Archive for the ‘Entertainment’ Category
Packing A Heart Even Bigger Than His Punch
With the same passion he brings to the octagon, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture supports veterans with his Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation
Photo: Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation
Up until a month ago, all I knew about the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting was that 1) “tapping out” was the equivalent of “For the love of Pete…Uncle already!”, 2) there was a suspicious-sounding move called a rear-naked choke, and 3) the one fight I’d “seen” on TV had been spent with my eyes buried in a sofa cushion (I know…lightweight). But upon hearing of a certain athlete’s efforts to support U.S. veterans, and having never featured an MMA fighter on Hugbacker, I couldn’t wait to speak with him. I picked up his book (a great, candidly-written account of his life), got a crash course in UFC 101 by a few friends, and was ready for a chat with Randy “The Natural” Couture about his Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation.
Photo: xtremecouturegifoundation.org
Couture took some time last week to chat with Hugbacker about his foundation, which was formed to “honor the veterans of America’s armed forces” and especially “to raise money and awareness for those wounded in action and their families.”
HB: You were in the military, which must’ve played a role in your wanting to support the troops. But how did the foundation actually start?
RC: I wore the uniform for six years, and although there was no war going on at that time, I obviously learned and experienced a lot, especially in terms of discipline as it translates to fighting and MMA. I also had the opportunity to get involved with some military organizations, and got to visit Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. I saw the wounded soldiers, visited and talked with them. The sacrifices they make are tremendous, and I wanted to address the questions and concerns they have when they come home…like, how are they going to be able to get on their feet? That spawned the idea about raising awareness through a foundation.
HB: How does the foundation go about finding the veterans who need help?
RC: Well, that’s often the challenge. Walter Reed has been helpful in identifying families in need, which has been great. But with patient privacy and other sensitivities, it can be difficult. We just try to reach out with visits and our events to raise as much awareness as possible and also stay aware of opportunities to help out.
Couture and Franklin schooling the troops in MMA
Photo: MMAmania.com
In 2006, Couture and another fighter, Rich Franklin, traveled to Iraq to visit soldiers, escorted by his old unit, the 101st Airborne Division.
HB: What was that trip like for you?
RC: We went to four or five FOBs, [forward operation bases], got to meet a lot of soldiers, put on clinics, seminars, did meet-and-greets. So many of them are UFC fans–they were pretty excited we were there. But even more important, we got to see what they go through every day. They’re over there for us, away from their families. It was an incredible trip.
HB: What are some of the events your foundation has thrown?
Photo: xtremecouturegifoundation.org
RC: We’ve had two poker tournaments. The first was at the Hard Rock, and the most recent one was at the Golden Nugget. Several professional poker players have been extremely supportive and helped us out. We raised almost $40,000–it was fantastic. We also hosted a golf tournament in September that went really, really well. We got a lot of niche support from different MMA organizations for that. One neat thing that happened there was that some disabled vets from the Vietnam era volunteered to step up and work, and they were so appreciative of what we’re trying to do now with the guys coming back from the war. It was such a cool experience to be around them.
HB: Didn’t you also have some kind of paintball event?
Photo: xtremecouturegifoundation.org
RC: Yeah! We did a combat weekend in Mesquite. And it was so interesting because fighting/MMA is kind of this subculture. And so is paintball–it’s very competitive. So we had the experience of seeing these two lifestyles mesh. The G.I. Foundation was a really good fit for their mentality. We raised some money and had a great time.
HB: Any upcoming events?
RC: We’re looking at hopefully doing another poker event in May, here in Vegas. There are other ideas we’re tossing around and are always trying to be creative with it. It’s fun to do these things, and especially fun to be able to give out a big chunk of money.
Vets take part in the Foundation's 5k run in May of 2008
Photo: The Facebook Advertising Guy
Outside of the foundation, the father of three also made a huge show of support to autism awareness this past August, hosting the “Natural Understanding” event in Portland, OR. The event benefited the Autism Socieity of Portland and included a fundraiser right after Couture’s fight against Antoinio Rodrigo Nogueira, as well as a private brunch the next day.
