The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation was founded in 1998. It has funded over two hundred projects in fifty countries. DiCaprio’s foundation is dedicated to the “long term health and wellbeing of all Earth’s inhabitants”. They focus on climate resiliency, protecting wildlife, and restoring and rebuilding threatened ecosystems. DiCaprio states: “Clean air, water, and a livable climate are inalienable human rights. And solving this crisis is not a question of politics, it is a question of our own survival.”
Want more? You can watch a trailer for Leonardo’s documentary on climate change, Before the Flood.
Named after her empowering song, “Born This Way”, in 2011 Lady Gaga started the Born This Way Foundation. Their mission is to support the wellness of young people and to “empower them to create a kinder and braver world”. The foundation focuses on academic research and partnerships in order to provide young people with improved mental health resources and supportive communities.
Want to be seriously inspired? Check out the “Born Brave Blog” where community members can share their stories.
There are sides to Justin Bieber you may not know. The gossip magazines tend to report the more sensational “news” about Justin. But he’s active in helping a lot of causes and not only with money. His manager, Scooter Braun’s brother Adam started Pencils of Promise and Justin got very hands on with Scooter and Adam in Guatemala. While many of Justin’s favorite causes center around children, he has also supported diverse charities in other categories.
There’s nothing “shady” about Eminem’s charity work. In addition to starting his own foundation he’s been out supporting a variety of causes including: ninemillion.org
Save the Children, and Small Steps Project. He’s also been vocal politically (no pun intended). Eminem clearly has his own views on how to deliver social impact.
Nothing makes Pharell Williams more “Happy” than helping kids reach their full potential, which is why in 2008 he created From One Hand to AnOTHER. The non-profit aims to provide educational S.T.E.A.M.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Motivation) tools and support for children. Pharell states their mission: “To change the world one kid at a time by providing them the tools and resources to meet their unique potential.” While the FOHTA began as a school supply give away, it has now grown to a full six-week summer camp as well as an after school program.
Watch Pharell talk everything FOHTA below.
Rihanna’s passions span across the nonprofit landscape. Our research has found indications that she supports more than 20 causes including: Alzheimer’s Association,
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Believe Foundation, BID 2 BEAT AIDS, City of Hope, Designers Against AIDS, DoSomething.org, Feeding America, Kids Wish Network, Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation, MusiCares, Raising Malawi, Red Cross, Save the Children, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Stand Up To Cancer and UNICEF.
This Harry Potter star gained major support when she spoke about gender equality at the United Nations Headquarters in 2014. In her speech she announced the launch of a campaign called HeforShe. HeforShe invites everyone and anyone regardless of gender identity to stand together to create a visible force for gender equality. They believe that individual, as well as group action, can help mobilize the fight for gender equality. Emma Watson sums it up best in her U.N. speech when she declared, “If not me, who? If not now, when?”
Take the HeforShe commitment here and join in the effort for gender equality.
#BringBackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/zYNp9YeYP0
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) May 10, 2014
Since its creation 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over $385 million for AIDS treatment. The non-profit has a mission to end the AIDS epidemic by providing information and means to prevent infection as well as to give access to medical care and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS. The Elton John AIDS Foundation celebrated their 25th anniversary this fall with a Gala to honor Elton John and his contributions. Elton John is constantly challenging all that we can do: “We have both the moral obligation and the power to end this epidemic. Do we have the will? I know I do, and I will remain committed to this cause for the rest of my life.”
Read the rest of his powerful letter here.
In 2009, Matt Damon, with the help of Gary White, created the H2O Africa Project, now called Water.org. Their mission is to provide safe water to those in need. Since it was founded, the non-profit has provided over 9 million people access to safe, clean water and sanitation. Water.org works by offering small, affordable loans to those in need. With these loans and access to safe water, people have the ability to do back to school, earn money, take care of their families, and eventually, re-pay their loans.
Want to learn more about the water crisis? Watch Water.org co-founders Matt & Gary give a great interview that will answer all your questions including how to help.
Mariska Hagitay was inspired by her role as Olivia Benson on Law and Order:Special Victims Unit to make a change off-screen. After thousands of fan letters sharing their own stories of abuse, Hagitay decided to create the Joyful Heart Foundation. Joyful Heart was founded to help sexual assault survivors heal and reclaim joy in their lives. Their mission is to “transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever”. Joyful Heart’s current goal is to eliminate rape kit backlog and provide justice for survivors by holding perpetrators accountable.
