What would you do with $2 million? Some people would invest this money while others would spend it on cars, beer and women.
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is donating the $2 million he raised by competing in the 26.2 mile ING New York City Marathon to the children of New York City.
He asked people to pledge either a fixed amount or by making a donation per each completed mile.
The money raised would be donated to Children’s Hope Foundation, Daddy’s House Social Programs and the New York City Public Schools.
On his marathon Web site, www.diddyrunsthecity.com, P. Diddy wrote, “Every child needs a high-quality education and proper healthcare… On Sunday, November 2nd, I am going to run…and truly take this cause to the streets of NYC by showing the World that we have the determination and commitment to make a positive change for our children’s future.”
I originally thought this was just a publicity stunt for Bad Boy Entertainment, but after watching the training documentary “Diddy Runs the City” on MTV, I realized how serious P. Diddy felt toward this cause.
P. Diddy is New York born and raised. On the playground is where he spent most of his days. P. Diddy wanted to give back to his community.
New York has a new philanthropist in P. Diddy, but what about here in Louisiana?
P. Diddy managed to get Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck to donate $78,000 combined. Jay-Z donated $25,000 and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $10,000 to P. Diddy’s cause.
Louisiana has many local celebrities. Britney Spears, Master P and No Limit Records, the New Orleans based Cash Money Records, Bryant Gumbel, Delta Burke, political analysts James Carville, Marshal Faulk, Terry Bradshaw and Richard Simmons all have ties to Louisiana.
Just like in that Whitney Houston song, I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.
We all know how well our education system is here in Louisiana. Our children and school systems need major improvement, and money in our public school systems would help give Louisiana children a brighter future.
Why aren’t these local celebrities giving back to the community they grew up in?
Maybe Britney has to pay for her many surgeries and wasting time trying to win Mr. Timberlake’s heart back.
Possibly, Master P spends all his time furnishing and redecorating his Baton Rouge home with Lil’ Romeo memorabilia.
Perhaps Richard Simmons has just gone crazy trying to make the entire world look like a toothpick and now lives in a cave watching the entire “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” series repeatedly.
I’m not trying to personally attack any of these celebrities.
My point is: too many celebrities who are Louisiana natives seem to have forgotten their roots.
Their influence can draw in a lot of money to Louisiana public schools along with other children’s charities.
All they need to do is make the time and take some effort to give back to Louisiana.
P. Diddy ran 26.2 miles on a bum right knee to help out the children of New York City.
P. Diddy trained extensively for more than two months. He developed severe tendinitis in his right knee. But he kept running. He knew if he stopped he would let down many children in the New York area.
I challenge our local celebrities to strive to be like P. Diddy. I challenge them to care about the Louisiana that helped shape these stars into the people they are now.
They should put in time and effort to make Louisiana a better place. Do these celebrities want Louisiana to remain the “skidmark” of America?
P. Diddy runs for NYC kids
November 10, 2003