Look To The Stars News: Alliance For The Lost Boys

Manute Bol's Charity Legacy

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

One of the biggest men in NBA and philanthropy has died. Manute Bol, whose 7 foot 6 inch frame was a domineering sight in basketball games in America since 1985, passed away last week after a battle with a skin disease.

Manute Bol was born in the Sudan, and has spent much of his post-basketball career involved in causes relating to the war-torn country. One of his favorite charities was the Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan, an all-volunteer 501C-3 foundation that assists with the health and educational needs of Lost Boys/Girls. To date, the Alliance has assisted over 50 Lost Boys and Sudanese refugees with college tuition and books and has provided life changing surgeries and medical treatment for numerous Lost Boys and their families, both in the US and Africa. They support numerous projects in Southern Sudan, such as the building of hospitals, schools and orphanages. In addition to educating Lost Boys and Sudanese refugees in the US and Sudan, Alliance president Joan Hecht and local Lost Boys speak at schools and organizations around the US in an effort to educate the American public on the atrocities occurring in Southern Sudan and Darfur.

Currently, there are 135 Lost Boys living in Jacksonville, Florida, which is home to the Alliance For The Lost Boys. Founder and President of the Alliance, Joan Hecht, recently wrote a book, “The Journey of the Lost Boys”, which tells the story of the thousands of boys who fled refugee camps in Ethiopia. It also illustrates the incredible compassion of NBA legend and humanitarian, Manute Bol.

Alliance for the Lost Boys Nominated for a ‘Stevie Award’

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:11:00 +0000

The 6th annual Stevie Awards will be presented on June 12 in New York City, and the Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan has been named as a finalist in the Public Relations category for its fundraising/awareness campaign video: “Mission SSS.”  

The Stevie Awards were created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of companies and business people worldwide. More than 2,600 entries from companies in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories, including Best Overall Company, Best Executive, Best New Product or Service, Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program, and new categories including Best Management Team and Best Corporate Environmental Responsibility Program.

Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan will be competing in the Public Relations category with their “Mission SSS” awareness and fundraising video that was launched in schools across the US this year.

2008 Golden Globes Roundup

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:54:19 +0000

There may have been no red carpet, acceptance speeches, or flash of cameras for the winners of the 2008 Golden Globe Awards, but Look To The Stars takes this golden opportunity to recognize some of those who were honored and nominated.

Johnny Depp won his first Golden Globe after being nominated seven times since his career began, picking up the Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical award for Sweeney Todd. Despite his dark performance, there really is a lighter side to the actor. In the past, Depp’s charitable work garnered him the Courage to Care Award for his contributions to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

NBA Stars Support The Lost Boys Of Sudan

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:33:22 +0000

One by one, celebrities have stepped up to take action against the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and now Chicago Bull Luol Deng can be added to the growing list of sports-stars lending their name to this worthy cause.

On January 6, Deng joined the Chicago Association for the Lost Boys of Sudan to host the ‘Hope for Sudan Celebration’ at Truman College in Chicago. The celebration marked the third anniversary of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and doubled as the official birthday of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” refugees (immigration paperwork marks January 1 as the birthday of all Sudanese boys). Guest speakers included NBA legend and humanitarian Manute Bol, Mr. Kenneth Elispana (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Army, Chapter of Illonois) and Dr. Wayne Watson (Chancellor City Colleges of Chicago). Guests were also treated to live music and cultural performances by the Sudanese Womens’ Dance Group and the Lost Boys Musicians-SEDC Team.

“I’m from a nation where my whole lifetime and the life before me have been struggling,” said Deng in USA Today, when asked why it was important to give back to the community. "To be blessed and to do what I’m doing puts a smile on everybody’s face. It’s not just me that’s blessed. It’s all of us. The little things that Americans see every day, we don’t see that often. [Manute Bol’s] time was before me, so I just try to make things special for all the kids from Sudan instead of them hearing negative all the time.