Discovery of Mythical Honduran City by ASR Supporters

Last Monday night we were privileged to meet the team behind the book Lost City of the Monkey God and the soon-to-be released documentary The Curse of the Monkey God, both chronicling the astounding discovery of the mythical Honduran ’“Ciudad Blanca” (White City).” The film’s director, producers and ASR friends Bill and Laurie Benenson hosted the event at their home. Steve Elkins, the environmentalist and filmmaker who was the driving force behind the journey, spoke of the twists and turns of his 20 year-plus obsession while he and Bill Benenson detailed the use of LIDAR (radar using laser technology) which enabled them to find the…

Farewell Letter, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (revised)

ASR Events • Current Events • Media

[Correction: The letter that is referenced at the bottom of this blog was attributed to Marquez, but not actually written by him. It is still a nice reminder of what to value in life though so we are keeping it up!] I received this today from a dear friend who often helps to “keep me in check” and I wanted to share it with you. There are portions that I think many of us need to be careful of–“I would sleep little, I would dream more, because I know that for every minute that we close our eyes, we waste…

Thank you for 2013 and looking ahead to 2014

ASR Events • Business Angel • Current Events • Darfur • Environmental Sustainability • Haiti • Katrina • Media • Tsunami • Women

What a year 2013 has been! Aid Still Required has seen incredible growth and achieved major accomplishments: In Haiti, we began our support and guidance of OADENN, a children’s mentoring and support program in the northern city of Cap Haitien. The program is working with over 100 kids weekly and provides everything from educational counseling, medical care, and team building, to safe places for play, yoga and meditation. Heading into 2014, we aim to establish a physical center for expanded programming, to increase enrollment, and to support more kids going to school and receiving medical care.

ASR Supporter Payton Taylor needs our support

Current Events • Katrina • Media

Up and coming country music star and ASR supporter Payton Taylor is working on the release of her new EP and she is using Kickstarter to do it. Payton has talked about Aid Still Required programs at her concerts and even made a PSA to call attention to the work that still needs to be done in New Orleans. Last year, she even wrote a song about the great storm, Katrina, that left New Orleans battered over 8 years ago. And now, she needs your support. Go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paytontaylor/payton-taylor-new-ep-release and chip in to help Payton put out her latest record.…

“A Part of The World” – short documentary examining how volunteerism both helps and hurts in Haiti

Current Events • Haiti • Media

“A Part of the World” premiered online today. Executive produced by Keir Moreano, nephew of Aid Still Required supporter Mark Olmsted, the film offers an intimate perspective of volunteering in Haiti by medical worker Dr. Lisa Denny. In just 13 minutes, the documentary team manages to provide key insight into the complexities involved in international aid relief. Please click here to view: A Part of The World

Aid Still Required and World Water Day – Send a Tsunami of Love to Indonesia

Environmental Sustainability • Media • Tsunami

-from the desktop of Maureen Charles, ASR Board Secretary Today is World Water Day, and in Aceh, Indonesia, where an estimated 160,000 people perished and over a million were displaced in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami, thousands of people have been without safe, clean, accessible water for over 7 years. Imagine all that ocean water rushing over your land, taking the leaves of your loved ones, and leaving you with no livelihood, and ironically, without water. Imagine going 7 years without a shower, unable to pour yourself or your child a glass of water without first hauling it for miles in heavy jugs or buckets……

Aid Still Required Collaborator Alison Thompson Featured in Guideposts Magazine

Haiti • Media • Tsunami

In January’s Guidepost inspirational magazine, ASR collaborator and friend Alison Thompson shares the story of how she found her new vocation of passionate volunteer and shines the light on five areas around the world that she feels need our help the most. Hunter and Andrea met Alison in 2007 as they got more deeply involved in the work that became AId Still Required. Utlizing her nurse’s training as a first responder in the months following 9/11 changed Alison’s life and when the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami hit, her two week trip to offer aid turned into a 14 month Sri…

Amazon #1 Bestseller Get Your Woman On with chapter by Aid Still Required co-founder

Media

A year and a half ago, ASR co-founder Andrea was approached by transformational business coach Kimber Lim to participate in a project with 38 other visonary women. The result is Get Your Woman On: Embracing Beauty, Grace, and The Power of Women, an anthology of 39 women sharing their heartfelt personal stories of transformation. Andrea’s chapter” Be Bold on Behalf of Others ” chronicles the actual and metaphorical journey which led to the founding of Aid Still Required. Other featured authors include peace activist and Jungian psychiatrist Jean Shinoda Bolen, eWomen Network founder Sandra Yancey, actress Barbara Niven, and…

