11 more US billionaires join Gates, Buffett charity pledge

NEW YORK - Eleven billionaires added their names Tuesday to the effort by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to donate half their fortunes to charity, bringing the total to 92.

The newest members of the club include Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, and Charles Bronfman, the Canadian-born former head of Seagram Co.

The Giving Pledge, announced in 2010, was launched by Microsoft mogul Gates and investment guru Buffett who want to convince the richest people in the country to give 50 percent or more of their fortune to charity.
The group includes CNN founder Ted Turner, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Hollywood director George Lucas, as well as Buffett and Gates.

"We've said from the beginning that this is a long-term effort, so it's exciting to see continued progress over the last two years," said Gates, who is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"This new group brings extensive business and philanthropic experience that will enrich the conversation about how to make philanthropy as impactful as possible. Their thoughtfulness and deep commitment to philanthropy are an inspiration to me, and I'm sure to many others as well."

The newest members also include Manoj Bhargava, India-born founder of 5-hour Energy; and Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans and majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Also pledging were Peter Lewis, chairman of Progressive Insurance; Jonathan Nelson, founder of Providence Equity Partners; Jorge Perez, chairman and CEO of The Related Group; Albert Lee Ueltschi, founder of FlightSafety International; and Symphony Technology Group founder Romesh Wadhwani.
New pledges also came from Claire Tow, co-founder of a major cable television company, and husband Leonard Tow, the CEO of New Century Holdings.

Lewis said in his pledge letter that he would make donations aimed at "promoting a healthy democracy, broad civic participation and public policy -- from the support of progressive think tanks to leadership training for public servants, to investigative journalism, ethics in government, and a democratic media."
He added that another effort he would fund is "taboo for most philanthropists yet exemplifies disastrous public policy... our nation's outdated, ineffective marijuana laws."

Lewis said he has already funded efforts to enact laws that give patients access to marijuana as relief for pain and nausea and has "made no secret of being one of those patients myself, using marijuana to help with pain following the amputation of my lower leg."

"A majority of Americans are ready to change marijuana laws, yet we continue to arrest our young people for engaging in an activity that is utterly commonplace," he said.

Bronfman said in his letter that philanthropy "is in the DNA of my family," adding that his parents were active participants in Jewish, local Montreal and Canadian charities.

"The dining table conversation was a place for discussing what was important to them in that world -- it is no surprise then, that each of us has contributed to society."

source: interaksyon.com

Michael J. Fox Participates in 9/11 Charity Event

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael J. Fox is doing his part to make the anniversary of 9/11 about helping others.

The actor is spending Tuesday participating in the Cantor Fitzgerald's Charity Day, along with a host of other celebrities. Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial firm that lost 658 employees in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, has marked the anniversary of that day by raising funds for charities; this year, more than 100 are expected to benefit.

"This is not necessarily a somber event; I think this is more of a celebration, a celebration of humanity, and an acknowledgement of the needs of the people in the community," Fox said in a phone interview Monday. "On a day when so many were affected by so few in such a negative way, it's a great way for so few ... to help the wider community in kind of reverse — the energy of that day, the negative energy of that day, with a positive show of support for the community."

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research is among the day's beneficiaries. Fox has been afflicted by the disease for years, is a strong supporter of stem cell research and has lobbied in Washington in his battle to eradicate Parkinson's.

"A lot of the needs were met of the people who were affected that day as much as they could be met beyond the lasting feelings that go on forever ... the fact that it as an impetus to branch out and to help other people in other communities and continue the spirit of generosity, of humanity, I think was really key in moving forward," Fox said.

Fox added that he was grateful for the support from the financial community: "I like to joke that Alex Keaton was the role model for so many of these guys, so maybe they had a special place in their hearts for me and my work," referring to the capitalist-loving character that made him famous some three decades ago.

Fox is returning to sitcoms after a decade-long absence. He's working with NBC on a show that will touch on his Parkinson's struggles; it is set to debut next year.

"I'm really excited about that. It's a great idea and it's a great group of people I'm working with and NBC has been really supportive of the idea ... and obviously shown that they're willing to take a chance on us," he said.

Fox took time off from television while he was dealing with Parkinson's, which degrades the central nervous system and can cause slurred speech and impaired motor skills.

But Fox said his condition is good.

"I was just feeling better and things are working for me medication-wise, and I just thought, 'Why don't I take this opportunity to do it?' I wake up every day and I feel good and if I don't go forward with something like this, it's another day wasted when I should be doing what I'm doing."

source: nytimes.com

Former 'Darna' actress launches charity project

MANILA, Philippines - Former actress Nanette Medved, who became famous in the '90s for her film portrayal of super-heroine “Darna,” is back though not to reprise that role.

Apparently, Medved is more into helping the downtrodden; putting up the “I Drink, I Give” campaign, which aims to raise funds to build classrooms.

“This is about helping our children,” said she at the launch of the campaign recently.

“Alam naman natin na marami pa [sa kanila] ang nag-aaral sa ilalim ng puno,” she added, noting the need for an additional 66,800 classrooms across the country.

“Let’s not always rely on government to do things for us. Let us also try to be proactive and do things ourselves, kaya naman natin.”

She quickly dismissed notions that she is out to create publicity for a planned showbiz comeback.

“This is not about me, please,” said she. “Marami nang magagaling d’yan, hayaan na natin sila. I will just focus on helping [others].”

“What we’re trying to bring to the scene here is ‘Hope in a Bottle,’ nakikitulong lang ako,” she added.

Medved’s showbiz background allowed her to tap some of her colleagues to join the crusade including veteran comedian Dolphy, Boy Abunda, Jericho Rosales and Bea Alonzo.

Medved was born in Hawaii, but she grew up in Angeles City, Philippines.

Some of the movies she did during her heydays included a couple with Fernando Poe Jr. namely “Dito sa Pitong Gatang,” and “Isang Bala Ka Lang.”

She also did films with Robin Padilla (“Sa Diyos Lang Ako Susuko”), Bong Revilla (“Iukit Mo sa Bala”), Rudy Fernandez (“Tumbasan Mo ng Buhay”), and Christopher de Leon (“Hiram Na Mukha”).

She became scarce in the scene after getting embroiled in the so-called Metro Manila Film Festival Scam of 1994.

She went on to pursue her studies, graduating with degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurship (with highest honors) from Babson College, Massachussetts, USA.

Medved is married to Chinese businessman, Chris Po.

source: mb.com.ph