Oprah, Bill Gates, etc. (NOT judging them!)

[Aisling]

China isn't exaclty known for it's humane treatment of it's own citizens.... I'm surprised they gave anything....

Yes, that's sadly true. I just thought they were trying to be more part of the "world stage" lately, but in this case they're not stepping up. Oh well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When Oprah built that school she certainly didn't keep it quiet. When Bill Gates funds those scholarships he doesn't keep it quiet. I'm not saying how much they should give, it was just a thought that crossed my mind this morning. Why is everyone getting so sensitive? I'm not judging anyone, I'm just saying what they are capable of is mind boggling.

What are you talking about with Bill Gates? He has a foundation he created. Not sure what you mean about "funding scholarships" he is global with many reaches.

Perhaps you need to do some reading.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Pages/home.aspx

Here is the press release with regard to Haiti.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s thoughts are with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010. In response, we are providing a $1 million grant to Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which has experienced personnel and a stock of emergency supplies in Haiti. This grant will help cover CRS’s initial relief efforts, which include addressing the immediate shelter, food, water, sanitation, health and other needs of those affected by the quake. CRS will also continue on-the-ground assessment of the damage.
The international community is responding to this disaster with compassion and urgency; many governments, UN agencies and aid groups are mobilizing teams and resources. The humanitarian conditions are catastrophic, and much more will need to be done to address the immediate situation, as well as support the sustained recovery efforts in the weeks and months ahead so that people can rebuild their lives.
The foundation is continuing to monitor the situation and exploring additional opportunities to provide support for the relief efforts.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/press-releases/Pages/haiti-earthquake-statement-100114.aspx

 

[Aisling]

Last I checked, China wasn't a "someone"
And again, I really couldn't care any less about what anyone donates except me, whether its a communist country or the good ol' USA. Why should it matter to anyone except the people of Haiti?

LOL

In my case, it doesn't "matter", but I do get curious about things and want to know more.

 

[luvmy3]

Yes, that's sadly true. I just thought they were trying to be more part of the "world stage" lately, but in this case they're not stepping up. Oh well.

See, this is the exact problem with making public donations, there will be people who feel they aren't stepping up. The funny thing is the USA doesn;t even have the money to give, and yet we do and are praised for it. That is until of course we have to borrow from China in order to pay for it, so in a way China has donated more, its just that the US gets to sign the check

 

[snapppyd]

It was just a question like "I wonder how many women George Clooney has slept with?". Is it my business? No. Do I EXPECT him to give me a list? No.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Alot of these celebrities donate because they want their name in the press or they want EVERYONE to know how generous and wonderful they are.

Wow, is that what all of your celebrity friends tell you? Or are you assuming this. Yes, the press does cover a lot of things that celebrities do - that's how they make their money. Do you feel that celebrities should always donate their money anonymously so that the press doesn't cover the story? I don't have a problem with celebrity donations being known - I feel that since people are interested in celebrity lives, it brings light to some little known donation opportunites and thus, the general public in turn, donates as well

 

[luvmy3]

It was just a question like "I wonder how many women George Clooney has slept with?". Is it my business? No. Do I EXPECT him to give me a list? No.

I'll be the first to apologize for jumping to conclusions but you could have worded the OP differently, or elaborated on your thought in it to give a better indication of what you wanted to discuss in this thread. The simple question I wonder how much they are going to donate can have many implications. Without a further thought, its not clear what you were asking. I realize that its a message board and its easy to read things into something, or not see whats really there, so again I apologize for jumping to comclusions.

 

[snapppyd]

I'll be the first to apologize for jumping to conclusions but you could have worded the OP differently, or elaborated on your thought in it to give a better indication of what you wanted to discuss in this thread. The simple question I wonder how much they are going to donate can have many implications. Without a further thought, its not clear what you were asking. I realize that its a message board and its easy to read things into something, or not see whats really there, so again I apologize for jumping to comclusions.

I post before I finish my thoughts sometimes. That's what I get for doing laundry and trying to post at the same time. I guess I should go back and reword the original post.

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder how much everyone here is donating...

No, actually I don't. It's great when someone donates but if they don't that's their business. That includes celebrities and companies to be honest.

 

[luvmy3]

I post before I finish my thoughts sometimes. That's what I get for doing laundry and trying to post at the same time. I guess I should go back and reword the original post.

