Klitschko Gives Back To At-Risk Children

Wladimir Klitschko, boxing champion is donating at least a half a million dollars to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation programs for at-risk children in New York’s Bronx.

The foundation offers a range of activities for local, disadvantage kids. The kids learn life skills, values and participate in academic enrichment programs, as well as learning how to box and simply having a positive place to escape to from the hard difficulties of reality from a depressed home and street life, where absentee parents, substance abuse and domestic violence are common.

Klitschko’s donations to Laureus comes from two sources. The first 350,000 comes from his fan base, who responded to his offer to of embellish the robe he would wear for his championship heavyweight fight. Then 150,000 has been offered for the robe, under auction until next month, which is expected to rise.

He plans to use the money for a larger facility nearby so that the boxing program can have a larger amount of children to come. Furthermore, it will be used to help fund an onsite computer tech center, tutoring, health, and nutrition education, a dance program and upgraded sports equipment.

Suicide Rates

Suicide is known as neither an illness nor a condition. Rather, it’s a complex set of behaviors that exists on a continuum, from ideas to actions.

According to the American Association of Suicidology, currently there are slightly more than 30,000 suicides annually (83 suicides per day; or 1 suicide every 17 minutes), with 12 of 100,000 Americans killing themselves. It is the eighth leading cause of death.

The number for the average middle-aged American suicide annual has increase nearly 20 percent between 1999 and 2004. What causes people to take their own lives? Unfortunately the answer is not an easy one. It starts with depression.

The rate of people taking their lives have traditionally decreased in times of war and increased in times of economic crises.

Journalist’s Toolbox

The American Press Institute’s website has many things to look at through the Journalist’s Toolbox. There it illustrates tons of information on stories going on around the world. I found the flu stories very informative. It expresses that it is important to get vaccinated for the flu this year. The website allows you to locate a flu clinic near you through The American Lung Association. All you do is enter your zip code to get started. Once you do that you will get the date, times, address, and phone number of Clinics offering flu shots near you. Furthermore, it displays a map showing where the Clinics are located. The American Lung Association maintains helpful and educational information to patients about the importance of influenza immunization.

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Charity Work

Actress, Jennifer Love Hewitt has helped design and signed a pair of shoes for the Stuart Weitzman charity shoe auction. This charity was benefiting ovarian cancer awareness and research.

She has been seen wearing a “Save the Future” t-shirt in support of the Cotton Campaign, which is run by the Environmental Justice Foundation. All the proceeds of the t-shirts are going to the continue to fight the use of child labour in the production of cotton.

Leona Lewis

Singer Leona Lewis is another star who has interest in helping out in South Africa. She is the 22-year-old X Factor winner and currently rising to fame, with her album spirit. She holds the record for the fastest selling debut album ever released in the UK. During her recent trip to South Africa she witnessed the extent of the AIDS pandemic. Lewis raised awareness of the plight of AIDS orphans and sufferers with Sport Relief, an initiative of Comic Relief when she had returned from a three day trip to Johannesburg.

“Some of the horrors I have seen will never leave me,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the great work that Sport Relief does firsthand and the difference they make, their projects and centers keep communities going and give them something to be proud and positive about.”

Lewis announced that one of the dresses she wore for her performance at last month’s Brit Awards will be auctioned on eBay, with all the proceeds going to sports Relief.

In response to her trip, Lewis has just announced that the stunning purple gown she wore for her performance at last month’s Brit Awards will be auctioned on eBay, with all proceeds going to Sport Relief. The singer is also donating the proceeds from her new double A-side single, Footprints In The Sand/Better In Time, to the charity.

No Word Yet… :(

I have yet to receive any further information from Alison Rou, someone from Oprah’s media relations. I was hoping to find out some answers from her dealing with Oprah’s new prime time show on ABC. I’m still hoping they will get back to me with answers to my interview questions. No luck so far..