Last Wednesday, the People’s Choice Awards was held at the Nokia Theater. These awards are pretty cool because the celebrity honors are chosen by the people rather than industry professionals like the other award shows.
The Hunger Games won five awards, singer Katy Perry won three, and Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston won for best comedic actors.
One special award went to Sandra Bullock, not for acting, but for her humanitarian efforts.
Bullock was recognized for her many philanthropic efforts. She has been a great supporter of the American Red Cross, having given the organization millions over the years after such disastrous events as 9/11, the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Japan earthquake. She also supported the cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico after the BP oil spill.
But, Bullock has a real passion for helping clean up the areas of New Orleans devastated after Hurricane Katrina. She is especially dedicated to helping the Warren Easton Charter High School.
The school was hit hard by the hurricane – to the tune of $4 million worth of damage. At one point, it was filled with up to 10 feet of water. Feeling what she called “a profound need to do something for them,” Bullock has donated close to $500,000 to help renovate the school as well as get it much needed band uniforms, athletic equipment and even a health clinic. She has worked closely with the staff there to help repair the school, both physically and emotionally.
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The 48-year-old actress told the People’s Choice Award crowd, “I’m not at all being modest when I say I’m not doing anything compared to what they are doing on a daily basis,” speaking of those at the school.
Maybe there’s another small reason Bullock loves the area so much that she wants to help. Her adopted son, two-year-old son Louis, is from New Orleans.