Celebs, Moguls Step Up To Plate
American celebrities and business moguls are stepping up to do their part in the face of one of most devasting tragedies in recent history: the Dec. 26th earthquake and tsunamis.
Actress Sandra Bullock, who donate $1 million after the Sept. 11 attacks, is contributing that same amount now for tsunami victims.
Her donation is going to the American Red Cross, which is also receiving a $3 million donation for tsunami victims from computer mogul Michael Dell and his wife.
Leo Dicaprio, whose 2000 thriller "The Beach" was filmed in Thailand, is also coming forward with a donation - to UNICEF, according to "Access Hollywood." Dicaprio has also set up a link on his web site for donations to UNICEF on behalf of tsunami relief.
One of America's wealthiest families, the Lindners of Cincinnati, is making a more direct approach to tsunami relief. Cincinnati Reds majority owner Carl Lindner, and his son, Carl Lindner III, who together run the American Financial Group insurance holding company, have donated $200,000 to cover the cost of flying food, medicine, water and other emergency supplies to India and Sri Lanka.
The antibiotics aboard the plane, which left Cincinnati Monday night, were collected and donated by doctors at the University of Cincinnati.
The younger Lindner is headed to Asia with the donations, to be funneled through Global Peace Initiative, run by Indian evangelist K.A. Paul, and the group's orphanage founded in India with support from the Lindner family.
"It's everybody's responsibility to do something to help these orphans and these souls - everyone," said Paul, who is seeking corporate donations to finance more flights to the region.
Over the weekend, the National Football League's Baltimore Ravens collected $51,475 from fans at their game against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday, with the team adding another $25,000.
Volunteers also accepted donations at Sunday's game in Seattle between the Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. The New York Giants, through the humanitarian aid group AmeriCares, planned to collect money before their game Sunday night against Dallas. The team partnered with that organization after the Sept. 11, 2001,terrorist attacks.
Sports stars and fans overseas are also joining hands to help disaster victims.
In Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova beat four-time major winner Venus Williams in an exhibition match that began with a 30-second tribute to victims of the deadly waves. After the match, the players auctioned their rackets for about $2,500 each.
Sharapova donated $10,000 on Thursday to tsunami victims in Thailand.
In Melbourne, Australia, next week top players from around the world will hold a charity cricket match for Asian tsunami victims.
Dubbed "Cricket Aid," all proceeds from the Jan. 10 match — including ticket money, sponsorships and television rights — will be donated to U.S.-based relief organization World Vision.
In Wellington, New Zealand, owners of the racehorse Blue Tsunami considered pulling out of Tuesday's races, to avoid offending survivors of the disaster. In the end, however, they let the horse run, planning to donate any winnings to the relief effort.
The horse did win - $6,000 - which will go to the relief effort, along with a matching donation from the track and another $5,000 from the owner of another of the day's winners.