Celebrity For a Cause: Oprah To Teach “Life” Class

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Oprah Winfrey is internationally known as one of the most charitable women in world. That is why it comes as no surprise to many that she will be returning to South Africa this fall to pay a visit to her school, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

The School was opened in 2007 for disadvantaged girls who have demonstrated an ability to learn and grow despite unfortunate circumstances. According to the school’s website, they “support the development of a new generation of dynamic women leaders. By virtue of their unique education, this generation will lead the enduring transformation of their communities and country.”

Oprah will be teaching a class to 12^th grade students called Life101. She hopes that the girls are able to learn basic information about how the world works. Many of the girls are the first in their families to be able to attend school so they are eager to succeed. Since its opening, the school has nearly doubled in size, reaching out to more girls each year.

To learn more about Oprah’s school, visit www.owla.co.za. To shop for other causes visit Uptown Liz.

Company for a Cause: Benefit Bidding Works with Non-Profits to Produce Great Results

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

I’m sure when you think of the word “auction,” the thought of someone rapidly throwing out numbers or a scene of savvy businessmen and their wives bidding hundreds of thousands of dollars comes to mind.  But, what if I told you there’s a company out there that defies your idea of a typical auction and benefits non-profit organizations?  Benefit Bidding does just that and has seen two decades of unparalleled success. 

Owned by Lloyd and Beth Cooper, the Dallas-based company understands the importance of money to non-profit organizations.  Without money, non-profits can’t function, but more importantly, they can’t carry out the mission they were founded upon.

The Benefit Bidding team works hard to ensure this never happens by helping various non-profits to organize auctions that will generate the revenue needed to stay afloat.  Both Lloyd and Mary Cooper are licensed auctioneers and are therefore able to offer consulting expertise and other tools necessary to produce an auction like none you’ve seen before.

Having served as chairs for school events, larger galas, and auctions for people in need, the Coopers stand out from other auctioneer teams because they have experienced auctions from both sides of the fundraiser.  They’ll listen to all concerns and needs and convince guests to open their wallets for a good cause when auction time rolls around.

Benefit Bidding empowers non-profit organizations by providing them the means to spread good in the world.  Through extensive planning, unique fundraising techniques, and solid expertise, Benefit Bidding is sure to provide any non-profit with the ultimate fundraising auction.

I don’t like to think of an old man shouting five hundred words per minute while simultaneously spitting on folks picking their bids, but then again, that’d never happen at an auction put on by Benefit Bidding.  Benefit Bidding provides auctions with a twist – auctions that give back.  And those are the kind of auctions I’ll be attending.

For more information on Benefit Bidding, please click here.

“Like” Benefit Bidding on Facebook here.

Megastore Gives Back: Wal-Mart Donates to New York City’s Youth

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Wal-Mart, the 18^th biggest corporation in the world, is known for its incomparably low prices and massive department and warehouse. To many Americans’ surprise, New York City hasn’t allowed Wal-Mart into its vicinities. The superstore has been trying for years to open shop in New York City with little success, but that could be changing very soon.

Wal-Mart has donated $5 million to New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The program helps provide summer jobs for many of the city’s low-income teenagers. Wal-Mart’s contribution has created the largest amount of jobs that the program has ever seen from single donor.

This isn’t Wal-Mart’s first donation to the city, according to their website, “Referring to the almost $13 million donated to city programs in the last four years alone, Wal-mart’s own Steven Restivo, National Director of Community Affairs, summed it up best by describing the donation as “a continuation of what our foundation has done over the past several years.” Wal-Mart goal for this summer is to create 3,400 jobs that help provide education on career choices, life skills, health and financial literacy.

To learn more about The Wal-Mart Foundation Commitment visit www.walmartnyc.com/summer-giving.

Airline Gives Back: Southwest Goes Above and Beyond (figuratively, too…)

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

We’ve seen the commercials.  We’ve heard the catchy slogans.  We know Southwest Airlines makes the difference.  But just how far does that difference go?  I can tell you it stretches more than the eight-mile journey into the sky for sure.  Try something more along the lines of philanthropy on the ground, and you’ve got a winner.

That’s right, the family-oriented airline understands the value of charity and helps several different organizations across the country, including those affiliated with the military.   With Independence Day having passed, I think it’s important to point out the magnitude of the support Southwest offers those who serve.

The airline recently partnered with Helping a Hero, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing specially adapted homes for qualifying service members in addition to resources for wounded heroes and their families.  It was this newfound alliance that afforded Corporal Zach Briseno of Fort Worth, Texas a brand new home, too.