HB: Sounds like you, along with so many others, have been touched by autism.
RC: Definitely. A close family friend of ours has a son with autism. His name is Ladd; he’s a great kid and close friends with my son, Caden. It’s been amazing watching them grow up alongside each other. I just saw Ladd this past weekend. We hung out, took him sledding, had a lot of fun. I’ve seen some of the challenges associated with autism and wanted to help out, so we had the event with dinner, a silent auction, and raised some pretty good money.
With our chat coming to a close, I asked some random questions of the UFC champ.
Slugging it out at UFC 74
Photo: xtremecouturetv.com
HB: Where is one place where you haven’t been that you’d like to go?
RC: Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’ll say China.
HB: I know how committed you are to good nutrition. [Couture leans toward a heavily alkaline-based diet.] But what’s your favorite splurge food?
RC: [Laughing, and with no hesitation.] Chocolate chip cookies.
HB: Favorite music?
RC: I like a lot of different things, but I guess at heart I’m pretty much an ’80’s rock guy.
HB: If you weren’t a fighter and your career could have nothing to do with athletics, what would you do?
RC: I’d probably be teaching German. That was my major. I was originally going to be a high school teacher. [Couture received his degree in German from Oklahoma State University, where he was also an All-American wrestling champ.]
Although the high school teaching gig didn’t quite manifest, it looks like an acting career just might. Couture has a slew of television show and movie appearances to his credit, and can also be seen in an upcoming Sylvester Stallone action flick, The Expendables, due out next summer.
As for fighting, Randy will take to the cage in Las Vegas at UFC 109 with opponent Mark Coleman on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 (Super Bowl Eve). I promised my new friend I would watch the bout–this time with my eyes open.
A big softie out of the octagon
Photo: watchkalibrun.com
Much thanks to Val and Scott at Xtreme Couture for coordinating the interview, as well as to a few people who schooled me on Randy and the UFC: my brother Craig, his wife Loretta, and my all-UFC-knowing pal from Montreal, Danny.
And special thanks to the warm and gracious Mr. Couture for taking time out for a chat, and huge kudos for his awesome efforts in rallying support for our veterans!
By: LBC on December 23rd, 2009, 3 Comments »
Gracing San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral, k.d. Lang Brings It To The Bay
A once-in-a-lifetime experience took place this weekend atop the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco as superstar k.d. Lang delivered a performance benefiting Tools For Peace. Leaving jaws dropped, skin goosebumped, and cheeks tear-stained, the crooner helped celebrate an evening layered with peace, positive vibes, kindness, and a voice that could blow the Ghiberti doors right off the cathedral entrance.
Not that the landmark Grace Cathedral isn’t gorgeous on its own merit for countless reasons–merely walking up the steps of the French Gothic masterpiece earlier that day was enough to get my heart racing. But once inside, racing transitioned to pounding as the familiar, velvety sounds of Lang’s voice traveled down the aisles from the altar as the crooner conducted a sound check. A few minutes later I had the awesome fortune of meeting k.d., whose peaceful aura, humble demeanor and rosy cheeks emitted gobs of good energy and (natch), grace. Read the rest of this entry »
GUY’S BIG HEART: Fieri Takes Charitable Efforts “Outta Bounds”
One might argue that the sushi portion of the menu at Guy Fieri’s restaurant, Tex Wasabi’s, gives a glimpse into the persona of the celeb chef: the man digs rock music, fast cars, and sports. Hence sushi rolls named Dark Side of the Moon, The Carburetor, and The Philly Eagle Roll. But as I discovered upon chatting up the man beneath the retro bowling shirts, backward sunglasses atop trademark spiked blond hair, and menagerie of tattoos, there are more layers to the Food Network star than to the Vidalia onions used in his Beer-Battered Onion Rings.
