Celebrity ambassadors
Oxfam has benefited for many years from the support of numerous celebrities around the world, whose dedication and commitment continue to make a huge contribution to our work. The Celebrity Ambassador program formalizes relationships with some of the organization’s best-known supporters and enables them to go further in their efforts to help Oxfam meet its goals of overcoming poverty and injustice.
Scarlett's Kenya DiariesOxfam Ambassador Scarlett Johansson traveled to Dadaab, Turkana, and Lodwar, Kenya with Oxfam in September 2011 to shed light on the haunting reality of the millions affected by the food crisis in East Africa. Johansson recorded a suite of three short diary entries about her experiences and Oxfam's work in Dadaab. This is the first installment; view the second and third installments here and here. |
Colin Firth
Oscar and BAFTA-winning actor Colin Firth has been a passionate and dedicated activist for Oxfam for more than a decade. An advocate and humanitarian, he has lobbied for trade reform in Europe and appealed for donations to aid populations affected by food shortages and fluctuating food prices funds.
Djimon Hounsou
Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou is a powerful voice against poverty and injustice and has supported Oxfam's work for more than five years. Hounsou has advocated for poor farmers who have been affected by unfair international trade rules and has campaigned against trade-distorting US farm subsidies.
Emile Hirsch
Inspired to learn about Oxfam while studying for the lead role in the 2007 film "Into the Wild," actor Emile Hirsh has traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe to see firsthand Oxfam's humanitarian response in these regions.
Giada De Laurentiis
Renowned chef, TV personality, and best-selling author Giada De Laurentiis began supporting Oxfam in 2008. De Laurentiis has focused her efforts with Oxfam on bringing attention to the 925 million people around the world who are chronically hungry.
Joy Bryant
Actress and model Joy Bryant is one of Oxfam's Sisters on the Planet (SOP) Ambassadors. SOP is a movement of powerful women and men who are teaming with Oxfam to help women around the world fight hunger, poverty, and climate change. Bryant recently traveled to Cambodia where she met with women farmers who are on the front lines of climate change.
Kristin Davis
Actress Kristin Davis has supported Oxfam since 2004. Her involvement in Oxfam's emergency and humanitarian work began following that year's Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. A compassionate and committed supporter, Davis has traveled to see Oxfam's efforts in South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Kenya.
Minnie Driver
Oscar-nominated actress Minnie Driver has been a devoted supporter of Oxfam for more than 15 years. In 2004, she traveled to Cambodia and Thailand for Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign to draw attention to the impact of global companies’ purchasing practices on factory conditions in developing nations.
Scarlett Johansson
A supporter of Oxfam for more than three years, actress Scarlett Johansson was motivated to become involved by the organization's response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. In 2007, she traveled to India and Sri Lanka and met tsunami survivors who were rebuilding their lives after losing their families and livelihoods.
Larry Fitzgerald
Star NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald started working with Oxfam in response to a drought in Ethiopia. He is using his unique platform to encourage others to give back and support others around the world.
Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin, one of the NFL’s brightest stars and most dedicated humanitarians, traveled with Oxfam to Ethiopia in March 2012. Having spent years inspiring others and changing the lives of people at home, Anquan is committing himself to helping his friends around the world.
Oxfam Ambassadors and supporters were responsible for soliciting millions of dollars in donations to support survivors of the massive earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. Celebrity Ambassadors Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth were two of the first celebrities to come out in support of Oxfam, urging people to donate and support Oxfam’s Haiti work. Johansson filmed a TV Public Service Announcement (PSA) that Larry King aired during his primetime 2-hour Haiti special. Many Ambassadors such as Firth, Johansson and Djimon Hounsou and many music artists recorded radio PSAs in support of Oxfam’s work.
Hope for Haiti Telethon
A week and a half after the quake, MTV and George Clooney set up a 2-hour telethon, called Hope for Haiti, that featured the biggest names in Hollywood. It raised $62 million, which was split equally amongst Oxfam and a handful of aid agencies actively operating in Haiti. "Hope For Haiti Now" was the most widely distributed telethon in history, internationally and across other major media platforms.