Haiti Aid Still Required Launches; #HealingHaiti Campaign on First Anniversary

Haiti • Media

On the first anniversary of the Haiti 2010 Earthquake, Aid Still Required is launching our Haiti initiative with #HealingHaiti, a Twitter campaign involving top musicians, athletes, and celebrities in Twitter outreach to their followers, numbering in the millions. Campaign participants include Paul Pierce, Blake Griffith, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Lamar Odom, Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Greg Oden, Pau Gasol, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Maroon 5, Tom Morello, Erykah Badu, Mia Farrow, Lauren Conrad, Maria Bello, Ed Begley, Jr, Stephen Collins, Madeleine Stowe, Paul Haggis, Spike Lee, Hans Zimmer One year later estimates place rubble removal between 2 to 5 %. A…

Send A Tsunami of Love Around the World with Aid Still Required

Media • Tsunami

Today marks the 6th anniversary of the December 2004 tsunami, 230,000 people across 12 countries killed in minutes, whole villages lost, millions displaced. Sitting in our kitchen in Santa Monica, CA, the day after Christmas, waiting to hear if friends in Thailand were alive, Hunter and I asked the question “What can we do to help?”, the question which turned into the creation of The Aid Still Required All-Star CD compilation, and the question that set us on the adventure to ultimately founding Aid Still Required as a 501c3 nonprofit. Our mission: championing forgotten people and issues and keeping the…

“Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus” speaks to the essence of the Holiday Season

Media

An eight year old girl in 1897 New York City begins to wonder about the existence of Santa Claus. What does an adult say? Here is a reprint of New York Sun editor Francis P. Church’s eloquent response, which never fails to move us…and happens to be the most reprinted editorial ever! Merry Christmas Happy Hannukah Happy Kwanzaa…Peace and Blessings to All. “DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?” VIRGINIA…

All-Star Volunteers Provide Fuel for the Aid Still Required Mailing

Media

As December and Aid Still Required’s year-end mailing approached, we were faced with the task of writing personal notes, stuffing, and addressing 900 letters to donors, colleagues and friends. Santa sent three of his elves early, in the form of two wonderful volunteers, Vasuda Bhutani and Michele Williams, and Michele’s son, Jovan aka Ray of Sunshine. Vasudha is an optometrist, multi-lingual, and a budding realtor; Hunter met her in an emergency eye doctor visit and when she heard we needed help she said “What time shall I come”? Vasuda knocked our socks off with her efficiency and willingness to leap in.…

Aid Still Required Celebrates Early Thanks-Giving with First Tuesday LA

Media

Last night, at First Tuesday LA’s inaugural Thanks-Giving event, ASR chairman and co-founder Andrea Herz-Payne was invited to share the podium with five other charities to speak about their mission and projects. The event took place at Venice’s G2 Gallery, a beautiful and eco-friendly art gallery run by Susan and Dan Gottlieb, which donates 100% of proceeds to environmental causes and provides a meeting space for like-minded groups. Fellow speakers included Zebiba Shekhia of Healing Bridges, building the first school for girls in a Sudanese refugee camp; Terry Mason of The Peace Alliance, working to create a US Cabinet Department…

FOUR YEARS. GO. – ASR joins the Alliance!

Environmental Sustainability • Media

The last day of the Bioneers Conference began with plenary speaker Lynne Twist. Lynne is a passionate and compassionate advocate for the planet! She has revolutioned the world of money and philanthropy with her book The Soul of Money. She co-founded The Pachamama Alliance which is leading a crusade to constitutionalize the Rights of Nature ( see last year’s Bioneers Blog with Margi Margil and Ecuador)

The Four Seasons, Poker, and….the UN?

Media

Last night, ASR moseyed on down to The Fours Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills to help raise monies for the Second Annual United Nations Global Creative Forum. Spirits were high as the crowd played Texas Hold’em and munched on corn dogs, french fries, and pizza. ASR is now registered with event sponsor www.buy4.com, an internet shopping site, which allows shoppers to donate a portion of purchases to charity. Earlier this year, we attended the first United Nations Global Creative Forum brought together The United Nations and the nonprofit and entertainment communities. We were inspired by UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, Anti-Slavery and Anti-Human…

Thank You, George Clooney!

