Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Heath Ledger Remembrance Forum
POLL: Where to donate money collected in Heath's memory
Kelda:
Well I voted for things that were local to Heath and Ennis - Perth, Brooklyn and Wyoming.
Acting programs for kids in Brooklyn
Matthew Shepard Foundation
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth
Also, the Matthew Shepard & Perth Hospital hit the aids link; and the Hosiptal and arts organisations hits the kids link
which are two causes that Heath supported.
memento:
I also voted for ALAFA, LIFEbeat, and Variety - The Children's Charity. I would rather see the money go to one of the charities that Heath supported than an ongoing flower fund, although I would be agreeable to flowers for Heath's birthday this year.
Kerry:
--- Quote from: Verona on February 11, 2008, 12:35:41 pm ---I think it would be fitting to send something, however small, to The Matthew Shepard Foundation. This was a boy who paid the ultimate price for being gay in Wyoming, a sad reminder that things haven't changed as much as we'd like. There's still work to do and resources needed to Erase Hate.
http://www.matthewshepard.org
--- End quote ---
Your post has really hit a nerve with me, Verona. So much so, that I've changed my previous vote. I'm now voting as follows:
* Matthew Shepard Foundation
* Ongoing Flower Fund
* Two of the above
Fran:
Mikaela originally suggested an Aboriginal charity. Well, according to the following article in The Age by Martin Flanagan (http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/ledger-another-great-who-died-too-young/2008/01/24/1201157560500.html) Heath supported the David Wirrpanda Foundation. (A check of the foundation's website lists Heath as one of its three ambassadors.) David Wirrpanda was present at the memorial service in Perth. He's an Australian football star.
Ledger another great who died too young
Martin Flanagan
January 25, 2008
WHEN I recently interviewed the American journalist Lewis Lapham, he asked me a question — why is it that the good American actors nowadays are Australian?
I guessed that maybe it was because we were less sophisticated. Like frontier types, we were closer to our primary feelings and emotions. Around the same time, I interviewed the West Coast Eagles footballer David Wirrpanda, an emerging leader in the Aboriginal community. Heath Ledger, who grew up in Perth, was an Eagles' fan, and an ambassador for the David Wirrpanda Foundation, which seeks to assist indigenous kids.
Wirrpanda, who is friends with the Ledger family, yesterday described the actor as "an easygoing, loveable character".
Wirrpanda said that what particularly interested him about Heath Ledger was his spirituality, the fact that he maintained such private aims for his public achievements.
Wirrpanda's view is consistent with the testimony of those who knew Ledger and have spoken since his death.
Here's some information about the foundation from its website:
The David Wirrpanda foundation exists to IMPROVE THE LIFE OUTCOMES OF INDIGENOUS CHILDREN by Promoting strong role models and healthy life choices. 2005 saw the launch of the David Wirrpanda Foundation through the support of Woodside Energy Ltd as founding sponsor.
The focus is to:
-- Increase the retention of indigenous students in school, and
-- Improve their life choices after leaving school by encouraging further study or entry into the workforce.
Since commencing operations in 2005, the Foundation has established successful programs in Perth and the Shire of Roebourne School attendance and behaviour has improved.
Mentoring by West Coast Eagles footballer David Wirrpanda, Troy Cook, Bianca Franklin and other indigenous role models are an important part of the Foundation’s work.
The foundation has established strong links with the communities in which it operates as well as obtaining funding from sponsors and government sources.
Major sponsors of the Foundation include founding sponsor Woodside Energy, Rio Tinto, Pilbara Development Commission, the West Coast Eagles Supporter’s Club, Lotterywest and Commonwealth Grants.
The Foundation now plans to build on these successes by expanding its operations in Perth and the Pilbara.
Perhaps this should be the Aboriginal charity in our poll since we know Heath definitely supported it.
If it is, then I would be replacing my Variety - The Children's Charity vote with this one since plenty of Hollywood stars support Variety and the David Wirrpanda Foundation does do work in Perth, Heath's hometown.
Meryl:
--- Quote from: Fran on February 11, 2008, 10:58:08 pm ---Mikaela originally suggested an Aboriginal charity. Well, according to the following article by Martin Flanagan, Heath supported the David Wirrpanda Foundation. (A check of the foundation's website lists Heath as one of its three ambassadors.) David Wirrpanda was present at the memorial service in Perth. He's an Australian football star.
Perhaps this should be the Aboriginal charity in our poll since we know Heath definitely supported it.
If it is, then I would be replacing my Variety - The Children's Charity vote with this one since plenty of Hollywood stars support Variety and the David Wirrpanda Foundation does do work in Perth, Heath's hometown.
--- End quote ---
That's a real find, Fran. Since we know Heath was a supporter of the charity, I'm listing it now as the aboriginal children's charity on our poll.
People who voted for the aboriginal children's charity option, please take note. :)
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