Super Bowl Commercial
Will.i.am, singer of the Black Eyed Peas, remixed the timeless hit, “My Generation,” by The Who to benefit Oxfam America’s Haiti relief and recovery efforts. The song made its debut during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 in an ad for FLO TV, the Qualcomm subsidiary that pioneered the live mobile TV category. More than 106 million people watched the 2010 Superbowl, making it the most-watched program in US television history. Will.i.am’s “My Generation” remix, which includes a new guitar solo by legendary ex-Guns 'N Roses star Slash, aired right before The Who took the stage at half time. The ad ran until March 7, 2010 on CBS, MSNBC, Fox News, Comedy Central, Spike, and the NFL Network.
Auctions
Tom Brady donated game-worn cleats. Lady Gaga auctioned off an autographed costume from her recent tour. Taylor Swift auctioned off the dress she wore at the Hope for Haiti telethon. Bono auctioned off a pair of his signed Armani sunglasses. Actress Kate Bosworth auctioned off the red carpet dress she wore to the Food Bank of New York gala in 2007. All to benefit Oxfam’s Haiti earthquake response. Lady Gaga also announced on "Oprah" that all tickets and merchandise proceeds from her January 24, 2010 concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City would go to relief organizations working in Haiti.
Celebrity designers
To help raise funds for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake, Scarlett Johansson designed a solidarity handbag for Mango. From March 2010, and while stocks last, this handbag will be available in the more than 1,390 MANGO stores worldwide. Part of the profits will be donated to Oxfam for its work on the ground in Haiti.
The print on the handbag represents the ancient cartography of Haiti, and contains the message “Supporting the people of Haiti” written and signed by the actress. Johansson said: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Mango to promote conscious consumerism and to benefit Oxfam‘s Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. By purchasing this bag, which I specially designed, you are helping to provide lifesaving assistance like clean water to the people of Haiti.”
Together with individuals and local groups in more than 90 countries, Oxfam America helps women and girls overcome gender discrimination, realize their potential, and become decision makers and leaders. Oxfam is also harnessing the power of women to create political and social change through its Sisters on the Planet initiative.
Inspired by women here and abroad who are battling climate change in their communities, a diverse group of American women, including celebrities, have joined Oxfam America as Sisters on the Planet. Since 2008, hundreds of influential Sisters have worked to raise awareness about women and climate change and to help vulnerable communities here and abroad adapt to changes in the climate.
Today, the Sisters on the Planet are raising awareness about hunger, climate change, and other crises facing women in poor countries. We are using our influence to change the unfair rules that keep women trapped in poverty. And we’re calling for a worldwide investment in women farmers, so we can fight hunger now and for generations to come.
Add your voice: Become a Sister (or a Brother) on the Planet
- Sign up here. You'll become a member of Oxfam’s online community, and you'll also receive special email alerts about how to take action in support of women worldwide.
- Angelique Kidjo
- Arcade Fire
- Bell X1
- Ben Sollee
- Cat Power
- Coheed & Cambria
- Coldplay
- Crowded House
- Dave Douglas
- DJ Shadow
- Editors
- Explosions in the Sky
- The Foreign Exchange
- LCD Soundsystem
- M. Ward
- Missy Higgins
- Nicole Atkins
- O.A.R.
- Ra Ra Riot
- Radiohead
- She & Him
- Sigur Rós
- State Radio
- Street Dogs
- Tegan & Sara
- Thao Nguyen
- The Breeders
- Thievery Corporation
- WILCO
In addition to our dedicated Celebrity Ambassadors, many other public figures are involved in Oxfam’s work to overcome hunger, poverty, and social injustice. From the Esquire House fundraisers to special auctions and other projects, check out how the stars show their support.
