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In this feature, you will find general information about Celine´s other activities related with charity. For more details about Celine´s other activities related with charity, please refer to CELINE DION FOUNDATION section; CYSTIC FIBROSIS section or HÔPITAL SAINTE-JUSTINE section.
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GENERAL
Celine has actively supported many charity organizations, worldwide. She has promoted the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) since 1982, and became the foundation´s National Celebrity Patron in 1993. In 2003, Celine joined a number of other celebrities, athletes, and politicians, including Josh Groban and Yolanda Adams to support "World Children´s Day", a global fundraising effort sponsored by McDonald´s. The effort raised money from more than 100 nations and benefited orphanages and children´s health organizations. In addition, Celine has been a major supporter of the T.J. Martell Foundation, the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, and many health and educational campaigns. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Celine donated $1 million to the victims of the storm, and held a fund-raising event for the victims of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, which subsequently raised more than $1 million. After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Celine donated $100,000 to China Children & Teenagers´ Fund and sent a letter showing her consolation and support. Celine is also committed to many other good causes too.
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RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
In 2002 Celine Dion joined a chorus of celebrities, athletes and politicians lending support to the World Children´s Day, a global fundraising effort for children sponsored by McDonald´s restaurants. The effort is intended to benefit orphanages, children´s health organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities and other children´s charities with money raised in more than 100 countries.
...> Highlights
- 2002
On September 14, Celine visited the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, USA. Celine and her husband and manager Rene Angelil, along with singer Nick Carter visited the house and they gave a press conference. On the night, Celine performed on the benefit concert for World Children´s Day at the Arie Crown Theater of the McCormick Place in Chicago, USA. On November 20, Celine visits a McDonald´s restaurant in Jupiter, Florida, USA to lend her support to the World Children´s Day. Celine celebrated with students from Jupiter Christian School and Riviera Beach Boys & Girls Club as well as McDonald´s crew members at the restaurant.
- 2003
On November 19, Las Vegas celebrated World Children´s Day at the McDonald´s restaurant located at 2650 W. Sahara. Celine joined Ken Barun (President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities) and Joann Malone (Ronald McDonald House Executive Director) in helping to raise awareness for children´s causes. After Celine remarked on the importance of World Children´s Day, she took time to read a book to children and to serve up at the restaurant.
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BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
Celine Dion and her husband and manager Rene Angelil, support the breast cancer research, education and awareness. Celine and Rene are seen here sporting 2005´s specially designed shirts in support of breast cancer research, education and awareness. The women´s and men´s pink polo shirts which feature the pink breast cancer ribbon were created by Canadian designer, Simon Chang. The shirts were $25.00 and 100% of the profits were donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. The women´s shirt was available at The Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters and the men´s shirt was available exclusively at The Bay.
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UNICEF FACES OF HOPE
In 2008 Celine Dion took part in the special humanitarian project "Faces Of Hope", which involved a photo shoot with twelve child survivors from nine countries around the world. Four fundraising items were created from this photo shoot and are available for purchase: a book about the miracle children titled "12 Heroes Among Us" (and its French version titled "12 Héros Parmi Nous"), a 2009 family calendar and two different series of greeting cards. All proceeds from these items were donated to the Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal, the Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto as well as UNICEF.
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LA MAISON ADHÉMAR-DION
La Maison Adhémar-Dion (meaning "The Adhémar-Dion´s House") is a non-profit organization, a palliative care home centre open in 2010, named in honour of Celine Dion´s late father, Adhémar Dion. The centre was built and funded to the tune of three million by the donators of the Fondation du Centre de santé et des services sociaux (CSSS) in southern Lanaudière, Quebec, Canada. The total investment approached $ 4 million. The project sponsors have agreed with Celine and her family, that the house bears the name of the deceased patriarch.
The palliative care home features 12 rooms private and that every year some 200 people in the end. "I am proud and I hope he hear me", said Thérèse Tanguay Dion (Celine´s mother) lifting her eyes to heaven". Thérèse is especially proud that the house is located in the Lanaudière. "My children were raised here and they always come back", she said. Affected by the words of her mother, Celine wished with all her heart that the staff of the house happens to offer "something that goes beyond medicine". "It´s beyond care, equipment or medicines to be honest, when this project was presented to us, our first concern was to ask if they come to treat people at the height of the love we had for our father", Celine confided.
...> Highlights
- 2009
On June 23, Celine did one of her rare public appearances since the end of the "Taking Chances Tour". Along with her mother, brothers and sisters, she attended the lifting of the first shovelful of earth for the end of 2010, La Maison Adhémar-Dion.
- 2010
On September 24, La Maison Adhémar-Dion celebrated its first fundraising event, wich took place at Le Mirage golf club in Terrebonne. Quebec. Celine´s mother Thérèse Tanguay, attended the event. Celine sent a video message.
- 2011
On August 31, Celine and part of the Dion family, visited La Maison Adhémar-Dion.
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CHARITY SHOE DRIVE
In 2011 the Ron White Foundation, with Toronto shoemaker Ron White, kicks off his 16th annual shoe drive in the Manulife Centre in Toronto, Canada on January 6, 2011 with an event that showcases celebrity-donated pairs. This year´s charity partners include Dress for Success, Halton Women´s Place, New Circles, Ve´ahavta and Out of the Cold. Over the past 16 years, the shoe drive has collected more than 25,000 pairs of shoes and boots for those in need. Alongside this year´s pairs, Ron White also displayed some past donations from the likes of Celine Dion, Matt Damon, Kevin Spacey, David Foster and Hilary Duff. All have signed and donated their shoes to support the Ron White Foundation as it encourages people to "Follow in the footsteps of their favourite celebrity" and donate their gently worn shoes and boots to those in need.
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UNIS POUR LA VIE CAMPAIGN
In June 2013 Celine Dion appeared as part for the new summer campaign for Héma-Québec, a non-profit organization that manages the blood supply for the Canadian province of Quebec. The new campaign is called "Unis Pour La Vie" (meaning "United For Life"). The duo made up of Celine Dion and Kent Nagano; Mutsumi Takahashi and Pierre Bruneau; Sugar Sammy and Dominique Michel; Chuck Hughes and Ricardo Larrivée; Angèle Dubeau and Dan Bigras; and Julie Snyder and Guy A. Lepage, lent their faces and voices to the new summer campaign Héma-Québec, in continuity with the platform "Unis Pour La Vie". These ambassadors recall the importance of blood donation and illustrate the unifying bond of the case. The first two pairs of ambassadors were displayed throughout the 2013 summer on road-side signs, in bus shelters and on bus panels in several cities in Quebec, Canada on lit advertising panels in metro stations and on trucks and web site.
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