Media

On Sunday night at the Emmy’s George Clooney was presented with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award! He gave the following speech that we at ASR thought was pretty remarkable. In a matter of 2 minutes – he reminded millions of viewers of ASR’s mission! Thanks, Mr. Clooney.

Maroon 5 PSA for ASR!

Media

We would like to say a special thanks to Jesse, James, and Maroon 5 for their time, attention and many gifts over the years! This is their latest contribution! Congratulations on the new album, Hands All Over, which you all can pre-order here!

Today’s the Day -Great Music for A Great Cause Now Available Here and on the Web

Media • Tsunami

The Aid Still Required CD shines the spotlight on Tsunami Recovery and issues that have fallen out of the headlines. The Deluxe Super Green CD (veggie dye n everything!) is available on The ASR website and is now downloadable from your favorite digital online retailer!

Father’s Day Pledge

Media • Tsunami

At Aid Still Required, part of our mission is that fathers everywhere have the resources to provide for their families. Would you help? Honor your dad and Be an Angel – pledge $10 monthly minimum – and receive our All-Star CD as a gift. Purchase the Deluxe Eco–Edition CD for $15 plus tax and shipping. Download the CD June 22nd from iTunes/Amazon and other digital retailers.

Ways You Can SkyRocket Our CD Launch!

Media • Tsunami

Hello, World! The CD release is only 9 days away!!! Can you help us make a difference? We cannot underestimate the passion of people making a difference, to feel empowered that they can transform lives by buying a CD, by sharing their excitement with everyone on their list and encouraging them to download, buy a CD, and contribute. WAYS YOU CAN ASSIST: Engage email databases – your own or someone elses’s who is willing to do a personal appeal on behalf of the forgotten people ASR represents. Ask people to download/purchase the CD and spread Ask people to Be an…

The CD is On Its Way!!!!

Media • Tsunami

We are in the throes of preparing for our CD launch June 22nd. It is such an exciting moment, the opportunity to bring Aid Still Required onto the national/international scene so that we may have the privilege of truly fulfilling upon our mission…making a real difference for those no longer the latest media headline….and in particular with this CD, lending a hand to the tsunami survivors of SouthEast Asia. For those of you who are new to us……this project is five and a half years in the making – from a thought which bubbled up from hearts opened by tremendous tragedy…

Save an Angel – ASR Teams with Hans Zimmer and Rosey Grier for Mother’s Day!

Media

Composer and philanthropist Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Foundation has selected Aid Still Required as one of seven beneficiary organizations to participate in the Save An Angel Mother’s Day fundraising campaign. Former football Pro, humanitarian, and minister Rosey Grier steps forward as Save an Angel spokesperson for ASR. Save An Angel was composed by rising songstress, humanitarian- and Los Angeles -area high-school student!- Rachel Eskanazi-Gold to bring awareness to the suffering of women and children around the globe. ASR’s proceeds from the campaign will go towards funding our projects in Southeast Asia in honor of the women and children who were either victims or…

ASR Interview in the Los Angeles Business Journal!

ASR Events • Media

United Nations Global Creative Forum

Current Events • Media

We were so pleased and excited to be able to attend and contribute to the United Nations 2010 Global Creative Forum in Los Angeles. Held March 1, 2010, at The Armand Hammer Museum in Westwood, The Forum was chaired by Chicken Soup for the Soul CEO Bill Rouhana, and was created to bring together Hollywood, The United Nations, and a variety of world organizations. The morning began with an intimate, thought-provoking conversation between United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and actor Michael Douglas, who also serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace. The UN Secretary -General made a special request…

Ben Skinner at Youth for Human Rights International Event

Current Events • Media

On February 28, 2010, ASR attended an event for Youth for Human Rights International where we were honored to meet Ben Skinner, author of A Crime so Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern Day Slavery. A Carr Center for Human Rights Policy fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School and winner of the 2009 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Skinner is both academic and activist. Skinner’s own first-hand experience with slavery began in 2003 while in Sudan on an assignment for Newsweek. He met a young man, Muong Nyong, a former slave who was Skinner’s own age but who had spent half his life…

