Taylor Hicks' Soul Patrol

Taylor Hicks' Soul Patrol:

This Fanbase Doesn't Just Whoo and Holler --

They Raise $ for Good Causes Too!

The Soul Patrol is the huge fanbase behind American Idol winner and singer/musician Taylor Hicks. (Here's my disclaimer: I'm a proud member and you'll find a Soul Patrol bumper sticker on my car; writers should write about what they like, right? LOL) However, what I've come to love about this fanbase is not just the fact that they love 'talkin' Taylor', but that they are constantly creating ideas to help charities and those in need. It started out as a way to honor their favorite contestant during this time on AI (most fanbases will start something in their celeb's honor, see my article on Ace Young), but even now that he's on his way and they really don't have to do that, the charitable momentum hasn't stopped.

The Soul Patrolers have raised tens of thousands of dollars for two Alabama-based charities: Studio by the Tracks and Kid One Transport. You can read more of my article with Ila Faye Miller from Studio by the Tracks here. The goals and philosophy of this small non-profit agency are to provide a safe harbor for adults with autism and to encourage them to explore, create and make art without boundaries or judgments, and to simply have fun. Kid One Transport serves a wide variety of clients with healthcare needs and has provided more than 111,000 transports and driven over 2.5 million miles.

According to the Kid One Transport website, this energetic fanbase has donated more than $23,000 to help this charity and donated thousands to Studio by the Tracks.
Just recently, Soul Patrolers who chat on the American Idol message boards have donated almost 70 boxes of holiday goodies for sick kids. Email Jolene if you're interested in helping out. She writes: "My email is jolene_benner@yahoo.com. The Shoebox Santa Project is for the Children's Hospital of Orange County, a 200-bed hospital for children. Ryan Seacrest has spent many hours fundraising for this hospital and they now have a mini-radio station the kids use when they are well enough thanks to his efforts. Here is what you do...Get a shoebox with a lid.
Decorate the shoebox and then the lid in holiday wrapping. Fill it with small gifts for infants, toddlers, school age or teens. Contact Jolene in time for her December 8th deadline. She will pack up the boxes, include a letter to the hospital and give to the hospital on behalf of Taylor and the Soul Patrol. There is an additional donation in the works whereby people are sending small CD players and various CDs for children plus bright cheery get well cards....all will be sent with the boxes."

Folks, I don't think this fanbase is done quite yet. Check out all of these charitable causes if you're interested in helping out.

Shelley Morrison

Shelley Morrison: Recognizable face doing memorable work



Her name might not be as recognizable as her face is, but Shelley Morrison hopes you’ll remember the work that she continues to do for charities just as much as you’ll remember the characters that she has played in her career that has spanned five decades.

As a young girl, she was Sister Sixto in “The Flying Nun,” but Shelley is probably most recognized as the wisecracking Rosario on “Will and Grace” (one of my favorite shows ever). Even going through her own illnesses and challenges hasn’t stopped Shelley from helping others. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, Shelley has since had a double mastectomy and a portion of her right lung removed. You wouldn’t know it by talking with her – she’s doesn’t wallow in her own challenges -- she’d rather talk about what others need, so that’s what we did.

Did you like playing Rosario?

I’m most grateful for Rosario and Will and Grace because it did afford me a certain amount of celebrity so I could work with different charities and bring attention to them. That’s been the exciting part – no, I don’t miss it because now I have time to do some of the projects that I want to do.

What charities are you currently working with?

One charity is the Best Friend’s Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Three times a year, we do an event (in Los Angeles) and all of the shelters bring the animals that are for adoption. They screened the applicants and found homes for 750 animals. A few weeks ago, we did another event and found homes for 400. The difficult part is when I get up on stage to introduce the large older dogs that are hard to place; it breaks your heart. As you’re petting them to keep them calm you can feel their fear by touching them and you fall apart.

Why did you get involved with this charity?

When I was little, I brought home every stray you could think of and my mom was an animal person. When you’re afforded some celebrity, even going back to The Flying Nun, we’d do projects with protecting animals and I learned that if we don’t treat the four-legged ones with honor, how can we treat each other with honor. It’s been a lifelong project.

You’ve been involved with L.A. Shanti, a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit, AIDS service organization in Los Angeles County, dedicated to providing emotional support services to a frightened and neglected gay community. Do you know anyone who died of AIDS?

Oh gosh, too many. There’s been a shift trying to get more educational programs out to young people who think they are bulletproof. People have become complacent and figure if there are new medications that will take care of it.

