This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moment

  Steve Jurvetson - edited by CPacker 

Two country stars build habitat houses, a rock drummer puts parenting first and a kid’s radio channel encourages families to give back.

Two Country Stars Build Habitat Houses

Country music's royal couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood spent a week in Haiti with Habitat for Humanity. They joined 500 other volunteers in the Santo community to help build homes for victims of the 2010 earthquake.

This build was part of the 28th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The former president and first lady spearheaded the initiative to help replace some of the 105,000 homes destroyed almost two years ago in the disaster.

Brooks and Yearwood celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary a little early this year by giving back. They skipped the CMA Awards and headed to the area that is still devastated by the 7.0 magnitude quake. And in just five days, the 500 volunteers built 100 homes. At the end of the week Jimmy and Rosalyn paid a personal visit to every single new homeowner giving them a signed Haitian bible.

There is still some finishing work for many of the homes, and Habitat will hire local contractors to complete the jobs. Families will move in the day after Christmas.

According to the Habitat website, the Carter Work Project is scheduled to go back to Haiti in 2012. President Carter explained the reason for the return next year, “Haiti is in the worst need that we’ve ever seen anywhere in the world.”

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This Week's Most Inspirational Moments in Pop Culture

 Photo by Daniel Ogren at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fast50

A pop star shows his charitable side, a TV chef chooses family first and a young girl dances against all odds. Here are this week’s most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Justin Bieber Gives Back
Justin Bieber has been hitting the talk show circuit hard this week promoting his new album "Under the Mistletoe." And while the Biebs has shot to stardom in just two short years, he has not forgotten his humble beginnings and is making sure to give back.

On a recent stop at  "Ellen," he and the talk show host reminisced about a previous visit she had with the singer when he had given Ellen a lock of hair. She informed him that she was able to auction off the locks for $40,000, which she donated to charity.

Justin also talked to Ellen about a non-profit he recently started called The Believe Charity Drive. The foundation donates money to various places such as Make A Wish and Pencils of Promise. One of the organizations receiving funds from Believe is Housing of Blessing a food bank that Justin's own family used to frequent when they were in need before he hit it big. Bieber stated, "Being able to help them out feels amazing."

After hearing about this, Ellen revisited a place that she was able to help out with her SwagginWagon — the Whitney Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada. A large portion of the students are homeless and the principal, Sherrie Gahn, gives her own money to buy back packs and other items for the students. Ellen had her on the show in September and gave her a check from Target for $100,000.  

When the 17-year-old singer heard the story, he told Ellen he had an idea. "I promise I'm going to talk to some of my friends and I want to match that $100,000." And that's not all, "One more thing. In December since I'm putting out a Christmas album, what better than to come to your school and perform for you guys some acoustic songs." The excited school kids were with Gahn live via satellite as the singer announced the gift.

 
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This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

ABC/Bob D’Amico

 

A bachelorette helps makeover a family’s home, a reality star finds hope during a medical drama and a rock star let’s people pay what they can for food. Here are this week's most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Jillian Harris and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Add Inspiration to Friday Nights

Jillian Harris came to fame on the reality dating show The Bachelor and, eventually, became The Bachelorette. And while she didn’t find long-lasting love on the franchise, she did make a connection with ABC. A designer in real life, Harris has spun her network connections into a recurring gig on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

In a recent exclusive interview Harris talked about the show’s new timeslot on Friday nights and the first family that will highlighted on the series’ that night. Harris reflected on why she thinks the move is a good one, saying, “We’ve got a lot of families who have family night on Fridays and there’s never any good TV on Fridays. So it’s going to be a really, really great show to go on Fridays.”

This week’s episode is a poignant one. Harris explained the Keefer family’s situation.

“They are a family of four young adult boys and, of course, a mother and a father. And Brian Keefer is 21 but when he was, I think he was 19, he had just graduated from high school. Super athletic guy, lots of energy, was horsing around at school and did some crazy gymnastics move and didn’t land it. And at the time it was him and his buddies and often times they didn’t land their jumps. So it wasn’t that big of a deal. But then Brian couldn’t get up. And he realized more than just being able to not get up, he became essentially a quadriplegic.”

Harris continued, “At 21 with a bright future ahead of him, as you can imagine it was really traumatic on the family. But the way that they dealt with it, Brian’s dad took an early retirement and took Brian back to college and they lived the most normal life possible — except for the dad is going back to college basically and Brian is in a wheelchair.”