Ubah Hassan and Maji Umbrellas
Model, activist, social entrepreneur, and Oxfam Sisters on the Planet Ambassador Ubah Hassan founded Maji Umbrellas, which raises funds and awareness about the food and water crisis in the Horn of Africa. Maji donates a portion of each umbrella purchase to Oxfam’s relief work in East Africa, enough to provide a day’s supply of clean water to 20 people. Hassan's work with Oxfam via Maji Umbrellas was documented in Canadian fashion magazine Flare and awarded a “Genius Award” by Elle magazine. In June 2012, Hassan, who was born in Somalia and spent time in refugee camps in Kenya as a child, traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to learn more about Oxfam's work and meet with local partners and Somali refugees. Her visit is chronicled in the September 2012 120th anniversary issue of Vogue magazine.
Charitable cupcakes
In 2012 actress and model Blake Lively teamed up with Sprinkles Cupcakes to create a S'more cupcake for Oxfam America. Lively and Sprinkles founder Candace Nelson developed the S'more cupcake using Lively’s favorite ingredients. Sprinkles is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the S'more cupcake to Oxfam. The S’more cupcakes for Oxfam America are available online and in stores from January 6 – February 2, 2012.
Adventure hats
Actress Anna Torv (“Fringe”) and Adventurehat.com have collaborated on the design of a newsboy cap made by Cov-ver hats. Adventurehat.com is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the caps to Oxfam. "Anna's hat for Oxfam" is available online.
Auctions
Oxfam has teamed up with eBay on multiple charity auction series featuring Oxfam Celebrity Ambassadors. Ambassadors have donated "meet and greets," premiere tickets, private set tours, and beauty and styling packages. The auctions have raised over $280,000 for Oxfam programs around the world.
Colin Firth donated auction tickets and a meet and greet for the world premiere of the film “A Christmas Carol,”. Scarlett Johansson provided tickets, hair and make-up/grooming services by Christophe Beverly Hills, and a meet and greet to the world premiere in Los Angeles of Iron Man 2. Giada De Laurentiis donated a visit to the taping and a set visit of Food Network’s highest rated show "Giada at Home," as well as lunch for four and autographed headshots and cookbooks.
These were exciting opportunities for Oxfam as eBay boasts over 12 million users per day. In addition, regarding eBay, there were exclusive stories on the front and home pages of People.com, CNN, AOL, OK! Magazine and a number of other major entertainment online outlets.
Esquire House
Since 2005, Oxfam America and Esquire Magazine have hosted “The Oxfam Party” at the Esquire House LA. In 2010, the party featured the exhibit “From Congo with Love” by acclaimed photographer Rankin. The party was hosted last year by Oxfam Ambassadors and supporters Kristin Davis, Joy Bryant, Minnie Driver, Mark Ruffalo, Colin Firth, Aziz Ansari and Anna Torv.
Designer handbags
Internationally known handbag and accessories designer, Monica Botkier created a limited collection of five bags, which will be named after a designated celebrity co-designer, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to Oxfam. The collection will be launched at in-store events in Los Angeles and New York. So far, Oxfam’s ambassadors and supporters Minnie Driver, Joy Bryant, Michelle Trachtenberg and Lake Bell have already designed bags for this beautiful line.
In 2009, Botkier first teamed up with Trachtenberg and Driver after attending a ladies only Oxfam gathering in NYC. Trachtenberg promoted her bag and Oxfam on NBC's Today Show, and in Marie Claire magazine, a publication with 15 million readers internationally, which first announced the launch of Trachtenberg’s satchel in their October 2009 issue. Trachtenberg raised over $10,000 through the summer of 2009 for Oxfam.
Botkier’s third exclusive design for Oxfam was co-designed by actress and Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet Ambassador, Joy Bryant. The May 2010 issue of Lucky Magazine, one of Condé Nast's biggest successes with an audience of over 2.5 million, featured “The Joy Satchel.”
Botkier continued this collaboration on behalf of Oxfam with actress Lake Bell in 2010. The Lake Satchel is exclusively available on shopbop.com. Before the official launch of the Lake Satchel at the hotspot, The Lion in NYC, numerous fashion and news publications, including the New York Times and NPR, highlighted this collaboration.
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