DoSomething.org – the website that aims to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action – has released a list of what it considers to be the top 20 “Celebs Gone Good” for 2010.
20. 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord ventured outside of her zip code more than once this year to support her favorite causes, including access to clean water in Africa and helping victims of global sex trade. This Christmas she’s off to Cambodia with Somaly Mam to bring needed supplies to sex trafficking survivors there.
19. Stephen Colbert, who is a massive supporter of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, as well as being on the Board of Directors for the education charity DonorsChoose.org and has even testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on immigration.
18. Prince William, who has this year – to benefit Centrepoint – hosted a fundraising polo match, wrote an article to that was published by international media, and raised money through a photoshoot with formerly homeless fashion photographer Jeff Hubbard.
17. Wyclef Jean, whose work in Haiti brought millions of dollars to the country.
16. Sandra Bullock funds a scholarship program at the Warren Easton Charter School in New Orleans and just helped to open the school’s full-service medical and dental clinic.
15. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, this year Alyssa Milano traveled to India, Angola, and Kosovo in order to meet with world leaders and to gain up-to-date perspective that she can promote via social media.
14. Sophia Bush had a busy year raising awareness of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and helped produce Gasoline Rainbows, a charity album to raise money to help the cleanup.
13. Eva Longoria gathered her celebrity friends together this year for TwitChange, an online auction to raise money for Haitian orphans.
12. Betty White continued her work raising awareness of animals in need this year, posing for a calendar and designing clothes.
11. Shakira joined World Cup excitement by writing “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” as a celebration of diversity. To help build schools in South Africa, Haiti, and Colombia, Shakira donated earnings from a commercial this fall and designed t-shirts with MANGO. Recently, she penned a children’s book with a familiar character – Dora the Explorer in the International Day of School Adventure.
10. Justin Bieber visited and dedicated a music video to the many children battling illness worldwide, even raising $150,000 for a Buffalo, NY children’s hospital. Bieber also works with Pencils of Promise to help build schools and increase education opportunities in the developing world, donating $1 from every ticket sold to the org, which is no small change when you’re selling out giant arenas.
9. Oprah donated $40 million to charity, making her The Giving Back Fund’s top celeb philanthropist.
8. Leonardo DiCaprio took on preserving endangered tigers this year. He traveled to Asia to witness the tiger population threats firsthand, and met with world leaders from the 13 tiger-inhabited countries, including Russia’s Prime Minister Putin. Leo launched Save Tigers Now with the World Wildlife Fund, and in November donated $1 million for tiger conservation.
7. Matt Damon co-founded Water.org to provide safe drinking water & sanitation in developing countries. In August he traveled to Ethiopia to increase water conditions there.
6. A leading diabetes advocate, Nick Jonas became this year’s National Chair for JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes.
5. Ellen DeGeneres was busy this year with… well, just about every cause you can think of, including animals, mental health and LGBT issues.
4. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore worked hard with their DNA Foundation to combat child sex trafficking.
3. Taylor Swift donated $500,000 to the relief effort following the Nashville floods.
2. Alicia Keys raised $1.1 million dollars after convincing her celebrity friends to stop tweeting. Alicia also announced that she and hubby Swizz Beatz adopted a South African village where they will build schools and provide support for the residents.
1. Lady Gaga hosted the Hands Up for Marriage Equality event supporting same-sex-marriage and was the face of MAC Viva Glam, with 100% of the proceeds going to prevent HIV/AIDS worldwide.
To read more about each star named on the list, visit DoSomething.org.
Source: DoSomething.org