We follow the Native American philosophy “everyone and everything is sacred” and…sometimes I want to take some of the young people to see the last stages, but you can only do what you can do.

How do you handle the mental part of the work that you do?

I have a deep spiritual core. I ask for help from our guardian angels who watch over us. I choose certain areas -- animals, AIDS, breast cancer – but if I do too many, it dilutes the effectiveness. I don’t just want to go and show up. When I commit, it’s a total commitment.

When I was little, my mom would pick me up from P.S. 64 during World War II and take me to the Red Cross where we would put on these white cotton gloves and help fold bandages to send overseas to the soldiers, so you do what you see. It empowered me and there has to be a continuation, so I take my nieces and nephews now. I took my young ones to the Salvation Army to kick off the Christmas season and then to serve meals to the homeless.

Do you do this for a photo opp?

It doesn’t even enter my mind; if there is a need I’m there. There are lots of celebs who they have to pay to be at these things and that pisses me off. If they want to give me a goodie bag, etc. I tell them no, donate it to the silent auction. I donate some of the stuff I got from Will and Grace to a silent auction. I honor people like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt who put their money where their mouth is – we need them to draw attention or it’s in darkness. I’m not a big star – I’m a character actress, but what’s the purpose if you don’t put back. Everybody has an opinion (about why celebs do charity work) and they are entitled to it. I’ve known celebs that only go to the events for the red carpet and then they leave – that’s not good.

Anyone can get involved, charities constantly need volunteers whatever your area might be -- children, animals, AIDS, cancer.

For more information on Shelley's causes, click on their names in the story!

Thanks Shelley!

Next week: The amazing story of soap opera legend Kimberlin Brown and the life that she saved.

Union Rescue Mission

Los Angeles, CA Feeding the Homeless Event: Union Rescue Mission (URM) is kicking off the holiday season early this year with a free street festival on Saturday, November 18, 2006, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 545 South San Pedro Street in downtown Los Angeles. URM will fry 100 turkeys festival will be staffed with 400 volunteers who are expected to serve approximately 4,000 homeless men, women and children with the fried turkeys along with: 420 roasted turkeys; 200 pounds of mashed potatoes; 200 pounds of stuffing; 400 pounds of vegetables; 5,000 dinner rolls; 80 gallons of gravy; 80 cases of pre scooped ice cream; 600 pumpkin pies; 15 cases of cranberry sauce.

Joining the volunteers that morning will be celebrities such as Tia and Tamera Mowry and their brother Tahj. Also attending is actor William Sanderson. Additionally, there will be performances by the vocal group CitySound from Bel Air Presbyterian Church and singer/song writer Javen Campbell. To bring extra holiday enjoyment and cheer, URM will set up a Kid’s Zone with pony rides, inflatable bouncers, a trackless train ride, popcorn and cotton candy stands for the children. URM will also give away a number of raffle items during the event, including gift certificates and bags with hygiene items, socks and t-shirts. Each November URM spreads the word about the Thanksgiving celebration through the distribution of hundreds of flyers, posters and invitations to the Skid Row community. URM will even supply local patrolling LAPD officers with invitations to pass out.

For more information, please visit http://www.unionrescuemission.org.

Reba McEntire

Want Reba McEntire's Lunchbox?



As a professional writer and a mom of three, I am thrilled with helping charities that help to teach children how to read and provide books to those in need. To me, nothing was better than having books to call my own when I was growing up. Therefore, I'm excited to tell you about NOGGIN's Get Ready To Read Auction (www.nogginauctions.com), the network's first online charity auction featuring collectible lunchboxes designed by Isaiah Washington, Rosie O'Donnell, Ray Romano, Kelly Ripa, Patricia Heaton, Reba McEntire, John Lithgow and Sarah Ferguson the Duchess of York. Other lunchboxes are cool, but these are one-of-a-kind originals!

Proceeds from the auction benefit international nonprofit First Book, which gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The auction supports NOGGIN’s “Get Ready To Read” national literacy campaign and ongoing literacy partnership with First Book to generate 1,000,000 new books for at-risk children.

IF YOU'RE IN NEW YORK IN DECEMBER --

I was one of the lucky ones who had a stable home life and books to read, but not all kids are so lucky.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006: The Pajama Program - “Champagne & Cupcakes”, a charity that provides new pajamas and books to needy children, will host a Grand Opening Party and ribbon cutting to celebrate the launch of its new Reading Center at 34 East 39th Street, Suite B. Champagne for the adults and cupcakes for the youngsters, benefit runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.! For more information, call 212.71 MY PJS or www.pajamaprogram.org. Guests are asked to bring either one new pair of pajamas or a new children's book to donate. Can't make the event, check out their site for a way to donate.

