non-profit? Take a ball to the local court and use sport to make a positive impact on the kids…the positive impact sport has on refugee children, former child combatants, children living with a disability, and young people at risk or orphaned by HIV, AIDS or war is astonishing.
Ballers, you could change and improve the world if ya just shifted your focus from yourselves to others.
On October 20th, Right To Play will participate in Global Dignity Day, to advocate that everyone have the right to a dignified life-and I challenge the NBA to join most of the humanity loving world to participate in Global Dignity Day. Read more about it HERE…amazing organization whose honorary board members include: President Martti Ahtisaari (Former President of Finland, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, United Nations diplomat and mediator); Sir Richard Branson, Professor Amartya Sen (Nobel Price laureate in Economic Sciences, Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University), Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Andrew Young (Former Congressman and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Activist in the Civil Rights Movement)
To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others ~ Buddha
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Jamie Foxx and Friends Raise $500k for Charity
Jamie Foxx and Friends Raise $500k for Charity
Jamie Foxx held his ‘3 on 3’ Celebrity Basketball event over the weekend at his private residence in Los Angeles to benefit the Jamie Foxx Foundation and the Pacific Lodge Youth Services.
The NBA’s Shawn Marion aka the Matrix tweeted post-event: “All I gotta say is everybody from Denzel W, to Mario Van P, and Tyrese and the list goes on, was at the charity event, J.Foxx raise 500k.”
Now, I can not confirm how much money was raised during Fox’ event, but I do know that the 3 on 3 Charity Hoops Tournament is not something I plan on missing next year.
What I can confirm about the invite-only event is that Jamie Foxx brought together a long list of his celebrity and NBA friends to participate in two 3 on 3 basketball tournaments, one featuring celebrities vs. celebrities and one featuring NBA players vs NBA players with each NBA team also having a celebrity coach.
Cannot confirm but do know that Jordin Sparks was invited to sing the National Anthem. Other celebrities and athletes who were invited include: Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, Penny Marshall, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, Matt Barnes, Jalen Rose, Rasual Butler, Lamar Odom, Derrick Rose, Kevin Hart, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Cuttino Mobley and many others.
All proceeds benefited the Jamie Foxx Foundation whose purpose is to facilitate literacy and adoption programs as well as exposure to music, comedy, and the arts for children of all ages and the Pacific Lodge Youth Services which creates a supportive and therapeutic residential environment for adolescent boys (ages 13-18) in the juvenile justice system who are experiencing psychological, emotional and behavioral problems.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Stop Quoting The FAKE Bill Walton
Stop Quoting The FAKE Bill Walton
At last weekends Liquid Nation Ball, I once again had the pleasure of meeting one of the most frequently quoted men in NBA history, Lakers great Bill Walton.
But what’s been eating me up is the fact that people are quoting the wrong Bill Walton. And by people I mean ‘main-stream’ media. Writers or journalists who are earning a hefty paycheck for covering things like who Sarah Palin may have gotten nasty with in the NBA and what people are saying about it.
To wit, this snippet from the NY Daily News:
- NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton took a shot at the notoriously offense-minded Rice. “Sarah Palin had an intimate relationship with Glen Rice in the 80s,” he tweeted. “Rice tried to resist but he was never one to stop anyone from scoring.”
Soon after the real-fake Walton quote appeared in the NY Daily News, Bills wife Lori tweeted: ‘Does Larry McShane, New York Daily News not know or not care that he quoted the fake Bill Walton in is article about Sarah Palin?’
- A FAKE Walton Tweet
I asked the lovely Mrs. Walton about the real-fake Bill Walton quotes which are rampant on the Internet thanks to the fake Walton on Twitter. “He’s actually funnier than Bill, “she laughed. (The real-fake Bill has 49,000 followers, while the REAL Walton has about 5,000).
For what’s it worth, I asked the real Bill Walton about current players, the state of the league and where he sees the NBA in five years:
“Players today are better than ever, they’re bigger, they’re stronger, they’re faster-everything about it is better and we are looking forward to the resumption of the NBA,” said the real Bill Walton.
