Add actor Matt Damon to the growing list of Hollywood do-gooders. The “Bourne Identity” star joins pals Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, members of the band Hootie and the Blowfish and rapper Eminem (to name just a few) who are lending a hand to those in need.
The Academy Award winner’s new mission has him fighting poverty and AIDS in Africa. According to PEOPLE Magazine, Damon took up the cause in May after spending more than a week visiting the impoverished country. And, just a few days ago he hosted a fundraiser in Toronto to raise money to fight global poverty. Of course, the shindig attracted some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Pitt, Penelope Cruz, Wyclef Jean and John Legend. All tolled the event raised nearly $2 million for Canada’s One X One and the U.S.-based Millennium Promise, headed by United Nations adviser Dr. Jeffrey Sachs.
For his part, the magazine reports Damon “ran a celebrity auction for prizes that included a chance to escort him and Pitt to the premiere of “Ocean’s Thirteen.” Auctions, aside Damon told PEOPLE he is also working on a documentary called “Running the Sahara,” which follows “three ultra-marathoners running across the Sahara to shed light on the issues there, particularly the lack of water.” The lack of water Damon saw African children endure during his visit there also inspired him to start a group called Africa H20. Damon tells the magazine that a lack of clean water and sanitation in Africa kills nearly 4,500 children a day. Damon calls it a “troubling statistic” and vows to do whatever he can to help turn the numbers around.
I have always enjoyed watching Damon on screen (yes, I think he’s hot and I was both happy-for him, not me—when in quick succession he got engaged, married and welcomed a new baby to his family). Now, I can admire him even more for being a celebrity with a big heart (and not just a big bank account).
To learn more about Damon’s causes go to Millennium Promise.
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