Celeb scandals abound. But you rarely hear about celebs’ good deeds. Read about 4 charitable FOF stars, and then vote on which one has the biggest heart.
Oprah Winfrey
Her good deeds:
-In 2005, Oprah gave $50 million to the Oprah Winfrey Foundation in Chicago to support education and other programs for women and children in the United States and abroad.
–Oprah’s Angel Network, which she launched in 1997, has raised more than $80 million and touched lives in more than 30 countries around the world. Oprah personally covered all administrative costs associated with the charity, so all funds raised could help others. Among other accomplishments, Oprah’s Angel Network worked with Free The Children to build more than 55 schools in 12 countries, providing education for thousands of children in rural areas. The network provided more than $1 million worth of school supplies for 18,000 impoverished South African children and helped more than 1,000 New Orleans families get back on their feet after Katrina.
-In 2007, Oprah invested $40 million and her own time establishing the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The school originally enrolled 150 pupils and has state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs, a library, theater and beauty salon. Oprah teaches a class at the school via satellite. “For many years, people always asked me why didn’t I have children?… Now I know why I didn’t have children,” Oprah said in an interview with CNN. “Because I have all of these daughters…These girls are a reflection of me, and I’m 100 percent certain that this school will produce the leaders of tomorrow.”
-Oprah’s lifetime charitable donations estimate: $303 million
Martha Stewart
Her good deeds:
-While serving time in jail, Martha Stewart, an animal lover, created a video on behalf of fur-bearing animals after being approached by PETA. “I used to wear real fur, but, like many others, I had a change of heart when I learned what actually happens to the animals,” said Martha in the video.
-In 2006, she gave $5 million to New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital for a center on healthy aging. Martha said the donation was inspired by the death of her mother, Martha Kostyra. “About a year after she died,” said Stewart in an interview with ABC NEWS/Nightline, “I was cleaning my shelf where I keep my pocketbooks. And I remember being handed this brown pocketbook. I looked inside, and written in gold inside was a beautiful message from my mother telling me how proud she was of my accomplishments. I’d never seen it before. I’d never thanked her.”
Rosie O’Donnell
Her good deeds:
-In 1997, Rosie O’Donnell used the $3 million advance from her memoir to found her organization “For All Kids.” Since it’s inception, the foundation has awarded more than $22 million in early childhood care and education program grants to over 900 nonprofit organizations. The opening of The Children’s Plaza and Family Center in Renaissance Village, a FEMA trailer park in Louisiana, was another initiative of Rosie’s foundation.
-Listerine donated more than $350,000 for charity on behalf of Rosie’s “Unkissable” campaign. Every time a guest on Rosie’s show would kiss her, Listerine execs would donate $1,000 to charity.
-In 2003, Rosie founded “Rosie’s Broadway Kids,” (Now “Rosie’s Theater Kids”), an organization dedicated to providing free music and dance instruction to New York City public schools or students. She donated all profits made from her 2007 book, Celebrity Detox, to the cause. The organization serves more than 4,500 teachers, students and their family members at 21 schools.
-Rosie’s lifetime charitable donations estimate: $100 million
Barbra Streisand
Her good deeds:
-Through her live performances, Barbra has raised and donated $25 million to different organizations.
-Barbra has donated more than $11 million to her charity, The Streisand Foundation to benefit the environment, women’s issues, nuclear disarmament, civil rights, AIDS research and advocacy.
-In 2006, she donated $1 million to the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation to support former President Clinton’s climate change initiative.
-In 2008, she gave $5 million to fund the Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Women’s Heart Center.
-Barbra sold 526 items at Julien’s Auctions in October 2009. Items included a costume from Funny Lady, a vintage dental cabinet she bought at 18 years old and a painting by Kees van Dongen. She donated the $573k in proceeds to her foundation.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Images via The Telegraph, Martha Stewart, Broadway World and Life
0 Responses to “{Poll} Vote for the most generous FOF celeb!”
Kailyn says:
OK those poor girls at Oprahs school were being molested at one point. Not that it has anything to do with Oprah, but I never understood why people would give so much and never check up on what their funding. My vote still goes to Oprah because she always giving! Oprah christmas, Oprah Schools, Oprah commencement speaker, Oprah Charities, Oprah, Oprah, Oprah!… She’s the international symbol of Giving!
chinnamma says:
Oprah has a heart of gold & she loves children . she is the best compassionate person in my book. I love you Oprah.*****
Valerie Clark says:
Funny I would pick Martha Steward because I was never very happy with the public icons debacle that ended her in jail. The reason I think she is so generous is not because of the money she has given but for her efforts while incarcerated. Rather than looking at herself and her situation she proceeded to make the video for the animals. She is totally admirable in my book.
Faith says:
I believe all of these women have given great amounts to great causes. I don’t always agree w/Oprah but I believe she has a real heart for the downtrodden. I’d have to go with her.
Cynthia says:
Rosie O’Donnell has given the highest of her personal percentage AND done it quietly. Those who give what looks like a whopping amount, but doesn’t affect their bottom line aren’t generous, merely dutiful.
Hedy Audette says:
Rosie has always been there for children and she is so genuine. She is a winner in my book…..Oprah always lets us know what she has done. She should be helping the people here instead of other countries……
mollie says:
Oprah has a warm heart..she is always reaching to help others
Mollie says:
Oprah is a loving person who puts her heart worldwide to others
Nancy says:
NOT Oprah,
She has an agenda that would scare most
middle Americans. And most low income Americans,and most wealthy Americans.
She is a scary woman.
I get my information from the top.
Joan Redzinski says:
I don’t think anyone can come close to Opah, she is definetly the most giving person around.
MaryMates says:
Has lived longer and I feel she has been very generous to the causes she believes in.She’s number 1 for me.
Deborah Truss says:
Oprah has a heart of gold & puts her $ where her mouth is. Hands down she’s the best in my book.