- Grand Marshal Guy, at the 2007 Santa Rosa Parade
Photo: Press Democrat
Forget Matt Lauer. The real question is, Where in the world is Guy Fieri? Between his duties as host of four Food Network television shows, appearances at a barrage of festivals and events, co-owning five restaurants, being a husband, father, and active leader in his hometown of Santa Rosa, CA, the 41-year-old Fieri, who rose to media fame via his win on the second season of The Next Food Network Star has no shortage of items on his plate, be they grilled, smoked, sauteed, or flash-fried. Lucky for Hugbacker, though, we were able to snag 30 minutes of his time one morning just before he headed out to tape some voice-overs.
HB: So you’re a tad busy these days. What’s it like when you come home in between gigs?
GF: It’s always great, lots of activity. Being on the road half the year, coming home can be like coming into a NASCAR pit. We have the opportunity for so many things, whether requests for donations, autographs, chefs’ coats to sign, requests that come in through the website. And because I think I’m seen as such an everyday guy, I get invited to a tremendous amount of weddings and birthday parties too. It can get a bit crazy, but I always want to at least correspond in some way.
With a young fan last month at the Great American Music & Food Fest in Mountain View, CA
Photo: Fans of Guy Fieri
HB: You’ve got a ton going on in terms of charitable efforts, and from what I’ve learned, you’ve been big into giving back way before the Food Network thing happened. I read somewhere that you’ve been quietly donating to the community for years.
GF: Well you know what? I love it. If I was to the point where I didn’t have to work, philanthropy would be my biggest interest.
HB: You’re way into it, then.
GF: Oh yeah. I was always raised to share with others. That’s just the way my parents were–you help out. We’ve been going to Mexico as a family for years and there’s an orphanage there that my parents have been helping out for a long time. For the past couple of years I’ve been cooking a benefit dinner down there too at a local restaurant; we raised money for the school system. It’s been awesome to be able to help out.
Benefit dinner at Palapa Joe's Restaurant y Bar
Photo: Fans of Guy Fieri
HB: So it came pretty naturally to do so when you went into business?
GF: I moved up here [to Sonoma County] with five thousand dollars, an old car from college and a pregnant wife. We got the first restaurant going [Johnny Garlic's] and one of the first things we did was make a decision to take a charity organization and give them the night. I met with the executive director of Kid Street Theater and invited them to come in and take the place over. We invited some heavy hitters, executives, chairmen, and asked them to donate eight hours of their time to Kid Street. We’re still doing it to this day. We sponsor baseball teams, soccer teams, and do that kind of night at least once a week now, with the organization keeping 25% of the proceeds. We had a middle school cheerleading team go to the national finals. They needed to raise $14,000 in two weeks, so I told them, look, you’ve got a captive audience here. Let’s do some gift baskets, a raffle. These people are here to support you anyway–let’s make it big. People really do want to help.
Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives…and aircraft carriers? In 2007, the Navy flew Fieri to the Persian Gulf to entertain and cook for troops aboard the USS Enterprise. He even ran an Iron Chef-esque competition between some of the ship’s cooks, as well as a chili cook-off for anyone who wanted in.
Stirrin' it up on the USS Enterprise
When the Next Food Network Star contest had wrapped, but the winner hadn’t yet been announced, Fieri got together with a local DJ, Brent Farris, and organized a dinner where Fieri invited some of his fellow contestants to come out and watch the show, with people paying whatever they wanted to attend. A silent auction was added to the mix, and over $25,000 was raised, and then donated to Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Sonoma County which provides support to neglected and abused children.
It only makes sense that the man who seems to have a built-in micro-chip for crafting unique ways to give back, would come up with a totally new twist when it came to creating a vision for his own foundation. The Guy Fieri Foundation for Inspiration and Imagination is in the initial stages, but with projects tending to flourish when Fieri throws his colossal energy and contagious spirit behind them, no doubt it’ll be a Michelin-starred endeavor.
