Students for a Cause: Texas A&M supports wildfire relief

Written by Marketing Intern Candace Nixon

Wildfires have been blazing through Texas this year destroying thousands of homes and taking many lives. The loss suffered by Texans everywhere has been catastrophic.  The fires have demolished farmer’s crops, engulfed entire towns, and left residents feeling powerless.

Texas A&M is probably best known for its strong sense of Aggie tradition and active student involvement.  One of the common traditions includes the “Maroon Out” game, where all Aggie fans wear maroon, virtually transforming their stadium.  This idea has crossed over a few times in Aggie history in order to show support to other cause. 

Only 10 days after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Aggies showed their support by designing and wearing red, white and blue “Standing for America” shirts to their September 22 football game.  This sounds like a feat any student body could handle, but the Aggies took it a step further. Not only did they quickly coordinate the shirt design and sales, but also perfectly coordinated these colors to the three different decks of their nationally famous football stadium, Kyle Field.  Approximately $180,000 was raised for the New York Fire and Police relief funds.

A&M altered this tradition again to support wildfire relief on their October 15, 2011 football game with “towel-out, white-out”.  The Aggie fans wore white and waved maroon towels throughout the game.  PepsiCo donated 10,000 towels to be sold with the proceeds donated to the American Red Cross of Texas and the Texas Volunteer Firefighters.   The event raised over $30,000.

To learn more about what you can do to support the wildfire relief, visit http://txwildfirerelief.org/

Wilton School Kids Give Back to the Community

Written by Marketing Intern Victoria Hanson

Learning from a young age to appreciate those around you and to appreciate what you have is very important.  Giving back to those you benefit from is equally important.

For the kids at Wilton Schools in Connecticut, they understand the importance of their school teachers, and what the community offers.  In response, they wanted to give back and strengthen their community.  Through establishing Bottle Up! for Wilton Schools, students gather recyclables, take them to a recycling plant and donate the proceeds.

As superintendent Dr. Gary Richards says, “These six students had a vision for their project and they worked had to make their vision a reality.  Their commitment speaks to their concern for our world and a belief in the importance of giving back to their community.  At a very early age, they have learned about the value of protecting our environment while also supporting our schools.

Students gather bottles, cans, and other recyclables all year long through the Wilton Go Green Festival and other events.  They learn about helping our planet, about giving back, about volunteering and about managing a bank account to store the collected money throughout the year.

The next step for these students was making presentations to other community organizations in hopes of expanding their cause.  Successfully, the Wilton Education Foundation has adopted the fundraiser and is working with administrators in establishing the program through Wilton’s others schools.  

Although Wilton school kids value volunteer work, and got involved early on, their message can benefit anyone:  Giving back not only strengthens the community, but benefits its members as well.  

Justin Bieber Gives Back through Christmas Album

 Written by Marketing Intern Alejandra Quinones

Justin Bieber’s latest album will be a first. Not only is it his first Christmas album, but it will be one of the first albums that Universal (Music) will allow to give back to charity. The album will be released on November 1st and will benefit two of the musicians favorite charities Pencils for Promise and The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Children up to the age of 18 qualify, and the organization is devoted to granting these wishes no matter how outlandish they are. Not only has the pop-sensation donated money, he has also granted some wishes by visiting patients.

 Pencils for Promise is a non-profit organization devoted to building schools for under privileged children in developing countries. They do this by visiting communities that want to have schools, because when a community wants the education, they will sustain it for generations to come. After finding such communities, the organization gives them the materials to build a school and what they need to sustain it. Pencils for Promise wants to “put a pencil in the hand of every child” to empower them to leave a positive mark on the world. As Bieber would say, it’s an organization that “never says never.”

 Aside from the fact that the album gives back, it features some of Biebers favorite musicians. “I love Boyz II Men’s Christmas album, I love Mariah Carey’s Christmas album, and luckily enough, I got them both on my album. I wanted to make a Christmas album that everyone would remember. Those are albums that people remember, so to have them be able to collaborate with me was incredible” said Bieber in a recent interview done by MTV.

Halloween Festivities Give Back

Written by Marketing Intern Victoria Hanson

With Halloween quickly approaching, what better way to celebrate than by giving back?  With an array of ways to be charitable this holiday season, there is something for everyone.  From a virtual costume party, to trick-or-treating for a cause, each aspect of Halloween can benefit those in need.

When purchasing a costume, proceeds from transactions at the Goodwill or Salvation Army will directly support community programs.  Once you have a customer, you can attend a virtual costume party.  At UNICEF’s virtual costume party, a person can donate to UNICEF by posting pictures of their costume to the UNICEF site and sharing it on social networks.    