On expanding the NBA’s Global reach? “Players will be better, coaches will be better. With people like David Stern and Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant and Lebron James and Dirk Nowitzki taking the game to its highest level.”
Even IF the fake-Bill is funnier than the real-Bill, I find it crazy that paid-writers are NOT checking their sources while bloggers like myself bend over backwards to ensure what is printed is real…and for no pay. You’ve all heard the phrase lately ‘Apes Will Rise’?, well get ready people, because with rouge-writers continually not covering their bases I assure you, Bloggers Will Rise.
Many thanks to the real Bill Walton and Lori…who are never short of awesome.
As of this morning, the real Bill has been asked by Jamie Foxx to participate in his ‘3 on 3 Charity Basketball Tournament’ on Sat Sept 24 in LA. (Look for post-event details next week) Best to the real Bill, who-although recovering from back surgery-still seems to always make time to give back.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Magic Johnson is Hiring
Magic Johnson is Hiring
Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson played 13-years in the NBA, won five national championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, 3 MVP awards, appeared in 12 NBA All-Star games, took home a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, has been induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and is currently Vice President and part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
And he’s also helping people find jobs. That’s right, Magic is also Chief Executive Officer of Magic Workforce Solutions, a first-rate staffing services company committed to building a diverse workforce.
Admittedly, I was thrown off at first…Magic Johnson advertising available jobs? But after much thought, it makes sense. As part of Magic Johnson Enterprises, Magic Workforce Solutions supports the umbrella organizations commitment to providing products and services that particularly focus on ethnically diverse urban communities…the long-arm of his business portfolio includes (among others): Urban Coffee Opportunities (making MJE the only joint venture partner of Starbucks); Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund; over 30 Burger King restaurants; a dozen 24 Hour Fitness Magic Sport centers; a T.G.I. Fridays restaurant; a long-standing partnership with AMC Magic Johnson Theatres; partnerships with Aetna and Best Buy and has entered into a multi-year relationship with retail giant Best Buy to enhance urban retail growth strategies and implement diversity outreach with multicultural consumers.
So, for those looking for a job or companies looking for good people, check out Magic Johnson’s staffing service. NBA players need not apply.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Founded in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) has become one of the most recognizable charitable organizations around the world, awarding more than $1.1 million to community based organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
Justin Bieber to Coach Charity Hoops Game
Justin Bieber to Coach Charity Hoops Game
This weekend, Ludacris is hosting his annual ‘Luda Weekend’ in Atlanta which includes a celebrity ‘charity’ basketball game with teams to be coached by Ludacris and Justin Bieber.
The NBA players expected to join Luda on Sunday Sept 5 for tip-off are: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Brandon Jennings Lou Williams, Josh Powell, Iman Shumpert, Raymond Felton, Jarrett Jack, Andrew Goudelock, Chris Singleton and Kyrie Irving.
The game will take place at Morehouse Forbes Arena. Tickets, priced at $10, are still on sale.
Can’t say that I blame the locked-out ballers for playing some interesting exhibition games…especially for charity…but I kinda think it s bunch of lip-service at this point. With this-league and that-league pulling in big names from the NBA for charity games makes me wonder how it’s all being done? We know some of these guys don’t “tip” so are we expected to believe they are donating their own time and money? Or are they really selling enough tickets to cover the operating expenses and donate some back to ‘charity’? I don’t get it, but then again, I don’t think I’m supposed to.
Love to Luda though, for always giving the kids something to smile about.
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
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy: Operation Graduation
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy: Operation Graduation
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Today, student orientation is underway at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA), a public charter high school serving the school districts in and around Greater Metro-Detroit…the mission of the JRLA is to provide a leadership- focused experience within a high-performing high school that engages and inspires Detroit youth to achieve at the rigorous level necessary to ultimately graduate with a college degree.
Founded by NBA great, current ESPN/ABC analyst and infamous ‘Fab Five’ member, Jalen Rose, the Academy is a testament to Rose’s commitment to give back to the community while planting the seeds of success for its class of 2015! Athlebrities is proud to support Operation Graduation and looks forward to the success of its students.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com