Friday, May 21, 2010

This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moments


Celebs were spreading the good vibes this week. A Desperate Housewives star was spotlighted for her good deeds on NBC Nightly News, the primetime network anchors joined forces to Stand Up to Cancer, two musicians launched charity auctions. Oh, and the Dalai Lama went on a whirlwind tour of the Big Apple - including his first ever appearance on The Today Show and a return to the stage at Radio City Music Hall. Here are this week's most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Eva Longoria Is “Making a Difference”

This week NBC Nightly News was turning the spotlight on celebrities who are “Making a Difference.” It’s actually fairly hard to throw a stick in Hollywood without finding a star with a foundation that has their name on it. But some have really personal reasons for joining the fight for a particular cause.

Such is the case with Eva Longoria, a glamorous TV actress with an NBA All-Star husband, Tony Parker. But when the Desperate Housewives' cameras stop rolling and the paparazzi are done snapping photos, Eva is grounded in a very deep connection with her family – especially her oldest sister.

Lisa Longoria was born intellectually disabled. While some siblings might find that an overwhelming struggle, Parker has always viewed it as a blessing. She explained to NBC, “I always said Lisa’s my hero. And in growing up just seeing the challenges she’s faced and how she faces them with such a beautiful spirit and optimism and amazing strength.”

To honor her sister, Longoria founded the charity Eva’s Heroes. Among its events and activities, the organization offers a very special program near Corpus Christi, Texas. Eva’s Heroes Executive Director Christiane Perkins-Garcia described the opportunity for kids near Corpus Christi between the ages of 14-21, “I saw the need for just a fun place for kids to go while Mom and Dad are still at work. But in a supervised and safe setting where we have staff trained to handle the special needs that are students have.”

To learn more about Eva’s Heroes visit their website and click here to see the other celebs like Ben Affleck, Sally Field, and Usher who are “Making a Difference” in the NBC Nightly News series.

View the rest at Beliefnet's Idol Chatter.

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