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July 17th 2008

Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Supports Needle Exchange

Filed under: campaigns, honors — parrish @ 10:23 am

The Elton John AIDS Foundation isn’t just about tiaras and white ties! Hell no! In fact, the foundation recently rolled up their sleeves and took to the streets of New York with a community based needle exchange program to help stop blood born diseases. Volunteers from the organization set up shop all over NYC with a massive supply of clean needles to offer hepatitis screening, vaccines, HIV testing and treatment programs.

Director of Community Relations and New York Harm Reduction Educator, Troy Branch, says, “If you’re going to inject yourself, use clean needles. We’ll give you 50 new ones if you give us 50 old ones. It’s been extremely successful.”

About the foundation Elton John says, “I have lost many dear friends to this terrible disease. In the mid-1980s, I began channeling my grief into efforts to help raise money for the pioneering charitable organizations that formed during those dark, grim years to fund AIDS research and provide vital services to people with HIV/AIDS.”

Oh and it turns out we aren’t the only ones who think Elton is cool.  Ben and Jerry’s will soon be releasing a Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road flavor to honor Elton with all the proceeds going to his foundation. 

To learn more about the Elton John AIDS Foundation visit EJAF.org! 

thanks: looktothestars.org

June 27th 2008

Elton John Holds Benefit For AIDS Foundation

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events — parrish @ 4:17 pm

Grab that tiara and white tie — IT’S PARTY TIME! Yesterday evening Elton John and his partner David Furnish held their 10th annual White Tie and Tiara Ball to raise money for the (aptly named) Elton John’s AIDS Foundation, which has recently been given its third consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator.

About 630 guests showed up, including famous faces like Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Hurley, Simon Cowell and Will Smith, who all had to pay the 3,000 Euro ($4,700) donation simply to enter. DAMN!

The night included dinner, concert and an auction that boasted such prizes as a trip to Africa with Elton John and lunch for six with Bill Clinton. By the end of the night the auction alone had raised $20 million for the charity. 

Don’t have a tiara, white tie OR $4,700? You still can help out! Vist Elton John’s AIDS Foundation to learn more about the organization and to find out how you can get involved!

via: nydailynews.com

February 26th 2008

How Much Would You Pay For Elton’s John?

Filed under: donations, events — parrish @ 12:24 pm

Looks like a candle isn’t the only thing blowing in the wind these days at Elton John’s house. Yes friends, that was a penis joke.

It’s been reported that during a post-Oscar party on Sunday, Elton John offered to remove his pantsuit during an auction for Aids research-hoping it might help raise bids (indeed, pun intended).

Animal wearing Cruella DeVille herself, Sharon Stone, was the auctioneer and confessed that sadly she wouldn’t be dropping any of her clothing (probably because it would get up and run away), stating, “I’d do that, but you’ve seen it before.”

No word yet on if Elton’s threat actually came to fruition, but hopefully they raised enough money with or without an appearance by Elton’s John. Because let’s be honest, when it comes to giving to charity, we all know that size DOES matter!

[UPDATE] According to reports, Elton John’s Oscar viewing party helped raise $5.1 million dollars for his AIDS foundation. Way to go!

January 24th 2008

Elton John Brings Motorcycles To The Rescue

Filed under: donations, events, green and famous — parrish @ 11:43 am

When I reflect on the AIDS crisis in Africa, the first I think is, “You know what these guys need? Motorcycles.” Ok, maybe that isn’t really the first thing that pops in my head, but it would be if I was Elton John. 

Elton John, has just stepped up to the plate and donated 120 motorcycles to the African nation of Lesotho as part of the Riders For Health program-which is partially supported by the Elton John AIDS Foundation.  The donation will help to provide vehicles for doctors to assist them in getting around the mountainous state for medical emergencies.

On Saturday, an official ceremony was held just outside the country’s capital city, Maseru, where Elton personally distributed the hogs!  He stated, “We want to improve the transport system by bringing health care to millions of people living in the most rural areas and thus making a difference in their lives.”

So Elton, I really appreciate your dedication to improving healthcare abroad, but I just have one question: I don’t live in Africa or anything, but I am an uninsured American and lately I’ve been really crossing my fingers for a Toyota Prius. Realistically here, what are my chances?

December 4th 2007

The Osbournes: From Reality To Charity

Filed under: events, events: la, green and famous — parrish @ 1:42 pm

You know what they say, “Every dollar makes a difference.” Well, we can all thank the Osbournes for making 800,000 differences. At a recent auction in Los Angeles, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne parted with some of their most prized possessions for the sake of The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The auction lasted two days and featured such infamous treasures as Ozzy’s famous wire rimed glasses ($5,250), an embroidered bat coat ($3,300) and a dog bed given to Sharon by Elton John ($2,375). Too sophisticated for bats? No problemo. They also auctioned off a sculpture by Edouard Drouot ($10,500) and a Gabriel Joseph Marie Augustin Ferrier (are you kidding me here with the name) painting went for $5,312. By the end of the event they had raised $800,000 for the greater good.

And just when we thought her pockets were empty, Sharon Osbourne gave more. At a separate soiree celebrating Elton John’s AIDS Foundation and the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day (creepy name for a day), Sharon Osbourne hurled a $60,000 diamond ring into the audience just on a whim. The throw and go took place shortly after tossing her red AIDS awareness ribbon into the crowd and then shouting, “Here take the diamond too.” Ok, maybe this wasn’t for a specific charity, but I’m sure she helped whoever got that bling.

Note to self: If you want the dough’in flowin, keep Sharon Osbourne throwin’.