Once a costume is chosen and it is time for trick-or-treating, remember to gather candy for yourself and for others.  Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was started over sixty years ago and helps children around the globe through participants collecting coins for the cause.  Through the small orange box, children can both trick-or-treat for themselves and trick-or-treat for children throughout the world.  Not only can children collect coins, but the charitable box contains a Microsoft Tag where donations can be made through a smart phone.  If collecting money is not your niche, collecting glasses works as  well.  OneSight, an organization for the visually impaired is asking trick-or-treat goers to gather prescription eyeglasses and non-prescription sunglasses to send to developing countries.  

When buying Halloween candy, there is also a way to ensure you are benefitting the community.  Buying Fair Trade Candy ensures that candy manufactures treat their workers fairly, and under just working conditions. After you have collected your candy, there are still direct ways to give back.  Operation Shoebox, sends extra candy to those oversees.  From finding a costume, to trick-or-treating, every aspect of Halloween offers ways to benefit the community.

To find products that give back year around please visit Uptown Liz.

Ready, Set, Awareness! Danica Patrick Vs. Patty Loveless for COPD Awareness

Written by Marketing Intern Alejandra Quinones

DRIVE4COPD has kicked off a high-profile social media competition led by DRIVE4COPD celebrity ambassadors, NASCAR racer Danica Patrick and Grammy Award-winning country singer, Patty Loveless. The purpose of the race is to see who can get the most people screened for risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the two weeks leading up to the Great American Screen Off on November 4, 2011.

It is a two week social media contest where Patrick will represent NASCAR and Loveless will be the head of the Country Music Association (CMA). DRIVE4COPD is the Official Health Initiative of NASCAR and CMA is a DRIVE4COPD partner, and they are coming together as rivals to bring awareness to this fast growing disease. Using social media (Twitter, e-mails to fans, Facebook), each team will encourage fans and followers to take the screener, share it to their loved ones and educate others about COPD.

COPD is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It cannot be cured but there are treatments that can tame the symptoms. Many people aren’t aware they have COPD, but it affects an estimated 24 million Americans, killing more people in the U.S. each year than breast cancer and diabetes combined. It is the only major leading cause of death that is on the rise, but as many as half of those that are diagnosed don’t know they have it. It is recommended that people age 35+ log onto DRIVE4COPD.COM to take a five-question screener. The test will determine their risk for the disease and it is encouraged to share your results with their healthcare professional.

The competition is part of a series of activities taking place to heighten the awareness of COPD, and will culminate on November 4th, 2011, the day of the Second Annual Great American Screen Off, which is the largest single day dedicated to screening for risk and raising awareness of COPD.

Help bring awareness to this disease by racing for awareness, go to http://www.drive4copd.com/ to take the screener and support the health of everyone.

Celebrities for a Cause: Dirk Nowitzki helps sick children

Written by Marketing Intern Candace Nixon

Dirk Nowitzki, star of the Dallas Mavericks, is more than your ordinary athlete.  As the 7 ft, 245 lb power position on the team, he owns multiple Mavericks franchise records, including three-point field goals, free throws, rebounds, and points in a single game.  The star has led the Mavericks to 11 consecutive NBA playoffs including the franchise’s first championship in 2011. The list continues with his athletic awards, but what makes Dirk unique is his super-star sized heart.

Dirk is known for being softhearted.  He is featured on Ashton Kutcher’s show, Punk’d where a kid continuously badgers him throughout his dinner.  He ends up autographing a trash bag full of articles, including baseballs, wrestling belts, and a Lebron James jersey. Dirk never lost his temper, a rare occurrence for the show designed to make celebrities crack.

In October of 2001, the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation began in Austin, Texas.  Their mission is to help provide education, health and well being for children around the world.  More specifically, Dirk focuses on helping kids who are sick or terminally ill.  He visits hospitals and spends half an hour with each child who wishes to see him.  He has worked with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and is a Big Brother with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation.  He also donates $100 for each three-pointer he makes to Jonathan’s Place, an emergency shelter in Dallas.

Click any of the above links to learn more about how you can help make a difference.

Bon Jovi Gives Back through Opening a Charitable New Jersey Restaurant

Written by Marketing Intern Victoria Hanson


Bon Jovi, famous American musician, decided to open a new type of restaurant. With one in six Americans going to bed hungry every night, Bon Jovi wanted to do something about it.
         
At first, he and his wife, Dorothea Bongiovi, volunteered at a food pantry near Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. However, the couple then decided to volunteer at the Lunch Break Program that feeds about 80 to 120 people daily. 
            
When Dorothea and Bon Jovi decided to do something different, they transformed a former auto body shop into “Soul Kitchen,” a pay-what-you-can restaurant.  Their restaurant serves quality food, while protecting the dignity of the diners.
            
