Knowing where to look for help with the various issues you’re facing is one thing, but having access to actual resources that are available to you is another. Awareness tells you where to look, but it’s charity that ensures there’s something of benefit to you when you get there.
To inspire you to make a difference in your own personal way, we’ve put together a quick list of seven celebrities who are doing more than their fair share to help make the world a better place, each one using their time and energy to make a difference.
Bono founded ONE
Deciding you want to be the driving force behind a global project to eradicate extreme poverty and preventable disease is great, but setting a deadline of 2030 to do it is really stepping up to the plate. Bono has done exactly that with his foundation and is continuing to raise awareness as one of the world’s best known philanthropists. It’s not just about the amount of money he donates personally — he’s someone who has lent his voice to so many good causes over the years that the world cannot help but sit up and take notice whenever he speaks. A true inspiration for anyone looking to make a real difference in the world.
Miley Cyrus heads to Haiti
The poorest country in the western hemisphere has never recovered or managed to rebuild after a devastating earthquake that rocked it to its very core. The fact it lies so close to the world’s richest country, and yet seems to be living in a completely different world, is a sad indictment of the state that humanity finds itself in right now. With pop superstars like Miley Cyrus lending their fame and fortune to raise awareness of the plight of an entire nation, we can have a little renewed hope that things will not remain this way forever.
Oprah Winfrey is empowering South African women
Oprah is known for her generosity with time and money, helping with things as diverse as giving away new cars and raising awareness of responsible gambling. But nowhere is her generosity more acutely felt than in South Africa. This is a country still very much coming to terms with the economic reality of moving beyond apartheid, and it’s a country where whole sections of society are still being left behind in their droves. By empowering the next generation of black women, Oprah hopes to massively improve literacy rates, reduce teenage pregnancy, and show women that they can be anything, and anyone, they want to be.
John Cena is the king of the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The superstar wrestler and Hollywood movie star is a busy man, not least because he’s long held the record for the most wishes granted by the incredible Make-A-Wish Foundation. His work schedule never gets in the way of his time reaching out to children who deserve something to smile about and a memory they can hold onto. His down-to-earth demeanor and flexibility have already been written about widely, and we’re definitely in agreement with those who spoke about him before us.
George Clooney co-founded ‘Not On Our Watch’
Sudan may not be the place you’d expect to find this Hollywood icon in, and yet he’s been making regular visits for years. Clooney’s humanitarian work often flies under the radar, with many not even realizing he’s actually a co-founder of Not On Our Watch. This charitable organization is passionately committed to ending the suffering and misery of an entire nation, one step at a time. Civil unrest, natural disasters and widespread famine have all contributed to one of the lowest life expectancies anywhere in the world. The sooner that changes, the better.
Taylor Swift reads to sick children
Something as simple as using your voice to tell a story is sometimes all it takes to change someone’s day, which is exactly what Taylor Swift does. By spending time reading, she’s not only helping provide motivation and strength to children in need, but she’s also using her profile to raise awareness of the importance of these types of community outreach projects.
Katy Perry raises awareness for Vietnamese children
Last but not least, this pop queen and media personality can often be found helping raise money and awareness for the plight of the children of Vietnam. This is a country still recovering from a war with the U.S. more than 50 years ago, and it’s a country in which young people can only dream of having the types of opportunities in life that so many of us take for granted.
Thanks for reading this far. We hope this list inspires you to do your bit on helping others. Whether it’s as simple as raising awareness on social media or raising money with an in-person sponsorship activity, you really can make a difference.
