Tag Archives: good work

The Associated Press reports: Bill Gates says he will donate 99% of his remaining tech fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will now close in 2045, earlier than previously planned. Today, that would be worth an estimated $107 billion. The pledge is among the largest philanthropic gifts ever. Only Berkshire Hathaway investor Warren Buffett’s pledge to donate his fortune — …

NBC News reports: Like many who took up new hobbies during the pandemic, Austin Rivers found comfort in knitting. But his craft took on a larger meaning when he realized his scarves and hats could also support his New York City queer community. He was particularly eager to help homeless LGBTQ youths, who comprise up to 40% of the country’s …

The Associated Press reports: Operating out of a tiny room in Fabulosa Books in San Francisco’s Castro District, one of the oldest gay neighborhoods in the United States, Becca Robbins uses donations from customers to ship boxes of books across the country to groups that want them. In an effort she calls “Books Not Bans,” she sends titles about queer …

ABC News reports: Ex-President Jimmy Carter, the oldest former U.S. chief executive ever, will quietly mark his 97th birthday at home in southwest Georgia on Friday, an aide said. Slowed by age in recent years and keeping a low profile during the coronavirus pandemic, Carter doesn’t plan on any public appearances, said press secretary Deanna Congelio. Workers at the Jimmy …

The DCist reports: Local celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés is getting into the vaccine rewards game, and he’s offering more than a free donut or a free beer. On Friday, Andrés tweeted that he would give $50 gift cards to his D.C.-area ThinkFoodGroup restaurants to anyone who shows proof of vaccination, starting Saturday. The giveaway will run “until we …

From Oregon’s Josephine County: When Josephine County Public Health staff and volunteers concluded their mass vaccination event at the Illinois Valley High School this afternoon, they never guessed they might be setting up an impromptu clinic on the way back to Grants Pass. But that’s exactly what happened when a snowstorm stranded about 20 personnel on Highway 199 near Hayes …

ABC News reports: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Wednesday that he raised $1.8 million for charitable organizations in his state in a matter of days thanks to sales of his currently sold-out merchandise featuring the viral image of him bundled in a jacket with mittens on Inauguration Day. Sanders began selling the merchandise, dubbed “Chairman Sanders,” through his campaign store …

Via press release: Publix announced today a new initiative to purchase fresh produce and milk to assist farmers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Publix will donate these products directly to Feeding America member food banks in its operating area. The initiative will support Florida produce farmers, southeastern dairy farmers and the growing number of families looking to Feeding America for …

The New York Daily News reports: Former President Jimmy Carter didn’t let a black eye and 14 stitches stop him from rallying volunteers for a Habitat for Humanity project in Nashville on Sunday. Carter, who turned 95 last Tuesday, fell earlier Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, but still made it to the stage at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville …

The New York Times reports: Can play help refugee children heal from trauma? That’s the belief behind a new partnership formed by the Lego Foundation, Sesame Workshop and organizations working with Syrian and Rohingya refugees. In its first major humanitarian project, announced on Wednesday, the foundation will provide $100 million over five years to the makers of “Sesame Street” to …

The Hill reports: Google is rolling out a feature that allows users to hear positive news stories on command, a feature developed in conjunction with a journalism group focusing on combating negative news fatigue. The feature, announced this week in a blog post, will exist on Google Assistant devices and will play a randomly selected positive news story focusing on …

You may recall the lone Alabama man protesting at a Roy Moore rally with a sign lamenting the suicide death of his lesbian daughter. The man’s sad vigil led to an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show and now, thanks to a wealthy gay couple, a scholarship fund in his daughter’s name. The Birmingham Herald reports: This week, Elliott Mitchell …

Billboard Magazine reports: The true star of the 2018 Winter Olympics was Team USA’s first openly gay figure skater, Adam Rippon. While the games might be over, Rippon is using his platform to talk about the issues that matter… and his love life. Rippon appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today in his first interview since returning to the U.S. …

The Washington Post reports: Former president Jimmy Carter was taken to a hospital Thursday for dehydration while in Winnipeg, according to a news report. The 92-year-old was in Canada helping build a Habitat for Humanity home when he “collapsed,” a volunteer told CBC News, triggering a rush of paramedics and firefighters to assist him. An ambulance took Carter to a …

Via press release: Dear Truth Wins Out Supporters: On our 11th anniversary, it is with a mixture of great sadness and overwhelming pride that I reluctantly announce that Truth Wins Out is closing down. All good things must come to an end – and it is time to say goodbye. Truth Wins Out is closing because we accomplished our major …

The clips may not be work-friendly. Playbill reports: Broadway Bares: Strip U, the 27th edition of the annual burlesque-style fundraiser in New York, earned $1,568,114, a jump from last year’s $1,482,724 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, but slightly down from 2015’s record-breaking total of $1,598,501. Attendees watched 181 of the hottest male and female dancers in New York City—joined by …

Irish Central reports: Irish American former billionaire Chuck Feeney and his Atlantic Philanthropies group have announced their final gift, a record $600 million to combat health issues, racism and inequality in South Africa, Australia and the United States. The last round of gifts brings Feeney’s total of philanthropic giving to $8 billion spread out over 35 years, in 23 countries …

People Magazine reports: In a sobering post-election period, Glen Pannell has figured out a way to make us smile — one pants-less donation at a time. The graphic designer and actor bears more than a passing resemblance to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, and now he is using that genetic stroke of luck to help others as a part of a …

The New York Post reports: Donald Trump is the grinch who is ruining the holidays for some fashionistas. Manhattan fashion p.r. company LaForce — which reps Target, Banana Republic and Williams-Sonoma, to name a few — has canceled its holiday party because of Trump’s victory. James LaForce and his husband, Stephen Henderson, had booked Irving Plaza for a thousand guests …

The Ali Forney Center, NYC’s beloved and overburdened homeless shelter for LGBT youth, holds their annual gala tomorrow night at Capitale in lower Manhattan with Sandra Bernhard hosting. This year’s honorees include NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Member Rosie Mendez, and actor Matthew Saks, who will deliver a tribute to one of AFC’s most famous benefactors, his mother, gay …