With no prices on the menu, a person can decided how they want to pay for their food.  A person can not only leave money in an envelope, as what they see fit, or what they can afford, but they can work for their meal.  Diners can work with nearby charitable organizations, or they can work at the restaurant by bussing tables, doing dishes or working as a sous chef. 
            
By allowing a person to exchange volunteer work for a meal, Bon Jovi and his wife not only help the community, but ensure volunteer work is reciprocated back.  Although Bon Jovi opened the restaurant, he is still dedicated to helping others. A least once a week for the past few months, he works in the restaurant, showing the importance of everyone helping the community.


For more information about Uptown Liz, a company that contributes to multiple charitable causes, please visit http://www.uptownliz.com/Home.aspx.

Celebrities for a Cause: Cast of hit show ‘Mad Men’ give back to UCLA Rape Treatment Center

Written by Marketing Intern Alejandra Quinones

Last week was a busy week for the cast and creators of the Emmy winning show Mad Men. Not only did they take home an Emmy for Best Drama Series, they hosted the annual UCLA Rape Treatment Center fundraiser on Sunday, September 25.

The Santa Monica based treatment center is part of the UCLA Medical Center. It is exemplar in its field for providing treatment and helpful education for victims of sexual assault as well as prevention programs. It also provides a multitude of services for victims of rape or sexual assault. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have received numerous awards for their work.

According to RTC head Gail Abarbanel, rape is still one of the most underrated crimes in the country. The RTC encourage an open dialogue about rape to shed light on the severity of it, the treatments there are available and how to prevent it from happening. TV has helped in this cause specifically.

Mad Men is a spectacular example of how TV shows shed light on sexual assault. Taking place in the 1960’s at an Advertising Agency, the show has no shame in displaying the gender inequalities of the time.  Though it takes place approximately 50 years ago, it demonstrates how far we have come as a society in fighting this problem, and how far we have to go.

The gala brunch was successful in raising funds for the Rape Treatment Center, with creator of ‘Mad Men’ Matthew Weiner and stars Jon Hamm, Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss there to host and witness.

If you would like to know more about the services the UCLA Rape Treatment Center  offers, visit  http://www.911rape.org/home.

Celebrities Give Back: Will & Jada Smith Fundraise for Charity Water

Written by Marketing Intern Candace Nixon

One and eight people in the world do not have clean drinking water. In many developing nations it is not strange for a person to dig with their children in sand for water, line up at a well for eight hours to have a turn, and carry 80 pounds of water in yellow fuel cans for five miles. 

Founder of Charity Water, Scott Harrison, began an organization that can help change the water crisis. Charity Water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.  100% of the donations go directly towards the water projects.

Through the Charity Water website, you have the opportunity to raise money through donations. A common donation method is the birthday donations.  With this method, people create a fundraising page where, instead of receiving gifts for their birthday, they receive donations for Charity Water. These donations go towards the process of creating clean water in many ways, such as; digging freshwater wells, purchasing drilling trucks, and building rainwater catchments and sand filters.

Will and Jada Smith have raised more than $100,000 for clean water. Now, they are asking for the public’s help.  For the past year, Will and Jada have inspired their fans to start their own fundraising campaigns to bring clean water to people in need through Will & Jada’s Birthday Contest.  They are taking the top three fundraisers on a trip to Africa. In this contest, over $105,000 has been raised with four, 110 birthdays pledged toward the cause.

To learn more about Charity Water and what YOU can do to change the water crisis, please visit:

http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/

ASU Student Athletes Learning to Give Back Together

Written by Marketing Intern Victoria Hanson

Each year freshman athletes from Arizona State University give back to the community by volunteering at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure through setting up and working a water station for participants. 

Natalie Burgess, a former ASU diver, not only organizes the event but thinks it is a powerful way to teach the young athletes the values ASU hold for its students. She says, “It’s a good event for them because not only are we giving back to the community, but also because it’s important for them to realize there are people suffering and to be appreciative.”

“We’ve had students in the past who are really connected to it, and it’s a good thing for the community,” says Sophia Sledge, academic coach for the women’s soccer and men’s track and field teams. “When it first starts you only see ten or twenty people at a time, but when it starts to get super full they start to understand the impact,” Sledge continues. 

The athletes not only see their work impact the community, but impact those they know. Senior Hayley Parsons, has a family member who directly struggled and overcame her fight with breast cancer, and teammates Deja Mann and Joy Burke are connected to the cause as well.

