CAUSE TO CELEB-RATE: UNICEF

Salma Hayek at a UNICEF event at the UN headquarters
via dailylife.com

Now here is a cause that nearly all the celebs have promoted. With over 80 star supporters, UNICEF takes major strides for children around the globe to ensure their health, education, equality, and protection. Their presence in 190 countries ensures that all children have the basic rights that each one certainly deserves.

Founded on Dec. 11, 1946 in the aftermath of WWII, the United Nations voted to create the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) originally as a relief and support organization for children living in countries that were devastated by the war.

These days, celebs come out by the dozens to support and provide for this cause. Most recently, Selena Gomez was named spokesperson for UNICEF's 2008 Trick-or-Treat campaign, which encourages American children to make Halloween count by raising money for other kids around the world. Since this program was established in 1950, the Trick-or-Treat campaign has raised over $143 million.

Prince William and Prince Harry participated in a brutal 1,500 mile, eight-day motorbike trek across South Africa last month. Each rider paid $2,600 to participate in this annual Enduro Africa ride, which ultimately raised an estimated $173,000 for UNICEF.

Also, Salma Hayek addressed the UN in early October to talk about her recent trip to Sierra Leone where she supported a UNICEF campaign to eradicate tetanus in mothers and babies in four years. Salma's speech looked to raise 200 million vaccines for tetanus in the next three years.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Shakira traveled to Bangladesh in Dec. 07 to visit UNICEF-supported education projects and met with women and children affected by Cyclone Sidr. She has since won an ALMA humanitarian award in August for her work to improve the lives of Latin America's impoverished children.

And low-and-behold, Rihanna was just announced the new face of Gucci's UNICEF campaign--called Tattoo Heart--with advertisements promoting the initiative beginning in December. The campaign will also feature limited edition Gucci products, with 25% of sales to be donated to UNICEF.

Lastly, Bono recently persuaded UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham in May to climb Tanzania's 19,340 ft. Mount Kilimanjaro for six days to raise money for the organization.

Other UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors include Ricky Martin, Jackie Chan, Mia Farrow, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Elle MacPherson, Ewan McGregor, Claudia Schiffer, Alyssa Milano, Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, Clay Aiken, and Lucy Liu.

Phew! That's a lot of support! Now make sure to check out how you can join UNICEF's own Voices of Youth, which gives YOU a platform to help improve children's lives around the world.