Making A difference

“To whom much is given, much is expected.”

This week, we’re featuring a collection of celebrities and athletes living by this mantra, leveraging their influence and earnings to better serve others. From Albert Pujols to Annika Sorenstam and Lindsey Vonn to Dikembe Mutombo, we travel around the world to see philanthropic efforts first-hand, and hear stories of how their hearts were compelled to commit to specific causes

Making A difference

CLIPS

Ryan Sheckler: Young girl with cancer changed my life

Skateboarding star and philanthropist Ryan Sheckler shares the moment he became “hooked” on helping others – when a young cancer patient named Casey asked to meet him as her single wish via the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sheckler talks of how Casey’s wish inspired him to create Sheckler Foundation, which has raised $1-2M to-date and works with adaptive athletes in skate parks – including those in wheelchairs and others with prosthetic limbs.

Jake Paul: Learning from my past to combat bullying

YouTube creator turned boxing pro Jake Paul offers the origin story for his foundation Boxing Bullies and describes the feeling of hosting its inaugural event in Puerto Rico in July. Paul remembers growing up a bully, then finding himself on the other side of bullying as negative, hateful comments populated his videos. Paul says he gained confidence as he grew into boxing and walks us through some of his foundation’s goals. For more information on Boxing Bullies, visit www.boxingbullies.com.

Jayson Tatum: I want to open a school in St. Louis

We’re with Jayson Tatum at two of his basketball camps in St. Louis, including his foundation’s free camp for inner city kids and another one at his alma mater of Chaminade High School. We also check out the basketball court and computer lab he donated to the Wohl Community Center and Jayson shares that he wants to one day open up a school in St. Louis.

Dikembe Mutombo: A tour of my hospital in the Congo

Dikembe Mutombo shows the life-saving work of his foundation through the $40 million hospital he built in the Congo.

Lindsey Vonn: I saved a girl from suicide

An emotional Lindsey Vonn opens up about using her sport, and her position as a star athlete, to help others. The Lindsey Vonn Foundation provides scholarships and programming for education, sports, and enrichment programs for young people. Vonn recounts connecting with one girl who attended the Strong Girls camp, and later wrote to Vonn, saying prior to camp, she self-harmed, and wanted to kill herself. The camp and Foundation helped her, and Vonn says that made all of her career struggles worthwhile.

Dick Vitale: Fighting for sick kids ‘til last breath

Dick Vitale shares why he is obsessed with raising money for pediatric cancer and highlights an alarming stat

Annika Sorenstam: Tiger Woods’ advice to “do less”

Hall of Fame golfer turned entrepreneur Annika Sorenstam addresses her retirement from the LPGA, trying to build businesses during the Great Recession and advice from Tiger Woods that helped her “do less to get more.” Plus, Annika and her husband Mike McGee talk of their efforts to support the next generation of female golfers through the ANNIKA Foundation (https://www.annikafoundation.org/)

Albert Pujols: Dominican and down syndrome charity work

Graham Bensinger attends Pujols Family Foundation events including an annual basketball game supporting local children with Down Syndrome in St. Louis and celebrity golf fundraiser in Scottsdale, AZ. Plus, Pujols discusses another primary focus of the foundation: serving the impoverished in the Dominican Republic through economic support, medical care and athletic resources. Foundation Executive Director/CEO Todd Perry expands on its mission and Albert’s unique contribution.

Billie Jean King: I want men and women playing together

Billie Jean King discusses the origins of Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT), the benefits of men and women competing together and why WTT is more fan friendly than other professional tennis matches

Clayton Kershaw: Changing lives in Africa

Clayton Kershaw discusses his charity, Kershaw’s Challenge, and the work he and his wife Ellen are doing with underprivileged children in Africa