Tag Archives: Grants

Maxine Waters to Speak at 2018 HRC Los Angeles Dinner

February 23, 2018 nedhamson

WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced that Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) will speak, and the Grammy Award-winning rock band Portugal. The Man will perform at the 2018 HRC Los Angeles Dinner.

Set to take place on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE, the event brings together more than 1,000 of HRC’s most active members and supporters in the greater Los Angeles area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ equality.

“Maxine Waters is a steadfast defender of equality who is fighting to reclaim the United States from the Trump-Pence agenda of hate, fear, and discrimination,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “For years, Congresswoman Waters has been standing up for the marginalized and oppressed in our society. We are truly honored to welcome her to the 2018 HRC Los Angeles Dinner.”

Congresswoman Waters is considered by many to be one of the most powerful women in American politics today. She has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, people of color, and the poor. Elected in November 2016 to her fourteenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 76 percent of the vote in the 43rd Congressional District of California, Congresswoman Waters represents a large part of South Central Los Angeles, including the communities of Westchester, Playa Del Rey, Watts, and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County comprised of Lennox, West Athens, West Carson, Harbor Gateway, and El Camino Village. The 43rd District also includes the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, and Torrance. Congresswoman Waters serves as Ranking Member of the powerful House Financial Services Committee.

“Portugal. The Man is rocking the resistance and using their platform to help make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ people,” said Griffin. “We’re proud to have Portugal. The Man as part of HRC’s Equality Rocks campaign, helping to spark a conversation about love, fairness, and equality across the country, and we look forward to welcoming them to the 2018 HRC Los Angeles Dinner.”

In 2017, Portugal. The Man joined HRC’s Equality Rocks — a public engagement campaign featuring prominent musicians who support LGBTQ equality. In the video for their Grammy-winning single “Feel It Still – which is featured on their eighth studio album, WOODSTOCK – the Portland rockers send a message of resistance to its fans, giving them tools to fight oppression. The interactive video includes 30 Easter eggs with tips on how to resist during the current political climate of the Trump-Pence administration. HRC was featured in one of the eggs, encouraging followers to “stand up for equality.”

“Feel It Still” dominated the charts and radio airwaves in 2017. The multi-platinum certified hit reigned at #1 at nearly all radio formats, including Top 40, as well as Alternative, where the song held the chart’s top spot for a mind-blowing 20 weeks, breaking the record for most weeks at #1. Billboard Magazine even went as far as to call the song, “the unexpected rock crossover hit of 2017,” while Rolling Stone listed it as “one of the best songs of 2017.”

From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/17630-maxine-waters-to-speak-at-2018-hrc-los-angeles-dinner

African Americans’ Health Affected by Pervasive Discrimination

October 25, 2017 nedhamson

A survey by NPR, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that roughly half of African-American respondents reported experiencing institutional racial discrimination in their daily lives….

Viva!

Kat Von D Donates $50,000 To Animal Charity

December 23, 2015 nedhamson

Kat Von D, the bombshell and brains behind Kat Von D Beauty, announced via Instagram Thursday afternoon a donation of $50,000 (gifted to her by business incubator Kendo) to the internationally celebrated non-profit Mercy For Animals.

“In celebration of a groundbreaking year for @katvondbeauty Kendo gave me this amazing gift! I am thrilled to donate all of it to @mercyforanimals – an organization dedicating its efforts to ending animal abuse,” Von D wrote

A social media storm ignited in July when Von D first posted to her millions of Instagram followers about her vegan lifestyle. The story gained even more attention when she responded to comments with a 30-minute YouTube video in which she further explained her strong stance against animal cruelty and her decision not to consume animal products. The video instantly exploded, garnering hundreds of thousands of views.

Von D has received many accolades from animal lovers the world over for the fact that her makeup line, Kat Von D Beauty, does not test on animals. She is also famous for labeling cosmetics in her line that contain no animal products with the hashtag “#VeganAlert.”

Mercy For Animals, a Los Angeles-based non-profit, is an award-winning and widely acclaimed international farmed animal protection group most famous for its groundbreaking undercover investigations inside factory farms and slaughterhouses.