HB: Tell me about your own foundation. How did you go about creating it?
GF: We were all in Mexico–my wife, parents, sister, the whole fam–and I said, I’ve figured out what I want my foundation to be about. I want to focus on inspiration and the imagination. And I know it might throw people because it’s not your traditional-type foundation that would maybe focus on a disability. But lots of young people, even though they might not have a disability, don’t have any inspiration or imagination. Think about all the kids that just sit at home, and they might have an idea brewing or an passion for something, but for whatever reason aren’t able to explore it. Maybe their parents don’t have the interest or the money to encourage them. So that’s what we want to do–create programs to generate opportunities for them, so they can go after it. We want to empower them, get them thinking outside the box. We’ve got big aspirations for it; we want to target NASCAR and get a lot of others involved.
Speaking of NASCAR, Fieri sponsored the Tommy Baldwin Racing car at Indy last weekend. His "Knuckle Sandwich" brand's logo adorns the hood.
Photo: Brickyard 400
HB: You were involved with the inauguration of Cook With Your Kids Day, [as recognized by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this past May]. What was that experience like?
GF: Man, it was amazing, and truly a gateway for the foundation. It’s about letting kids make decisions, having them do something with their enthusiasm. It’s a straight-up initiative now, the second Saturday in May is Cook With Your Kids day. Let’s take it national.
HB: Segueing into kids–yours–how do you and your wife balance all the craziness? Your schedule’s insane. [Fieri and wife Lori have two sons; Hunter, 13, and Ryder, 3.]
GF: Well, let’s see. Okay, my analogy of the whole thing would be to compare it to an engine: both take timing, compression, balance…there’s this whole ballet, if you will. This whole thing has been like a synchronized blessing–one I never could’ve planned.
At "We Garden," the first edible garden at a state capitol. The food will be donated to the Sacramento Food Bank.
Photo: Wyatt Buchanan/SF Chronicle
HB: And you’re passing it on to others, which is what it’s all about.
GF: That’s it, you know? There’s nothing greater than to be able to provide. I’m so fortunate–family, career, the best friends in the world–I might as well do everything I can to perpetuate it. Plant some seeds.
It was an absolute pleasure chatting with the larger-than-life chef, not to mention tons of fun. (Fun? Chatting with Guy Fieri? Go figure…) There’s SO much more that the man has brewing–great stuff involving kids, cooking, his foundation, and more. Check back to keep updated on this philanthropic rockstar’s efforts.
Rockstars of kitchen and stage: Fieri with pal Sammy Hagar
Photo: Wireimage
And how better to end than with a clip from Guy’s hit show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. For those of you who’ve never seen it, we invite you to climb out from under your rock and watch Guy in action as he rolls into town and shakes up a local eatery.
By: LBC on July 28th, 2009, 1 Comment »
Depp Visits London Hospital à la Sparrow to Hang Out With Kids
Stopping in at the hospital where his daughter was treated for kidney failure a little over two years ago, Johnny Depp donned his Captain Jack Sparrow look from Pirates of the Caribbean, trekking through the halls and lighting up the faces of captivated–(hello…understatement)–young patients.
In town to promote his new movie, Public Enemies, the actor surprised children in various wards of Great Ormond Street Hospital on Wednesday, July 1, chatting them up, posing for pictures, making their day–and their stay, no doubt.
Not that it’s the first time Depp has shown up at the hospital since daughter Lily spent nine days there in 2007; he’s manifested as Sparrow before, spending time with unrushed visits and mesmerizing with bedtime stories. Can you imagine how you’d feel as a kid, the infamous swashbuckler perched on the edge of your bed, spouting tales of high-seas adventure? And you just know he used all those mischievous gestures and Sparrow-esque expressions. FUN.
Depp donated nearly $2 million to the hospital last year, (£1 million), out of gratitude for the care of his daughter. Classy pirate.
