Look To The Stars News: Oprah's Angel Network

Oprah Awarded Honorary Oscar For Charity Work

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Oprah Winfrey was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award – a special Oscar for her charity work – at a dinner in LA on Saturday night.

The award – which in the past has been presented to Jerry Lewis, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Sherry Lansing, Quincy Jones, Bob Hope, Audrey Hepburn, Charlton Heston and many others – is named after screen actor Jean Hersholt, who served as the president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years.

“I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, especially for what I’m considering my calling,” she said as she accepted the award. “All of us can make a difference through the life we lead. We’re all here to help each other.”

Oprah Winfrey Awarded Humanitarian Award

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Oprah Winfrey is to be this year’s recipient of the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Since receiving her Oscar nomination for her debut film performance in “The Color Purple,” actress, television host and producer Winfrey has gone on to establish herself as one of the most influential figures in entertainment and philanthropy. She has been especially dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and raising awareness of issues that affect women and children, both in the United States and around the globe. Her philanthropic efforts have included Oprah’s Angel Network, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, which opened in 2007.

Oprah's Angel Charity Donates $1 Million

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Oprah’s Angel Network has bestowed a $1 million donation upon an Oakland nonprofit.

The Aspire Public Schools network was one of six public school reform groups awarded $1 million grants. Operating 30 charter schools, Aspire Public Schools services nearly 10,000 students in East Palo Alto, Modesto, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. Charter school networks from New Orleans, Houston, Denver, Philadelphia, and Chicago were also awarded grants.

Oprah Winfrey has recently drawn attention to the state of American Public schools by devoting an entire episode of her talk show to the documentary “Waiting for Superman.” The film focuses on the ailments of the public school system and hopes to draw community support.

Oprah Makes Big Changes To Charity

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Oprah’s Angel Network, the charity that encouraged people to help those in need around the world, is closing down.

The Angel Network website reads: “As of May 24, 2010, Oprah’s Angel Network will no longer be accepting donations. The Angel Network is also ending its grant-making program.”

The decision was taken as a result of the next year’s wrapping up of Oprah’s popular television show from which Angel stems, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. After “nearly 150,000 donors have collectively given more than $80 million to our public charity since it began in 1998,” that have benefitted organizations in over 30 countries, the Angel Network will distribute the last of its funds over the next months.

Charlize Theron Blogs For Change In South Africa

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Charlize Theron has blogged in the Huffington Post about the possibility of change in South Africa.

“The first time I ever visited the Umkhanyakude district in South Africa was to celebrate the launch of the initial Mpilonhle mobile health unit, which my charity — the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project — helped to fund,” wrote the UN Messenger of Peace. "Mpilonhle is an organization that provides innovative health and education programs to this rural district’s schools and communities. Run by Dr. Michael Bennish, Mpilonhle uses mobile health units to treat individuals’ medical, psychological, and sociological needs. This care would not otherwise be available in these areas due to the extreme level of poverty.

“The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project develops awareness, generates supporting funds, and participates in the enhancement of Mpilonhle’s medical units and mobile computer labs. The beauty of the units is that they bring resources to communities that have no means of transportation and are miles away from health services. Mpilonhle’s computer labs provide basic computer literacy to students and community members. Through the work CTAOP and Mpilonhle are doing together, many local individuals, especially children, are seeing doctors and experiencing technology for the very first time.”

Justin Timberlake Tops Celebrity Givers List

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Justin Timberlake has been named celebrity charity earner of the year, outstripping favorites such as Bono and Oprah.

According to website The Daily Beast, the SexyBack singer raised $9.3 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in 2009. Second place went to Madonna, who raised $5.5 million for Raising Malawi, followed by Pamela Anderson ($4.8 million for PETA), Oprah ($4 million for Oprah’s Angel Network), and Bono ($3.5 for the ONE Campaign).

To read about The Daily Beast’s methods for working out the rankings, and learn the full top 50 – which also features Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, George Clooney and Salma Hayek – click here.

Giving Back Fund Announces Top 30 Celebrity Givers

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:30:00 +0000

The Giving Back Fund has released its second annual Giving Back 30 survey, a ranking of the celebrities who have made the largest donations to charity in 2007 according to public records.

Heading the list was Oprah Winfrey, who donated $50.2 million to the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network to “support the
inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children, and families around the world and to encourage people around the world to make a difference in the lives of others”. Coming in second was Herb Alpert, who donated a total of $13 million to the Herb Alpert Foundation, followed by Barbra Streisand, who gave over $11 million to the Streisand Foundation.

Charlize Theron Bringing Classrooms to Students

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:49:26 +0000

Screen star Charlize Theron is bringing life saving information to rural kids in KwaZulu-Natal, a province that holds the unfortunate record of the highest HIV infection rate in South Africa.

Where sex, teenage pregnancy, rape and HIV are taboo topics and half of all females are expected to contract AIDS, 10 percent of them before graduating high-school, Theron created the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project and partnered with Oprah’s Angel Network to assist the charity Mpilonhle in bringing education, free condoms, HIV testing and treatment to the kids via a mobile health and computer clinic.

Theron says, “Medical staff told me many students here have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The mobile clinic is one of the few places offering help, guidance and a safe place to talk.”

Oprah Tops Celebrity Philanthropy A-List

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:24:00 +0000

A list of the 30 largest public donations made by celebrities in the past year puts Oprah in the top spot.

The Giving Back Fund, which encourages and advises on celebrity philanthropy, compiles its list each year. President Marc Pollick said, “Encouragement-by-example is the main reason for the Giving Back 30 list.”

Oprah gave $58.3 million to Oprah’s Angel Network and her recently-opened Leadership Academy.

McConaughey's Corvette on eBay

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:32:58 +0000

Matthew McConaughey has put his 1971 Chevy Corvette up for auction on eBay to help with the ongoing 2005 hurricane relief efforts.

The actor is donating 100% of the auction’s proceeds to Oprah’s Angel Network to aid those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

He says, “I admire and enjoy this car, but it’s a luxury that I’m willing to relinquish at this point because I am fortunate enough to have everythin I need, and the sale of it will help so many with the necessities in life.”

Charlize Theron Hosts Children's Benefit Auction

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 13:23:03 +0000

Charlize Theron hosted an auction on June 27th to raise money for children in her native South Africa. The event in Los Angeles drew the support of other Hollywood celebrities, and raised $140,000 to help families in need.

The auction was attended by stars such as Lindsay Lohan, and items up for auction included a jacket from Will Smith, signed DVDs from Tom Hanks and an original Scarface poster donated by Al Pacino.

The Charlize Theron African Outreach Project benefits Oprah’s Angel Network and helps support vulnerable children in rural South Africa.

Celebrity Donations To Katrina Relief Efforts

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 15:50:00 +0000

A list of what some celebrities have done to help Katrina victims:

Steven Spielberg, $750,000 to the American Red Cross and $750,000 to the Bush Clinton Fund
Nicolas Cage, Diddy, George Clooney each donated $1 million.

Bon Jovi Donates to Oprah's Angel Network

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 15:17:40 +0000

Jon Bon Jovi stunned Oprah in September with a $1 million donation to Oprah’s Angel Network in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.