In spontaneous fund-raising plea, Sharon Stone attracts $1 million for

[Kadie]

In spontaneous fund-raising plea, Sharon Stone attracts $1 million for Tanzania in five minutes
MATT MOORE, Associated Press Writer

Friday, January 28, 2005



(01-28) 11:33 PST DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) --

Sharon Stone raised $1 million in five minutes Friday for mosquito nets in Tanzania, turning a panel on African poverty into an impromptu fund-raiser.

About an hour into the panel, when a U.N. official said 150,000 African children were dying of malaria every month because they didn't have bed nets, Stone suddenly rose from her seat in the audience.

"I'd like to offer $10,000 to help you buy some bed nets today," Stone told Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa, who was on the panel along with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and others.

Stone ten implored others in the hall -- packed with several hundred well-heeled executives and political leaders attending the WOrld Economic Forum -- to reach into their pockets.

"Just stand up. Just stand up. People are dying in his country today," she said. "And that is not OK with me today."

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[tjdee]

1. I think she's a lame actress, but this is nice of her.

Though, if I were in that audience, I'd probably be like "Eww, just sit down drama queen. I don't need you to tell me how to donate money."

That would actually get on my nerves.

As I wasn't there, and thinking rationally about it, it's nice that she is helping the "emergency" (not cause) as Bono puts it.

[Warpy]

4. I saw the footage

and she was really quite effective, telling them they could solve a big problem NOW, that they were all powerful enough to do it.

Being guilted into giving is what causes resentment, and rightly so. However, being sold the idea as a way of having a powerful role in the real world is a recipe for getting the maximum number of folks to open their wallets and hearts voluntarily.

[ooglymoogly]

6. a bunch of zillionairs being guilted out of a few thousand puleeeeeeeeez

good onya sharron

[quiet.american]

2. This is a great "movie moment" story!

I've come to really like Sharon Stone and I think it was great she was in the audience to begin with, and then really impacted what was going on with her presence.

It's also great to see Angelina Jolie so involved with the U.N. as a goodwill ambassador. This reminds me of the golden age of movie stars, where they cared a bit more for the world around them than just when their next spa appointment would be.

[Zenlitened]

3. Good for her. At a certain level of wealth...

... $10,000 really isn't a big deal, incomprehensible as that may seem.

For lots of people in that audience, $10,000 is barely a blip. But it shows the power of passing the hat around -- all donations, whatever the amount, can quickly add up to some serious money.

Just look at the tsunami relief efforts. Ordinary people, donating a few dollars each, have amassed a mountain of desperately-needed cash. Ten grand or 10 bucks, it's the power of giving that matters in the long run.

[ooglymoogly]

5. right on sharon...good for you

a bunch of rich people sitting around talking about doing good and she stands up and does something good....a million will buy a lot of mosquito nets and save a lot of lives good for you sharron

[Mojambo]

7. You can bet O'Reilly will be bitching about it soon

Anything that gets his goat is good enough for me.

[oasis]

8. O'reilly will be accusing someone of skimming. He's so worried about the

plight of the Tanzanian kids ya know.

[Zhade]

9. Good for her. She's got a heart.

NT!