![The all-star cast of "The Celebrity Apprentice" is playing for charity.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/8b/0d/1362540694_2129_Celebrity%20Apprentice.jpg?itok=mhj4rVUs "The all-star cast of "The Celebrity Apprentice" is playing for charity.")
A new season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” debuted on March 3, and shockingly past champion Bret Michaels was the first to hear those dreaded words “You’re fired.” This has to be incredibly disappointing as Michaels stated that the only reason he returned was to raise money for his charity. So, what are the charitable organizations the all-stars picked for the 2013 season of “The Celebrity Apprentice?”
Country superstar Trace Adkins is playing for the American Red Cross. The father of five daughters competed on “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008 and played for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. This time around, his winnings will be donated to the American Red Cross, which provides disaster relief in the United States. Trace’s past charitable endeavors earned him the 2010 Humanitarian Award from Country Radio broadcasters. In addition, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society honored Adkins with the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment.
Actor Stephen Baldwin’s charity of choice is the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, which was founded by his mother. The non-profit organization supports both new and established researchers investigating the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survivor Carol Baldwin has dedicated her life to finding a cure and her children (daughters Jane and Elizabeth and sons Alec, Stephen, Billy and Daniel) support her cause.
On this season of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” actor Gary Busey is supporting the Busey Foundation for Children’s Kawasaki Disease, which was established in 2012. The Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds for the awareness, education and research for Kawasaki Disease, (KD), and to provide funding for families who are unable to afford the proper treatment of this disease. Gary’s son Luke was diagnosed with KD at the age of 15 months and required hospitalization for two weeks while being treated. The episode was extremely traumatic for the entire family, especially since Luke was the picture of robust health since his birth.
Five-time Golden Globe nominee Marilu Henner was a star on “Taxi” and hopes to be a star on “The Celebrity Apprentice.” This season, she’s playing for the charity organization Alzheimer's Association, which provides information about the signs and symptoms, stages, diagnosis, research progress, treatment and care of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Patients and caregivers can get 24/7 support from the helpline or from the 4,500 support groups throughout the country. Since 1982, Alzheimer’s Association has awarded more than $300 million to 2,100 research scientists.
La Toya Jackson was born into America’s royal family of music and she’s in it to win it for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. In 2011, La Toya wrote “Starting Over” and talked about her journey to hell and back at the hands of her former manager and husband, Jack Gordon. As a victim of domestic abuse, Jackson hopes to raise a ton of money to help other victims. NNEDV empowers domestic violence survivors to lead independent lives free from abuse.
Award-winning magician and Las Vegas headliner Penn Jillette is playing for Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization that serves people in the Southern Nevada community with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1954, Opportunity Village provides vocational training, community employment, day services, advocacy, arts and social recreation so that citizens with severe disabilities are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, gain independence and unleash creative passions.
Crunk creator and rapper Lil Jon has won a Grammy and numerous other awards, but now he’s hoping to win “The Celebrity Apprentice.” His charity is the American Diabetes Association. In 2011, he earned $80,000 for the United Methodist Children’s Home in Atlanta and hopes to raise even more money this time around. He chose the American Diabetes Association because his mother has Type 2 Diabetes and suffered a stroke. "I want to bring awareness for friends and family members with diabetes,” he says.
Television and radio personality Claudia Jordan’s chosen charity is The Tom Joyner Foundation, which was started in 1998 by nationally syndicated radio personality, Tom Joyner. The non-profit organization helps, sustains and preserves the legacies of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. More than $60 million has been raised to support more than 25,000 students attending HBCUs. The foundation also provides internships, matching grant support and career development to deserving students.
Multi-platinum superstar Bret Michaels chose to play for the charity organization Life Rocks Foundation - National Philanthropic Trust. Donald Trump didn’t support Bret’s choice to play again since he already won once before. However, Bret was passionate about his charity, as evidenced by his boardroom meltdown after being fired on Sunday. The Life Rocks Foundation benefits a myriad of charitable causes that affect everyone – from childhood cancer to diabetes to military support and pet charities.
Omaroso Manigault holds the unique distinction of being the only three-time participant on the show. This time around, she’s playing for the Sue Duncan Children's Center, a safe haven for children on the South Side of Chicago. Omarosa chose the non-profit center to honor the path of her late fiancé, Michael Clarke Duncan. He was a native of Chicago and credited the center for putting him on the path to success during his childhood. He died from respiratory failure, weeks after going into cardiac arrest in 2012. The Sue Duncan Children’s Center currently serves 120 students from over 20 local schools.
Soap actress, author and entrepreneur Lisa Rinna picked St. Jude Children's Hospital as her charity. Her first time around, Rinna didn’t win any money for her charity, but she’s hoping to bring in big bucks this season. The mother of two daughters read “The Art of War for Women” to prepare for the boardroom battles and endless challenges. Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Hospital has completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to advance science more quickly.
Since appearing on “The Celebrity Apprentice," Brande Roderick has founded two companies. This time around, she’s representing the charity organization Promises 2 Kids, a non-profit organization that leads the fight against child abuse and neglect in San Diego County. Since its inception, Promises2Kids has distributed nearly $21 million for the care and protection of abused and neglected children and provided services for more than 166,000 children in need including current and former foster youth.
Retired NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman returned to “The Celebrity Apprentice” to play for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the nation’s largest wish-granting organization. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The worthy organization grants a wish in the United States every 40 minutes. Concerning his association with Make-A-Wish, Rodman told The Giving Carpet, “If I can keep doing it, I’m going to keep doing it.” He added that he’s amazed how the kids can have such big smiles on their faces, despite their life-threatening illnesses.
Rocker Dee Snider, who is best known as the lead singer of the 80s sensation Twister Sister, returned to the boardroom to play for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation’s leading industry based HIV/AISA fundraising and grant-making organization. The Council of Actors' Equity Association founded Equity Fights AIDS in 1987. Money raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country is specifically earmarked for The Actors Fund's AIDS Initiative. Members of The Producers' Group founded Broadway Cares in 1988. Money raised is awarded to AIDS service organizations nationwide.
“The Celebrity Apprentice” airs at 9 p.m. EST on Sunday nights on NBC.
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