Entertainment

15 Celebrities Who Started a Charity That Helps Children (PHOTOS)

EntertainmentPublished Nov 26, 2015
By Rebecca Deczynski
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When they're not starring in major motion pictures, breaking sports records, or releasing chart-topping albums, some celebrities like to donate a little of their time, energy, and efforts to great causes—some even going so far as to create their own charities or foundations. With their focus on children, these stars have used their power for good to improve the lives of kids everywhere.

Children are the future—and these 15 celebrities are trying their best to help them.

Image © Childrens Miracle Network/Corbis/Splash News/Corbis

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Pharrell Williams-placeholder
Pharrell Williams
Splash News

Pharrell Williams

Music producer Pharrell Williams founded his charity, From One Hand to AnOTHER,in 2008 to provide underprivileged children with music education—especially in his native Virginia Beach.

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Oprah Winfrey
KIM LUDBROOK/epa/Corbis

Oprah Winfrey

It's not surprising that this generous celebrity has started Oprah's Angel Network, a charity that has built over 55 schools in 12 countries, in addition to providing school supplies and uniforms for all children.

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Jennifer Lopez
Childrens Miracle Network/Corbis/Splash News/Corbis

Jennifer Lopez

This mega-star also has a big heart. She launched the Lopez Family Foundation to improve the health and general well-being of women and children, helping to provide healthcare in underprivileged areas. The experience obviously inspired more altruism: She recently began working with the Children's Miracle Network, too (pictured).

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Mark Wahlberg
Jay Valena/Corbis

Mark Wahlberg

This Ted actor is much more than a funny man. The Mark Wahlberg Foundation was established in 2001 with the goal of raising funds to benefit inner city children through enrichment programs. 

More from The Stir: 20 Celebrities Who Moonlight as Successful Entrepreneurs (PHOTOS)

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Ryan Seacrest
Gene Young/Splash News/Corbis

Ryan Seacrest

Through the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, sick children are visited by their favorite celebrities, using entertainment as a way of improving their lives.

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Shakira
Splash News

Shakira

Founded in her native Colombia, Shakira's Barefoot Foundation works to expand universal, quality public education so that every child has the opportunity to learn.

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Charlize Theron
INFphoto.com/Splash News

Charlize Theron

This South African actress launched the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Program in 2007 to provide support to local organizations in sub-Saharan Africa that help to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDs in youth.

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Michael Jordan
Kevin Horan/Corbis

Michael Jordan

Basketball legend Michael Jordan opened the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club in honor of his father. The center offers programs like homework help, big brother and big sister mentoring, and physical education.

More from The Stir: 8 Super Charitable Celebs That Will Shock You (PHOTOS)

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Paul Newman
Jean-Bernard Vernier/Sygma/Corbis

Paul Newman

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by actor Paul Newman to allow seriously ill children to experience the joy of summer camp.

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Kathie Lee Gifford
Splash News

Kathie Lee Gifford

Working with the Association to Benefit Children, Kathie Lee Gifford opened Cody's House and Cassidy's Place, a haven for children and babies in poverty and a preschool for children in need. Both programs are named after her own children.

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Steven Spielberg
Michael Buckner/Reuters/Corbis

Steven Spielberg

This famed director harnessed the power of the entertainment industry in 1991 when he founded the Starlight Foundation, an organization that aims to improve the lives of children and teens living with terminal illness.

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Madonna-placeholder
Madonna
Sax Rohmer / Splash News

Madonna

Pop superstar Madonna, who has two adopted children from Malawi, founded Raising Malawi in 2006—a charity that attempts to provide the country's one million orphans with clothing, food, shelter, education, and medical care. 

More from The Stir: 10 Sweet and Inspiring Celebrity Acts of Kindness (PHOTOS)

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Olivia Newton John
David Acosta/Celebrity Monitor/Splash News/Corbis

Olivia Newton John

This Grease actress helped launch Healthy Child Healthy World in 1992, after having been its spokesperson for more than 10 years. The charity works to impact policy and empower parents to provide children with the best possible healthcare.

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Paul Simon
Rob Kim ./Retna Ltd./Corbis

Paul Simon

After touring a homeless shelter in 1987, Paul Simon and Irwin Redlener, M.D., founded Children's Health Fund to support the health care of underprivileged children, and to benefit the well-being of children everywhere.

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Whitney Houston
Splash News

Whitney Houston

In 1989, this late singer opened the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, which worked to improve the lives of children suffering from cancer and AIDs all through the '90s.

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