Tag: Fundraisers

The First Midsummer Party for the Elton John AIDS Foundation Raises $6 Million

The Elton John AIDS Foundation had a huge win last week during its first midsummer party to raise money for HIV/AIDS research.

The event, held on July 24, 2019, was held at Johnny Pigozzi’s Villa Dorane and was hosted by Sir Elton John himself along with David Furnish. Guests for the night included Joan Collins, Chris Martin, Dr. Sandra Lee, Taron Egerton, and many more.

The evening included a cocktail reception, dinner, and live music as well as a live auction of unique and luxurious items and experiences, including the first edition of the new Bentley, a beautiful Yamaha piano used in the Rocketman film and autographed by Sir Elton John and Taron Egerton, a custom Gucci jacket worn by Taron in Rocketman and tickets to see Elton’s farewell tour, and a trip to Los Angeles on American Airlines to attend the foundation’s 2020 Academy Awards Viewing Party and stay at the new H Club.

All in all, the event was able to raise $6 million (€5.5 Million) for the important cause! “It’s because of the consistent support and kindness of so many people in this room that we are able to commit the Elton John AIDS Foundation to real partnerships with world leaders that can make a future without AIDS,” Sir Elton John shared at the event. Of course, Elton has been involved in the HIV/AIDS movement for many years now, and it’s great to see him and his foundation continue to make a great impact.

Girl Opens Her Own Cupcake Stand to Raise Money for the Homeless

BentLee Martinez is another example of a great kid who saw a problem in her community and worked to do something about it!

Riding home from a family vacation, BentLee noticed several homeless people in a deserted area in downtown Boise. It broke the nine-year-old’s heart. So her mom, Stephanie Ford, asked her children what they should do to help. The kids offered up the suggestion of going to McDonald’s to get them some food.

The family bought 50 cheeseburgers to feed the homeless people and talked with them. But BentLee was already thinking of how she could help long-term. She had previously planned to start a cupcake stand to raise money for a family vacation to Disney World. Instead, she revamped that idea to raise money for the homeless in her community!

In the two months since she opened “Bam’s Bakery,” BentLee raised $800. Each week, she and Stephanie go shopping for toiletries, bottled water, clothing and juice boxes to help where they can.

In addition, Stephanie reached out to local social workers for support of an elderly couple who were not only homeless, but were badly injured. Not only were they able to get medical care, the social workers were able to find them a home. And it started with BentLee’s generous heart. “”I am pretty proud of her,” Stephanie shared with Inside Edition. “She is definitely an inspiration. It’s really weird to say, but she’s only 9 years old and she’s my role model.”

You can help contribute to BentLee’s cause on Facebook!

Aspiring Eagle Scout Raises $10,000 For Foster Care Kids

A teen out in Missouri recently used his project to become an Eagle Scout to help out kids in the foster care system in a great way!

To earn a spot as an Eagle Scout, you have to create this in-depth project showcasing your leadership skills. So 15-year-old Malachi Saint decided to use his to give back. He made plans to raise money for the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA),  setting a big goal of $10,000. However, he had to get his idea approved by the Eagle Board of Review before moving forward.

Though the board was hesitant at first, they eventually agreed after seeing just how much this project meant to Malachi. See, Malachi himself grew up in the foster care system, and wanted to help other kids going through it. His project to becoming an Eagle Scout opened that door of opportunity for him.  “I feel like my whole life I’ve wanted people to have better than I’ve had,” he said in an interview.

Malachi has reportedly already passed his goal and was working on getting even more money raised! All donations are going towards CMFCAA’s Begin Again Backpack program, which provides kids who are transitioning in and out of foster care with backpacks filled with basic needs like clothes and school supplies. “Because of his experience and strength he was able to connect with others from the same situation,” DeAnna Alonso, President and CEO of CMFCAA, said of this amazing teen. “Malachi is a true child advocate and his genuine desire to be a conduit for hope is contagious.”

I’m telling you, these kids out here are incredible. They see problems or issues in their communities, and, instead of just talking about it, they decide to go out here and try to help how they can. Great job Malachi!

Oprah, Beyoncé,and More Celebs Help Raise Over $44 Million for Hurricane Relief

Talk about using star power to make a difference! A multitude of celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Stephen Colbert, and so many more came together last night (Sept. 12) to raise money for hurricane relief.

With Hurricanes Harvey and Irma both having massive devastation to not only parts of America but also in the Caribbean as well, relief efforts have sprouted all over to work towards rebuilding. A lot of big names came out for the Hand In Hand telethon, helping to raise over $44 MILLION for those affected by the hurricanes!

Throughout the night, celebs like Justin Bieber, Kerry Washington, Jamie Foxx, Reese Witherspoon, Dwayne Johnson, and so many more hit the phones and the TV screen to encourage people to donate to the cause. Stevie Wonder, Usher, and Blake Shelton, among others, also performed at the hour-long event.

Watch behind the scenes action below!

 

In addition to others, it was shared during the event that big names and companies had made pretty big donations to help. Apple donated $5 million, Albertsons Cos. and Merck each gave $1 million, and the NBA Players Association, which already donated $500,000, also stated that they would match any professional basketball player’s donation up to $20,000. All proceeds are going directly to charities directly working towards this hurricane relief including the Rebuild Texas Fund, ASPCA, Best Friends, Direct Relief, Feeding Texas, Feeding Florida, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, and United Way.

Amazed at all of the good that was done in just one hour! Of course, this doesn’t erase the damage and the loss that so many have endured in this terrible time, but hopefully it gives them hope and encouragement, as well as a starting place for rebuilding. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those affected.

 

Britney Spears Raises $1 Million for the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation

Britney Spears is giving back in a major way for a cause near and dear to her heart!

The pop icon raised $1 MILLION with donations from her “Piece of Me” show ticket sales, all to be donated to the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. Using the funds, the foundation is opening up its Britney Spears Campus,  a 16,000 square-foot facility which will offer over 45 pediatric and adult services, this fall.

“There are many things I’ve done in my career that I am proud of, but none more than this,” Britney revealed in a statement. “The fact that I was able to use my celebrity status to raise the money to build this incredible facility to help sick children and their families when they need it the most not only brings many tears to my eyes, but really brings tremendous meaning to this amazing journey that I have been on.”

Britney’s own Aunt Sandra passed away from cancer, so she knows firsthand the effects that this disease has on not only those who are battling it, but also their families. “I’m just glad that I can help in some small way. I want to thank the NCCF for the amazing work they do on a daily basis and I look forward to being there to officially open the Britney Spears Campus of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation in the fall,” the statement continued.

NCCF currently helps over 400 pediatric patients, survivors and their families in southern Nevada. Once it moves into this new building, the foundation’s healing arts services program, The Caring Place, will double in size and offer extended service hours.

It’s awesome that Britney used her major platform to be able to give back to NCCF. She’s definitely no stranger in giving back, but it’s always nice to read of what all she and other celebs are doing to help causes in this country and in the world!

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