Mandy Moore: Bitten By One Bug, Ready To Squash Another
Last month, actress/singer Mandy Moore was in Southern Sudan to help launch a massive campaign for malaria prevention, handing out the first of 3 million malaria nets to kick things off. It was Moore’s first visit to Africa, and one that had a profound effect.
“I fell in love with the people and their spirit,” says Moore, who has now become inspired to see much more of Africa by way of her involvement with Population Services International (PSI) and the cause that has touched her heart: stamping out malaria, cholera, and other diseases that plague the continent. “Through [PSI] I’m going to be working on Five & Alive, which is about helping children around the world in impoverished countries to reach the age of five.”
Moore expressed her gratitude for being able to shed light on the cause via her celeb status, stating how she can “…use this platform to raise awareness for things that mean something to me.”
Insecticide-treated nets are the most effective way to prevent transmission of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease which kills more than one million people annually–mainly children in sub-Saharan Africa. Through the bold efforts of organizations like PSI and Malaria No More, as well as the voices of people who embrace the opportunity to not only speak out but to get down and dirty with things, a huge impact can be made on this statistic. Awesome job, Mandy!
By: LBC on June 12th, 2009, No Comments »
Hilary Duff To Bring “Blessings In A Backpack” to NASCAR Event
On June 13th, Hilary Duff will serve as grand marshal for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway, to raise support for USA Harvest’s “Blessings In A Backpack” program.
Blessings In A Backpack does a pretty awesome thing: provides weekend nourishment to public school children in need by sending them home on Fridays with backpacks filled with enough food for six meals. The result? They return to school on Monday, nourished and ready to learn alongside their classmates, increasing the potential for educational success. The program started with a mere three elementary schools in Kentucky; today it serves over 50 schools across the nation, and has now extended into Canada. Woo-hoo!
Through her work with USA Harvest, Duff donated two million meals to Hurricane Katrina relief. This special gal is also involved in a variety of other philanthropic causes, including Kids With a Cause, which supports kids experiencing poverty, neglect, abuse, and other challenges; the Armed Forces Foundation which works with military families, and Return To Freedom, a group dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America’s wild horses.
Duff with a student from Roberto Clemente Elementary in NYC
On June 13th, Duff and 24 Gallatin County students will participate in fun pre-race activities at the NASCAR event, before delivering the command for 43 drivers to start their engines. First place finishers? The kids, of course!
By: LBC on May 30th, 2009, No Comments »
Bullock Honored By High School In New Orleans
Actress Sandra Bullock was honored last Friday by a New Orleans high school–inducted into their Hall of Fame, actually–for her generous donation toward the school’s rebuilding efforts. Warren Easton Senior High took a huge beating by Hurricane Katrina in ‘05, incurring nearly $10 million in damages for almost 10 feet of floodwater. Bullock swooped in for support.
The under-the-radar philanthropic force, whom Glamour magazine fittingly dubbed “The Undercover Activist” in an 2006 article, took the podium to a 300-person standing-O crowd in the school’s auditorium last Friday, May 15th. In true Sandy B. credit-shirking style, she said, “I just write the checks.” She then added that she simply “rides the coattails of people who do amazing things,” but also called it “the best investment I ever made.”
Bullock, who lives in Austin, TX, has visited the school many times since Katrina slammed New Orleans. During that time she was also something of a regular fixture at the Austin convention center, assisting with food, clothing, and shelter for evacuees. The donation to Warren Easton helped to fund scholarships and auditorium renovations, as well as to buy new band uniforms. The latter was especially important to Bullock because of the city’s rich music history. “It’s not just reading, writing and arithmetic,” she said. “Where’s the joy in life? In New Orleans, it’s in music.”