I don't think you have to. Anyone that is following the thread can see it turn and then come back around to where it was intended


To answer our question, I think they will donate a very large amount but I'm hoping they don't make it know because I feel whatever they give is a gift and should be appreciated, not thrown in their face that they could and should give more. I was just looking at the Disney thread and there is alot of that over there.

 

[JerseyJanice]

It's darned if they do publicize their charitable works and darned if they don't, and this thread is a perfect example of why.

One person starts a thread to ask how much they've donated and why aren't talking about it, but then another says they only donate for the purpose of good publicity.

 

[wvjules]

And then Disney donates yet it isn't enough.

If I'm a celebrity and I donate to ANY cause I'll be damned well sure I keep it quiet.

 

[Planogirl]

And then Disney donates yet it isn't enough.

If I'm a celebrity and I donate to ANY cause I'll be damned well sure I keep it quiet.

If they keep it quiet some people assume that they gave nothing and then they get blasted for that. There doesn't seem to be a 'right' way to do it.

 

[snapppyd]

Wyclef Jean and his wife are down there pulling dead bodies out of the rubble....

Bless them and all the rescue workers.

 

[Aisling]

I admit it did sound, well, odd, that Disney is only giving 100,000, but I when I further think about it, there are so many donations going into Haiti, everything added together will be a tremendous amount. So it's all good.

 

[Heidict]

Wow, is that what all of your celebrity friends tell you? Or are you assuming this. Yes, the press does cover a lot of things that celebrities do - that's how they make their money. Do you feel that celebrities should always donate their money anonymously so that the press doesn't cover the story? I don't have a problem with celebrity donations being known - I feel that since people are interested in celebrity lives, it brings light to some little known donation opportunites and thus, the general public in turn, donates as well

Oh please, you really thing that all the celebrities that give money, plate food at the soup kitchen on Thanksgiving (and no other time), go on relief missions with a busload of photographers are all doing it out of the goodness of their heart?

I would love to think that they were but some of it just smacks of a photo-op and a chance to get their name and pic in the press. I'm not naive, I know how Hollywood works. I don't need to have "celebrity friends" to figure that one out.

When they announce how much they donate all it does is fuel the fires. People thinking they didn't give enough, questioning why this one didn't donate or if they were going to. I just can't understand why it is anyones business how much anyone donated.

 

[luvmy3]

I admit it did sound, well, odd, that Disney is only giving 100,000, but I when I further think about it, there are so many donations going into Haiti, everything added together will be a tremendous amount. So it's all good.

Exactly and lets not forget the organizations that are helping that recieve annual donations from these companies and the fact that those very donations keep these organizations around and make it possible for them to help in the first place when something like this happens.

 

[bettymae1121]

As for celebs that donate, while I'm sure there are those that do their donations (of time, money, etc.) in order to say "Look at me! Aren't I wonderful?" I'm willing to bet that most of them go public in order to draw public attention to the cause/charity/issue they are supporting, in the hopes of getting further donations. If I had press cameras following me around 24/7, I'd use some of that exposure to plug some worthy causes myself. Not to further my own image, but to get some publicity for my favorite causes.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Oh please, you really thing that all the celebrities that give money, plate food at the soup kitchen on Thanksgiving (and no other time), go on relief missions with a busload of photographers are all doing it out of the goodness of their heart?

I would love to think that they were but some of it just smacks of a photo-op and a chance to get their name and pic in the press. I'm not naive, I know how Hollywood works. I don't need to have "celebrity friends" to figure that one out.

When they announce how much they donate all it does is fuel the fires. People thinking they didn't give enough, questioning why this one didn't donate or if they were going to. I just can't understand why it is anyones business how much anyone donated.

Oh please, NO, I do not think that ALL celebrities do things out of the goodness of their hearts - just like not ALL the general public does (including Dis'ers).

My point was that many people make blanket statements that say ALL celebrities donate for publicity, and unless you know ALL celebrites and they ALL said it, then it is an assumption. Many (not all) people seem to think that when a celebrity is in the news (magazine, newspaper, tv article), that the celebrity is the one who was responsible for putting the info out there. Many (not all) people failed to realize that the media (esp. paparazzi) is constantly searching for things to cover and a celebrity can be doing normal, day to day stuff, and it's all over the news.

Sure, PR firms put stuff out there to put their client into the limelight, but that's not always the case. That's like saying that all Dis'ers are rude because some of them are.

 

[Freyja]

Who cares?

I bet the people who lost everything, including their families and other loved ones care.
However, you don´t seem to care.


OP, I agree, it´s interesting to think how much individuals, which such ressources, can help. But every $ counts!