POLL: Where to donate money collected in Heath's memory

[Meryl]

Meryl, I figured that could just be the specific recipient of the "gay youth organization in Wyoming" option... like replace it... what do you think? 

That makes perfect sense to me!  Will change the poll.   

For those who voted for the "gay youth organization" option, please note the change in case it affects your vote. 

[Verona]

And keep in mind that Fred Phelps and Co. pretty much made their name by showing up at Matthew's funeral with their filth and hate, like they threatened to do at Heath's. I think the karma value would be priceless, on top of the obvious appropriateness of the cause. Heath would appreciate the irony, I'd venture to say.

[mouk]

If Heath supported ALAFA then this is my choice, I have just voted. He seemed to be developing an interest in Africa as apparently he was planning an anti poaching campaign later this year over there. Women in Lesotho have a really hard life. It is a very poor country with a harsh climate and bad land erosion. They don't need AIDS on top of it all - who does? There is a great book  'Singing away the hunger' by Mpho 'M'atsepo Nthunya that gives some idea of what women's life is like in Lesotho, and how determined they are. Also, the project is supported by credible partners. But I could not find their financial stats ?

As the money we have is not a huge amount, it seems wise to give it all to one, at the most 2 organisations, as has already been mentioned.

Having said that, all the causes listed are worthwhile and I will go along with whatever is decided.

As per the flowers, giving each year seems more meaningful as this means remembering Heath actively, rather than lean on a gesture we made 1, 2, 5 years ago. IMO

Again, thanks Meryl and Friends for making this possible.

[Berit]

Thank you Mouk for your posting. I agree with you full heartedly.

Berit

[MaineWriter]

If Heath supported ALAFA then this is my choice, I have just voted. He seemed to be developing an interest in Africa as apparently he was planning an anti poaching campaign later this year over there. Women in Lesotho have a really hard life. It is a very poor country with a harsh climate and bad land erosion. They don't need AIDS on top of it all - who does? There is a great book  'Singing away the hunger' by Mpho 'M'atsepo Nthunya that gives some idea of what women's life is like in Lesotho, and how determined they are. Also, the project is supported by credible partners. But I could not find their financial stats ?

I did a search and wasn't able to find anything. It is a new organization (est. 2006) so maybe they don't have any reports that have been made public. It is also based in Lesotho, so maybe their reporting requirements are different than what is required here in the US.

http://www.alafa.info/Pages/AboutUs.asp

L

[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]

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

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]

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.

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.