But as with every episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, there is always inspiration within each tragedy. As Harris revealed, “The small moves that he’s made so far and some of the technology and equipment that we’ve provided to him to rehabilitate — it was just such a great week.”

Catch ExtremeMakeover: Home Edition in its new timeslot on Friday nights at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. Central on ABC.

Follow Jillian on Twitter.

Follow Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Twitter.

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This Week’s Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas

Stars sign scooters to fight childhood obesity, celebs support skydivers to end slavery and a new Muppet visits Sesame Street to address food scarcity. Here are this week's most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Fight Childhood Obesity, Bid on a Scooter

The radio flyer has come a long way since many of us rode in the little red wagons of our youth. These days the hot ticket items sold by the company are scooters. And now lucky bidders can own a Radio Flyer Style N' Ride signed by their favorite celebrities. 

Forty stars have put pen to board, autographing the pink scooters for a worthy cause. The proceeds for the charity auction will go to the Partnership for Healthier America, which was created in conjunction with the Let's Move campaign started by First Lady Michell Obama. The goal is to help get kids exercising and staying healthy.

Each week a new batch will be up for auction to help in the fight against childhood obesity. This week's offerings include scooters signed by will.i.am, Jason Bateman, Tyler Blackburn and Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom. Check back next week for scooters signed by Cameron Diaz, Joel McHale and Rebecca Black. Week three features Ashton Kutcher and Michael "The Miz" Mizanin. Wrapping up the final batch are Fergie, Demi Lovato and One Republic.

For a complete list of participating celebrities and to bid for your board visit the eBay auction page.






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This Week’s Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

  

Photo by S. Jaud (de:Benutzer:Falkenauge) 

Celebrities revisit their youth for the Boys and Girls Club, stars say I Am for Climate Control and an "America's Next Top Model" contestant transforms herself inside and outside. Here are this week's most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Famous Boys & Girls Club Alum Come Together for a PSA

We don't often think about celebrities when they were young kids. Occasionally we see a high school photo, but we rarely ponder what they did long before they were stars. Well it turns out Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Ron Howard, Ashanti, Magic Johnson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Mario Lopez all did the same thing. They went to the Boys & Girls Club of America.

And now these stars and many more are giving back to the the place that impacted their childhoods. The Great Futures Start Here PSA features 21 B&GC alumni including the above plus Martin Sheen, Ne-Yo, Smokey Robinson and more.

The organization's president Roxanne Spillett said, "These alumni all participated because they know firsthand the lifelong impact a Boys & Girls Club has on young people. These individuals are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs help create the pathway to a great future. As a result, they are passionate advocates for kids.”

Denzel Washington and Jennifer Lopez are national spokespersons for the Boys & Girls Club. In a behind the scenes video Washington said, "I love the Club. It's the reason I'm here. It taught me so many lessons and I could talk about it in a positive way and an honest way for the rest of my life."

Cuba Gooding Jr. recalled, "I remember the whole organization being so open... everybody was so helping." And Martin Sheen, who was a member of the Club from 1947 to 1959, admitted that his time at the Club was "one of the great experiences of my life." 

Oscar-winner Ron Howard directed the PSA and chose the Beyonce song "I Was Here" for the soundtrack. He remarked, "We wanted the most powerful piece of music possible, to underscore the dramatic message that what we do today to shape the future of our children is vitally important.”

The video ends with the 21 celebrity alumni standing in front of the doors to a Boys & Girls Club as Washington says, "While many doors open, these doors transform. They did for us." 

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This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Dave Hogg from Royal Oak, MI, USA

 

A basketball star honors his hometown, an edgy animation master pays tribute to his mother and a young Asian American actor hopes to influence others. Here are this week's most inspiring moments in pop culture.

LeBron James Opens Clubhouse for Kids

Although some basketball fans from Ohio felt like LeBron James abandoned them last year when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat, King James's heart will always be in Akron. In fact this week he officially opened The LeBron James Clubhouse at an Akron Boys & Girls Club.

The basketball star used to be afraid to go into the intimidating and dark Boys & Girls Club when he was a young boy. So he has spent $240,000 from his family foundation to renovate the space, making it a safe haven for children in the area.

He told the Associated Press, "As a kid, this is one of the places we didn't want to go. But to see the transformation from what this place used to be to what it is now is amazing, and the only reason we're doing it is for these kids. They are our future."