To find more information on breast cancer and how you can help, please visit http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

Hollywood Stars Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month Through New Film “FIVE”

Written by Marketing Intern Alejandra Quinones


“Direct your power. YOU have the power to stop breast cancer” is the slogan of the new Lifetime Original film “Five”.  Since 1994, Lifetime Television has been promoting awareness and activism around the issue of breast cancer. They have been dedicated to informing their viewers of the severity of breast cancer, and this year is no different. On October 10th, they presented the film “Five”, an anthology of five interrelated stories that depicts the effects breast cancer can have not only on the victim, but on everyone in their life as well.


The film has top tier talent both in front of and behind the camera. Jennifer Aniston, Patty Jenkins, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore and Penelope Spheeris each directed one of the films. The cast of the film has some acclaimed actors that include, Patricia Clarkson, Rosario Dawson and Jeanne Tripplehorn. The producers of the film include Aniston and Kristin Hahn, Marta Kauffman and Paula Wagner.


The films’ inception began when Susan G. Komen for the Cure approached producer Kristin Hahn with the idea of a story that mixes the tragedy of breast cancer with the humor of life. The idea is to inform how tragic this cancer is, and to inspire hope that we have the power to find a cure. From there, the production team gathered writers to brainstorm ideas and decided the story would be most effective it was split into segments. Lifetime found the film so appealing, they signed on to it as soon as possible.


The film has garnered positive reviews, all saying that though the subject matter is wrenching, the tone is not only an emotional uplift, but a reminder that everyone has the power to support finding a cure.


“Five” will be playing on Lifetime all through Breast Cancer Awareness month, but if you miss it, you can also be catch it online at mylifetime.com

Celebrities Give Back: George Clooney and Ocean’s 11 cast members founded “Not On Our Watch”

 Written by Marketing Intern Candace Nixon


George Clooney is best known for his charming character in movies rather than his commitment to a number of charitable causes. Clooney’s most personal charity work might be Not On Our Watch, which he founded with his Ocean’s 11 co-stars Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt, as well as producers Jerry Weintraub and David Pressman.


Their mission is to stop mass atrocities and give a voice to their victims.  This charity has raised millions to generate lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized and displaced. Clooney has been remarkably hands-on with this charity, traveling all the way to Africa to personally visit with the victims of rape, abuse, and torture. 


Clooney is involved in many other charities as well, including; ONE Campaign, serving on the Board of Trustees for the United Way, ENOUGH Project, Whatever It Takes, and has even donated a significant amount to the Actors Fund which helped those struggling during the writers’ strike.

Tennis Champs Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Vera Zvonareva and Novak Djokovic Give Back

Written by Marketing Intern Victoria Hanson

Tennis has changed drastically over the years.  At first opponents had rivalry’s, but now, opponents have the utmost respect for each other. Not only do competitors get along, they give back.

 Roger Federer started a foundation that works to build schools in Africa. Serena Williams also works to build schools in Africa and Vera Zvonareva is persistent in raising awareness of Rett Syndrome, a nervous system disorder causing mostly girls to have developmental reversals.

Also, during the US Open, the world’s number one player, Novak Djokovic, was appointed by UNICEF to be an ambassador for Serbia where he advocated for education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Since only one in ten low-income children attend pre-school, it is significant that Djokovic and others bring change. 

However, even though players are giving back on a large scale, anyone can give back on a smaller scale.  There are many resources to get involved, whether it is through volunteering or being the director of a foundation, there is a niche for everyone. 

Uptown Liz not only allows opportunities for companies to give back through showcasing their products whose proceeds go to charitable causes, it allows open participation in buying products from its online marketplace.

For information about volunteering in your neighborhood please visit http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Matt Damon Gives Back through Charity Water Bottle

 Written by Marketing Intern Alejandra Quinones

Matt Damon has quite the resume. Not only is he an Oscar winner for his screenplay “Good Will Hunting”, but he has been in countless notable films spanning all genres. Though most know him for his work in Hollywood, Damon has as notable Humanitarian resume as he does in acting. He is one of the founders of Not On Our Watch, an organization that focuses on global attention and resource to stop and prevent disasters such as in Darfur. He also supports the ONE campaign, is an ambassador for OneXOne and a spokesperson for Feeding America.

Damon co-founded Water.org, a charity whose mission is “challenging the traditional approach to helping people in developing countries with inadequate water supplies.” They raise funds to battle the issue of inadequate water supplies, one community at a time. Water.org wishes to inspire the public to act with Donors (to provide consistent financial resources), staff and volunteers (to seek innovative and efficient solutions to meeting to global water supply needs of today and tomorrow), people in need of safe water (to take the lead in meeting their own needs). Together, the people that take part in these acts form the “water partnership” that will further the goals of Water.org and eventually supply adequate water everywhere.

