John has much experience working in the philanthropic world, and takes great interest in charitable goings on today.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Hosting Autism Evening

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Jacqueline Laurita is finally coming clean to explain why the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” producers have kept Nicholas off of the cameras up until now. Laurita explained that Nocholas was only recently diagnosed during the taping of Season 4 and that his symptoms started to appear around 18 months.

Revealing that he has autism, Laurita is using the revelation as a chance to benefit an autism charity.

Now, she is hosting a charity event for Autism at the Brownstone called the Sparkle Event.  It will include a three course dinner, an open bar and entertainment during the evening. The event will take place at The Brownstone from 7-11 pm on Thursday, September 20th.

The event will benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright.

 

CollegeHumor Launches ‘Malarious’ to Support Malaria No More

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Digital comedy site CollegeHumor is thrilling fans with its newest project- a charity initiative called Malarious. In partnership with Malaria No More, the effort will raise money for the battle against the disease.

Malarious’s Cirque du Malaria is a series of vaudevillian comedy clips, featured at collegehumor.com/malarious. The videos include bits from famous celebrities, including David Arquette, Allison Williams and Tony Hale. CollegeHumor fans can flip through the selection for a minimum donation of $1.

Arquette, who is seen wearing a tux-style speedo, shared his appreciation for the Internet and the artistic freedom it provides.

“You don’t have to deal with the executive aspects of it, approvals and content restrictions. It allows for creativity, and it also allows you to do something in a shorter format that you can serialize,” Arquette said. It’s “kind of like a vaudeville model for the new age, where it’s two-minute pieces of content that essentially are people’s sweet spot for their attention span.”

Allison Williams also gushed about the project.

“The fan base that CollegeHumor has, and a lot of these actors have, lends itself to younger fans. When you’re young, other than volunteering, there are very few opportunities to reach out and be charitable, so when an organization says ‘You can literally give us a dollar, and you’ll be helping’ it’s a really user-friendly way to do something charitable,” she said.

President of original content at CollegeHumor Media Sam Reich agreed, saying: “This is a whole new model for the way that online charity campaigns can work.”

 

Sean Penn’s J/P HRO Offers to Oversee National Palace Demolition in Haiti

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The Haitian government recently revealed that J/P Haitian Relief Organization, or HRO, a nonprofit aid group founded by actor Sean Penn, has offered to oversee the demolition of the National Palace. The building was damaged in the 2010 earthquake, and has been slowly collapsing ever since. Government officials have been working from a small police station as well as a few impromptu buildings on the Palace grounds.

Lucien Jura, a government spokesman, explained that the project would begin in ten days’ time. J/P HRO has not asked for any payment, despite the fact that the demolition will take at least two months.

“Amb. Penn mentioned that his organization could provide the engineers and equipment to do the demolition at no cost to the government,” Jura said.

Penn’s foundation believes that the project symbolizes a turning point for Haiti and its nation. The demolition team will work alongside the government as well as a department responsible for preserving historical monuments, aiming to combine construction machines and hands-on work to preserve and restore certain parts of the complex.

“It’s an important project, an important step for the government, for Haiti, for the people of Haiti to move on,” said Ron Baldwin, executive director of J/P HRO.

Jay Leno Raises $350,000 for the Fisher House Foundation

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Jay Leno’s passion for cars has done more than benefit the auto industry; his recent charity auction raised $600,000 for U.S. veterans and armed forces.

Leno’s obsession with his vehicles is well known- he even has a structure built to house some of his most unique cars.

On Saturday night, Leno’s unique 2012 Prima Edizione Fiat 500 was sold for ten times the asking price of $35,000. The car was the second of the model to be imported by Chrysler.

All of the auction proceeds will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation. This organization works to provide a “’home away from home’ for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury,” according to their website.

“The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.”

Glass Slipper Charity Event to Support Autism Speaks

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After a few years’ break, Lisa Friday McCastlain is launching another Glass Slipper luncheon fashion show for charity.

This year’s event, which is to be held at the Tuskawilla Country Club, will benefit the Autism Speaks organization. Jim Payne, news anchor of WESH 2 News, will host the event, which includes a charity auction and a fashion show.

McClain began the Glass Slipper in 2001 after the loss of her husband with hopes of keeping herself busy and supporting others in need. The event benefits different charities every year.

“The event has always been a labor of love for me,” she says. “We don’t hold money back so I bank roll it every year- it’s sort of a leap of faith putting it on. We rely on the community to donate and they always come through. I’m so thankful.”