Also known for its far-reaching work with compassionate celebrities, Mercy For Animals most recently teamed up with Emmy Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin to expose the cruelty endured by chickens for Tyson Foods, the largest meat producer in the United States. Television icon Candice Bergen also participated in the hard-hitting campaign.

“All of us at Mercy For Animals are overwhelmed by Kat Von D’s kindness and generosity,” said Mercy For Animals director of communications Ari Solomon. “Her incredible gift will go a long way toward helping us create a more compassionate world for farmed animals. We are truly moved and grateful. Christmas came a few days early.”

From: http://bitly.com/1QY14PQ

Edward Norton Launches CrowdRise Campaign For Syrian Refugee

December 15, 2015 nedhamson

On Saturday, actor and CrowdRise co-founder Edward Norton launched a fundraiser for a Syrian refugee whose story had gone viral thanks to Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York (HONY) and President Obama.

Stanton shared the CrowdRise fundraiser around 5pm on Saturday evening and within an hour the fundraiser had already raised over $100,000 for the The Scientist, a Syrian refugee featured in his “The Syrian American” series. Since then, the fundraiser has received over 13,000 donations and has raised over $380,000. The average donation to the page is roughly $30. A perfect example of what CrowdRise is about – the power of the crowd to drive impact.

Earlier this week, Norton was moved to tears upon reading the story of an unnamed man, referred to as “The Scientist” who speaks openly about losing his wife, his home, his personal belongings, and fleeing his village.

“I saw the story and was so compelled by it. This man has suffered profound loss that would crush the spirit of many people and yet he still passionately wants a chance to contribute positively to the world. I thought the President’s words were so apt, ’You’re part of what makes America great.’ I wanted to do something to echo that sentiment,” said Norton. “If we don’t welcome people like this into our communities and empower his dream of making an impact with his life, then we’re not the country we tell ourselves we are.”

Donors flocked to the CrowdRise page with encouraging remarks like, “I think this highly educated and virtuous man deserves a chance for better life. I was moved to tears by his story,” and “I hope that you are able to prosper in the United States. We all see that you exist. You have already had a great impact on many of our lives.”

This CrowdRise fundraiser is an example of an ongoing trend of individuals starting fundraisers to assist friends and family through the power of crowdfunding. CrowdRise, the world’s largest platform dedicated exclusively to charitable causes, has recently seen tens of thousands of passionate individuals launch campaigns like Norton’s, to fundraise on behalf of a loved one in need.

Norton’s fundraiser repurposes the story of The Scientist to reflect Stanton’s signature style. Craig Newmark of craigconnects, encouraged donors by offering an additional $10,000 in matching funds to the campaign. To read the full story, see all the photos, republished courtesy of HONY, and donate, click here.

From: http://bitly.com/1RQQZEU

Garth Brooks And Trisha Yearwood Join Jimmy Carter To Build Homes In Memphis

November 4, 2015 nedhamson

Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood raised walls on a Habitat for Humanity home this week in Memphis, Tennessee, alongside former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

Trisha Yearwood helped build a home in Memphis, Tennessee

They will return next year to build and repair more homes during Habitat’s 33rd Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, scheduled to take place Aug. 21-27, 2016.

Garth Brooks helped build a home in Memphis, Tennessee
Credit/Copyright: Ezra Millstein/Habitat for Humanity

Each year, President and Mrs. Carter join Habitat for Humanity volunteers in a different location to build homes and improve communities, and raise awareness of the critical need for decent and affordable housing in the U.S. and around the world.

President and Mrs. Carter helped build a home with Habitat for Humanity in Memphis, Tennessee

“Rosalynn and I are thrilled to play a role in helping Habitat continue the great work underway in the Uptown neighborhood of Memphis,” said President Carter. “We look forward to returning in August next year and by then, I know a wonderful family will have made this house we are starting today a home – where they can find the strength and stability they need for a brighter future.”

Since 1983, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis has been dedicated to eliminating substandard housing throughout the city, where more than 29 percent of the population lives below poverty level, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Habitat for Humanity has served more than 445 Memphis families through new home construction and an additional 80 families through critical home repair projects in the Uptown neighborhood. With support from volunteers and donors, Habitat will help improve living conditions for Memphis families during the Carter Project, as well as continue to improve communities in the city and surrounding areas.

