While this list of charity efforts might lead one to believe that the participant is some well-known do-gooder, the man who has supported all of these causes is Pete Wentz.  In addition to playing bass and writing lyrics for Fall Out Boy, Wentz has become somewhat of an entrepreneur. He has created a clothing line, record label, and bars.  However, his philanthropic efforts are by far his most impressive work. 

Wentz has been an outspoken supporter of Invisible Children, an organization that works to help save children and end the civil war in Northern Uganda.

In 2007, Wentz and his former Fall Out Boy band members played at Giants Stadium for the Live Earth concert in order to raise awareness about global warning. 

Drawing on the experience of his struggles with anxiety and depression, Wentz has become a supporter for mental health projects.  In June 2009, he was presented with the Jed Foundation’s Voice of Mental Health Award.  He appeared in a Public Service for the Jed Foundation and MTVU’s Half of Us campaign in which he described his struggles and encouraged young people to seek help. 

Wentz was recently named a UNICEF spokesperson in February.  The Tap Project works to provide safe drinking water to children around the world. 

Wentz has worked to bring attention to a variety of worthy causes.  There is no arguing that Wentz has done a great deal with the fame that he has achieved.

He has performed in numerous charity events, such as the recent “We Are the World 25 for Haiti.”

He also has his own foundation which, according to its website, helps children in need “through contributions to the arts, education, and healthcare.”

There is no greater cause than helping children.  It is through education that children will be able to better their lives, which makes this an especially honorable cause.

Groban is also supported by a legion of fans.  Groban’s fans created a charity that raises money that  supports Groban and his foundation.  They also work directly with Groban, who donates signed items to fundraisers to be auctioned.

It takes a very special person to inspire others to make such a large impact in the world. As a celebrity, Josh Groban has been able to inspire countless people to make a difference in the world in whatever way they can. 

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

For years before going green became the “it” thing to do, DiCaprio was campaigning to protect the environment and to prevent global warming.

He even has his own environmental foundation, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which was established in 1998, well before global warming was catapulted into the mainstream consciousness.  According to its website, the foundation “supports efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planet and all of its inhabitants.”

How can anyone argue with this cause?  Through his work, DiCaprio is helping to create a world that will be better for all. 

In addition to his efforts to better our planet, DiCaprio has also supported other charitable causes.  Earlier this year, he donated one million dollars to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund following the devastating earthquake. 

It is great to see a talented, successful actor using his power to promote such admirable causes. 

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

However, is Bristol Palin, daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, really the best spokesperson to choose?

In a February 2009 interview, Palin, who became pregnant at the age of 17, said, “I’d love…to be an advocate to prevent teen pregnancy because it’s not, like, a situation that you want to strive for, I guess.”

I understand that she was probably a little intimidated to be doing an interview, but adding the “I guess” onto the end of that statement makes her sound indecisive.  Honestly, what is there to guess about whether you should strive to have a child as a teen? 

In her new Public Service Announcement for the Candie’s Foundation, Palin stresses the fact that most young teens do not come from wealthy families as she does. While the intent was good, the message that comes across is that other girls should not get pregnant because their families are neither as famous nor as wealthy as the Palin family. 

Ultimately, while Palin probably had nothing to do with the writing of the PSA, it is incredibly misguiding and sends out the wrong message.

Furthermore, I cannot help but ask myself what Palin’s motives truly are for becoming a spokesperson.  Is this a political scheme in order to make her mother look better for the next round of elections?  Does she really care about preventing teen pregnancy or is she in it for the fame and money? 

I must admit, I am inclined to believe that she doesn’t really care about preventing teen pregnancy.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

It is safe to say that Cyrus has certainly stepped out of the shadow of her father.  Unfortunately, a large amount of her fame has come from less than desirable sources.

While her fame originally arose from the popular kid’s show “Hannah Montana,” Cyrus’s behavior since reaching stardom has been anything but appropriate for a role model for young kids.

She has been involved in scandals which range from racy bra-showing pictures that have appeared on the Internet to the now infamous Vanity Fair photo shoot, in which she appeared to be topless.

Additionally, in late 2008, Cyrus, who was 15 at the time, began a relationship with 20 year-old model Justin Gaston.  This is hardly the type of behavior that young girls should be emulating. 

In 2009, Cyrus pole-danced while performing on the Teen Choice Awards.  She has also developed an inclination for going on stage wearing super short shorts with low-cut, bra-revealing shirts.   Miley, no one wants to see that.

Now 17, Cyrus informed “People Magazine” that she has recently purchased a place of her own to live in. 

Okay, Miley, you are 17 years old.  While I understand that you may feel worldlier than most 17 year olds because you are not in high school, you are still a kid. 

Judging from your past behavior, living with your parents is exactly what you need because you still have a great deal of growing up left to do. 

Caite Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

We all remember the cute little red-headed girl who stole our hearts with her charm and talent in “The Parent Trap” in 1998.  She then became a teen idol with 2004’s terrifyingly realistic “Mean Girls,” in which she played the lovable outsider.

