Clint Eastwood Endorses New Charity

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:11:00 -0000

Newly launched Image of Change plans to bring like-minded leaders together in the sports, entertainment and corporate industries that support a diverse scope of programs to empower and change local communities around the world.

“I founded Image of Change in response to the growing need for a professional philanthropic agency,” announced Jodie Blum, the organization’s founder and president. “Too often I have seen the best intentions fall short of their goals. It has become obvious that many individuals who are looking to partner with great causes do not always have the resources, time or expertise to initiate a charitable foundation. Image of Change will remove the overwhelming aspect of operating a charitable foundation and therefore give the full attention to the partnership of these humanitarians and the causes they support.”

Image of Change will serve as a philanthropic brand-management agency and collective platform to bring together high-profile humanitarians. Their personal, as well as shared commitments, to be positive examples, role models, models, mentors and activists in global change will transform the way that society identifies giving back.

“Everything Jodie does is completed with dedication and care,” says veteran actor Clint Eastwood. “Image of Change is sure to be a success with her at the helm.”

Jenny Jones To Give Further $1 Million To Community Heroes

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former talk show host Jenny Jones is giving away another $1 million to community heroes.

Jones gave away $1 million last year through her Jenny’s Heroes program to individuals who submitted the best ideas for tangible, lasting community projects chosen for their significant long-term benefits. Among them were ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities, such as Dee Wild – who was awarded $7000 by Jenny’s Heroes to buy 15 new ham radios for her fellow volunteer search and rescue K9 handlers – and Rabbi Merrill Shapiro of the Flager County Cold Weather Shelter Coalition, who was awarded $3000 for a new computer printer, a year of high-speed internet access, and warm clothing.

Jenny’s Heroes looks for specific ideas where they can purchase, repair, upgrade, provide equipment, or otherwise make improvements to benefit the community. Grants of up to $25,000 are made for individual projects.

“The Hero does not benefit, they are all doing this for other people in the community, and that’s why they are Heroes,” Jones told Look To The Stars. “The money goes to the store or to the supplier or if someone is installing stuff – we pay him or her directly. For instance, I have a great relationship with Best Buy, among others. If a Hero is awarded a grant and they call me from Best Buy, I’ll give the store manager my credit card to pay for the items. I make the purchases to the point where I have to be by the phone almost all the time. I am 100% hands on. Between reading the applications, personally updating the website and communicating with the Heroes.”

Jenny Jones is certainly no stranger to philanthropy. The Jenny Jones Foundation was established in 2005 as a means to provide assistance to those in need. Primary areas of focus are education, women’s health, and improving communities throughout the country. She has donated heavily to breast cancer research – 100% of the proceeds from her 1997 autobiography went to the cause – and to education for the disadvantaged. She also donated the proceeds from her cookbook, Look Good Feel Great, to breast cancer research at City of Hope. She unveiled Jenny’s Heroes in 2008.

“I didn’t know what to expect!” she said. “I know the Internet is so vast and there are so many people out there and I thought ‘is anybody even going to know this is here’ and ‘what if I get no responses’ but now I’m at the point where I can’t even keep count of how many applications I have, and I read them all. It’s really, really been great.”

Jenny Jones is currently searching for more Heroes. If you or someone you know is trying to improve your community and create a positive lasting impact on humanity, please visit Jenny’s Heroes website to learn more about the Hero grants. To read Look To The Stars’ exclusive interview with Jenny, click here.

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