Habitat’s Carter Project volunteers will conduct multiple projects during the build week, including new home construction, beautification projects such as minor repairs, painting and landscaping, and Aging in Place projects, including critical home repairs, weatherization, and modifications to enhance accessibility and mobility for low-income seniors.

“We are excited to work alongside President and Mrs. Carter, our volunteers and the partner families in Memphis next year,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “The efforts in Uptown are great examples of what can happen when members of the public, private and social sectors invest in a neighborhood. Tremendous opportunities lie ahead for families who will have a mortgage they can afford and the stable foundation they need to build strength and self-reliance.”

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s involvement in the 2016 Carter Project will make it the country music stars’ eighth time to volunteer with President and Mrs. Carter. Brooks and Yearwood have been supporting Habitat since 2007, including building homes after Hurricane Katrina and in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.

From: http://bitly.com/1WApFcW

Patti LaBelle To Light Up Empire State Building For Angel Ball

October 15, 2015 nedhamson

On Monday, October 19, the Empire State Building will honor Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research by shining its world-famous tower lights in red and purple to celebrate Angel Ball 2015.

The Angel Ball honors individuals who have made significant humanitarian and philanthropic contributions in support of cancer research and boasts attendees in the fields of business, philanthropy, and society alike for this annual celebration of life, music and the quest for a cure. Performers include Patti LaBelle and OneRepublic, and proceeds from this annual gala benefit blood cancer research.

Patti LaBelle and Denise Rich will “flip the switch” for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and light the world-famous Empire State Building’s tower lights in red and purple in honor of Angel Ball 2015 at 12pm on Monday.

From: http://bitly.com/1ZHc2xa

Jimmy Carter Work Project To Build 100 Homes In 1 Week In Nepal

September 9, 2015 nedhamson

Bringing together 1,500 volunteers from within Nepal and around the world, Habitat For Humanity’s 32nd annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will take place in the Chitwan district in Nepal, Nov. 1-6, 2015.

During the week, volunteers will build 100 homes in partnership with low-income families in need of permanent shelter.

“Today these families are living in makeshift grass and thatch huts with mud floors, and over the course of the week we will replace these unstable structures with permanent housing that they can call home,” said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International’s CEO. “Such improved housing can help families feel a sense of security, as well as enable better educational and health outcomes and create improved employment opportunities. We are looking forward to building alongside Nepali families and helping them to achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.”

Families will be selected based on need, their ability to repay an affordable loan and willingness to contribute their own labor – or sweat equity – toward the construction of their homes.

In celebration of the upcoming build project, Habitat for Humanity Nepal held a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28 with local families, government representatives and Habitat partners.

“We are pleased to be part of an important, transformational project that will improve the lives of so many families in the Ratnanagar community in Chitwan,” said Desiree Bartosiak, Habitat for Humanity Nepal’s national director. “Thanks to the support of volunteers and sponsors, we will be able to help 100 families have safer places to live. They will no longer have to fear their roofs getting blown away by the wind or water leaking into their homes when it rains.”

Habitat for Humanity Nepal has been partnering successfully in Chitwan for several years. Most recently, volunteers from 16 countries gathered last year to build homes in the district in partnership with 36 families during Habitat’s Everest Build III.

Since 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have given a week of their time to help Habitat build and repair houses while raising awareness of the need for affordable housing around the world. Last month, President Carter shared that he has begun treatment for melanoma and his participation in this year’s build project will depend on counsel from his medical team.

“President and Mrs. Carter have been champions of Habitat for Humanity for more than three decades, and we are grateful for their support and passion for our mission,” said Reckford. “We remain hopeful circumstances will allow them to join us in November as we continue to work toward a shared goal of building homes, community and hope in Nepal.”

For more information about this year’s Carter Work Project, visit: habitat.org/cwp /2015.

