Sandra Bullock donates $1 mil for tsunami

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

I meant that it's a celebrity world, that makes me sad. That people are obsessively driven by what they do. It's ridiculous.

I mean, I'm borderline obsessed with Lindsey/Justin/Keith/Josh/Evan (LMAO!!), but whether they endorse something or not, that doesn't change my mind. If I wanna give to a charity, I will, regardless of what they think.

But - they could bring your focus to it just by lending their name to it. I mean in LB issued a statement saying the wetlands by his property are in need of repair and donations were needed but not a lot of people know about it, you might think about donating, which is more than you could do if you did not know about it

As for the celebrity world - it does not bother me

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

I meant that it's a celebrity world, that makes me sad. That people are obsessively driven by what they do. It's ridiculous.

I mean, I'm borderline obsessed with Lindsey/Justin/Keith/Josh/Evan (LMAO!!), but whether they endorse something or not, that doesn't change my mind. If I wanna give to a charity, I will, regardless of what they think.

how I feel, I dont let my like of an "entertainer" affect my opinion on giving/supporting of a cause, Never will.

I think King Diamond had the best thing to ever say that was related to this type of thing: "I keep my personal opinions separated from the fans of my music because I dont want fans to believe in what I believe just because I am in a position to entertain...The fans should make up their own minds and never follow what an entertainer says or supports".


Brian j.

[wondergirl9847]

I totally get what you're saying, Jason. The fact that celebs are well known faces and can put a "face" to a charity that needs help, GREAT!!

This was a HUGE disaster, on TV every minute of the day pretty much, it doesn't need a celebrity "face". People gave, regardless of fame and fortune.

[BTFLCHLD]

Stop sending us money, French aid group says
Medecins Sans Frontieres' unusual statement draws criticism

Jan. 4, 2005PARIS - The medical aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) urged donors on Tuesday to stop sending it money for Asian tsunami victims, saying it had collected enough funds to manage its relief effort there.

In an unusual step, the group said it has enough to finance emergency medical aid projects in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

In a statement on its U.S. website, MSF urged donors to instead contribute to its general Emergency Relief Fund, "which is enabling our quick response to the current disaster in South Asia as well as humanitarian needs in war-torn Darfur, Sudan, and elsewhere in the over 70 countries where MSF is working around the world."

In Europe, the group's branches in France and Germany said they had already raised 40 million euros ($54.4 million) and 20 million euros, respectively.

Undercutting efforts?
The decision surprised other aid groups and drew criticism that it could undercut an unprecedented wave of private giving to provide relief to the region devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami which has killed at least 140,000 people.

“It’s the first time we are led to take this kind of decision,” MSF Director General Pierre Salignon said.

“This might seem to run counter to the mood of general mobilization, but it’s a question of honesty toward our donors. We don’t want to continue to lobby the public for projects that are already financed,” he said in a statement.

A spokesman for MSF’s German branch, Aerzte Ohne Grenzen, said it had adopted the same policy.

“What shocks me is that you are taking the risk of pulling the carpet under the feet of other aid organizations. Many groups still need more money,” said Jean-Christope Rufin, head of the French aid group Action Contre la Faim (Action against Hunger).

“It’s a bit irresponsible. We’re all in the same boat in humanitarian aid,” Rufin told France 2 television.

'Just the beginning' for other aid groups
Some German agencies said they had no plans to follow suit and privately several said they were shocked by MSF’s decision.

“MSF mainly provides emergency aid, whereas UNICEF stays on. We build schools, carry out vaccination programs and so on. For us this is just the beginning and that’s why we still need donations,” said Astrid Prange of UNICEF Germany, which has received more than 10 million euros in pledges.

“Our experience is -- and our feeling is -- that people want to give to this or nothing. It’s not that they want to give in general,” said Oxfam Germany director Paul Bendix.

Some German aid agencies attributed MSF’s move to its focus on providing short term aid, which is treated differently for tax purposes under German law on charitable donations than long-term development assistance.

A spokesman for the German Protestant church charity Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, which has also received 10 million euros in pledges, said most German charities had been careful to broadly frame their aid requests so that they were not legally tied to providing specific assistance in one country.

MSF in France said it was committed to use money donated for South Asia only there and not for other crises.

“If a person calls us to make a donation, we will tell them that these programs are already financed and that they can make a donation for a different crisis,” a MSF spokeswoman said.

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by BTFLCHLD

Stop sending us money, French aid group says
Medecins Sans Frontieres' unusual statement draws criticism

Jan. 4, 2005PARIS - The medical aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) urged donors on Tuesday to stop sending it money for Asian tsunami victims, saying it had collected enough funds to manage its relief effort there.

