Good Works: Usher Visits Armed Services…Maggie Gyllenhaal along with Ben & Jerry Stage a "Peace Bed In"and More!

 

 

 

                                           

Usher was on board the USS Kearsarge this morning to show his appreciation for the men an women of the armed services. The singer, whose album drops today, was there to sign copies of his new cd and pose for pictures. Throughout his career, Usher has progressively become more socially active, having launched his foundation a Usher’s New Look along with efforts on behalf of post Katrina New Orleans.

Can Ice Cream in Bed Spark World Peace?

“Make peace – a dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” - Yoko Ono

While John Lennon pondered a world without war through art and music, Ben & Jerry’s is channeling a message of peace through ice cream. Maggie Gyllenhaal along with Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield launched a new peace campaign and ice cream flavor called “Imagine Whirled Peace” in Times Square today. The flavor is inspired by the ubiquitous John Lennon tune Imagine and is a collaborative effort between the ice cream giant, the Lennon estate, and the non-profit organization Peace One Day to raise global awareness of the UN day of global ceasefire and non-violence on September 21st annually.

 

Ben & Jerry’s conducted a national search to identify peace activists who are furthering Lennon’s message through their work. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jerry Greenfield presented two peace pioneers - Aaron Voldman (Student Peace Alliance) and Robert Kent (Peace Camp Initiative) - with a $10,000 donation from Ben & Jerry’s for their missions of peace and justice.

The launch concluded with a recreation of the “Peace Bed-In” originally staged by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969 to recognize leader in todays’s movement.

 

The John Lennon tribute flavor, a savory mix of caramel and sweet cream based ice cream with toffee cookies and chocolate peace signs, is part of Ben & Jerry’s ongoing social mission campaign. The company encourages the public to log on to PeaceOneDay.org and to make their own commitment to the UN endorsed Peace Day (September 21). Those interested in sharing their personal messages can visit benjerry.com/imagine.

Eva Longoria Parker was out in Corpus Christi, Texas today to kick off Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty Weekend. During Father’s Day Weekend, June 14 and 15, Wendy’s will donate 50 cents from the sale of every Frosty product, including new Frosty Shakes, at participating restaurants, to benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. She will continue her charity work on Saturday, May 31 when she participates in the PADRES Contra El Cancer’s Inaugural Stand for HOPE! 5k Charity Run/Walk to raise money in support of children with cancer and their families.

 

And finally, ABC, CBS and NBC are parterning in a live telethon special called “Stand Up To Cancer” to air on September 5, 2008 (8 pm EDT and PDT). The special will feature live performances by legendary recording artists and stars from film and television who will perform as well as present filmed content giving viewers insight into cancer. Network evening news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams will announce the initiative together during live appearances tomorrow on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CBS’s “The Early Show,” and NBC’s “TODAY show.” For more information click here.