Want to help end rape kit backlog? Check out how you can become an advocate here.
In 2012, Eva Longoria created The Eva Longoria Foundation, a non-profit family-based program for Latinas. The foundation aims to build a better future for young Latinas through education and entrepreneurship. The program aims to bring Latina issues to light. While 80{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of Latina teens in the U.S. aspire to go to college, 1 in 3 drop out of high school and only 15{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of adult Latinas hold college degrees. The Eva Longoria Foundation aims to change this through career training and mentorship.
Like The Eva Longoria Foundation’s Facebook page to keep updated on their latest projects and news.
Shakira isn’t a photo-op only supporter of UNICEF and other causes. She does bring star-power to her causes though, given how photogenic she is.
These two ??. From one Goodwill Ambassador to another. @shakira & @muzoonrakan1 at @GlblCtzn festival. #ChildrenUprooted #AChildIsAChild pic.twitter.com/b9uqTvJ924
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) July 6, 2017
In addition to supporting notable causes such as Save the Children, UNICEF and World Vision. Christiano also has supported many small causes through direct donation or through the donation of apparel, trophies, or even his time. He’s also willing to try new ideas as proven by his Selfie App:
]]>Why is this surge of trips occurring? Because of millennials’ desire to travel with family. 44{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of millennials with children are planning on taking a family trip, compared to only 39{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of Generation-Xers and 32{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of baby boomers. Of the 88 million people traveling with their families, 45{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} are planning a trip with a destination outside of the United States. Two years ago, this number was only 36{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86}.
More interesting travel statistics have emerged as well. One of these statistics involves method of transportation: 64{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of people will travel to their destinations by car. For those taking a plane, the top five most likely international destinations include Cancun, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Rome, and Dublin. 61{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of vacationers will visit beaches and mountains, 59{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} plan on sightseeing, and 56{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} plan on resting and relaxing.
It is a relief, of course, to see that family togetherness is still a prominent part of travel culture.
]]>One tip that Forbes offers is to check your 401(k) on your work anniversary. Checking to see if you met your expectations can prove crucial. The article also says to put 50{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of any possible salary increases into savings.
The rule of thirds is also an effective rule, the article claims. This rule states that people should spend 1/3 of their income on living, 1/3 on taxes, and 1/3 on savings. Finally, reviewing your stock options is a valuable move as well.
If you’re celebrating your work anniversary, take a few more minutes to tie up the loose ends before you open your bottle of champagne.
]]>There are numerous ways to reuse clothing that people no longer want. One is by making clothing out of a new fabric called Smart Stitch. When heated to 266 degrees, Smart Stitch makes the zippers and buttons fall off. In this way, manufacturers can reuse the material.
Another innovation is by Crop-A-Porter, which makes clothing out of crop waste. Meanwhile, Algae Apparel harvests algae and turns it into clothing fiber.
Mycelium is another design that can aid in growing clothing. The mycelium starts in Petri dishes and then grows into the size and shape of an actual garment. Finally, The Regenerator uses a chemical to break down polyester-cotton blends. These remnants can make up new fashion as well.
The steps towards making fashion more eco-friendly is taking off, and not a second too soon.
]]>Bugs Bunny is the quintessential classic cartoon character, one of the earliest examples of children’s television done right. While he may not be the greatest role model for youngsters (he’s a bit of a trickster), Bugs Bunny gifted legions of children for many years with animated television comedy – usually of the slapstick variety. There is no understating his influence on subsequent children’s shows, either, or on television as a whole.
If anyone in history was able to convince children to eat their vegetables, it was Popeye the Sailor Man. With his rough-and-tough attitude and obsession with spinach, Popeye can also be found in comic strips, films, and toys, among other forms of media and merchandise. He was ranked #20 on TV Guide’s 2002 list of the greatest cartoon characters of all time, and for good reason.
If you’ve ever seen Jackie Gleason’s aggressive character Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners, you’ll understand why he was the inspiration for Fred Flintstone. Fred is equally volatile and irritable, bringing a new level to the “sly guy” type of characteristics held by the previous two characters. Despite Fred’s big mouth and choleric temperament, he’s a good guy who’s a blast to watch.
