The Robin Hood Foundation, which raises money from the rich to give to the poor, collected $56 million in a single night during their annual gala attended by hedge-fund managers and the New York glitterati. 3,700 Wall Street executives gathered to hear Sheryl Crow and Shakira sing and bid on celebrity packages donated by the likes of NBC and Nike. Bricks were sold for one million dollars apiece to be the cornerstones of new housing for the poor. The hedge-fund industry is off to its "worst
start in almost two decades", but this one event last night continues to be the strongest fundraiser of its kind in New York City, and proceeds raised will go
to more than 240 local poverty-fighting programs. (Read a full report on Bloomberg)
Since 1988, Robin Hood has "targeted poverty in New York City by applying
sound investment principles to philanthropy".
100 percent of every donation goes directly to programs
helping poor New Yorkers to change their fates. Visit the Robin Hood Foundation website for more.
For many Ugandans, boxing is their national sport. The East African
country has produced world-class fighters, but many of the toughest
aren't prepared to step into the ring with Bashir Ramathan -- even
though he is blind.
The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, which is made up of musicians who are Shia, Sunni, Armenian and Kurdish, yesterday played a concert in Baghdad to promote unity -- their first significant performance in years.
Broadcast live on Iraqi television, the performance was attended by 400 people and held to commemorate the World Day for Cultural Diversity, for Dialogue and Development.
Boston Red Sox pitcher and lymphoma survivor Jon Lester earned one of baseball's highest honors last night by throwing a no-hitter, the latest achievement in a career once threatened by cancer. He was forced to end his 2006 season early and undergo chemotherapy after receiving a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Last year the lefty hurler completed his comeback clinching a victory for the Sox in game four of the World Series. ABC NEWS reports on how Jon Lester is inspiring cancer survivors around the country. Also read ABC's Cancer Survivor Throws No Hitter Vs Royals. Thanks to Jim Corbley for passing on the news!
David Duchovny urges support for the million at risk in Myanmar after the cyclone that killed tens of thousands. He says the UN children's fund, Unicef, has been in Myanmar since the 1950's and the group is in a position to help. Please support if you are able. (YouTube video)