By Amarylis Martinez

What’s more important than Kim Kardashian’s divorce making headlines? Her charity contribution, of course!

After many rumors circulating regarding her troubled marriage, Kim confirmed on Halloween day that there are irreconcilable differences between her and hubby Kris Humphries.  On October 31, the public was made aware that Kardashian had indeed filed for divorce after 72 days of marriage.

According to Divorce Lawyer Source, divorce statistics show that about eighty percent of all marriages end because of irreconcilable differences.  As sad as this statistic may be, it proves that Kim is one of many going through this tough time right now.  In the midst of a hard time, Kim has found a way to turn the frown upside down…for someone in need.  On November 1, Kim posted a message to her fans on her official blog addressing her divorce, the rumors and her unexpected charity contribution.  Kim Kardashian has donated the value of her wedding gifts to the Dream Foundation, a charity that grants wishes to people facing life threatening illnesses.

The Dream Foundation has confirmed that it is true and the funds have been wired over on November 2.  Although there is no confirmed amount of the contribution that was made, TMZ has reported that a source close to Kim is saying $200,000 has been donated.

Kim has been actively involved with the Dream Foundation in the past and continues to hold a special place in her heart for the cause the Dream Foundation supports.  In an email with the Huffington Post, Erin Lynnch, a spokesperson for the Dream Foundation expressed her gratitude for Kim using this troubled time to help others.  Erin Lynnch was quoted saying:

Kim has a long history of giving to Dream Foundation with her time, financial contributions and simply holding the hands of dreamers facing a terminal illness. We are thankful to have Kim as a part of our service.

Though many may think that Kim’s donation is a way to divert the heat of ‘fake marriage’ or ‘publicity stunt for money’ rumors, the truth of the matter is that her contribution will in fact help others during their greatest time of need – for this, we applaud Kim.

To support the cause of the Dream Foundation and help make someone’s dream come true visit www.dreamfoundation.org

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/kim-kardashian-speaks-her-failed-marriage-got-caught-194503376.html

Below is the story from the above referenced link:

One day after she filed for divorce from Kris Humphries, her husband of 72 days, and left the country on a business trip, Kim Kardashian is making sure she tells her side of the story.

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“I am trying not to read all the different media reports but it’s hard not to see all the negative ones,” Kardashian tweeted on Tuesday. “First and foremost, I married for love. I can’t believe I even have to defend this. I would not have spent so much time on something just for a TV show!”

She says that sharing the wedding with fans on E!’s two part wedding special in early October is just part of who she is and how the Kardashian family chooses to conduct their lives.

PHOTOS: Inside Kardashian Inc.

“We filmed Kourtney giving birth, Khloe getting married, break ups, make ups, our best moments and our worst moments,” she writes. “These were all real moments. That’s what makes us who we are. We share, we give, we love and we are open!”

She then goes on to describe the “rollercoaster” she was on as the wedding approached and expresses regret for not ending the relationship sooner.

“I got caught up with the hoopla and the filming of the TV show that when I probably should have ended my relationship, I didn’t know how to,” she reveals. “And didn’t want to disappoint a lot of people.”

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Kardashian then ends her statement by saying that reports that she made millions off of her wedding are “simpy not true” and announced that she will be donating the money from her wedding gifts to the Dream Foundation.

After announcing her divorce to Kris Humphries, the reality star has been given a hard time being told that her marriage has been a HOAX from the start with ‘close friends’ claiming the marriage had been an ‘arranged marriage’ too. Being hurt by reading all the negative and hurtful comments by media reports, Kim decided to write a message entitled A Message To My Fans on her blog and tweeting it out to her followers on twitter.

She began her message expressing her thought of writing about it, but being thankful of the support she has received through her fans during the difficult time: “This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write. I see all of the support and I am so thankful for my fans, friends and family who are helping me through this difficult time.”

Upset at the media reporting negative and judging her for divorcing after just 72 days of being married, she states of having to defend herself explaining her reason of getting married and her true intentions of being in love.

She then goes on to say, her marriage was not something for a TV show, where she shares her life through her series of reality shows. Deciding to air her wedding was a hard decision of whether to broadcast it. Talking of many experiences that have been watched by millions of viewers, Kim argues that all moments have been real: “I am trying not to read all the different media reports but it’s hard not to see all the negative ones. First and foremost, I married for love. I can’t believe I even have to defend this. I would not have spent so much time on something just for a TV show!

