Using celebrity powers for good
Reading People early today and came across this quote from actor Matt Damon: "...we've started a group called Africa H20. Lack of clean water and sanitation kills nearly 4,500 children a day."
Facts and figures tell a powerful story: Over 4,000 children dying each day. Virtually unfathomable.
I don't value idols and celebrity fanfare. Most celebrities are wealthy and have great clothes, cars, homes. Some are good actors, athletes or musicians. Others are just good looking. I like to read magazines and enjoy the crazy headlines and stories on sites like TMZ but that's about it for me. Entertainment and amusement - not adulation.
However, I remembered this morning how much I appreciate the value of celebrities using their "powers" for good. Without Matt Damon's involvement, chances are I wouldn't be thinking about Africa's water problems. There's no tsunami or hurricane to draw my attention and researching to find causes is not only unreliable, it's just not something I do unless something draws my attention.
It's nice to have celebrities filling in the gaps between world events that get mass-media attention and issues needing our attention every day.