Loyola Marymount presents Greg Mortensen

Current Events • Media

Last night, ASR Special Projects Manager Lindsay Huff took ASR Founders Hunter and Andrea and ASR Friend Laurie Benenson to her alma mater Loyola Marymount to hear author and humanitarian Greg Mortensen speak about his latest book “Stones Into Schools.”. Mortenson, author of the bestseller “Three Cups of Tea”, has been working in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1993 after recovering from a hike up K2 – the world’s second highest mountain. In the weeks he spent recovering in the far reaches of a Himalayan village, Mortenson noted that the village children had no school and had to study on exposed…

Invictus Screening Honoring the Work of NGO’s – 12/9/09

Current Events • Media

As a part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign, Clint Eastwood graciously donated his new film, Invictus, for an advance screening at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, two days prior to opening. The gala evening, co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood in addition to thecommunity.com, recognized various NGOs, honoring the work that they do in light of Human Rights Day [December 10th]. About 400 guests were in attendance – over 1,200 were on the waiting list! Aid Still Required was asked to participate with other NGOs that included the One Campaign, Artists for Human Rights,…

UDHR Campaign Continues – Lakers Photo Shoot

ASR Events • Media

As part of its continuing participation in the UDHR Nobel Peace Laureate Campaign, ASR organized a photo shoot with Lakers Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, and Jordan Farmar at the Lakers’ practicing facility. The three athletes held up signs representing the various articles numbers from the UN document, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as signs that say, “Join Us!”, written and signed by each of them in their own handwriting. Luke’s dad, basketball hall of famer Bill Walton is also participating in the campaign. ASR had the pleasure of seeing photographer Zoe Zimmer again, whom we had met at…

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign – Sunset Gower Photo Shoot

ASR Events • Media

Thecommunity.com had invited ASR to participate in its Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign featuring Nobel Peace Laureates including the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created by Eleanor Roosevelt and adopted by the UN in 1948. Its 30 articles spell out the fundamental facets of human rights for all people. UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon said, “The Declaration was the first global statement of what we now take for granted – the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings.” ASR is honored to join a campaign that speaks so true of…

The Most Famous Woman in Afghanistan

Current Events • Media

Andrea is seen here with Malalai Joya, also known as “the most famous woman in Afghanistan.” In 2003, at the age of 25, Joya stood up at a constitutional assembly and denounced the NATO-backed warlords. She was elected to parliament in 2005 at age 27, and in 2007, she was suspended for her persistent criticism of the warlords and the government. Currently on tour of the US to promote her new book, A Woman Among Warlords, Hunter and Andrea met Joya at the home of CODEPINK Co-Founder Jodie Evans. Joya is petite and soft-spoken until she starts speaking about the…

Dirt The Movie – Getting Dirty at the Dirt The Movie screening @ the 2009 Bioneers Conference

Media

After seeing Dirt! The Movie, you will never think of the ground beneath you in quite the same way. Sometimes red, sometimes chocolaty brown, sometimes black, sometimes beige, we usually think of dirt as something we want to clean up and get rid of. However, Dirt! The Movie was an eye-opener for the Paynes. ASR thanks producers Bill and Laurie Benenson and Gene Rusow for getting the word out…and for making the film a lot of fun as well as informative and inspiring. Dirt! The Movie has been chosen as PBS’s 2010 Earth Day special. The DVD is now available…

Clippers vs. Maccabi Event – Oct. 20th, 2009

Darfur • Media

“For the children” – Aid Still Required Joins the Clippers and Maccabi Tel-Aviv for Migdal Ohr Benefit In 2007, the New York Knicks and Maccabi Tel Aviv sold out Madison Square Garden in the first basketball benefit game for Migdal Ohr, the world’s largest orphanage located in Northern Israel. As the benefit was such a success, Migdal Ohr created two pre-season exhibition games for 2009, one rematch in NYC and the other at the Los Angeles Staples Center with the LA Clippers facing the Maccabis. Migdal Ohr Executive Director Robert Katz had heard about ASR’s work with the NBA players…

Bioneers Conference 2009

Media

This year’s Bioneers Conference, held in Marin County from October 16-18th, was Aid Still Required’s fourth year in attendance, in conjunction with Andrea and Hunter’s wedding anniversary. The Paynes were fortunate enough to be joined by Board member Maureen Charles, who found the conference equally inspiring, a gathering of amazing people focusing on visionary solutions to preserve and revitalize the planet in addition to restoring social justice to a broken world. One of their favorite workshop presenters was Dr. John Todd of Todd Ecological Design and Engineering – the 2008 winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge. He spoke about his…

Daniel Ellsberg is the Most Dangerous Man in America.

