Posts Tagged ‘Charity’
Environmental group Heal the Bay announced its annual Bring Back the Beach gala on May 17 will reflect Hollywood-style glamour, saluting the accomplishments of eco couple Danny Moder and Julia Roberts, as well as actress and longtime board member Amy Smart.
The Santa Monica-based organization will also honor corporate executive Matthew Hart, who is the immediate past chairman of Heal the Bay’s board of directors.
Held on the sand at The Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica, this year’s benefit dinner— themed “Sea of Love” —will lure nearly 1,000 guests to party under the stars in support of clean oceans. In its second decade, the event consistently sells out and brings together a lively mix of eco-warriors, local government officials and business leaders.
In 2001, Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich, who famously fought to keep drinking water free of dangerous chromium. In real life, Roberts and her husband Danny Moder have championed our local waters, diligently supporting Heal the Bay’s mission.
A current member of Heal the Bay’s board, Amy Smart will be honored for her steady commitment as an advocate for a healthier environment. For several years, Smart, who is currently featured on the Showtime series Shameless, has served as a spokesperson for such Heal the Bay campaigns as the Beach Report Card, A Day Without a Bag and Coastal Cleanup Day.
Matthew Hart, former president and chief operating officer of Hilton Hotels Corporation, will also be honored for his stewardship of the regional environmental group. He has used his business acumen to help the nonprofit improve its financial performance.
Highlighting the event’s live auction will be a new Toyota Prius c, generously donated by long-time Heal the Bay supporter and community member LAcarGuy. The five-door hatchback is the smallest and lightest hybrid in the Prius family — certain to appeal to the green-conscious set. Guests will also get an opportunity to bid on a piece of art designed by graffiti artist RISK exclusively for Bring Back the Beach, which he will complete at the event.
Over the last few years, Bring Back the Beach partygoers have danced seaside at live performances from such artists as Brian Wilson and Jakob Dylan. Attire is “beach chic.” Group tables and individual tickets, beginning at $500, are available at www.healthebay.org/bbb.
Amy Smart not only has a lot on her plate, she needs an enormous, biodegradable serving platter to accommodate all the things she has going. When the 36-year-old, Topanga Canyon-bred actress is not shooting the Showtime series Shameless, the upcoming TBS laugher Men at Work, or a movie, she directs her indefatigable self toward more altruistic pursuits, such as saving the giant marble we’re all living on. She’s a longtime volunteer and board member of Santa Monica’s Heal the Bay. In fact, Smart will be honored for her environmental leadership over 18 years of volunteering with the organization at its annual Bring Back the Beach awards gala at The Jonathan Club on May 17. She is also on the board of directors for the Environmental Media Association. From speaking out about plastic-bag use to cleaning up the beaches of Torrance, Smart is not shy about showing her unbridled passion for the planet.
What first inspired you to get involved in issues surrounding the environment?
Growing up in Topanga Canyon, being in the mountains and surrounded by nature inspired me. My parents always loved nature, and that inspired my brother and me. Growing up I was always aware of the environment [through] beach cleanups, hikes, and bike rides in the canyon. Right out of high school I wanted to get involved and saw Heal the Bay posters around. That was my first venture into environmental work when I was 18.
How did you go about volunteering?
I called Heal the Bay and asked if I could volunteer with people, not in an office stuffing envelopes. They told me about their Speakers Bureau, where I trained for a month back when [founder] Dorothy Green was still alive, touring sewage-treatment plants and learning about drainpipes and the history of how water gets polluted.
In the beginning, did you encounter more resistance or cooperation?
It was a real mix. I felt every time I went to a class or an assembly and talked about Heal the Bay, most of the kids were really excited—they had something to say, they wanted to make a difference, and they didn’t want to pollute. I got more resistance from adults and friends of mine who didn’t want to make any changes or take any responsibility for their actions.
Is there a moment that stands out in your 18 years with Heal the Bay?
For years I was volunteering, and I looked at [former HTB president] Mark Gold as my idol. He’s an incredibly smart leader, a Heal the Bay scientist who made change happen. When my [acting] career started growing and I got more notoriety, he asked me to be on the board of directors. I was so honored. I did a press conference with him about the Beach Report Card rating.
What kind of support do you get from others in entertainment?
Again it’s been mixed. Ultimately different people have different causes —there are so many. I feel I stand up for pretty much all of them, but you can spread yourself too thin, so I try to be discerning and effective.
How do you try to inspire the eco efforts of others?