However, Lohan has certainly taken a downward spiral since those days.  After being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of cocaine and going to rehab on several occasions, Lohan is not the sweet girl with whom America fell in love.

Now, according to TMZ, she is suing E*TRADE for $100 million over a commercial which refers to a baby as being a “milkaholic” and alludes to her stealing another baby’s boyfriend.  This baby just happens to be named Lindsay.

Supposedly, Lindsay has the same name recognition as Madonna and Oprah, and everyone knows that the commercial is referring to her.

According to babynamewizard.com, in 2008, Lindsay was the 380th most popular baby name.  In the 1980s, Lindsay even cracked the top 50 most popular names.

Oprah and Madonna, on the other hand, did not even make it to the top one thousand most popular names.  Oprah never appeared on the list and Madonna had not since the 1960s.

Lohan needs to be given a dose of reality.  Maybe she needs to listen to the words of outcast character Janis Ian during her famous rant in “Mean Girls:” “That’s the thing with you plastics.  You think everybody is in love with you when actually, everybody HATES you.”

Lohan has definitely become another plastic, superficial Hollywood starlet who is ignorant to the reality of the world.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

He is, however, deeply involved in many philanthropic organizations. 

Damon is a strong supporter of ONE, which works to stop the spread of AIDS and end extreme poverty around the world. 

Additionally, Damon is an ambassador for OneXOne to help improve the lives of children around the world.

Damon cofounded water.org, which is an organization that works primarily in Africa, South Asia, and Central America to provide communities with safe drinking water and sanitation.

He also cofounded “Not on Our Watch” with a group that includes George Clooney and Brad Pitt.  According to the project’s website, the purpose is to “generate lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced” around the world.

Matt Damon is a rarity in Hollywood.  Not only is he a talented actor, but he also seems to actually care about others.  He lives a primarily tabloid-free life and uses his fame to better the lives of people around the world.  Damon goes beyond simply donating his money.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

According to people.com, he used this medal as a prop in some risqué pictures that he posed for with a woman on a Vancouver street.

After the pictures hit the Internet, Lago apologized to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.  He then voluntarily left Vancouver.

In today’s world, it seems that athletes are continually making stupid choices and not thinking ahead about the possible consequences of their actions.

Now, Lago’s actions were not nearly as serious as athletes who commit actual crimes.  Nonetheless, it is somewhat sad that even the Olympics are tainted by such childish scandals and controversy.

Many young children look up to athletes, especially in a sport like snowboarding that is increasing in popularity.  Young athletes need to remember that they are role models.

I understand that the pictures were probably taken in good fun.  Lago was probably just out celebrating his success with friends.  Regardless, he made an irresponsible decision that he must now live with.

While Lago is an incredible athlete, his 2010 Olympics will now be forever blemished by his inappropriate behavior.

But nevertheless, Lago can be admired for his maturity after the incident, when he apologized and left of his own volition.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

From a young age, Richie fell into many of the pitfalls that Hollywood’s young stars have trouble avoiding. After a heroin bust, she found herself in rehab.

Her shrinking figure led many to speculate that she suffered from an eating disorder, which led to an increased amount of criticism, as Richie was seen as a poor role model for young girls.

Her image was farther tainted when she was forced to serve jail time after being convicted of her second DUI.

Now a mother of two with fiancé Joel Madden, Richie has seemingly turned her life around.

Since the birth of her first child, Sparrow, two years ago, Richie has become dedicated to bettering the lives of children.

Along with Madden, she started the Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation. According to the foundation’s website, they are dedicated to “bringing meaningful opportunities to children in the U.S. and abroad.”

Richie has become an inspiration to all who wish to turn their lives around. She not only fought and beat her own personal demons, but she is now dedicated to bettering the lives of others.

Richie has reached a point in her life where she is a true role model.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

Somehow, despite all of this success, Lauren Conrad has been able to maintain an image as a “normal girl.”

Starting on “Laguna Beach,” Conrad was the relatable girl-next-door type with whom audiences could most easily sympathize.  Conrad went on to star in her own show, “The Hills,” which she eventually decided to part from during its fifth season.  In 2009, Conrad became a published author with her bestselling “L.A. Candy,” the sequel to which was released earlier this month and is already on top of the New York Times Bestselling list. 

Especially on “The Hills,” Conrad was always the one who seemed the most mature and substantive. 

Conrad set a good example for young girls by being confident.  While her former costar, Heidi Montag, recently made headlines for additional plastic surgeries that left her looking like a poor alien impersonation of a beautiful woman, Conrad healthily maintains her body image by exercising.

Conrad has also worked with numerous charity organizations. In 2008, she joined forces with the mark make-up line and created the organization called “m.powerment.” According to meetmark.com, the organization works to “bring awareness to—and help educate—young women about the potential for abusive relationships to impact their lives and to help them recognize the signs of healthy relationships.”

Having a strong young role model like Conrad to look up to will help young women avoid involvement in abusive relationships.

Conrad has continuously set herself apart from other young starlets through her hard work and dedication to these young girls, who she knows idolize her.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com