THE BETTER LIFE FOUNDATION PRESENTS 3 DOORS DOWN & FRIENDS
Proceeds from this event will benefit Hurricane Katrina victims
There are still tickets available to this event with 3 DOORS DOWN & FRIENDS at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama. Saturday, December 2nd at 9 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.ticketmaster.com. Sorry, I was on the road earlier. Yes, tickets and tables are still available. Rock bands Hinder and Staind will also be performing alongside 3 Doors Down at the event. Auction items include: a new Ford Truck, a $70,000+ custom motorcycle, $15,000+ custom hand-made luxury golf cart, music and sports memorabilia, and much more. Proceeds will go to charities focused on rebuilding the golf-coast region and helping family in need.



3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold commented on their efforts: "This concert we're doing is just another way for us to try and give back to the area we so dearly love. Last year's event raised over $300,000 and was donated to Katrina victims along the Gulf Coast." For more information on The Better Life Foundation visit www.thebetterfoundation.org.

Have a great day!

National Philanthropy Day

Did you know that today is National Philanthropy Day? What is YOUR favorite cause? While you plan to cook the turkey and buy the presents this month, remember those who are sick and less fortunate. Pick a cause today and give a little time, money or both.

My next celeb story will run on Monday, November 20 instead of this past Monday.

Who is it?

You would probably recognize her face, but maybe not her name. It's Shelley Morrison. Who is she -- remember Rosario from the hit comedy show Will and Grace ? Shelley and I talked about how being a celebrity has helped her to help the causes she loves so much. So come on back on Monday to read that interview.

Movie Memorabilia Auction

Movie Memorabilia Auction

UPDATE: You do not need to be present to bid! Check out Premiere Props website for more info www.premiereprops.com.

I love movies and to be able to own a piece of movie memorabilia while contributing to a charity at the same time seems like a great idea to me. For those of you in the area, Raleigh Studios in Hollywood is having a MOVIE MEMORABILIA AUCTION on November 18th and 19th.

Premiere Props with partner Super Auctions will host the world’s largest movie memorabilia auction, including a selection from the 25th Anniversary of Miramax, and other major studios. Proceeds from the sale of Miramax memorabilia will benefit charities through The Entertainment Industry Foundation as advised by The Walt Disney Studios and The Max Family Foundation (I'm trying to find out what these charities are). In addition, hundreds of movie and retro themed arcade games and pinball machines will be auctioned off. Some of the items in the flyer that are mentioned are:
• Viola’s Wedding Dress from Shakespeare in Love
• Nacho’s “Lucha Libre” Mask from Nacho Libre
• Mean Machine Football Helmet from The Longest Yard
• The Headless Horseman’s Axe from Sleepy Hollow
• Hero catsuit from Underworld: Evolution
• A selection of hero vehicles from Team America
• Roxie’s “All That Jazz” hero dance dress from Chicago


WHEN:Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19
10am – Midnight, both days
Preview period from 8am – 10am, both days
WHERE:Raleigh Studios is located on 5300 Melrose Ave. in Hollywood, CA 90038

John C. McGinley

John C. McGinley: Plays a Doctor but is a Dad and Down Syndrome Advocate



He’s well-known for his role as the persnickety Dr. Perry Cox on NBC’s hit comedy series, Scrubs, but playing a doctor on television wouldn’t have prepared renowned actor John C. McGinley for the devastating news he heard nine years ago on the day his son, Max, was born. Like most expectant parents, John C. and his then wife Lauren were excited about their upcoming bundle of joy. But excitement was quickly replaced by a host of other emotions when their son was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Also known as Trisomy 21, Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that occurs at fertilization and affects 1 in every 800-1,000 births. It’s the result of an extra twenty-first chromosome--either from the egg or the sperm—and it can lead to mental retardation as well as many other medical issues including heart defects, intestinal problems and hearing loss. Children with Down syndrome have eyes that slant upward, a larger-than-normal tongue, and a small nose. They are prone to a wide range of medical problems—some minor, others more serious. In some cases, children with Down syndrome have short life expectancies.

“I was scared,” says John C. “A lot of parents do the blame game and ...

(I interviewed John C. McGinley for www.ourspecialkids.com, a great website for parents of special children. Click here to read the rest of the interview.)

For information on the Buddy Walk, visit http://www.buddywalk.org/