Bullock with hubby Jesse James at a Dallas Stars vs. L.A. Kings game
After 9/11, Bullock wrote a million-dollar check to the American Red Cross to help attack victims, and yet another (yep, million-dollar check) to the Red Cross for relief efforts in Asia after the ‘04 tsunami. She also financially backed creation of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, named for the former Texas governor who died of esophageal cancer in 1995, and whom Bullock idolized. “She was an awesome broad–that’s like the highest compliment.”
Although immensely active in charity work over the past few years, Bullock’s film career is still at full throttle. “The Proposal” with Ryan Reynolds comes out next month, followed by “All About Steve” in September, costarring Thomas Haden Church and Bradley Cooper. Currently, Bullock is in Atlanta filming “The Blind Side” with Tim McGraw, which depicts the story of NFLer Michael Oher, set to release in November.
Also an entrepreneur, Bullock owns Bess Bistro in Austin, as well as Walton’s Florist & Nursery, and just last Friday opened a modern version of a general store called Walton’s Fancy & Staple in a pre-1900’s renovated building, targeting the downtown Austin biz crowd. (Not that she could be present for the grand opening; coincidentally, it was the same day she accepted the Warren Easton award).
Gotta say, love this gal. I’ve always been a huge fan not only of her work, but of how she carries herself, sets her priorities, and of her obvious passion for embracing life. Her kick-ass efforts for those in need only cap off the package and make her that much more awesome. A true Hugbacker!
By: LBC on May 20th, 2009, No Comments »
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR NHL FOUNDATION PLAYER AWARD
As the annual NHL Awards show approaches–and travels the miles from Toronto to make its debut in Las Vegas– the nominees were announced for the 11th annual Foundation Player Award, given in recognition of a player’s commitment to enriching the lives of people in their community. The three players up for the distinction–and the $25,000 donated by the NHL to the charity of their choice–are Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Kovalev of the Montreal Canadiens, and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Palms Casino Resort will host the show in its superplush Pearl Concert Theater on June 18th, promising to bring the ambiance, energy, and entertainment level of the annual awards show to a whole new glitzy, Vegas-ey level. But onto the important stuff…the nominees!
DUSTIN BROWN, Los Angeles Kings
Photo: Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty
Brown is immensely active in programs that address childhood obesity and the pursuit of an active, healthy lifestyle for kids. He donated $50 for each of his 285 this season to KaBOOM!, a nonprofit whose mission it is to provide places to play for all children within walking distance of their neighborhood. Brown is also a spokesman for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, as well as a staunch supporter of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
ALEX KOVALEV, Montreal Canadiens
Photo: canadienswatch.com
Kovalev established the Kovalev and Friends Foundation for Children, which sends doctors to Russia to perform medical procedures and teach skills to local surgeons. Children in Quebec also benefit from the foundation through summer camps and other programs. Last year Kovalev produced a DVD of hockey tips and training methods, donating 100% of the proceeds-$120,000 to date!–to the Gift of Life Foundation, which provides kids with open heart surgeries.
RICK NASH, Columbus Blue Jackets
Nash created the #61 Club, which encourages students to make healthy choices and rewards them with tickets to Blue Jackets home games for doing so. He donated $100,000 to the Ohio State University Athletic Dept. to endow a student-athlete scholarship, and was a founding donor of the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund. Nash also donates $15,000 annually to Santa’s Silent Helpers, which assists Ohio families, single mothers, and elderly experiencing financial hardship.
Frankly, these off-the-ice activities are only the tip of the iceberg for Brown, Kovalev, and Nash when it comes to giving back; all three contribute WAAAYY more to improving the lives of others than we’ll even attempt to list. Simply put, each is an above-and-beyond rockstar nominee for the NHL Foundation Player Award.
As for the outcome of the award, you KNOW we’ll keep you posted…stay tuned!
By: LBC on May 15th, 2009, No Comments »
PEOPLE Mag and MLB Invite You To Pitch An “Everyday All-Star”
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to do something remarkable for their community? Someone who stands out as a true “All-Star” when it comes to making a difference in the lives of others? If so, step up to the mound and get ready to fire a perfect pitch, cuz PEOPLE magazine and Major League Baseball want to hear about it.