This week, Matt Damon and Water.org are launching a water bottle campaign to help some of the 884 million people who lack access to clean water. The cause is close to the actors heart, “I think what resonates with me most is when you see people living without clean water and they’re forced to scavenge for water and basically use up all of their time just doing that. You realize that they’re in such a crippling cycle of poverty; it’s just a death spin that they can’t possibly get out of,” said Damon in an interview aboutWater.org’s campaign.

With the purchase of each limited-edition CamelBak Groove reusable watter bottle, $10 will go directly to Water.org. The bottles are available at http://water.org/ and you can spread the word about the campaign by liking “One Bottle’s Promise” on Facebook.

Malaga Bank and Sweepstakes Winner Give Back

Written by Marketing Intern Candace Nixon


In Torrance, California, Mr. Melvyn Frumes was just named the winner of the Malaga Bank $5K Sweepstakes.  The bank-sponsored sweepstakes ran from July 1 through September 30, 2011.  The goal of the sweepstakes came in two parts.  The first was to give back to an individual client, and the second was to give back to the community.  What was rare about this give-away was that half of the money given to the winner was donated to the charity of his choice.

Frumes selected Pediatric Therapy Network (PTN), a Torrance-based organization founded in 1996 by a handful of therapists, parents and volunteers. They envisioned an organization that would provide the community with quality therapy, research and education to foster the best possible outcomes for children with special needs.  With only 5,000 square feet of space to provide treatment, the dedicated group of therapists used equipment and materials donated or purchased at yard sales.  PTN provides over 100,000 hours of therapy each year, their goal being to meet all growing needs of the many children across Southern California.

Stephen Sondheim Gives Back for the Friends in Deed Charity Treasure Hunt

Written by Marketing Intern Victoria Hanson

Composer Stephen Sondheim lent his talents by creating clues for the Friends in Deed charity treasure hunt, Monday October 3, 2011 at the American Museum of Natural History.  Friends in Deed, a non-profit crisis center for life-threatening illness, wanted to celebrate their 20th anniversary in a unique way sending guests through the Primitive Mammals room, the Ornithischian Dinosaurs room and the Saurischain Dinosaurs room, answering clues and hoping to be the first to find the ultimate treasure. 

Among the 300 guests in attendance including Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, 23 teams were created consisting of 12 persons.  Each participant was given a large brown envelope sealed with wax containing 12 clues on six cards.  Participants began the hunt at precisely 7:30 p.m., and had to use the clue cards to decipher which creature was being named through looking at descriptions of the animal or through looking at images of a creature’s fossils. 

These words were broken down and needed to be rearranged to uncover the final clue, “Listen to the legend of the dinosaur in the mammal theatre.”  The only advice participants received from Sondheim can be summed up in allowing for serendipity, not drawing attention when finding a clue and not using Google.  Clark Winter, an artist from Manhattan explained the task saying, “We’ve been given a list of clues and we’re trying to figure out how to attach these clues to certain dinosaurs.” 

The winners each received a Motorola Droid and a weekend getaway to a hotel in Saugerties, N.Y.  Although a seat to the event cost $1,500, each person received a three course dinner, a concert by Melissa Errico, and Raúl Esparza, and a chance to participate in a once in a lifetime charity event. 

Uptown Liz is Spreading the Gift of Giving through Facebook!

Written by Marketing Intern Alejandra Quinones 


Uptown Liz is offering a “charitable” way to give back during the holidays. It’s a contest that will be held on Facebook for all our lucky followers. 

Here’s how it works:  we will post one question a day on the Uptown Liz Facebook page, regarding a variety of topics. Each trivia question will have only one correct answer, so the winner will be the first person to answer correctly.  For each holiday question, the first person to answer wins!

Uptown Liz will donate to a charity every time there is a winner AND the winner gets a prize from us too!

Each winner will need to e-mail their name, address and phone number to info@uptownliz.com in order for their prizes to be sent.  All contact information the winner provides will only be used for the contest and will not be added to any mailing lists.

 All prizes will be sent at the end of the contest.

 Spread the gift of giving with Uptown Liz!

Celebrity Gives Back: Taylor Swift Supporting UNICEF Tap Project

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

The UNICEF Tap Project was created in 2007 based on a rather simple concept: restaurants would ask their patrons to donate one dollar or more for the tap water they usually get for free, and all funds would support UNICEF's efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children globally. 

Since then, the project has raised almost $2.5 million in the United States and has helped provide clean water for millions of children around the world. 

Taylor Swift has recently expressed her support for the UNICEF Tap Project, bottling up water from her own house to help. Other celebrities, such as Selena Gomez, Adrian Grenier, Dwight Howard and Rihanna have also joined in to support this importance cause. 

The celebrity water collected will be packaged, and anyone who donates five dollars to UNICEF can enter to win the Celebrity Tap Pack sweepstakes.

