Take a look back into the good some people have done for children in 2014.
Mental Health advocate, actress, and singer songwriter Demi Lovato took a big leap into mental health advocacy. In September of 2014 Lovato attended the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) convention in Washington D.C. She is taking a part with many others in efforts to pass a comprehensive mental health bill. It can be quite clear that there is stigma and discrimination against mental health, and Lovato started to take part in action to get Congress to pass a mental health bill. Not just hearing it from Lovato’s speeches, but from different people, one knows mental health is typically under looked, misjudged, and under cared.
Lovato stated in her speech she gave at the NAMI convention, “We need to send a simple message to our nation’s leaders. Mental Health matters, and needs, and must be taken seriously.” Lovato hopes to help pass this bill to allow families and friends of those with mental health problems to get the care and treatment they need to go in recovery. Throughout 2014 Lovato grew on her knowledge about mental health, she went from someone who went through it, not knowing much about it, to someone who lives with mental illness and is advocating to spread awareness so that more children, teens, and young adults can get treatment before it’s too late. Lovato’s speech from the NAMI convention can be watched here, http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4507671/demi-nami-speech .
It’s not just Lovato who has been working on good, The New York Rangers Hockey team even made dream come true for two fifteen year old cancer survivor. Some people see hockey all about fights and rough play. However The New York Rangers, express everything with a bigger heart and spirit. Fifteen year old cancer survivor Lucia Funaro’s dreams came true because of the Rangers. The Rangers allowed Funaro to sing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden, a dream Funaro had for a long time. In addition, The New York Rangers signed fifteen year old cancer survivor Chris Falzone to an honorary one day contract. Falzone was diagnosed with cancer his freshman year in high school and was told he would never be allowed to play hockey again. However, while beating the cancer Falzone, with extensive therapy joined the Rangers against all odds on their pre- game skate. The Rangers even announced his name with the starting lineup.
The year 2014 also brought about something called “Swiftmas”, which of course was started by singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Around Christmas and Hanukah time, Taylor bought a variety of different gifts for different fans around the world and shipped them via UPS to their doorsteps. She even took it one step forward for a fan she met once, but since she never met her son she wanted to meet him Taylor drove to Connecticut to personally deliver this fan her gift along with some gifts for her young son. It wasn’t only the twitter messages that made this seem surreal, but the heartfelt homemade video Taylor put together by Taylor that left some viewers in tears. The video of Taylor’s Santa strive can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3yyF31jbKo .
It doesn’t take a whole lot for celebrities to help children since many of their fans are kids.
