Next stop for the LPGA Tour is Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Ariz., for the inaugural RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup. The entire $1 million purse will be donated to charity, with $500,000 going to The LPGA Foundation and its LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program and $500,000 going to the top-10 finishers’ designated charities. We here at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF are cheering hard for one player in particular… the world’s children have an ace on their side with LPGA #1-ranked Yani Tseng playing for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the UNICEF Tap Project!
I am on my way to Southern Sudan at an exciting moment in their history. The people have just voted for a free and independent nation, which will be realized in July. This is a time for celebration at the birth of a new nation.
To be sure, there are challenges ahead. But over and over again the people here have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, courage and determination. Still, the assistance of the international community will be crucial in ensuring that the lowest rung of the economic ladder will be within the reach of this fledgling nation.
On Monday, Selena traveled to the coastal city of Valparaiso with UNICEF. There, she met with some of Chile’s poorest women. No doubt they were once full of hope as children. As they matured, poverty brought indignities that would challenge the strongest among us. With soft, tremoring voices, they told Selena how much it mean that she had traveled such distance to meet them. They thanked UNICEF for helping them find their way out of poverty so they can provide for their children.
Jenner Pascua is a production officer for unicefusa.org
The NBA Cares Charity Challenge is a program where fans will be able to vote for one of the four player’s videos on the NBA’s Facebook fan page. The player that collects the most fan support will win $10,000 for their selected charity.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I’ve always been a Laker fan. So when I heard that Los Angeles Laker, Pau Gasol would be supporting UNICEF I was ecstatic! Two passions of mine, joining forces. Needless to say, I immediately voted and watched Pau’s video. I was amazed by Pau’s dedication to UNICEF’s mission. I can honestly say that I’m an even bigger fan of Gasol — which I thought was impossible after his performance last week in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I know to some it’s just a game, but I’ve learned a lot from basketball. Like the idea of using teamwork to overcome challenges. The NBA Cares Charity Challenge is allowing players to do just that. Pau and UNICEF are teaming up to help overcome the challenge that no child should die from a preventable cause.
So whether you’re a fan of Pau, the Lakers or UNICEF, take a moment to vote and show your support. Encourage your friends and family to do the same! Voting ends on Sunday, May 9.
Elizabeth Kiem is the online producer for unicefusa.org.
We’re bookending the weekend with some quality TV here at the U.S. Fund.
We fully expect you to spend the bulk of your downtime spreading the love, hanging with family and generally doing good … but set aside some time to focus on the harder parts of the good life–working to ensure child survival.
Jane Curtin knows Thursday is the new Friday. The UNICEF Ambassador and all-time funniest SNL alum will be asking tough questions of Alex Trebek (we dare him not to laugh) in the final round of Celebrity Jeopardy tonight.
She’s already beaten Pat Sajak and Harry Shearer, but how will she fare against Michael McKean and Cheech Marin? The stakes are high. Jane’s playing for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the prize is a million dollars.
(We’ll take skilled, efficient, experienced children organizations on the ground in 150 countries for a million please, Alex.)
Then be sure to tune in on Saturday night, when things get really serious. Seriously.
“Rescued,” a CNN presentation, hammers home UNICEF’s critical mission of child protection. Soledad O’Brien hosts this in-depth report on the situation of Haiti’s most vulnerable children — those abandoned to orphanages or worse, sold as modern-day slaves.
“Rescued” reveals a dark reality of Haitian life that was not caused by the January earthquake, but was certainly exacerbated by it. It’s an important story that needs to be told and heard.
Be sure to check your local listings.
Final round of Celebrity Jeopardy, Thursday, May 6
Thirty years ago, only one out of five children were immunized against killer diseases like measles and polio. Throughout the developing world, millions of children were dying of illnesses that had all but disappeared in the world’s wealthier countries. Since then, a near miracle has taken place. Now, four out of five children are protected by vaccines. Polio is on the verge of elimination. Measles and tetanus deaths have been reduced dramatically. This miracle did not happen by itself.
Welcome to Fieldnotes. Blogging gives us the ability to quickly report from the field, alert you to media coverage of interest, and share the success of UNICEF's lifesaving work around the globe.
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