It is so easy to conserve water in your everyday life. For some water conservation tips, visit http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/ways-conserve-water.

To donate to UNICEF or to enter for the Celebrity Tap Pack sweepstakes, visit http://www.tapproject.org/.

Kids for a Cause: Barstow Kids Give Back

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Children at Crestline Elementary School in Barstow, CA were extremely eager to raise money to help feed other Barstow kids who may be hungry otherwise. A few weeks ago, elementary students participated in a dance-a-thon in return for pledges and donations totaling $780. 

The school is raising money for United Way, an organization that strives to help children and youth achieve their potential, promote financial stability and independence, and improve peoples' health.

This is the fifth year that Crestline's students have raised money for United Way. According to kindergarten teacher, Kristen Miller, "We were trying to think of a way for our kids to give back to the community. We were looking for something that would mean something to our kids at our school."

The school's fundraiser was inspired after two students and their family lost their home to a fire and received help through United Way.

For more information about United Way, or to make a donation, visit http://liveunited.org/

To support other causes by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Lotto Winners Give Back: Donating to Kids in Their Hometown

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Jacki and Gilbert Cisneros purchased a winning lotto ticket last year in their hometown, Pico Riviera, CA. The winning lottery ticket was worth $266 million, making national headlines. Although the couple has moved away and spent millions on themselves, they wanted to give back to their hometown that had given them so much. 

The wealthy couple announced on TODAY Tuesday that they are going to provide substantial scholarship money to benefit students from Pico Riviera. The Cisneros' are giving the Hispanic Scholarship Fund money that will run into seven figures over the next five years to give students the financial assistance to achieve their dreams of attending college. 

“Kind of reflecting back on my own life and when I went to college, my parents, I knew, would support me in whatever decision I would do, but there was no push towards college,’’ Cisneros told TODAY’s Ann Curry. “There was no college fund. I kind of knew that I was pretty much going to have to do it on my own. Luckily for me I was able to receive a scholarship that enabled me to go on to college. Now that we have the means to do some good, we kind of want to give other students that same opportunity.’’

They hope the money will assist hundreds and possibly thousands of students of the years. The town and only high school, El Rancho High School, is very grateful.

Celebrity Gives Back: Prince William Working with Centrepoint

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

It is easy to get distracted in all the recent Royal Wedding hype, but don't forget that the United Kingdom's Prince does his fair share of charitable acts.

Prince William has been working with the UK homeless charity, Centrepoint, since 2005. He even hit the streets of London to spend a frigid night outside in order to really understand what it's like to be homeless in his homeland. After the experience, the prince explained that "I cannot, after one night, even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough on London's streets night after night. Poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependancy and family breakdown cause people to become and then stay homeless."

Anyone can help with poverty. Helping food pantries stock up with food is a very easy place to start! For more information providing ways to help with homelessness, visit http://www.dosomething.org/whatsyourthing/Poverty/Homelessness

To help end poverty by shopping, visit Uptown Liz. 

Hair Stylist for a Cause: Stylist Working With a Local Women's Resource Program

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Anyone can give back in their community. All you have to do is be creative and think of your own talents that can be used to do some good. This is exactly what local hair stylist, Michael Ferrell, has been doing in his hometown, Seaside, Oregon.

Ferrell is working with a women's resource program to provide free haircuts to local women preparing to reenter the workforce. 

In this economy, entering the workforce can be very intimidating. "If nothing else, I have given her a higher level of self esteem. She can hold her head up," said Ferrell of his generous contribution. "A new look may just be what she needs to make a difference and start over." 

What skills can you use to make a difference in your community?

For more information, visit Beach Blonde Salon. 

Celebrity Gives Back: Kate Bosworth Models Earrings for DoSomething.org

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the United States that helps young people volunteer for causes they are passionate about. According to their website, "DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action."

DoSomething.org makes our youth view community service as cool, popular and a part of everyday life. By the end of 2011, this organization will have helped to get two million young people volunteering for various causes.

Popular actress, Kate Bosworth, has recently shown her support for DoSomething.org. She has been wearing a line of jewelry that gives half of the sales to the non-profit. Visit JewelMint designs to purchase these trendy earrings. But hurry! The sale ends on June 15, so get these earrings while benefiting DoSomething.org before it's too late! 

For more ways to shop for a cause, visit Uptown Liz.

Celebrities Gives Back: Beyonce and Michelle Obama Want You to Work That Body

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

First Lady, Michelle Obama, has created the Let's Move campaign, which strives to move America to raise a healthier generation of kids.

According to letsmove.gov, "Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese. If we don't solve this problem, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma."