“I share so much of my life on a reality show, that contemplating whether to even film my wedding was a tough decision to make, and maybe it turned out to not be the smartest decision. But it’s who I am! We filmed Kourtney giving birth, Khloe getting married, break ups, make ups, our best moments and our worst moments. These were all real moments. That’s what makes us who we are. We share, we give, we love and we are open!”

The 31-year-old continued with her message of being a hopeless romantic, loving everyone with her heart and soul. She explained that perhaps she had rushed into her relationship, not knowing she should have ended it and being too caught up of filming her TV show, not wanting to disappoint those closest to her:  “Everyone that knows me knows that I’m a hopeless romantic! I love with all of my heart and soul. I want a family and babies and a real life so badly that maybe I rushed in to something too soon. I believed in love and the dream of what I wanted so badly.

“I felt like I was on a fast roller coaster and couldn’t get off when now I know I probably should have. I got caught up with the hoopla and the filming of the TV show that when I probably should have ended my relationship, I didn’t know how to and didn’t want to disappoint a lot of people.”

Speaking with honesty and from the heart, she asks her fans and those who are reading the message not believing her to respect her courage going through a divorce. Not having the intention to hurt anyone, Kim accepts her responsibilities of her actions and decisions.

As the message persists, Kim writes through her feelings of her marriage not turning into the fairy tale she had badly wanted: “I’m being honest here and I hope you respect my courage because this isn’t easy to go through. But I do know that I have to follow my heart. I never had the intention of hurting anybody and I accept full responsibility for my actions and decisions, and for taking everyone on this journey with me. It just didn’t turn out to be the fairy tale I had so badly hoped for.”

Kim then clarifies and clears up the rumours of making millions through the wedding, claiming them not to be true. Thanking her guests at the wedding and appreciating those who came, she will be donating the money for all the presents to Dream Foundation: “There are also reports that I made millions of dollars off of the wedding. These reports are simply not true and it makes me so sad to have to even clarify this. I’m so grateful to everyone who took the time to come to my wedding and I’ll be donating the money for all the gifts to the Dream Foundation.”

Lastly she concluded her message apologising of she had hurt anyone, and with the advice given to her from her late father Robert Kardashian, she will follow her heart in what she believes: “I’m sorry if I have hurt anyone, but my dad always told me to follow my heart I believe now that I really am.”

It’s true to say that Kim is saddened at the end of her marriage to NBA basketball player Kris Humphries as it hadn’t turned out to be what Kim had hoped for. But hopefully she’ll come through this with the support of her family, friends and fans.

Here’s just a tiny taste of the night…

The new field opened at Pecan Recreation Center and includes a solar-powered scoreboard, new sod, a re-grading of the infield and refurbished fencing.

The Dodgers Dream Foundation works with other non-profits and city Parks and Recreation departments to build and upgrade community baseball fields in under-served neighborhoods.

The Boyle Heights Dreamfield is the twelfth Dodgers Dreamfield in Los Angeles.

Kim Kardashian revealed to Piers Morgan that she donates 10 percent of whatever earnings she makes to a church her mother, Kris Jenner helped start in Calabasas, California.  When Piers asked how much Kim was asked, she replied:

“Whatever it is, I give 10 per cent away to the church and that’s what I was taught. Every year. Absolutely.”

Kourtney was taught the same thing but admits she forget that principle, but says, “I will [give] now”. Kim also spoke about how she works with the Dream Foundation charity.

“There’s a charity that I work with a lot that I donate money all the time – the Dream Foundation – and my mom has helped create a church, so we help fund that, it’s in Calabasas.”

What a wonderful thing to do.  We were hard on Kim when she was asking us average people to give money so she could could back to Twitter especially when we never heard of her giving much of anything other than her name and appearances.  So this is good to hear.

I say “minister” because of several things Lady Gaga (real name is Stefani Germanotta) did in meeting with her.  I think the feeling that welled up in me as I read this article is probably small in comparison to what the suffering fan felt in her visit with the hit maker.