From: http://bitly.com/1iy4Xh3

Bob Woodruff Foundation Announces Dine Out For Heroes

September 1, 2015 nedhamson

The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) announced today the upcoming launch of the second annual ‘Dine Out for Heroes,’ a dining event experience benefiting BWF.

Following the success of last year’s one-day-only event, ‘Dine Out For Heroes’ will extend to five days for the worthy cause, running Monday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 13, across New York City. The Bob Woodruff Foundation is the nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that post-9/11 injured service members, veterans and their families thrive long after they return home.

Restaurants wishing to take part will give a contribution, which supports the mission of the Bob Woodruff Foundation and provides restaurants with a number of exciting benefits. Some of this year’s participating restaurants include Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C., Gallaghers Steakhouse, The Smith, The Lambs Club, BLT Steak & BLT Prime, Jane Restaurant, RedFarm Hudson, and Tribeca Grill.

‘Dine Out for Heroes’ (#Dine4Heroes) will coincide with the annual Stand Up for Heroes event in NYC. Stand Up for Heroes is a collaboration between BWF and the New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) and has raised more than $26 million to date to support injured service members and their families. Since its inception in 2007, Stand Up for Heroes has featured performers such as Louis C.K., Stephen Colbert, Jim Gaffigan, Ricky Gervais, John Mayer, Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Robin Williams and more. Now in its ninth year, Stand Up for Heroes will kick off the 2015 NYCF, Nov. 10.

“Dine Out for Heroes is an easy, enjoyable way for New Yorkers to honor the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform,” said Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent and co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to participating restaurants for helping us ensure that injured veterans and their families have the resources they deserve.”

The Bob Woodruff Foundation is also partnering with American Express as a sponsor of this year’s ‘Dine Out for Heroes’ program.

‘Dine Out for Heroes’ plans to uphold its mission to “Dine. Donate. Honor. Heal,” by raising money and awareness for the organization. With 140 restaurants having participated in its first year, ‘Dine Out For Heroes’ hopes to unite even more restaurants and members of the New York community to join the movement in 2015.

‘Dine Out for Heroes’ is spearheaded by Peter and Penny Glazier, founders of The Glazier Group of restaurants with Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox, founders of the New York Comedy Festival, and Bob and Lee Woodruff, co-founders of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

“The inaugural ‘Dine Out For Heroes’ was a huge success. We were overwhelmed with the amount of support received from patrons,” said Penny Glazier and Caroline Hirsch. “We look forward to welcoming new New York restaurants and community members.”

Together, these efforts will continue to honor the sacrifice of returning service members, veterans and their families by offering support in the effort to heal the physical and psychological wounds of war. To date, BWF has invested more than $28 million in more than 260 programs nationwide.

From: http://bitly.com/1hSGvqQ

Jane Goodall Urges UPS To Stop Shipping Hunting Trophies

September 1, 2015 nedhamson

Jane Goodall has penned a letter urging UPS to stop shipping wildlife trophies.

“In the wake of Cecil the Lion’s cruel and untimely death, I am writing to you in the hope that UPS will join many of the world’s major airlines and impose a ban on transporting hunting trophies as soon as possible,” she wrote. “As I’m sure you know, Cecil was illegally lured out of the safety of his protected territory at Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. He was shot by a Minnesota dentist with a crossbow, left to suffer for 40 hours, shot again — this time with a gun — and killed. He was then beheaded and skinned, leaving his family of cubs fatherless and vulnerable. As lions attempt to take over a pride, they eliminate the genes of their rivals and because of Cecil’s murder, one of his cubs has already been killed by a rival male.

“Cecil’s story was special because he was an icon in Zimbabwe, but the story of suffering and impact on family is similar for hundreds of animals each year as a result of trophy hunters – who consider their behavior “sport”. One of the goals of a trophy hunter is to take the head or other body parts of the animals he has killed and proudly exhibit them in his home for all his friends to admire. It would make a huge difference if it became more and more difficult to achieve this despicable goal.

“It would be wonderful if UPS would join the other companies who are now refusing to ship body parts of rhinos, elephants, lions, tigers and other wild animals. I am sure that you are as horrified as I am by this killing to gratify the ego.”

From: http://bitly.com/1KpW05Z