Current Events • Media

When CODEPINK Co-Founder Jodie Evans told the Paynes about an upcoming screening of The Most Dangerous Man in America, they changed their schedule and showed up for the Thursday night screening and Q&A session with film subject Daniel Ellsberg and his wife, Patricia. For those of you who might not know this important piece of history, the film documents Ellsberg’s transformation from Defense Department analyst to whistleblower concerning the government cover-ups about the Vietnam War and finally to anti-war and anti-nuclear activist. Ellsberg is specifically known for releasing what became known as the Pentagon Papers, detailing the United States’ involvement…

The Third Wave – Volunteering in Sri Lanka after the Tsunami

Current Events • Media • Tsunami

September 22nd marked the LA premiere and Academy Awards qualifying screening of the documentary, The Third Wave. Made by ASR friend, Alison Thompson and her producing partner Oscar Gubernati, The Third Wave chronicles their experiences volunteering in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. It is a spectacular cinema-verite film, depicting the human reality of what it was like in the days, weeks, and months following the disaster. In 2008, after seeing an early cut of the film, Sean Penn asked for a special screening at Cannes when he was head of jury there. The film is scheduled to open nationally in…

ASR’s FIRST MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENT – “A Night of Culture for a Cause”

ASR Events • Darfur • Katrina • Media • Tsunami

“June 20th” quickly became an ASR household buzzword with weeks of tireless preparation, culminating into A Night of Culture for a Cause. Actress and ASR friend Barbara Bosson hosted the fete at her stunning Pacific Palisades home. Thanks to Marble Arch Fine Afts and the Cracking Art Group, guests were greeted by eco-friendly, larger-than-life animal sculptures made out of recycled plastic, highlighting ASR’s commitment to environmental issues. Animals included giant bulldogs and terriers, oversized sneaker-wearing chihuahuas, goats, giraffes, and alligators. ASR’s various projects in the tsunami region in Southeast Asia, Sudan, and New Orleans were featured on displays in the…

Cocktails and Karaoke for a Cause – June 3rd, 2009

ASR Events • Darfur • Media

On June 3rd, in conjunction with hiving.net, philanthropist Sarah Nicole Dolgen hosted a Cocktails for a Cause Karaoke Night in honor of Aid Still Required at her lovely apartment off of Sunset Strip. It was a night of great Thai food from Sarah’s favorite neighborhood Thai joint, great drinks, and vivid discussion, with many young socialites in attendance, engaging Andrea and Hunter with incisive questions. We hear the singing went on until the wee hours. Thank you to Sarah and all the attendees!

Poker Night with Hope Artist – May 7th, 2009

Current Events • Darfur • Media

ASR was invited to participate in HOPE Artist’s Vice for Nice Poker Invitational at Fred Segal Conveyor in Santa Monica, CA. The store was transformed after hours into a mini-Las Vegas with players crowded around gambling tables, gambling for good! Hope Artist Founder, Andi Scull Steidle is shown below with Hunter. Andi’s husband, Marine Capt. Brian Steidle, was one of the key influences who inspired Andrea and Hunter’s work on behalf of the people of Darfur. They met Brian at a 2006 traveling art exhibit, “Darfur, Darfur,” where Brian shared some of his experiences working as a photojournalist in Southern…

Thank You, Jay Leno!

Darfur • Media

Andrea and Hunter attended the ceremony for the Feminist Majority Foundation Global Women’s Rights Award at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 29th. They had the pleasure of seeing Jay and his wife Mavis there. They first met Jay and Mavis in a parking lot a couple of years ago to talk about what happening in Darfur. Two days later, Jay had George Clooney on the Tonight Show and and they discussed the history of the conflict, giving Darfur its due air time. Also at the April 29th event, Andrea and Hunter had a run-in with Christiane Amanpour, who was…

VRAI gets a Taste of METal

Darfur • Media

ASR thanks METal [Media Entertainment Technology Alliance] for showcasing their VRAI video at A Taste of METal Media Festival on June 11th at the Los Angeles Center Studios. METal is a members only communications hub for the LA chapter of the Media, Entertainment, Technology Alliance. For more information on becoming a member, click here.

Category: Media