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A Look at We Are The World-25 For Haiti
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of tula 7755 on flickr.com
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Written by Zach Ellman, Online Entertainment Editor
Last Friday wasn’t only a day for bringing together the nations of the world at the XXI Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but it was also a day where 87 artists and musicians came together. These 87 artists and musicians recorded their own modern day version of “We Are The World,” for the 25th anniversary of the original recording and to help raise awareness for the ongoing efforts in Haiti. The original recording featured artists such as Michael Jackson, Dianna Ross, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, and many others.
Since its original recording, which took place in 1985, the song has won three Grammy Awards and one People’s Choice Award. The song, which is a major contribution to The We Are The World Foundation, has raised more than $63 million, of which has mainly been donated to help regions of poverty in Africa, people that are in refuge, etc.
Artists such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Jordan Sparks, American Idol Judge Randy Jackson, Celine Dion, Wycleaf Jean, Jamie Foxx, Kanye West, Fergie, Vince Vaughn, Snoop Dogg, Barbra Streisand, Jeff Bridges, Jason Mraz, will.i.am, and many many more contributed their voices when they first recorded the song on February 1st, which was exactly the 25 year anniversary of the original recording. During the music video, a clip of Michael Jackson, who was one of the artists in the original recording, was shown singing his sister, Grammy Winning Singer Janet Jackson.
Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones, the creators of the original version of the song, decided to use today’s artists, while also incorporating some of other generations. Also, Academy Award Winning Director Paul Haggis was put on to direct the music video and to film a “behind-the-scenes type” video of the recording. The video aired on the opening ceremonies of the XXI Winter Olympics in Vancouver on Friday, where more than 30 million viewers saw the star-studded performance.
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Helping Haiti
Photo Credit: CreativeCommons.org
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Written by Christie Riganati, Online News Editor
January 12th, 2010 Haiti experienced an unfortunate natural disaster. The Haiti Earthquake has been heard around the world. With Haiti being one of the poorest countries in the world, with such a devastating disaster the call for help has been desperate.
Now that the Earthquake has passed, the worst is left to deal with- the aftermath. All of the debris left to clean up requires a lot of crews that Haiti cannot provide for itself. There are also many victims that are buried below all the debris that are desperately awaiting rescue. In addition, families are left without shelter and their everyday needs. Many family members are missing as well. The devastation is the main thing Haitians are dealing with at this time. Thinking this situation couldn’t get any worse, on the morning of January 20th an aftershock 6.0 earthquake hit Haiti. Many are awaiting the return home of missing family members or receiving the tragic news that they may have not made it.
Another effect of the earthquake is the lack of funding for the recovery of Haiti. As the days go by, more and more funds become available for donating. At West Boca High, there is a collection in the media center. Items such as these are being collected; any non-perishable food items, ropes, blankets, clothes, shoes, tarps, powdered milk, rice, Neosporin, flashlights, batteries, etc. Publix Supermarket is also holding a fundraiser that is through the American Red Cross. Also various there are various numbers to text message that collect money for each text which goes towards Haiti’s fund. There are Haiti Relief Bracelets, which are being sold and the profits go to Haiti relief. In addition there is Hope for Haiti, a non-charitable foundation to better lives in Haiti, especially for Haitian children. Many celebrities have also made large donations to Haiti such as; Tiger Woods’ $3 million, Oprah and Sandra Bullock’s $1 million donations. Although these are all large sums of money it isn’t much to recover victims lives and part of the country. One victim’s medical bills could cost as much as one donation, but anything will help.
Overall the number of fatalities is rising and is expected to rise to about 200,000. Any help Haiti can receive will help. All different countries are coming to together to help this country in need. Although natural disasters, such as this one, cannot be prevented together the world can help this country recover.
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Hollywood Helps Haiti
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of creativecommons.org
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Written by Zach Ellman, Online Entertainment Editor
The earthquakes that have occurred in Haiti over the last two weeks have left Haitians homeless, injured, and in desperate need of aide. So far the American Red Cross has estimated that 45,000 to 60,000 people have died as a result from the earthquake. Fortunately though, there’s Hollywood to help. For the past week, celebrities all over the world have been contributing to the relief efforts by donating money, making public service announcements, and by showing their support for the American Red Cross.
At the Golden Globes on Sunday, celebrities like George Clooney, Mickey Rourke, James Cameron and Penelope Cruz all gave their sympathetic wishes to those in Haiti and also encouraged viewers to donate to the American Red Cross or other Haitian relief efforts. Meryl Streep, who won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in A Motion Picture–Comedy or Musical, said that she would be auctioning off her dress that she wore at the Golden Globes. Other celebrities that will be auctioning off their Golden Globes outfits are Gerard Butler and Josh Brolin.
Also, actress Sandra Bullock, who won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama, said that she donated $1,000,000 towards the relief effort in Haiti, which matches the contributions with those of celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Bono, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Alicia Keys. Madonna was said to have donated $250,000 to Partners In Health, which is a non-profit health care organization that has contributed to Haiti for years.
This Friday, Academy Award Winner George Clooney will host a live benefit telethon entitled “Hope for Haiti”, which will air on MTV, CNN, HBO, ABC, and NBC at 8 PM. Clooney has revealed that song artists like Bono, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys will be performing. All of the proceeds and donations towards the televised event will be split evenly towards Oxfam America, UNICEF, Partners in Health, The American Red Cross and Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Foundation.
In addition to the telethon, CNN reporter Larry King also hosted a two hour special on Monday entitled “Haiti: How You Can Help”. Celebrities like comedian Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Ryan Seacrest, John Mayer, Diddy and Kobe Bryant answered phones and performed to support the effort.
If you would like to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti, you can donate to charities like UNICEF, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Partners in Health, and The American Red Cross. The least that anyone can donate is $10. Donate now to help the people of Haiti just as others are doing too.
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