Top Cat is the cool, slick title character from the show of the same name. If the effortless cool-guy pose and suave clothes weren’t enough to convince you of his coolness, his penchant for trickery in every episode and his loyalty to his friends will be. He’s wily but silly, greedy but gregarious. Top Cat certainly gave many schoolkids something to look forward to for the weekends.
Physical comedy at its pinnacle, Tom and Jerry tells the story of two anthropomorphic animals, Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse. Almost every episode consists of Tom trying to kill Jerry but being outsmarted by the mouse’s cleverness and agility. The show was so groundbreaking that it’s hard to pick which character deserves a spot on the list. However, Tom’s creative – and usually dangerous – methods of trying to kill the little brown rodent give him a slight edge.
The only character on this list who isn’t really a character, Fred “Mister Rogers” Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a peaceful and welcoming way for children to start their day. Mister Rogers preached values of tolerance and kindness, always reminding children that they are wonderful just the way they are. His soft-spoken voice was soothing enough to lull children to sleep. However, many children opted to remain awake to stay a bit longer in his neighborhood. Rest in peace to this wonderful, wonderful man.
Jinkies! With so many characters from the Scooby-Doo universe to pick from, Velma Dinkley wasn’t the only character I considered. Scooby’s the face of the franchise, Shaggy brought beatnik culture to mainstream American society, and Daphne was one of the earliest female cartoon heartthrobs. However, Velma stands out as the best role model the show has to offer. She’s by far the most intelligent and the least selfish. She has also been used as a prominent feminist icon in recent years.
Every character from the long-running Sesame Street is iconic in their own right, but Big Bird is one of the most identifiable and jolly characters ever to appear on the show. Not only does he feature in some of the catchiest tunes in the series’ history, such as “Places in Our Neighborhood” and “ABC-DEF-GHI,” but he is often at the center of some of the show’s most important lessons. It was Big Bird who was present when the adults unveiled that the character of Mr. Hooper had died in what is arguably the most poignant scene in the show’s history.
Jumping ahead 15 years, we arrive at Thomas the Tank Engine. He may not have been as inspirational as Mr. Rogers or as influential as Bugs Bunny, but I challenge you to find one person who wouldn’t recognize this little blue train. Thomas has been a prominent character on television and on the toy market for over 30 years. In fact, today’s little ones still enjoy the original series’ spinoffs.
Winnie-the-Pooh was famous long before his television series aired in 1988, thanks to the books by A. A. Milne and the Disney films. But, with the TV debut of The New Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh by Walt Disney Television, a new generation of fans could enjoy the cozy stuffed bear and his friends. Winnie-the-Pooh is another character that almost anybody could recall the appearance of. The show’s fun music and the cute antics of the bear secure him a spot on the list.
A favorite among those born between the late-1980s and mid-1990s, Tommy Pickles is proof that you don’t need to be big and strong to be brave. Tommy is a daring and bold baby who is protective of his friends and kind to everyone he encounters. He is a character that smaller children could see themselves in, and his love for going on adventures surely instilled a similar curiosity in thousands of children.
Little Bear is the only character on this list without substantial cultural significance, international recognition, or being a symbol of an entire generation. In terms of the best children’s show characters, though, it seems impossible to leave him out. Little Bear’s escapades with his other animal friends as well as his sweet and tender relationship with his parents warmed many hearts. The entire show was calming and tranquil, and it provided a nice change from action-packed kids’ shows.
Arnold Shortman is sweet, quiet, introverted, and bookish. For many children who grew up in the late-1990s, he represented a welcome change from the typical loud and fearless TV main characters of the time. Football-headed Arnold is often hesitant and nervous, yet he is still liked and admired by his peers – something many shyer kids needed to see. He is also remarkably well-developed for a children’s show character, with a rich past and clear motivations for his actions.
The people who grew up with this aardvark currently associate him with a wide range of Arthur-inspired memes, but he was also a favorite of these same people during their childhoods. Arthur was originally a book character, but what started as a book series developed into one of the biggest cartoons of the decade. The show also has one of the most infectious theme songs ever written.
Blossom is the leader of the trio of crime-fighting super-sisters known as the Powerpuff Girls. Together with her sisters, Bubbles and Buttercup, she fights crime in the fictional city of Townsville. All three of the Powerpuff Girls showed young girls that they were capable of just as much as boys were, but the way Blossom fearlessly confronts every problem she faces made young girls believe that they, too, could save the day.