In addition to the clubhouse, he also launched a program providing education tools to area schools. Even though he plays ball in another city, his heart remains in Akron. "I will always be here. I grew up in this city. I love this city, and I'm instilled in this city. No matter where my life may take me, I will always be in Akron, Ohio. I will always give back to Akron, Ohio. Because these kids deserve it."

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This Week's Inspirational Moments in Pop Culture

Photo by Rama

 

The dad of a pop star who’s passed plans to help, some bloodsucking stars say “It gets better” and a good message comes from an unusual sitcom. Here are this week’s most inspiring moments in pop culture.

Amy Winehouse's Father to Start a Foundation

In the wake of the tragedy of Amy Winehouse's death, her father Mitch Winehouse, announced his plans to start a foundation in the singer's name. He hopes to help those struggling with addiction as his daughter did.

He is particularly concerned for those in the U.K. who are not well off. He told the Daily Mail, “In this country, if you cannot afford a private rehabilitation clinic, there is a two-year waiting list for help… We are trying to change that.”

Parliament member Keith Vaz, who intends to help Winehouse achieve his goal remarked, "I am very happy to help Mitch in any way I can with his important campaign to help rehabilitate those most vulnerable in our society."

Amidst reports of an inconclusive autopsy and allegations she died from alcohol withdrawal on a road to recovery, the Amy Winehouse Foundation may supply much needed relief to addicts so they won't suffer Amy's fate.

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This Week's Inspirational Moments in Pop Culture

 

A radio host gives kids a voice, a pop star makes a guest appearance for gay rights and a famous director supports public art. Here are this week’s most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Ryan Seacrest Gives Kids a Voice

Ryan Seacrest is giving a voice to kids at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Kids staying in the medical center will now be able to host their own radio and closed-circuit TV shows in the multi-media center donated by the "American Idol" host and his charity The Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

Teen idols Selena Gomez and Joe Jonas were Seacrest's first guests in the center known as The Voice. He also welcomed the NFL's David Akers, heart patient Julia Parmisciano and Dr. Stephanie Fuller, who works at CHOP.

The Ryan Seacrest Foundation plans to install the media centers in children's hospitals nationwide in order for kids "to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media." The first Voice unit was installed in Atlanta, Georgia, and the new one at CHOP is the second in the initiative.

On the Ryan Seacrest Foundation website, the TV and radio personality said, "I wanted to create a foundation that would help lift the spirits of sick kids. [The organization is] dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children through unique programs that utilize multimedia to enlighten, entertain and educate."

The kids at CHOP will get to host TV and radio shows, interview celebrity guests and play their favorite music. All of the shows will be broadcast throughout the hospital on closed-circuit TV. Seacrest said, "It's a simple notion, kids get to be the stars."

In addition doctors will be able to use the center to educate staff and patients throughout the hospital. Seacrest stated, “The Voice closed-circuit broadcast center is a new addition to [CHOP's] existing Child Life programs and provides a creative, interactive entertainment.”

To learn more about The Voice and The Ryan Seacrest Foundation visit the organization's website.

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This Week's Most Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

A pop star speaks on education in Jerusalem, people change the world one pizza at a time and Pink Floyd signs an axe for a good cause. Here are this week's most inspirational moments in pop culture.

Shakira Takes Jerusalem by Storm for UNICEF

Super-sexy Latina singer Shakira might not be the first person that springs to mind when thinking about children’s education. But the Colombian-born pop star traveled to Jerusalem this week to discuss just that.

While there the “Whenever, Wherever” singer turned UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador visited the Israeli-Arab Max Rayne “Hand-in-Hand” School for Bilingual Education to launch the third annual President’s Conference. Fans actually made a plea to the Lebanese descendant to call off her trip, but she ignored the 1,800 likes on the Facebook page “Shakira: Say NO to apartheid and YES to Freedom For Palestine” and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Israeli President Shimon Peres, greeting those present with the Hebrew greeting “shalom,” which means peace.

But Shakira didn’t just speak to the students. Like a true international superstar, she danced along while the school choir sang her 2010 FIFA World Cut anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

 

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This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Photo by Heidi Gutman/Bravo  

A pageant opens up to new platforms, a documentary sheds light on the dangers of coal and a hearing impaired celebrity gives the gift of sound. Here are this week’s most inspirational pop culture moments.

