“If you don’t give back, no one will like you.” That’s the slogan of Crowdrise, an online fundraising platform co-founded by actor-director Edward Norton (“Fight Club,” “The Italian Job”) with a group of friends. Norton’s Crowdrise fundraisers serve as the actor’s primary means of giving back.The site has millions of member fundraisers worldwide, regular people, but also famous personalities including actors, directors, film producers, and musicians. Celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Sophia Bush, and Will Ferrel are members with their own ongoing fundraising activities. Crowdrise was named by Barron’s as one of its “Top 25 Best Global Philanthropist” awardees.
International Celebrities: Going Beyond Charity
Global basketball idol Kobe Bryant and his wife help youngsters archive their dreams. Rich and famous TV host Oprah Winfrey has given millions in donations to victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. She also supports various programs in South Africa that provide education for your girls to help them improve their lives.
Natalie Portman (“Star Wars,” “Black Swan”), who was born in Israel is actively in league with the One Voice Movement which has been working these many years to resolve the centuries-old conflict between her homeland and Palestine. The fame that movie actors enjoy are often due to the popularity of their films. Movies has the power to transcend cultural, language, even political barriers. There’s a very good reason why the United Nations chose Angelina Jolie (“Girl, Interrupted, “Tomb Raider”) as a Goodwill Ambassador. Her presence in conflict areas, and her involvement in complex issues lend a neutrality to otherwise tense situations.
Celebrities have always been involved in charity work even 50 years ago, but it is only now that they are very visible. And it is only at this period in history that humanitarian organizations avidly seek the assistance of celebrities from the world of film, television, and music to forward their cause. Now, seeing celebrities in war-torn areas of the world has already become familiar. The real life activities of George Clooney (“Ocean’s 11,” “Up In The Air”) included working to end genocide and civil war in Darfur. The degree of his involvement saw him doing more than a haunting documentary to show the world what is going on behind closed borders. He is also on-site in a danger zone using his celebrity to facilitate negotiations.
International Celebrities: Using Fame to Move the World
If the all too familiar visage of Leonardo Di Caprio (“Titanic,” “Inception”) can sell Tag Hauer watches, then his Twitter account would no doubt help spread the word about the many causes he is actively involved in. Di Caprio is the main partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and its flagship program to save tigers and increase their numbers in the wild. But not only that, jhe is also involved in movements working for protection of the Arctic from exploitation as well as creating a sanctuary for Antarctica’s wildlife.
Celebrities have gone beyond giving money to causes that they support. Celebrity activists are out there on the field, using the fame that they have gained from their success in show business or sports to make a difference. There many be those who question or doubt their intentions, but they do make a difference. And the world has been made a little better for their efforts.
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google+
LinkedIn
Email