schools

Canadian pop artist Justin Bieber, whose official web site includes a charity movement section that runs a tally of the amount raised through his Believe Charity Drive — $1,192,2004 and counting — has issued a further challenge to his fans: the school that raises the most money for

Justin Bieber isn’t the only musician behind Pencils of Promise.  British singer Natalia Kills, signed by Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, and whose album, Perfectionist, comes out August 16, is already supporting the New York-based charity which builds schools in the developing world.

“I recently opened an online eBay store where some of the proceeds go to Pencils of Promise to build schools,  so if it’s something I’ve worn before for a particular appearance, sometimes it ends up on my eBay store,” Kills tells Samaritanmag, during a recent stop in Toronto when she was on tour with Robyn.

Kills, whose real surname is Cappuccini, says she chose Pencils of Promise for a couple of reasons.

“A lot of my friends like to work two or three days a week for a few hours at least in an office for a non-profit organization,” she says. “It’s always to do with humans. I know it’s important to save animals and save the planet, but we have to start by saving human beings first and making their lives better, in my opinion, before we start on the rest of it. Basically, I have a few friends who like to do that and that’s how I found out about it.

“I think it’s actually the fastest rising non-profit that exists at the moment. They’ve built over 35 schools in less than 5 years, so they’re doing really well right now.  I don’t know anyone else [musician-wise] who supports it, but I know me and Justin Bieber do. “

Bieber started Schools 4 All with Pencils of Promise founder Adam Braun, a campaign that challenges students, parents, entire schools and communities to launch a personal fundraising page to help PoP build more schools. According to the site (www.schools4all.org), it has raised more than $143,000 to date, which equals seven new schools. The campaign ends June 30 and the person who raises the most money will receive a visit at the school of their choice from Bieber and Braun.

For nearly half a century, Japanese-born avant-garde artist Yoko Ono has been a figurehead and ambassador for social change. She continues to be a vocal supporter of women’s and gay rights, as well as an advocate for peace.  As such, she gives to several handpicked charities that she feels are in line with her world view.

“I’m helping a slew of charities,” Ono tells Samaritanmag. “I think I’m helping about 30 charities around the world.”

From a school in Harlem, NY to American’s Second Harvest to London’s National Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Ono’s donations cover a range of needs, some through her own Spirit Foundation.

Now 78, Ono is still actively performing concerts and exhibiting her art. She rose to cultural prominence in the 1960s as the (occasionally loathed) paramour of The Beatles’ John Lennon. She inspired her soon-to-be husband to look beyond the superficial nature of his fame and, together, the duo would become a force for social change.

Glee’s leading man Matthew Morrison is now officially juggling two time-consuming careers, one playing high school teacher Will Schuester on the hit musical-comedy television series about a glee club; the other as a recording artist with an album due May 10; the single, "Summer Rain," has just been released. But when things settle down or he figures out how to find time, the triple-threat actor, singer and dancer wants to start his own arts school.

“My thing is arts education, which is always great for me. It always has been, but it coincides with my role on Glee,” Morrison tells Samaritanmag. “I’m a proud product of a public performing arts high school and my mission — and what I want my legacy to be — is to create a chain of accredited performing arts high schools.

“I’d love to do it all around the world because I was so lucky and fortunate to find my passion when I was really young, in theatre and singing and in the arts,” he explains. “A lot of people don’t get to experience that. So I’d love to have a place where people can actually go and see if that’s what they’d like to do and have a really great performing arts school.”