This time around, that person is George Clooney.
Whilst he is well-known for acting, this post is going to focus on his humanitarian work.
Along with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and others, George Clooney founded Not On Our Watch, a humanitarian aid and international relief organisation based in the USA. They work to bring the world's attention to international crises, stop mass atrocities, encourage governments to take action, and fund projects to protect people from harm. Not On Our Watch aims to give victims a voice.
The organisation was started to draw attention to the violation of human rights in Darfur, but has since spread its work to Burma and Zimbabwe.
Needless to say, George Clooney hasn't merely put his name and money to this organisation, he does the work. Whether speaking at rallies, visiting the countries to see the problems for himself, or contacting governmental powers to petition them to help, it's obvious that his heart is fully invested in the cause. His campaigning has even led to his arrest. In March 2012, at a protest outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington DC, Clooney was arrested for 'civil disobedience'. Clooney allegedly intended to be arrested when he planned the protest, wanting to raise attention to the atrocities being committed in Sudan.
It was after a trip to southern Sudan in 2010 that Clooney co-founded the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) with human rights activist John Prendergast. Launched in December 2010 and partnering with Not On Our Watch, SSP uses satellite imaging to monitor what is really happening in Sudan. The goal is:
"deterring a return to full-scale civil war between northern and southern Sudan and deterring and documenting threats to civilians along both sides of the border."
Source - SSP official website.
As yesterday was the second anniversary of South Sudan's independence, it seemed appropriate to write about this particular humanitarian work today!
Regions along the border are still disputed territory and it's the work of SSP and Not On Our Watch that are helping to improve the situation.
For more information on SSP, including how the project works, check out their website!
In addition to his work with the aforementioned organisations, George Clooney co-created the telethon Hope for Haiti Now with Wyclef Jean and Joel Gallen, which collected funds for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. A supporter of equal rights, he has also appeared in a play, 8, to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and has volunteered to participate in an auction to raise funds for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
There are countless other charities that Clooney has supported, including UNICEF, Save the Children, Make Poverty History, Oxfam and The Red Cross.
George Clooney certainly deserves to be saluted for the time, money and energy spent on his humanitarian work! In October 2012 he was honoured for his work at the Carousel of Hope ball in Beverley Hills. Yep, you've guessed it--another charity fundraiser.
For all his charity work, Clooney truly is inspirational.
Do you feel inspired by stories of celebrity involvement in charity?
Does it improve your opinion of the celebrity?
Who is your favourite charity-helping celebrity?
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