PEOPLE and MLB are teaming up to highlight 30 community superstars (one for each MLB team) in their “All-Star Among Us” campaign. Winners will attend and be honored at the pre-game ceremony of the MLB All-Star game in St. Louis, MO, on July 14th, and one of these awesome individuals will be featured in PEOPLE magazine.
PHOTO: Steve Mcsweeney
It’s simple. Log on to the official web page (click here) and fill out the online entry form, which asks for a photo of your nominee (who must be 16 years or older) accompanied by a 50-words-or-less blurb on why they deserve to be voted a “People All-Star Among Us.” Three finalists per Club will be announced in June, with the final voting taking place online to decide one winner to represent each Club at the game.
The deadline is May 22nd, so head on over to the site and get your vote on. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have someone who shines in your community have their shiny face in a national mag–PEOPLE, no less–the check-out stand dominator!
Get Your Strike On With Jenny and Jim!
Grab your bowling ball, shoes, some friends, the coolest bowling shirt you can find, and get ready to knock down some pins for autism! On Sunday, April 19th, Generation Rescue presents STRIKE OUT AUTISM at participating AMF Bowling Centers…a day of fun on the lanes for the whole family.
Actress and superfierce autism awareness advocate Jenny McCarthy and beau Jim Carrey both proudly serve as board members for Generation Rescue, an international movement of scientists, physicians, and parent-volunteers researching the causes of and treatments for autism. Jenny’s story of her son Evan’s journey through autism can found here.
The Strike Out Autism event will be held at 12 different AMF locations–check out the list of participating centers here. As always, any and every effort that seeks to raise awareness and understanding of autism-related disorders is a WINNER in our book.
By: LBC on April 8th, 2009, No Comments »
ESPRIT GRAND OPENING BENEFITS RICHIE-MADDEN FOUNDATION
PHOTO: John Shearer
Hats off to fun-n-philanthropic couple Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, shown here at the April 2nd grand opening of Esprit Santa Monica. Ten percent of the day’s proceeds were donated to the duo’s Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation. Nicole, currently expecting baby number two, said, “We’re very humbled. Esprit has been around for so long. I was wearing Esprit when I was a kid. It’s just so amazing that someone like Esprit is supporting something that we started.”
The clothing and lifestyle brand of Esprit has always been committed to social responsibility, passionately rallying support for community and environment worldwide since their beginning. Yours truly can vouch, having worked at their San Francisco headquarters for two years right out of college. Good times…great company!
By: LBC on April 3rd, 2009, No Comments »
WYLIE BRINGS PASSION, AWARENESS–AND THE STARS–TO BEST BUDDIES
Though he may be most widely recognized for his stint on season three of The Biggest Loser, Mark Wylie’s lengthiest gig is that as the first–and most tenured–employee of Best Buddies, a Miami-based nonprofit that builds friendships and integrated employment opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities. As Vice President of Talent Relations, Wylie’s enthusiasm, compassion, and special knack for connecting with celebs have him propelling Best Buddies into the spotlight–right where it belongs.
Wylie with Best Buddies supporter Vanessa Hudgens
We first caught wind of the organization when media pal Ken Langdon of Las Vegas’ Heat Communications emailed us last December saying that a Best Buddies chapter had opened its doors in town, fueled by a $1 million donation. The monster sum would allow the chapter to operate all six of the Best Buddies formal programs, which include Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, and Jobs. Founded by Anthony Shriver, son of some serious humanitarian stock, (mom Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics and dad Sargent Shriver was one of the original founders of the Peace Corps), Best Buddies was born out of the desire to recognize, include, and celebrate those with intellectual disabilities by providing friendship as a solution to loneliness and isolation. The group which celebrates is 20th anniversary this year, is a passionate, vibrant, and ground-breaking entity…as is Wylie himself.