Talented singer, Beyonce Knowles, has recently expressed her support for this organization. She even created a video for the campaign:

According to the singer, "It's all about the benefits of healthy eating and exercise and what we want to do is make it fun by doing something we all like to do and that's dance."

To learn more about the Let's Move campaign or to get involved, visit http://www.letsmove.gov/

Community for a Cause: For the Love of Angie

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

I grew up in a small community of about 7,000 people in Northern California. Although I have grown up and moved away, Corning will always hold a special place in my heart. Corning is small town where everyone knows everyone, but most importantly, they all support one another.

Recently, I have been touched by a story about one local resident and the outpour of help and hope that my small hometown has provided. 

Angie Salado, 32, was was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor on December 20, 2010. For the Love of Angie is a fundraising team that strives to help raise money to assist Salado and family with medical and travel expenses.

There is a benefit for Salado on May 21, 2011 at the Paskenta Hall in Paskenta, located just outside of Corning. Tickets in advance are $20 and $25 at the door (children are $8 and $10). There will be a dinner, dance, raffle and auction. Every item has been generously donated by local individuals and companies who want to help Salado with her fight against this tumor. What I find phenomenal, is that nearly 100 percent of businesses in Corning have donated.

Salado's mother, Jani Franer, recently told Channel 12 News Reporter, Derek Demo, that the long road ahead is going to be a difficult one, but the community has given her hope even when she feels there is none left. "People care, in a world that seems like sometimes they don't, they still do," said Franer.

A Facebook page has been created for Salado, and the number of people offering kind words and support for Angie and her family is heartwarming. Her story was even featured on local Channel 12 News.

For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/For-the-Love-of-Angie/119188018156515?sk=wall

Until then, may the entire Salado family be in your thoughts.

Celebrity Gives Back: Nicole Kidman Supporting Women's Rights

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Oscar-winning actress, Nicole Kidman, does more than just entertain her fans with her profound talent and elegant presence. The Australian native is very involved with the fight for women's rights. She works with UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

UN Women focuses on bettering peace and security, leadership and participation, violence against women, economic empowerment, national planning and budgeting, human rights, and millenium developmental goals.

Kidman has been involved in helping women all around the world. Kidman recently told dosomething.org about her trip to Haiti last July. "I visited the only shelter for survivors of violence. It is a temporary camp with plywood cabins, since the earthquake destroyed the building in which it was housed. Even so, it is a safe haven for underage girls who have been subjected to abuse. Some of them became pregnant as a result, and their little ones are living with them. One of the girls was abducted and abused by strangers a year ago and has since lived in the shelter. Despite her traumatic experience, she has found the strength to continue her education. She goes to school and hopes to become a pediatrician one day. Stories like hers will stay with me forever. To me, they are incredible testimonies of resilience, strength, dignity, and ultimately of hope," explained Kidman.

Kidman advises everyone to make a difference and offers advice about how to get started. According to the well-known actress, "Young people can start by learning about what violence against women is and what we all need to do to stop it. Go on the Internet and become part of Say NO–UNiTE to End Violence against Women, a global call for action on ending violence against women and girls for which I am the spokesperson." 

At saynotoviolence.org, over five million people, including Kidman, have signed on to urge governments to make ending violence against women a top priority. You can go there to simply learn more or to become inspired to take action. Every action counts, whether big or small.

For more information, visit saynotoviolence.org. To support women's rights by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.

Kids for a Cause: Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor's Children Raise Money for Project A.L.S.

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Ben Stiller and wife, Christine Taylor, have always encouraged their children to give back, which recently inspired their eight year old daughter, Ella, to start her own lemonade stand in order to raise money for Project A.L.S. Five year old younger brother, Quinlin, helped with the lemonade stand as well.

The two ended up raising $120 for Project A.L.S., an organization that attempts to recruit the world's finest scientists and clinicians to work together to find the first effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

According to Project A.L.S., "ASL is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects adults of all ages. It is closely related to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. It targets large brain cells residing in the brain and along the spinal cord called motor neurons. In ALS, as motor neurons get sick and die, a person progressively loses the ability to move: to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. ALS is usually fatal within 2-5 years of diagnosis."

Project A.L.S. has already raised $53 million, directing over 82% to research programs. But there is still no cure for this disease, and project A.L.S. could always use more support. 

If these young children were able to help, so can you. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.projectals.org/support-us/contribute-now.html.

Celebrities Give Back: Rihanna, Eva Mendes and Leighton Meester Support DKMS

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

There are numerous people all around the world that support the fight against leukemia every day. Last Thursday, well-known celebrities Rihanna, Eva Mendes and Leighton Meester attended the annual gala for DKMS, an organization that connects bone marrow and stem cell donors with patients in need.

