Gerard Butler arrives to the InStyle/Warner Bros.
party following the 67th Annual Golden Globe
Awards. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Gerard Butler is among the celebrities stepping in to help with the relief efforts in Haiti, pledging $50,000 per year for five years toward building the future of Haiti.
Director Paul Haggis, having recently returned from Haiti, hosted a brunch in his Santa Monica home on January 24 benefiting Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) , the charity he founded in 2009. The event raised over $4 million for Haitian relief.
The brunch had two purposes: first, to get emergency relief to the children of Haiti and second, to raise money for long-term relief so that Haiti will not once again be forgotten as soon is it is out of the news. One hundred friends and supporters of APJ pledged to support the disaster-stricken nation over the next five to ten years, committing funds to building and funding schools, in a country where most children don't have access to basic education.
Attendees were asked to make a minimum donation of $5,000. A live connection was established at the event that gave guests the opportunity to chat with doctors and relief workers on the ground in Haiti, allowing them to hear first-hand about the progress being made.
"I am so grateful to this wonderful group of people who came out today and gave so generously to support the children of Haiti through Artists for Peace and Justice," says Haggis. "Our organization is committed to sending 100% of all donations directly to emergency relief on the ground including medical supplies and much needed vehicles to reach those who require medical care."
In addition to the $5000 minimum donation, guests contributed not only dollars towards the current relief effort, but also pledged to support Haiti in the long-term.
Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Simon Barker joined Butler in the $50K pledge.
The Artists for Peace and Justice advisory board members include Paul Haggis, Maria Bello, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Natasha Koifman, Diane Lane, Michael Stahl-David, Oliver Stone, Madeline Stowe, Charlize Theron, Peter Tunney and Olivia Wilde.
Butler has also donated his Golden Globes attire to be auctioned by APJ on EBay.
Comments
Once again, the man shows his generous nature as well as his un-selfish desire to help those that need help at a most trying time of their lives. He is such a wonderful man to give as much as he is able of his time, himself and money!! He is constantly giving of himself to charities to help those that need help. He especially tries to always give to the children and to help in anyway he is able. God Bless this awesome man.
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