I realized preaching can push people away; one of the best things you can do is lead by example. I started becoming more eco in my habits—some transferred over, some didn’t. That’s okay—people make changes when they’re ready. At this point it’s everybody’s responsibility.
How have your outreach efforts changed someone’s viewpoint on the environment?
When my friends have gotten pregnant, and it stopped being about them and became about the child, they were more receptive to green ideas. Some people don’t care what they put on or in their body, but when it comes to a child, they’re much more sensitive. I plan to have children, and all our actions will positively or negatively affect our future generations, so we should work to keep the planet healthy and sustainable.
How does it feel to be honored at this year’s Bring Back the Beach event?
I’m extremely grateful and honored to be receiving [the Dorothy Green Award] this year. I highly respect and love Heal the Bay; their work is so effective, far-reaching, and impactful on the ocean.
What keeps you going?
Finally seeing changes and how they’re affecting people. You can work so hard for so long and then see change—a law gets passed, a ban gets passed. There is change happening; it’s not stagnant.
ou could say actress Amy Smart is Shameless about her love for pets. As a long supporter of Best Friends Animal Society and various other pet adoption initiatives in Los Angeles, the 36-year-old knows that owning a dog, cat or other animal can be the key to a happy life… and marriage.
Smart—who shares a home with two dogs, two cats and her new husband, HGTV star Carter Oosterhouse, whom she married in September 2011—recently teamed up with the ASPCA and Pet Armor to launch a national campaign called the PetArmor® Protection Promise.
“It’s to give affordable health care to pets,” she tells us in our exclusive CelebLove TV interview. “It’s basically like Frontline Top Spot with the same active ingredient, but for half the price. So now, pet owners can afford to treat their animals, especially during this flea and tick season.”
How is it sharing a house with your 2 dogs, 2 cats and your new husband, Carter?
It’s a full house! It’s great though, I’ve had my cats for 16 years. My one dog is nine and his dog is four, so it’s fun having all these guys around you constantly wanting your attention, talking, wanting to play. It’s wonderful having animals. I would never not have animals. 10 Celebrities Who Are In Love With Their Pets PHOTOS
Do you think having pets makes your relationship stronger?
I do, I think animals are a constant reminder of love – unconditional love. They don’t care one way or another whatever is happening. They just want pure attention and love, and it gets you back to what matters in life, it’s a gentle reminder. I do think it helps your relationship.
Would you say that’s your relationship advice for other couples?
I strongly recommend having pets if you like animals. I wouldn’t say get a pet to heal your relationship, but if you like animals and you can make some decent time for them, go adopt, don’t buy! 5 Things Pets Can Teach Us About Relationships
Let’s talk about Shameless. Your character Jasmine is a rebel looking for love and attention. What’s it like to play her?
It’s been fun to play Jasmine. The first season she started off itching for something fun and naughty, and clearly she finds that during the summertime with an older man who has a lot of money. It was fun to see where she goes and how she tries to deal with all the drama.
Can you tell fans what to expect next?
To be honest, I don’t know. I don’t know if my character is coming back or what’s going to happen. But, I’m working on a pilot now with the same show writers who do Shameless. So, we’re crossing our fingers – it’s for NBC, a show called Bad Girls.
And we also hear you have a thriller coming out called 7500.
Yes, it takes place on a plane. It’s a horror movie with the same director who did The Grudge. It’s with Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) and Leslie Bibb (GCB) and it’s just a scary movie! But scary in that really classic way – it’s not a lot of gore, it’s just that haunting scariness.
Hilary Swank and Amy Smart come out for the opening of Best Friends Animal Society pet adoption and spay/neuter center where they talk with Access about their involvement in the organization and why people should adopt pets.
Amy Smart is teaming up with LovingEco, a hot new ethical flash sale site, to help raise funds for the Environmental Media Association. She has selected some of her absolute favorite eco-finds including Josie Maran Cosmetics, fabulous dresses from LTR, stylish sustainable jewelry from Kyler Designs, sunglasses from Kayu, sexy swimsuits from Kelly B and more fun dresses from Curator.
LovingEco gives consumers all the style they want, but without the guilt. They host weekly sales (items up to 70% off) with companies that produce ethical items. What does ethical mean? Well, they label each product with terms like cruelty free, vegan, fair trade, recycled, made in the USA and organic.
In addition to introducing awesome responsible companies to kind-hearted fashionistas, they donate 3% to charity. How does a charity get chosen? LovingEco has a different eco-influential “tastemaker” each week who curates a boutique featuring the best products from that week’s brands. The tastemaker chooses which charity gets the cash.