During the gala, Rihanna received an award for her recent involvement in the fight against leukemia. "It is the number one disease children in the U.S. die of and we can change that," the talented singer said. "If we have more donors, we can save more lives."

DKMS is the largest bone marrow donor center in the world, and their hope is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. 

The gala helped raise money to add nearly 40,000 bone marrow donors, but that only does so much. DKMS is always looking to add more people to the registry. It only takes a swab from inside of your mouth to be added, so host a bone marrow drive and help save the lives of those battling leukemia.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.dkmsamericas.org/

Celebrity Gives Back: Lady Gaga's Relief Efforts in Japan

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

When Lady Gaga isn't seen entertaining a crowd with her unique style and impeccable talent, she is partnering with charities and giving back in a variety of ways. 

Most recently, the celeb raised $1.5 million for relief efforts in Japan through the sale of her Japan prayer bracelets. Along with gaming site Zynga, Gaga is donating the proceeds to Save the Children and the American Red Cross to help those in Japan struggling from the recent earthquakes and tsunamis.  

Gaga was recently named as one of the Top 20 Celebs Gone Good on Dosomething.org for her efforts.

To help with Japan relief by purchasing one of these bracelets, visit http://www.ladygaga.com/news/default.aspx?nid=34654. For more ways to shop for a cause, visit Uptown Liz.

Kids for a Cause: Over 900 Students Give Back to Community Through Various Projects

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

More than 900 students from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia participated in the Sixth Annual Community Service Day last Saturday. The students joined with many locals in the effort to make a difference in their own community. 

The students spread out over 30 different projects including visiting nursing homes, landscaping at Harrison High School, park renovations, volunteering at MUST ministries, and holding a pet adoption on the school campus to help the school's animal rescue club, Paws for a Cause. 

The students were not alone in the effort; parents, teachers and bus drivers participated to ensure that the day was a success.

This annual community service day was the idea of Dutch Bickley, a parent-member of Harrison School Council. Besides giving back to the community, they hope to teach their students how to work together and serve others. 

It looks like the students at Harrison High School were able to accomplish these goals set out for them. What can you do to make a difference in your community?

Bikers for a Cause: Pair to Bike Across the U.S. to Raise Money for Housing

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Two Bergenfield, New Jersey natives and young philanthropists decided to raise money and awareness for affordable housing in a very unique way. Sara Nessanbuam, 25, and friend, Ashley Tulley, are going to bike across the country in order to do just this.

The pair will start the 11-week journey in South Carolina and end in Santa Cruz, California. Nine teams are participating in the Bike & Build 2011, which has donated more than $2.7 million and built for more than 80,000 hours over the past eight seasons.

The teams will pedal through communities to raise money, construct homes, and talk to citizens about the nation's affordable housing crisis. Each participant must raise $4,000 for the trip and Nessanbaum has already raised $3,300. 

For more information about Bike & Build 2011, visit bikeandbuild.org. To make a donation, visit 

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

Celebrity Gives Back: Ashley Judd Fighting for Human Rights and HIV/AIDS Education

Written by Marketing Intern Rose Provine

Ashley Judd is an award-winning film and stage actor who is well known for her extraordinary acting performances and box-office hits. She recently took a break from her high-profile career, and is now spending most of her time fighting for human rights and HIV/AIDS education.

In 2002, Judd found her true calling: as a humanitarian and advocate for those suffering in neglected parts of the world. She walked away from her successful career that led her to be one of the highest-paid women in Hollywood after her first trip to notorious brothels, slums, and hospices of Southeast Asia. She started writing detailed diaries monitoring her experiences, which eventually led to the recent release of her new book, All That Is Bitter & Sweet: A Memoir.

In this unforgettable memoir, "Ashley Judd describes her odyssey, as a left-behind lost child attains international prominence as a fiercely dedicated advocate. Her story ranges from anger to forgiveness, isolation to interdependence, depression to activism. In telling it, she resoundingly answers the ineffable question about the relationship between healing oneself and service to others."

Judd was a Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness campaign of PSI, targeting young people ages 15-24. She has also held leadership positions in organizations that support women's rights.The well-known philanthropist is just trying to make a difference in our world. 

Judd recently told dosomething.org, "Every time I hold a vulnerable person and feel their grip melt into me, I know I am making a difference. Every time someone who has been exploited tears up because I have listened, validated, and witnessed their story, I know God is at work in my life. Every time I have the guts to be vulnerable in settings like the General Assembly of the UN, and transmit to change makers the sacred narratives with which I have been entrusted, I know I am doing what my humanity demands I do."

To keep up with Judd's activism, you can visit her website, http://ashleyjudd.com/. To support human rights or HIV/AIDS awareness by shopping, visit Uptown Liz.