However, the troop support doesn’t stop there.  Southwest also maintains ties to The Lost Heroes Art Quilt, honoring the memory of those who protect our freedoms, the Armed Forces Foundation, treating wounded service members to a VIP Vegas experience, and the Honor Flight Network, honoring veterans.

To say Southwest Airlines cares for our Armed Forces would be an understatement at best.  The commercials and the catchy slogans prove the company’s hospitality, but they don’t brag on the company’s behalf.  I’ll brag all I want to though…

Southwest is making a difference in the air with passengers and back at home where it counts.  It’s a company that deserves notoriety, and it’s a company that will always get my ticket fare.

Community For a Cause: Houston Comes Together For Orphaned Children

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

In the light of a tragedy it is always refreshing to see a community come together. The tragedy is one that many have found heart breaking and is prompting Houstonians, and even celebrities, to help out.

The Berry family of Houston, Texas was driving home over the 4^th of July holiday weekend from a family vacation when a vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with their van. The wreck left both parents, Joshua and Robin Berry, dead, immediately orphaning their three young children. Peter and Aaron Berry, ages 9 and 8, are paralyzed from the waist down and Willa Berry, age 6, has suffered broken bones.

Houston Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry and Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler paid a visit to the children in Houston at the hospital, giving them autographed goods and lifting their spirits. Hollywood seems to have caught on as well;  Kourtney Kardashian and Kelly Ripa both tweeted about the horrific accident encouraging fans to make a donation.

Many Houston restaurants and stores have come together to host fundraisers and auctions for the Berry Family Trust. Friends of the family have already raised $30,000 by selling baked goods and lemonade around the city to help the family and boys who will have special needs for the rest of their lives. The aunt and uncle of the children, Matt and Simone Berry, have been named the legal guardians.

To make a donation to the Berry family visit www.theberrychildren.org.

Celebrity Gives Back: Bethenny Frankel Uses Fame for Good

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Let me just start off by saying I am a huge Bethenny Frankel, Real Housewives of New York City, and Bravo TV fan.  That said, I’ve watched Bethenny since her beginning days as a member on the ever-popular Real Housewives of NYC, and I’ve seen the overwhelming success she’s created for herself since then.

For those who unfortunately don’t know who Bethenny is, you should know she’s not the stereotypical reality TV housewife consumed by shallow drama and plastic surgery.  In fact, she’s the complete opposite.  Bethenny was always one of my favorites during her time on RHONY simply because she was different from the others; she works hard for what she has, has her priorities in line, and uses her celebrity status to benefit others.

As a best-selling author, the creator of Skinnygirl Cocktails, and a dedicated wife and mother, Bethenny still somehow manages to find time to be charitable.  Each month, Bethenny hosts “Charity-A-Month: Bethenny Gives Back” in an effort to raise money for various causes.  Different items are auctioned off, Bethenny matches the highest bidder’s donation, and 100% of the proceeds are given to that month’s chosen charity or cause.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America was June’s beneficiary, but others like the ASPCA and the Prostate Cancer Research Institute have benefitted recently from the auctions as well.

There’s no doubt Bethenny Frankel has made quite the name for herself, but it’s a unique name because it represents her kind heart, determined spirit, and compassionate attitude.  Yes, Bethenny was a real housewife of New York City for a time, but she’s so much more than that, too. 

If I were to ever become a celebrity, it would be her that I would aim to be like – after all, there’s nothing better than those who recognize their talents and use them for the greater good.  So, cheers to you, Bethenny.  You deserve it.

To learn more about Bethenny and what she’s up to, click here.

Be sure to check here for information on future auctions, too!

Celebrity For a Cause: Ricky Martin Helps Fight for Children’s Rights

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Ricky Martin is more than just a Grammy-winning singer/songwriter. He has been internationally honored for his humanitarian work and work against human trafficking. The Puerto Rican native created the Ricky Martin Foundation in 2000.

According to their website, the Foundation “advocates for the well being of children around the globe in critical areas such as social justice, education and health. Our principal project, People for Children, condemns child exploitation as a consequence of human trafficking and modern day slavery.” Ricky will be expanding his efforts by opening a Child Development and Prevention Center in Puerto Rico.

The center will allow children to receive the support and encouragement that they will need to achieve goals later in life.  The children will be taught values such as music, art and sports. It will be in the city of Loiza but Ricky hopes that they will eventually be able to expand across the country and on to others. The center will cost $4 million to build and is set to open in 2012.

To learn more about the Ricky Martin Foundation or to donate, visit www.rickymartinfoundation.org.

To shop for other causes visit Uptown Liz.