This week, actress Amy Smart will be the tastemaker for LovingEco. By signing up for LovingEco’s daily deals, you’ll get the inside scoop on Smart’s eco style picks and, of course, the ability to buy ethical items at a nice discount.
Amy isn’t just in it for the fashion. She is the chairperson for the Environmental Media Association’s Young Hollywood Board. The EMA believes that through television, film and music, the entertainment community can affect change in a positive way. That means if you see a character on your favorite show coming home from shopping with his or her reusable bag, the EMA might have talked to the writers about including that eco-friendly behavior. They were also the smarty pants behind getting celebs to drive hybrid cars to award shows instead of riding in gas guzzling limos.
Check out EcoRazzi for a chance to win a $595 value prize pack from LovingEco!
Supporting ocean cleanliness got a fresh face Tuesday when the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Coastal Commission joined forces to reveal a redesigned custom license plate, the sale of which will benefit ocean-loving nonprofits all over the state.
Santa Monica was one of three cities chosen to unveil the new design, which shows a fully-extended humpback whale’s tail jutting up out of the ocean, framed by puffy white clouds.
The plate, which first debuted in 1997, has been one of the most popular specialty license plates available in the state, and has raised $60.2 million for environmental conservation efforts.
“We’re really thrilled about the launch of the California license plate,” said Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), one of several notables that spoke at the event. “When I’m not in Sacramento, not a day goes by that I’m not marveling at the environmental treasure that California has in this coastline.”
The original design, by the artist Wyland, shows a foggy day on the ocean, and a whale’s tail curved over the surface of the water.
To date, the DMV has sold 198,000 of the original plates.
That design had to be retired on July 1, because Wyland asked for a 20 percent royalty for plate sales, officials said.
“While we are grateful to Wyland for his donation over many years, we opted to retire the plate,” said California Coastal Commission Executive Director Peter Douglas. “This presented an exciting opportunity to freshen the look of the plate, inspire new interest and get the public involved.”
The California Coastal Commission held a contest asking the public to send in designs for the plate. Over 300 people sent in designs, and the selection committee managed to narrow that cache of ideas to two winners.
Those winners, painter Elizabeth Robinette Tyndall of Bethel Island and graphic designer Bill Atkins of Laguna Beach, collaborated on the new design.
“(The DMV) would like to say job well done,” said Christina Harden, who represented the department at the pier event.
Selling the plates has a palpable impact here in Santa Monica.
Of the 433 Whale Tail grants that have been awarded through the program, Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay has benefited to the tune of $30,000 to fund its beach clean up programs.
The organization organizes between 600 and 900 clean ups every year for the stretch of beach between Cabrillo and Zuma beaches, said Eveline Bravo, the beach programs manager for Heal the Bay.
Whale Tail money pays for approximately 500 of those projects, she said.
“It’s the sole reason why the clean ups at Heal the Bay exist,” she said.
The license plates both fund the pick-ups and raise awareness, said Amy Smart, actress and board member of Heal the Bay, pointing out that 80 percent of trash found on beaches comes from 60 miles away.
“The Whale Tail plate is an easy way to let people know that we need to protect our sea,” she said.
To encourage people to get out and buy the plates, Mayor Scott Schoeffel of the city of Dana Point issued an invitation to other mayors for a Whale Tail Cities Challenge, to see which participating city can claim the most plates sold, as a percentage of population before Sept. 17.
The winning city will get a basket of locally produced foods and beverages from each of the participating cities, to be shared at a community meeting or event.
Sept. 17 marks the endpoint of the competition because it’s also the 27th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, which is partially funded by the sale of the “Ecoplates.”
Over 82,000 volunteers participated in last year’s event, and collected 1.2 million pounds of trash.
A coalition of Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus from coastal cities including Santa Monica hope to inspire even more this year by giving away a $1,000 gift certificate to Whole Foods Market and a getaway to a California destination to lucky participants.
Whale Tail Ecoplates can be bought at www.ecoplates.com or at one of 168 DMV locations. Plates cost $50, or $93 for personalized versions.
Earlier today, Amy Smart was out in Los Angeles at the Rebuilding Together to revitalize The Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy. I have just added 46 photos of Amy at the event into our gallery!
Last night, Amy Smart was in attendance at the Communities In Schools Celebrates SCHOOL LIFE Fundraiser in Los Angeles. I have just added 6 HQ and MQ photos of Amy at the event into our photo gallery!