She explained:

“I started Glass Slipper because I realized if I’m going through something difficult, others are too. This year, I can really speak to the cause. My brother has a beautiful child with Autism. I also found that I have many friends who have been touched by this cause so I knew we has to help.”

The Glass Slipper event will be ‘fun and girly’ in hopes of gathering mothers, daughters and friends.

“Everyone knows we’re there to support, but we want to do it while making it a joyous day,” McCastlain explained.

Red Robin Launches Charity Car Wash for Aurora Victims

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Eau Claire’s Red Robin restaurant has launched a car wash in support of the Aurora shooting victims and their families.

The event hopes to raise money to help with medical bills and physical therapy, according to Christopher Pirelli, the venue’s general manager.

Other restaurants throughout the country are also adding their efforts to the cause with similar car-washing charities this week.

 WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

 

Guns & Hoses Softball Tournament Raises Money for Youth Programs

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August 18th marks this year’s Guns & Hoses charity event, which combines the efforts of the Great Falls Police Department and Great Falls Fire Rescue in a softball tournament.

All proceeds from the event, which include the admission fee of $7 and a can of food, are donated to local youth programs and food banks. Tickets are being sold at the Great Falls Police Department and Centene Stadium.

Katie Cunnigham, a police officer, explained:

“It’s important for 100 percent of the donations and proceeds go straight back into the community for youth-based organizations such as ‘Shop with a Cop’ graduation parties, CASA-CAN, all those types of things. It goes straight back into the community.”

The Fire Rescue feels the same way. Fireman J.D. Kulbeck said:

“Just good to show that the cops and firemen do actually get along though there’s kind of that friendly rivalry. But most importantly it’s to raise money for the charities.”

Last year’s competition ended with a 31-15 win for the Fire Rescue. This year Cunningham believes the police are “planning on bringing their best game,” while the Fire Rescue team vows to keep up their winning streak.

Rachel’s Wells: A Birthday Wish

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Last year, 9-year-old Rachel Beckwith gave up her birthday gifts with hopes of raising $300 for Charity: Water, to provide 15 people with clean water in developing countries. She came a little short of her goal, and vowed to raise more next time. She was killed in a car accident a few months later.

After her death, people around the world began to donate, and Rachel’s dream has expanded to provide water for 60,000 so far, as well as clean-water wells in communities all over the world. On July 23rd, one year after her death, her mother traveled to Ethiopia to experience the contributions first hand.

 

New York Concert Battles Extreme Poverty

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Late this September, three hot bands will combine their efforts at one of the most popular concerts of the year- the Global Festival 2012.

Tickets for the event, which will feature The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, cannot be bought in advance, however. Instead, fans must take part in an effort to fight extreme poverty though the event’s website or app, thus earning entry to the Central Park performance. Participation involves simple activities such as posting info on social media networks, signing petitions and small donations.

The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney explained:

“The scale of things that they’re trying to do just felt really cool, and we’re trying to get the ball rolling. Especially with everything that’s been going on for the last three years, I supposed, after the stock market crashed. There’s attention on the amount of people living below the poverty line and the disparity between the rich and the poor and everything that’s going on now… It just felt like the right time to do something.”

Efforts against worldwide poverty have increased as the UN meetings in NY proceed. Hugh Evans, organizer of Global Poverty Project, has called the concert a “crescendo” to the outstanding effort.

“I think what’s exciting is all the world leaders are going to be in town that week for the United Nations meeting. And this concert and the associated campaign will give us the opportunity to ask these world leaders to make practical and tangible monetary commitments to the world’s poor and to the achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.”

Charlie Sheen to Donate $50,000 to Match Brennaman’s Reds Fund Project

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Last week’s match between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh’s Pirates captured the hearts of fans everywhere thanks to Marty Brennaman’s charitable efforts.

The amount broadcaster had pledged to shave his head if the team won ten consecutive games. He added that the haircut would be done publicaly if fans could collect $20, 000 for the Reds Community Fund, which is ‘dedicated to improving the lives of youth.’

Actors Martin and Charlie Sheen were both present on Friday for the head-shaving event. They visited Great American Ball Park to support the Reds and to celebrate Martin Sheen’s birthday. Upon hearing that Brennaman’s drive generated $50,000 for the organization, the younger Sheen vowed to match that amount. Martin is a Dayton native, and Charlie has been a Reds fan since his childhood.

“The City of Cincinnati has opened its arms to me so graciously and I’m compelled to give something back,” Sheen said. “If this contribution points one kid in the right direction, then we’ve done our job.”