Celebrity Gives Back: Jeff Gordon Supports the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Jeff Gordon, a NASCAR Cup Champion, announced that the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation is going to support Rwandan children by making cancer treatment available to them. The Foundation is dedicated to raising $1.5 million dollars to help treat patients in the area.

 The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation was founded in 1999 to help support children intellectually, socially and physically. The Foundation is teaming up with Partners In Health, an organization committed to providing health care to those devastated by poverty and disease. Along with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Gordon and Partners In Health hope to provide appropriate care and help to the Rwandan children effected by cancer.

 According to the Foundation website, Gordon is enthusiastic about the cause because “childhood cancer occurs randomly, regularly and excludes no ethnicity, socioeconomic class or geographic region and that is why it is imperative we reach beyond our borders and bring access to treatment to countries like Rwanda.  Partners In Health and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation share a mutual desire to reach the day when no child faces the uncertainties of cancer, with our new partnership we are one step closer”.

 To find out more or to donate to the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation visit www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org

Running Gives Back: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Provides Inspiration

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

As someone who used to be an avid runner, lost touch with the sport, and now wants to get back into it, it’s sometimes hard to find the motivation necessary to go for that morning jog.  After doing some research, however, I’ve decided to look no further than Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the perfect amount of inspiration.

Making quite the impact with more than 800 runners at its inaugural race in Dallas, Texas back in 1983, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has continued to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for the cause nearly 30 years later.  Each race also celebrates breast cancer survivors and honors those who’ve passed on.

In addition to races held all over the country, the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure is held annually in Washington, D.C. Most recently held on June 4, this year’s race drew 44,000 participants and raised over $5 million to fund breast cancer programs in the D.C. area and across the world.

Local races benefit the organization as well.  According to the Find a Race website, as much as 75% of the net money raised actually stays in the race city’s community and goes toward funding health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects.  The other 25% supports the Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Programs, which fund breakthrough research, awards, and global conferences.

So, the next time you find yourself lacking the energy to go for a walk or run, think again.  Think of all of those who suffer from breast cancer.  Think of all of those who have survived.  Think of all of those who have lost their lives.  Remember how lucky you are, and take that inspiration to the pavement. 

Get out and exercise so you too can participate in the Race for the Cure.  Running or walking may not appear all that exciting, but running or walking for the cure is absolutely exhilarating.  Take your first step today and find out for yourself.

To sign up for a race in your community, please visit http://tinyurl.com/ydv4ml4.  To sign up for next year’s Global Race for the Cure, please visit http://tinyurl.com/ydg3tw7.

To simply learn more about Susan G. Komen or to make a donation, please visit http://ww5.komen.org/. 

Celebrity Gives Back: Elton John Hosting Annual Charity Ball

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

 Sir Elton John is famous internationally for more than just his singing ability; his AIDS Foundation has funded hundreds of projects across the globe. Elton John has worked relentlessly to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to help HIV/AIDS victims find hope.

According to the Foundation’s website, “Our mission is to provide focused and sustainable funding to frontline programs that help to alleviate the physical, emotional and financial hardship of those living with, affected by or at risk of HIV/AIDS, and to continue the fight against this worldwide pandemic.”

Elton John started the White Tie and Tiara Ball in 1999 to help raise money for his foundation.  Hundreds of celebrities come out each year to his 37-acre English manor to support the cause. Some of the celebrities who have attended in the past include David Beckham, Kevin Spacey and Catherine Zeta Jones. The guests get to tour the estate, enjoy some of the finest cuisine that London has to offer, listen to Elton John himself perform, and finish the evening with hours of dancing. The White Tie and Tiara Ball alone has raised millions of dollars to support the Foundation’s projects.

To learn more about the White Tie and Tiara Ball visit or to donate to the cause visit http://www.ejaf.com/Ourevents/WHITETIETIARA. 

Organization for a Cause: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Supports Families Affected by Dementia

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Last year my Mimi passed away.  Having lived nearly 89 wonderful years, she made the journey to Heaven after an uphill battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.  However, being the fighter she was, she never let dementia get in the way of being her lively, loving, and sweet self.  And I know she’d encourage anyone else suffering from Alzheimer’s to do the same.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) shares my Mimi’s mentality and is dedicated to providing assistance to everyone affected by the disease via organizations devoted to improving quality of life.  Additionally, AFA offers advocacy services that range from boosting awareness to an early detection initiative.  Other services include a toll-free hotline, education, social services, care connection, professional development, and grants.