HB: How and when did you originally become involved with Best Buddies?
MW: After college I moved to D.C.; Anthony Shriver and I had been friends, and he was starting up Best Buddies at Georgetown. I’m really blessed in that I just kind of fell into working for it. I started as a volunteer, and eventually became the first actual employee.
HB: What makes Best Buddies so special for you…personally?
MW: Growing up I was always the odd kid out, always on the outside looking in. I was overweight and had self-esteem issues. For people with intellectual disabilities it’s very similar. They’re often shut in at home; they may have caretakers or parents, but their only friend may be the TV. So being part of Best Buddies is my way of saying hey, this shouldn’t be. It gives me the opportunity to kind of heal the wounds and pay it forward. It absolutely changed my life. And I want to share that. People with intellectual disabilities can teach us so much. We need to see their beauty–not shun them for their differences.
HB: The Middle School and High School programs really stand out to me…it’s a time when kids can experience a lot of mistreatment by peers.
MW: Exactly. And these programs give students a chance to really run the whole show at their school. It’s like they get to become the CEO of a company. And they’re the future–the ones who need to get in there and plant the seeds, do the fertilizing, and really build something for the generations to come.
Tom Brady and Best Buddies founder Anthony Shriver next to the Best Buddies Audi RS4 Friendship car. (Who's taller?!)
By: LBC on March 26th, 2009, 2 Comments »
ATHLETES & CELEBS STEPPIN’ UP AROUND THE GLOBE
From Nigeria to London, Phoenix to Florida…check out the latest on the exciting charitable endeavors of some of your fave personalities in sports and entertainment. Click on an individual title to see full story.
Amobi Okoye & Pals Head to Nigeria for 2nd Annual “Athletes in Diaspora” Trip
PHOTO: Bob Levey/Getty Images
Liz Hurley Helps “Stamp” Out Domestic Violence
PHOTO: Getty
By: LBC on March 22nd, 2009, No Comments »
CELEBS & PROS FACE OFF IN 35TH ANNUAL LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX
20 drivers, 11 turns, 10 laps, 1.97 miles…
Not everyone (yours truly included) knows the difference between a Formula One car vs. a stock car, drag racing vs. sports car racing, or Brickyard vs. backyard. However…I have been to a Grand Prix (oui, in Monaco!), and can vouch for the excitement factor. The thrill just kinda permeates the air…like a nice strong whiff of Goodyear radials.
What’s even more cool is when the race is for a good cause, which is the case next month at the 35th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Professional racer Alex Tagliani cruises past the palm trees in the 2008 Long Beach Grand Prix
PHOTO: Robert Laberge/Getty North America
The event stretches from April 16th-19th, with the main draw–the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race–on Saturday, April 18th, as pro drivers and the Hollywood set tear through the streets of downtown Long Beach in Scion tCs. Celebs participating in this year’s “longest running street race” include Luke Wilson, Keanu Reeves, Alex Trebek, John Hamm, Tim Daly, Raven Symone, Tyson Beckford, and many others.
On Saturday evening, platinum award-winning band Puddle of Mudd will perform at the Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar concert.
Toyota is generously donating $5,000 to Racing For Kids in the name of each celeb racer, and another $5k to the winner’s charity of choice. Since 1991, Toyota has donated $1.7 million on behalf of the race! Also, People magazine will sponsor the “People Pole Award,” donating $15,000 to the celebrity who wins pole position at the qualifying round the day before the race.
2008 winner Aussie driver Will Power gets sprayed with victory bubbly
PHOTO: Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times
Race admission starts at $42. Shell out a bit more ($125) and get a 3-day pass with upper level reserved grandstand seats. And for the spendier crowd, prices climb to $795 for extra goodies like pit access, hospitality clubs, and other swanky-swank one might expect for the big bucks.
So get your hairpin turn on and head down to SoCal for a weekend of cheering on your fave speedsters and celebs!
