As we’ve noted here at Tonic before, Reality TV isn’t exactly known as the hotbed of “giving back,” “kindness” or “charity.”
One major exception? NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice. The whole point of the show, which kicked off Sunday night, is for celebrities (and semi-celebrities) to battle it out to raise as much money as possible for their own hand-chosen charities — and, of course, to avoid getting fired by The Donald.
This season’s contestants, from singers and actors to models and wrestlers, have put their good names behind a wide array of great causes. Tonic gives you the rundown:
Sharon Osbourne: Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program
The always outspoken America’s Got Talent judge — and wife of rocker Ozzy — is a colon cancer survivor. She set up her own foundation to lend support, both financial and otherwise, to others who are doing battle with the disease, but who may not enjoy the level of support she enjoyed during own life-or-death struggle.
Holly Robinson Peete: The HollyRod Foundation
The actress and her husband, NFL Quarterback Rodney Peete, formed their aptly name foundation 11 years ago. After watching Holly’s father struggle with Parkinson’s disease, they set out to help improve quality of life for less-fortunate families dealing with the financial burdens of such diseases. When their eldest son was born with autism, they also expanded the foundation’s mission with the HollyRod4Kids initiative.
Bill Goldberg: Communities 4Kids
The pro football player turned pro wrestler turned television host is committing his Apprentice fundraising efforts to the charitable organization’s One Good Turn Ranch 4Kids program, which offers kids who have lost a loved one due to military action a chance to go to camp and learn from adult mentors, like Goldberg himself.
Curtis Stone: Feeding America
The master chef and author hopes to cook up some funds for a nonprofit that’s the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Feeding America distributes food and grocery products through a nationwide certified member network, increases public awareness of domestic hunger and advocates for public policies that benefit America”s hungry.
Bret Michaels: American Diabetes Association
The Poison rocker and Rock of Love star, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of six, is supporting a cause that’s near and dear to his heart. His Apprentice funds will be directed particularly to camps that allow kids diagnosed with the disease to meet others going through the exact same thing, and have unlimited access to doctors and nurses while they’re at it.
Carol Leifer: North Shore Animal League America
The acclaimed comedienne, writer and animal advocate is actively throwing her yucks — and bucks — to an organization dedicated to ending the pet overpopulation program in America. NSALA is the world’s largest no-kill shelter. She also takes matters into her own hands, as the proud owner of seven rescue dogs.
Summer Sanders: Right To Play
The gold-medal winning Olympic swimmer is setting out to bring her love of the game to kids who might not have a chance to play any games without a little help: Right to Play bring sports and play to children in developing countries that have been affected by war.
Selita Ebanks: Shine On Sierra Leone
The Victoria’s Secret “Angel,” whom we’ve featured here on Tonic, traveled to Sierra Leone over a year ago to discover the harsh conditions women and children in the African nation face every day. Read all about her journey here.
Darryl Strawberry: The Darryl Strawberry Foundation
He’s a baseball legend, a two-time cancer survivor, and an outspoken advocate for children with autism, which is where his Apprentice winnings will be funneled through the eponymous foundation he runs with his wife, Tracy.
Maria Kenellis: Make-a-Wish Foundation
The WWE Diva and aspiring singer is making one of her own dreams come true — she’s releasing a four-song EP this coming April — and will use her Apprentice winnings to make dreams come true for kids through the largest wish-granting organization in the world, Make-a-Wish.
Michael Johnson: Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The fastest man in the history of track and field is speeding his reality-show earnings to a foundation that’s dedicated to using sport to instigate social change throughout the world. More than just a spokesperson, he has sat as chair of Laureus since 2003.
Rod Blagojevich: Children’s Cancer Center
The ousted Governor of Illinois was removed from office amid a national scandal, but there’s no scandal surrounding his choice of good causes — an organization founded in 1974 to provide children who have cancer or chronic blood disorders and their families with the educational, emotional, and financial assistance necessary to cope with their life-threatening illnesses.
Cyndi Lauper: True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation
The “True Colors” singer co-founded the Fund to end discrimination by raising awareness, especially in the straight community, about the hardships suffered by the LGBT community and further the cause of civil rights.
Sinbad: Omega Boys Club / Street Soldiers
This actor-comedian with the mythic seafarer’s name is a regular speaker at and supporter of this Michigan’s boys club’s program, aimed at ending violence and focused on sending inner-city kids to college.
Photos courtesy NBC