Miss USA Offers a Chance for New Platforms

This Sunday night the Miss USA Pageant airs live from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. While some might feel like the pageants are dated and don’t represent women in the best light, many see the competition as a platform for young, empowered women to champion their causes. In a recent conference call interview pageant host and Watch What Happens: Live star Andy Cohen talked about how pass winners have used their tiara’s for good not evil.

Cohen reflected on the reigning queen, saying, “I think it’s a great opportunity. With [2010 winner] Rima [Fakih] that was certainly a different Miss USA. She’s the first Arab American and first Muslim to be crowned Miss USA, which was really exciting.”

And he noted that he believes there’s a chance to do great good for this year’s winner. He remarked, “As the pageant gets more modern I think it’s an opportunity for the women to have platforms to say things that maybe aren’t as traditional as they have been in the past.”

Cohen travels to Vegas today to go into a boot camp-like rehearsal schedule and get introduced to the contestants. He’s explained that he’s excited to get to connect with the new group of hopefuls, “I’m looking forward to meeting the women and hearing what they have to say and what they stand for and what they are about and what they would use their year as Miss USA to represent and stand for.”

He hopes that the as yet to be named panel of decision makers feels the same way he does about ushering the pageant into a new phase. He commented, “Hopefully the judges will agree with me and they will kind of embrace something modern and new.

The 2011 Miss USA Pageant airs on Sunday, June 19 at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. Central on NBC.

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This Week's Most Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

A rock star unites with puppets, an author urges fans to light a candle and a TV mainstay turns to the world wide web. Here are this week’s most inspirational pop culture moments.

Elvis Costello and the Muppets Perform at a Benefit Gala

This week Elvis Costello took the stage with the Muppets at the Sesame Workshop's ninth annual benefit dinner. The rocker performed  “Alison” solo before being joined by Grover, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Telly Monster, Zoe and Kami for a rousing rendition of “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.” The evening, emceed by ABC’s Deborah Roberts, honored Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children and celebrated the impact of the Sesame Workshop’s innovative health education programs.

The gala raised over $2.2 million to help fund the Workshop's projects around the world. This sum, along with funds earned from the sales of Sesame Street merchandise, grants, sponsorships and philanthropy, will allow the Workshop to continue with their charitable efforts. Each year they help countless children around the globe in initiatives like unity through diversity training in Indonesia, literacy-learning in Nigeria, reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, fighting Malaria in Tanzania or and combatting childhood obesity right here in the U.S. 

The president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, Gary E. Knell, said, “Our gala was centered on our core message of giving simple and accessible strategies to help parents and caregivers build healthy behaviors in children and ensure that they grow into strong adults.”

To read the rest of this week's inspirational pop culture moments, visit beliefnet.com.

This Week's Most Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Photo by Douglas Gorenstein/NBC 

Some music stars are “Standing in the Storm” for their charities, a country singer opens her heart and dress rehearsal for people in need and a “Back to the Future” franchise star turns to friends for help. Here are this week’s most inspirational pop culture moments.

Celebrity Apprentice Stars Sing for Their Causes

Anyone who’s been watching this season of The Celebrity Apprentice knows that the inspirational moments are coming amidst a steady stream of yelling and posturing. But in the middle of the swirling disharmony, three unlikely musicians have joined forces to benefit their favorite charities.

Three members of original Team Backbone, have made the final four and collaborated on the tune. The artists are combining their sensibilities from their individual disciplines. Meat Loaf is bringing the Rock, John Rich will provide the Country and Lil’ John will throw in a little Hip Hop. Their former teammate and pop star Mark McGrath, who was eliminated after task six, added his talents to the mix as well.

“Standing in the Storm” is a fitting title for a song born out of TV’s most tumultuous reality show. It sounds like a little something for everyone, and that’s good news for a few fortunate organizations. Proceeds from the song will go to the charities that each was representing on “The Celebrity Apprentice.”

Rich has been playing for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Lil’ John has worked on behalf of The United Methodist Children's Home of the North GeorgiaConference. And Meat Loaf has emotionally displayed his commitment to ThePainted Turtle camp. McGrath did Celebrity Apprentice to raise funds for Savethe Music Foundation.

Prior to the finale the three superstars have already raised a combined total of almost $1 million for their charities. Check out The Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday night to see who makes the final two and takes home the title and download “Standing in the Storm” from iTunes.

To read the rest of this week's inspirational pop culture moments, visit beliefnet.com.