Still making new episodes after nearly 20 years, SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the longest-running children’s shows – and one of the most controversial. One episode features SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick delivering a slew of (censored) curse words. Another features the pair acting as adoptive parents to an abandoned baby scallop. Both episodes received backlash from the Parents Television Council, and SpongeBob has continued to push boundaries with increasingly disgusting scenes. Still, this is an immensely popular show to this day and there are no signs of it going anywhere anytime soon.
If the Powerpuff Girls were the mothers of late-1990s-early-2000s strong female characters, Kim Possible was their equally-tough daughter. Kim juggles a tumultuous personal life and a partner-in-crime who’s more “stoppable” than anything else. Even so, she always manages to come out victorious in the end. Her arch-nemeses are a bit more threatening than the Powerpuff Girls’, too, but we’re not here to pit strong females against each other – we’re here to celebrate them.
Cyborg is, well, a cyborg. He fights alongside the other Teen Titans, and he is wise and mature beyond his years. He knows when to relax and playfully joke around with the other Titans, but he’s dealt with the struggles of being only half-man. Because of this, he takes the time to give others the inclusion he didn’t often feel. In one touching scene, a boy with a prosthetic arm meets Cyborg and tells him that “you’re just like me.
Zuko isn’t the main character, but he’s by far the most complex and developed in this animated series. He starts off the series vying to capture the titular Avatar and regain the pride of his father. Soon, he realizes the importance of the Avatar in achieving world peace and joins the quest of the heroes. The series reveals more of Zuko’s past struggles than of anyone else’s, making his character journey one of the most beautiful things to come out of children’s television in many years.
The final character on our list is dubbed Finn the Human to distinguish him from his canine counterpart, Jake the Dog. Finn is included in this list because he is one of the most successful and likable characters from children’s television in the 2010s. He has even acquired something of a cult following. Finn prioritizes those he cares about over anything else, and he’s a genuine person with a heart of gold.
No matter who your favorite characters are, no matter how much you agree or disagree with these picks, there is no understating the influence these 20 characters have had.
]]>The report by Moneyish sums up a list of data found by the EIU. The data, which detail the most expensive cities in the world, determine the scores based on prices of commodities such as drinks and food.
The top ten cities, from number one to number ten, are: Singapore; Paris, France; Zurich, Switzerland; Hong Kong, SAR, China; Oslo, Norway; Geneva, Switzerland; Seoul, South Korea; Copenhagen, Denmark; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Sydney, Australia.
Shockingly, New York City didn’t crack the top 10. It is, however, the most expensive in the United States, at number 13 worldwide.
]]>To reach this conclusion, YouGov researchers surveyed British men and women what would cause them to break up with their partners for good. 71{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} of people said that their partner’s cleanliness was vital to the relationship. However, only 21{4b67ba8b923a50fd3c2d318c36d85df0f722be16ef3877469216aec8196f2e86} said that they would be bothered if their partner claimed they cared more about cleanliness than them.
Other factors that people cared about most were intelligence, an easy-going nature, and a similarity in religious and political ideologies.
Metro advises that cleanliness is important not just in romantic relationships but in all relationships.
]]>Take a look at one of Boo’s first pictures of 2017. He’s all decked out with…presumably someplace to go? Either way, those little goulashes are enough to make me melt.
We all knew that Boo was a very multi-talented little pupperino, but HE CAN LEVITATE FRUIT ABOVE HIS NOSE? #skilled
Boo made some human friends in 2017 – human friends that he, apparently, hasn’t quite caught up to in height. It’s okay, Boo. You’ll get there. And, even if you don’t, we like your height just the way it is.
I react the exact same way when I see ice cream, Boo.
For all of you who thought Boo was the cutest thing in the whole world, you’re wrong. Boo’s actually the second cutest thing in the whole world. Boo in costume is the cutest thing in the whole world. You can try to debate me on this, but you can’t.
Sleepy little sweetie-pup. Boo is all of us.
Maybe I’m cheating a little bit here by including a pic with Boo’s equally-cute brother, Buddy. But look at that bow tie! That is one lucky couple.
*whispers* Come on, everyone. Just pretend Boo is scaring you, because all he wants is to give someone a good scare. I don’t have the heart to tell him that’s impossible.
This is why I don’t play hide-and-seek with Boo anymore. He always picks the best hiding spot, and so I’m always “it” for 45 minutes.
Here we see Boo with another tiny human, showing off his classic “What do you think you’re looking at?” face.
2017 was a very difficult year for a lot of people, so check out @buddyboowaggytails on Instagram for more pictures of Boo (and his brothers!) to give you a little smile. And most importantly — happy 2018, everyone!
]]>It literally looks like it’s the height of the blades of grass. How could it get any cuter?