In an unusual step, the group said it has enough to finance emergency medical aid projects in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

In a statement on its U.S. website, MSF urged donors to instead contribute to its general Emergency Relief Fund, "which is enabling our quick response to the current disaster in South Asia as well as humanitarian needs in war-torn Darfur, Sudan, and elsewhere in the over 70 countries where MSF is working around the world."

In Europe, the group's branches in France and Germany said they had already raised 40 million euros ($54.4 million) and 20 million euros, respectively.

Undercutting efforts?
The decision surprised other aid groups and drew criticism that it could undercut an unprecedented wave of private giving to provide relief to the region devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami which has killed at least 140,000 people.

“It’s the first time we are led to take this kind of decision,” MSF Director General Pierre Salignon said.

“This might seem to run counter to the mood of general mobilization, but it’s a question of honesty toward our donors. We don’t want to continue to lobby the public for projects that are already financed,” he said in a statement.

A spokesman for MSF’s German branch, Aerzte Ohne Grenzen, said it had adopted the same policy.

“What shocks me is that you are taking the risk of pulling the carpet under the feet of other aid organizations. Many groups still need more money,” said Jean-Christope Rufin, head of the French aid group Action Contre la Faim (Action against Hunger).

“It’s a bit irresponsible. We’re all in the same boat in humanitarian aid,” Rufin told France 2 television.

'Just the beginning' for other aid groups
Some German agencies said they had no plans to follow suit and privately several said they were shocked by MSF’s decision.

“MSF mainly provides emergency aid, whereas UNICEF stays on. We build schools, carry out vaccination programs and so on. For us this is just the beginning and that’s why we still need donations,” said Astrid Prange of UNICEF Germany, which has received more than 10 million euros in pledges.

“Our experience is -- and our feeling is -- that people want to give to this or nothing. It’s not that they want to give in general,” said Oxfam Germany director Paul Bendix.

Some German aid agencies attributed MSF’s move to its focus on providing short term aid, which is treated differently for tax purposes under German law on charitable donations than long-term development assistance.

A spokesman for the German Protestant church charity Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, which has also received 10 million euros in pledges, said most German charities had been careful to broadly frame their aid requests so that they were not legally tied to providing specific assistance in one country.

MSF in France said it was committed to use money donated for South Asia only there and not for other crises.

“If a person calls us to make a donation, we will tell them that these programs are already financed and that they can make a donation for a different crisis,” a MSF spokeswoman said.

I was on the Doctors Without Borders website yesterday and was surprised to see that they were requesting that donations be made for different funds besides the tsunami releif. I guess they know what their needs are.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

I think she is sincere in giving, Unlike most of the other people from Holly-weird.

Way more sincere than our beloved US government, And it's "Oh, so this is a competition to see who gives the most money now among the countries of the world...When at first we only gave 35 million, Hell let's make it 300+ million and the world will forgive us for everything" approach!!

Brian j.

Poppy Bush has some tight business ties in that part of the world. I think he told Jr. that he'd better pony up.

[The Catdancer]

Originally Posted by dissention

I am, too, I was just speaking from the view that I don't like it when celebrities themselves publicize their contributions. I think Bullock is one of the few truly genuine people in Hollywood.

Too bad she;ll be married to Jesse James of Monster Garage

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by The Catdancer

Too bad she;ll be married to Jesse James of Monster Garage

on TV that Jesse "Tattooed-Tard" James just married someone

[The Catdancer]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

on TV that Jesse "Tattooed-Tard" James just married someone

Really???? Well, hopefully it's not Sandra. Do you happen to remember what the lady looked like?

[stefan]

Yesterday we had a large charity TV show, where celebrities came to donate and to inspire everyone else to join. There was a huge reaction. Normally I would say: give and be humble enough not to tell the rest of the world. In this case they really act as examples, so this is a very good thing to do.
Formula 1 racing World champion Michael Schumacher decided to give 10 Million Euros. An incredible amount imo, but he sure can afford it too.
FC Bayern Munich, a german soccer club (see my avatar) has announced to create a project: They will establish a school for orphans or an orphanage in Sri Lanka if I remember correctly. The entire project will be organized by the club but not only for now but they announced to take the responsibility for the next 15-20 years. This club is the most antagonizing in Germany. People either hate it completely or love it. The main manager, Uli Hoeness is a very antagonizing man too, so to say the Carne of German football. But when it comes to support people under pressure, he soon is there.
Money can never make up for the losses but these are some examples giving a little hope in this sad situation.