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to the Alzheimer’s cause, too.  Offering care for those affected by the disease, the association also aims to completely eliminate Alzheimer’s through extensive research and to reduce the risk of dementia by advocating brain health.

Both organizations work hard to campaign for the Alzheimer’s cause.  Though the disease is prevalent in our society, the AFA and the Alzheimer’s Association provide the support necessary to combat the disease and continue living life. 

And that is the most important thing.  Just as my Mimi powered through, these organizations enable others to do the same.  Alzheimer’s is an unfortunate part of life for some, but it will never be a way of life thanks to the AFA and the Alzheimer’s Association.

To learn more and to find out how you can get involved, please visit http://www.alzfdn.org/index.htm and http://www.alz.org/index.asp.

Billionaires Give Back: Tilman and Paige Fertitta Host Charity Event

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Down here in Texas, the Fertitta’s are a restaurant dynasty. Tilman Fertitta is the CEO of Laundry’s, a corporation that owns dozens of the most popular restaurants in Texas. They cater to every family, from the kid-friendly Rainforest Café to one of the finest steakhouses in the country, Vic and Anthony’s. Tilman’s River Oaks estate made the perfect setting this spring for the Houston Children’s Charity A Gathering of Champions fundraiser.

Houston Children’s Charity is a non-profit organization that helps support underprivileged, abused and disabled children in need of help. Tilman Fertitta is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The fundraiser brought some of Houston’s most legendary sports figures including Nolan Ryan, Craig Biggio, Clyde Drexler and Elvin Hayes. Other notable names include Michael Linn, John Nau and John Havens.

The fundraiser proved to be an enormous success, raising $140,000 for the HCC. Tilman also paid a tribute to NASA Captains Gene Cernan and Mark Kelly. The Houston Children’s Charity referred to night as an “unforgettable event.”

To learn more about Houston Children’s Charity or to donate visit www.houstonchildrenscharity.org.

Celebrity for a Cause: Coldplay Promotes Fair Trade Practices

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Last June marked another hallmark in the life of one very popular band; Coldplay released their new single, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.  Even without the new hit though, Coldplay members have recently attracted the spotlight in a different respect – for their bold support of Fair Trade, trade that promotes just labor and helps developing countries defeat poverty.

Whether displaying slogans on his piano during a performance or bolstering the cause outside of work, Coldplay’s Chris Martin makes sure to support Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign in a big way.  Not only does Martin sport the “Make Trade Fair” logo at every public appearance, he and his band mates have even been active participants in the process of completing an Oxfam petition.

Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations that aim to alleviate poverty, hunger, and social injustice.  The Make Trade Fair campaign is one of many campaigns the confederation sponsors in an effort to fulfill its ultimate goal of enabling people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives.  And with Coldplay’s support, that vision is one step closer to becoming reality.

To find out how you can get involved, please visit http://tinyurl.com/6lna6p.

To read more about Oxfam and the impact the organizations are making on the world, please visit http://www.oxfamamerica.org/.

City For a Cause: Houston Rodeo Donates Millions to Charity

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

In 1932, seven men met at the Texas State Hotel to plan out what would become the world famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In its 79 years, the Rodeo has donated “$265 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence™, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs” according to their website.

Rodeo Houston is more than just a month of fun for Houstonians, it allows thousands to volunteer and give back to their community. The Rodeo has created over 7,000 jobs, increased regional product and increased the population by more than 16,000. The week starts off with “Go Texan Day,” in which local elementary schools participate in square dancing, thousands of cowboys and their cattle arrive in Houston and an enormous parade is hosted Downtown with the Mayor.

The Rodeo has hosted some of the most famous musical artists in America, including Elvis Presley, George Strait and Charley Pride. The concerts, zoo and massive carnival bring the crowds, but being able to eat some of the best barbeque in the world while giving back to so many people is what keeps Texans coming every year.

There are over 24,000 volunteers for the Houston Rodeo on nearly 100 committees. The average committee member donates almost 70 hours of their time to the Houston Rodeo each year. This year alone the Rodeo set an all-time record of 2,262,834 in attendance. It is easy to see that the event has played an enormous role in helping thousands of people out across America. The Rodeo is a truly one-of-a-kind event that Houstonians wait for every year.

To learn more about the Houston Rodeo or for volunteer opportunities visit www.HoustonRodeo.com.