Lady Gaga did three things in ministering to this hurting soul:

1. The hit maker reminded the fan of a reality deeper than her physical condition.  The singer said this: “No illness can take away your inner-beauty or your spirit of life away.  You are beautiful!”  All of us need to be reminded of the deeper realities of our persons and our physical lives, especially when our bodies are perishing.
2. Gaga helped the fan see this reality by telling her what she saw.  “They may say you are sick, but all I feel is how alive your spirit is.”  When we are down, we can easily lose perspective.  We can regain something of this perspective when one to whom we listen reminds us of what they see.  Gaga saw this woman as one alive in spirit, and shared this with her.
3. The singer reminded her of self-care in her battle with cancer.  Gaga said “Listen to yourself and believe in your will. I want you leaving here loving yourself more than you love me. You are so beautiful.”  When someone is down due to terminal illness, they can be brutal to themselves in their last days.  Caring for oneself, being gracious to oneself, is most important at that time.

President and Founder of Dream Foundation Thomas W. Rollerson said this about this visit from the singer:  “Having witnessed many meet and greets, I was thrilled that Lady Gaga shared with me the sense that there was no greater place to be than with Noelle in that moment."  It sounds like Gaga realizes the preciousness of life, the need to give life, both a life that is fleeting as well as our own, our full attention.  She sees in life beauty and love.  Lady Gaga may have experienced what Christians ministers call “Holy moments.”

I know,  I just read my whole post and the Fundamentalist ghosts that still haunt me just said “Minister?  Really?  You don’t even know what she believes!  Based on her music, she probably doesn’t believe!  You’re stretching too far Steve, and you may be demeaning Christian ministry.”  Good judgment, safe judgment rather, just said “Steve, you could repackage this and pious church going folk could see it and swallow it a lot easier.  It’d be less skin off your back too!  How about just use this article as a reminder of how Christians ought to minister?”

Okay, try this on:  I’ll bet God used Lady Gaga’s words for good in the life of this cancer stricken patient.  I think Grace is operating on a much larger scale than many of us church folks are willing to acknowledge.  Without knowing the specific belief systems of the singer or the dying young woman, I’ll bet God was at work in that visit, for grace and compassion aren’t bound by correct doctrine but mysteriously experienced by open, searching souls in dire need.  God is always at work tending to and mending Creation wherever possible, and I think God will sneak in any way possible to do whatever God can do.

So there you have it:  Lady Gaga ministers. 

Click HERE for original pics. &  HERE to go to the entire gallery.

view of the ballfield from the President's Club

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take a backstage tour of the Washington Nationals baseball stadium. I was thrilled as I have enjoyed watching several games since the stadium opened in 2008. And last year, I wrote a blog post about the stadium, its green credentials and my pleasant surprise at the availability of healthier food choices.

The tour was coordinated by the leadership of the Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SBNOW), a DC-based organization that works with companies to help them integrate environmental and social responsibility principles into their operations. The fact that Nationals Park is the nation’s first major professional stadium to become LEED Silver Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council was, obviously, of great interest to SBNOW’s membership.

The park has several features that enabled it to achieve LEED status. For example, during its construction only 17 percent of the construction waste ended up in the landfill. All of the building materials contain at least 10 percent recycled content (the steel was an impressive 90 percent). Plus, many of the building materials used on the project were produced locally.

the stadium's green roof, covered with sedum

A portion of the roof is planted with sedum, which helps absorb rainwater, provide insulation, and offer a natural habitat for wildlife. The remaining roof areas are white to help deflect heat, which reduces air conditioning costs.

inside the President's Club, bar stocked with reusable and biodegradable glassware

Throughout the ballpark, they use vegetable-based compostable cups rather than plastic or styrofoam. The bathrooms are equipped with low-flow toilets, the rooms are decorated with low-VOC paints and carpet. Air chillers are used, saving, we were told, 10 million gallons of water per year. And energy-saving light fixtures use 21 percent less electricity.

the press room, featuring low VOC carpet, paint and adhesives

The park’s close proximity to the Metro’s Green Line, the fact that 7 bus lines service the stadium, and the availability of a water taxi from Alexandria, VA and the Georgetown area of DC, make it easy for fans to take public transportation. They also offer a free bike valet service and ample bike self-parking.

the dugout, which is painted green

Having Silver status means that you have the minimum number of systems in place to qualify for LEED certification (the next levels are Gold and Platinum). This means there is more they can do to run a truly sustainable business. However, the fact that this is the first stadium to integrate green building practices is definitely to be commended.

If you are interested in a tour, they offer public tours. Or, for $300, you can arrange a private tour. The proceeds go to the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, whose mission is to create “community partnerships that improve the lives of children and families across the Washington Capital Region.”

