Most generous celebs include Mel Gibson
By Alexandra Heilbron on September 10, 2008 | 7 Comments
It’s no surprise that Oprah Winfrey tops Parade magazine’s list of most generous celebrities — she gave away $50.2 million in charitable donations last year to various charities, including her own. That’s more than three times the amount of the second most generous celebrity — Herb Alpert, 73, who donated $13 million to his Herb Alpert music foundation. The list is based on donations made back in 2007, so although no one will be surprised that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made the list — they gave $8.4 million to their foundation to benefit New Orleans reconstruction, refugee aid and cross-cultural understanding, they’ve since given a lot more to various charities in 2008. Barbra Streisand parted with $11 million to what else? — her own Streisand Foundation, which is concerned with improving the environment, women’s issues, civil rights and AIDS research. Paul Newman gave $10 million to Kenyon College, his alma mater, in Gambier, OH. No mention was made of his Hole in the Wall Gang foundation, which uses sales from his products such as salad dressing to run the world’s largest family of camps for children with serious illnesses and life threatening conditions. Mel Gibson gifted $9.9 million to his Holy Family Church in Malibu, but also often frequently donates money to help build houses for the poor in underprivileged areas and donated $25,000 to Kidz Horizon Appeal in 2007, an organization that supports children suffering from cancer, HIV and other chronic and terminal illnesses.
It’s wonderful to read such a positive, meaningful article such as this and see those that have so much helping others who have so much need
In my opinion, these celebrities SHOULD be donating money to those who are much less fortunate. It’s the least they can do, after all it’s those that have less that pay to see their movies, concerts, games etc.
True, but then again, who are we to tell them what to do with THEIR money? Would you like someone telling you what to do with your money? I think it is very nice when they donate, and I also think it’s very selfish when they don’t, but since it is their money, it’s none of my business what they do with it.
Tell that to the single mother that earns $800 a month and pays half to our wonderful government….
Then that is something the people need to take up with the government…it is not other peoples fault that they make more money than her. Rights are rights…it’s not based on how much money you earn.
Or how little money you earn or how many children you have/don’t have, etc.
Why is a single mother living on $800/month Mel Gibson’s responsibility? Or any other celebrities responsibility? Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s amazing when they donate such huge amounts to various good causes, but really, it IS their money. And I don’t know any single mother who would look at these celebrities and feel that they owe them anything. They probably wish they had some of their money, but probably don’t feel that they are owed money from the rich and famous.