So much less menacing (and probably less fast too) than their adult counterparts.

Can’t they stay this size forever?

Not much is cuter than a tiny little puppy running around.

Except for maybe a tiny little kitty laying down.

Imagine how much they have to grow to get from this size to their adult size.

“Oooh! Ducklings!” — John Mulaney

Another animal that’s way less scary when young.

Uh-oh! If it’s out during the day, you better hide.

This draws comparisons to Babe and Charlotte’s Web, and it couldn’t be cuter.

There are very few things cuter than animals, but baby animals? That’s just too much!
]]>Some of the most bizarre items that people forgot to take with them after leaving the car were divorce papers, a Burger King visor, and a Star Wars encyclopedia. A few more include a letter from a woman’s imprisoned boyfriend, a Mario doll, a rhinestone mask, and a slice of pizza.
Of course, these weren’t the items that people most commonly forgot. That title belongs to the cell phone, which was by far the item that the most people forgot in 2017. Other commonly forgotten items included wallets, drivers licenses, headphones, e-cigarettes, glasses, and backpacks.
That’s not all, though. People were more likely to forget certain items on certain days. For example, people lost phones the most on Sunday. People lost glasses the most on Monday, books on Wednesday, and backpacks on Friday, to name a few. People also lost more items between the hours of 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM than any other time. This, of course, makes sense — it is the time when people are most likely to be tired and intoxicated.
Finally, Uber released data about the cities with the highest number of lost items per capita. The top three included DuBois, Pennsylvania; Athens, Georgia; and Stillwater, Oklahoma. Most of the cities on the list were in the Southern states.
Coming from someone who’s left her phone in an Uber, it’s definitely not fun. Try to remember everything next time you Uber somewhere!
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