Help to fulfill our 10,000th dream for those facing life-limiting illness

Dream Foundation

IN THE RUNNING FOR

$50K

Vote for this idea

About Dream Foundation

The mission of the Dream Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of individuals and their families who are battling life-threatening illness. Dream Foundation is a national organization and maintains a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator. In 2010, we will fulfill our 10,000th dream.

Some say there is power in numbers.  This year, for Dream Foundation, the number is 10.  In 2010, we will fulfill our 10,000th dream for adults – and their families -battling life-threatening illnesses.   As we are in the business of hope, we’re offering a national challenge in honor of this momentous milestone.

For 10,000 fulfilled dreams we hope to get 10,000 gifts in 2010.  These gifts can come by way of any the “10-themed” ways on our website at http://www.dreamfoundation.org. After all, we’re not just celebrating a number.  We are honoring the 10,000 families who have touched our lives with their humble and heartfelt wishes… and gathering resources to fulfill the next 10,000 dreams.

All who join us as part of this challenge will be imparting vital gifts of reconciliation, validation, peace, and closure to those at the end of life’s journey.

Be counted. Your vote counts as a gift to 10,000 in ’10.

via To fulfill our 10,000th dream for those facing life-limiting illness | Pepsi Refresh Everything.

Kim Kardashian, well-known model and pop culture sensation, recently went into the boxing ring for charity.  She allowed a fan to go mano a mano  with her in support of her Dream Foundation:  http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20317509,00.html

Manchester United defender Rio put up the money for Dead Man Running, which stars rapper and actor Curtis Jackson, aka Fiddy, alongside Rio’s friend Tamer Hassan, who grew up on the same Peckham estate in south London.

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But Rio’s involvement in the film, which was screened in London, was on one condition – that 15 work placements were found for disadvantaged youngsters he supports through the Rio Ferdinand Live the Dream Foundation.

“I said: ‘Can you please make sure the children get a chance?’ Now they’re going to be involved in future projects so it’s going to be a win win situation for everybody involved,” Rio said.

Co-producer and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who is more used to seeing wife Cheryl in the limelight, admitted he was less comfortable with the attention himself.

Ashley said: “I never thought I’d see my name in the credits of a film… but I’m not counting this, it’s only small writing on the poster.”

Veteran actress Brenda Blethyn, who has appeared in everything from Shakespeare to Jane Austen adaptations and worked with stars from Brad Pitt to Keira Knightley, said a film produced by footballers was a first for her.

She said: “It made no difference to the way the film was made, it just meant that it got made at all and I’m grateful to them for that. How’s that for a hat-trick for you?”

Spice Girl Mel B, singer Jamelia and Danny Dyer – who also stars in the film – were among the other stars to walk the red carpet.

I love the matchup for Friday night!  It will be our 21 year old Clayton Kershaw who is coming off his 1 hitter against Jerred Weaver.  Hopefully we will be celebrating with the fireworks after the game.  

Saturday is El Lobo(Wolf) against Lackey and I will be watching the game from baseline seats on the left  right field side!   We also get to try out the baseline restaurant!   My friend and I gave our Top Deck seats to one of the security guards in the Top Deck who will be bringing his family.  

Sunday is our ace Chad Billingsley!  We will try out the new area designated as “Bleacher Beach”.   We both want the beach bag that comes with the tickets this Sunday.   Check it out:  

BLEACHER BEACH BENEFITS:
     • All-you-can-eat BBQ Burgers and Chicken, as well as Dodger Dogs, Nachos, Peanuts, Popcorn,
       Watermelon Slices and Soft Drinks (Beer available for purchase)
     • Live DJ from 102.7 KISS-FM
     • Private Beach Themed Party Area
     • Free Dodgers Beach Item

LOCATION:
Located in the Lower Reserve, sections 55 & 59, on the 3rd Base Side

PRICING:
     • GROUP – $35.00
     • INDIVIDUAL – $45.00
     • DAY OF GAME – $50.00

The best line is:

“A lot of people don’t realize there are dreams for adults too.” (Nancy Lucas, Springfield, MO)

I’ve written a lot recently about adults and fairy tales. We think that when we grow up we have to let go of all of these things. We have to be mature and wise. We can’t play around and get into trouble.

That’s simply not true. The real shame of the article is that it takes dying for a lot of people to realize the preciousness of life. Kudos to the Dream Foundation for helping those less fortunate achieve their dreams.