About Me:I got involved in philanthropy after I had realized that if I wanted a better world, then I had to do more than hope for it - I had to get involved.
I currently support and volunteer with organizations that help At-Risk teens and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
"I believe if we want change we need to use our power to make a difference."
Everyone must be tired of hearing about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie by now, but I am never tired of hearing about people who try and make the world a better place.
Actor and activist Brad Pitt began a bold initiative to start making things better in New Orleans flood-devastated Lower 9th Ward. Now, he’s expanding on that with a new foundation called “Make It Right,” pledging that the first of at least 150 environmentally friendly homes will be ready by next summer.
“We’re going to start with 150 homes,” he said.
Like the project he announced in August of this year in partnership with Global Green, an environmental organization specializing in eco-friendly construction, Make It Right aims to provide affordable housing in the Lower 9th Ward that will make maximum use of solar and wind energy to reduce utility costs by as much as 65 percent.
And Brad is putting his money where his mouth is. He's pledged $5 million toward the reconstruction.
“I’m hoping we can expand over to the rest of New Orleans. There’s no reason why we need to stop here. It’s just going to be if we can get the financial support to make up the difference people need to return to their homes.”
He’s asking for money to make it happen. “This is an adopt-a-house campaign,” he said. “I’m asking for foundations, for high net-worth individuals, for church groups, for corporations to come in to adopt a home. Basically, $150,000 will get a family back in their home.”
He’s got a Web site where individuals can help by adopting a low-flush toilet or a solar panel as a Christmas gift to a family that needs a home. “I’m going to get my dad a tankless water heater,” he quipped.
He said he expects to have families moving into homes by the end of next summer.
Ultimately, Pitt, an architecture buff, would like to see housing that requires no outside energy at all.
“The idea that we pay utility bills is absolutely unnecessary. And I mean, there's the sun, you feel the breeze that's being created here, and we got water right out there. Any one of these can be harnessed, and we can integrate ourselves into that ecosystem and not only power our houses but actually produce energy for other parts of the city.” he said.
William McDonough & Partners architects are one of the groups who have partnered with the Make It Right foundation. A total of 14 architects are involved in the team, which has developed Make It Right in close consultation with community leaders in the Lower 9th Ward.
The initial goal of Make It Right is to build 150 homes. The Global Green project is building 18 apartments and five homes.
Brad Pitt first fell in love with New Orleans in 1994 when he was filming “Interview with the Vampire” there. Earlier this year, he and Angelina Jolie purchased a home in the French Quarter while he was filming “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and they’ve made the city their home.
“It's the most unique city that we have in the States,” he told “The Times-Picayune” newspaper in May. “It has an energy like no other place ... I absolutely love it there. We moved our family there.”
“I see this as a great opportunity,” he said. The hurricane, he said, “left a big scar. People are in limbo. I find this more fulfilling than any film I’ve been in.”
Love your blog's new look, Matt! I know Unicef is near and dear to your heart; it's so appropriate that a Unicef banner is now featured so prominently here. I'll also never tire of hearing celebrities who choose to use their fame and fortune to help others. Thanks for the post!
p.s. Not sure if you've seen the holiday cards at Hallmark stores that help Unicef raise funds. Great designs, too! K.
My names is Jessica Mallard and I just wanted you to know I appreciate your blog. And I too agree that it is nice to hear about celebrities who are doing something positive! There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in New Orleans, but it is nice to know people are doing what they can to make a difference there.
I currently work for a marketing firm in SLC, Utah, and one of our clients is Operation Kids. http://operationkids.wordpress.com/
One of their prominent partners is the Brees Dream Foundation (ran by Drew and Brittany Brees of the New Orleans Saints). You mentioned you wished more celebs would use their good fortune for good, well Operation Kids and the Brees Dream Foundation is doing just that. Updates and news about their progress in New Orleans can be found at http://operationkids.wordpress.com/.
Operation Kids and its partners are currently working on a deal to build several new playgrounds in New Orleans over the next few years. They will be having the first ribbon cutting beginning of Jan if you are interested. And they are announcing their partnership tomorrow. Exciting stuff.
Love your blog's new look, Matt! I know Unicef is near and dear to your heart; it's so appropriate that a Unicef banner is now featured so prominently here. I'll also never tire of hearing celebrities who choose to use their fame and fortune to help others. Thanks for the post!
p.s. Not sure if you've seen the holiday cards at Hallmark stores that help Unicef raise funds. Great designs, too! K.