Here's some detailed information on the charities and organizations that Marcia Gay Harden
supports. If you know about any other causes or projects that Marcia is involved in, please
drop me a line.
American Red Cross
Since World War I when silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks lent their names
and support to the American Red Cross war effort, the organization has benefited from the
involvement of public figures and celebrities. Over the years, actors and artists committing
their time and talents to the organization have played an important role in raising public
awareness of Red Cross services and activities nationwide, a list of which includes such
Hollywood icons as Shirley Temple, Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh.
This year as the Red Cross marks 125 years of service to the American public, it also
continues the tradition of working with celebrities and public figures by unveiling its fifth
annual American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet. This year’s cabinet represents an
extraordinary combination of well-respected actors, television personalities, musicians and
athletes. Among the 25 new members are Pierce Brosnan, Marcia Gay Harden, Sandra Oh, Jamie Lee
Curtis, Marcia Cross, Eli Manning and Tommy Hilfiger. For more information, please visit the
official website
Be Fire Smart
Marcia Gay Harden has worked with Liberty Mutual in its fire prevention campaign for more
than a year, including inviting people to check out its befiresmart.com website and
voicing its Epcot Center attraction at Disney World. "It's very helpful for talking to kids about this. People always
think fires are something that happens to someone else, until, of course, it happens to
their own family." When the insurance company initially "broached the question of my
involvement, it was too close to our own tragedy," she recounts. Things looked different
after more time passed and "I saw my brother incredibly, nobly being participatory in
life and recovery," she says of his response to the loss of his family. In 2007, Marcia
visited "The View" to promote the cause. "I didn't know how
much attention people would pay to it. I thought it would be, 'Oh, there's Marcia Gay
Harden, talking about her film and by the way, fire safety.' But then, I got a call from
a fireman up in Canada, saying, 'You saved a life today.' "If just one person remembers
not to leave a candle unattended, not to put a blanket too close to a space heater, to
take precautions, it really could save a life." For more information, please visit the
official website
Comfort Care Van
Marcia Gay Harden, an energetic and avid supporter of HELP USA, has partnered with Vicks
to remind families that Vicks offers the proper care during cold, cough and flu season.
After Harden has set the stage, Vicks will hit the road with its Vicks Comfort CAREvan,
delivering soothing, comforting care to families around the country. In addition, Marcia
has taped a Public Service Announcement to promote the cause of Comfort CAREvan. For more information,
please visit the official
website
Purex Saves Green
Marcia Gay Harden is spreading the word that consumers can visit PurexSavesGreen.com to
design their own eco-friendly tote bags with original, environmentally-friendly slogans
for a chance to win a smart® fortwo vehicle and other great prizes. They will also be able
to bid on tote bags designed by such celebrities as Martha Stewart, Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd,
Tamara Tunie, Ed Begley, Jr., Paul Shaffer, Tom Bergeron and Marcia herself. All auction
proceeds will benefit Earth Day Network, a non-profit organization that seeks to grow and
diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective
vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. The Purex Saves Green site will
provide simple, easy tips for everyone so they can do their part in helping the environment.
Bids can also be placed through www.charitybuzz.com, where the auctions are posted. For more
information, please visit the official
website
Riverkeep
Marcia Gay Harden supports Riverkeep's reclaim of the Hudson River. The following quote comes
from the Condè Nast Traveler: "Before my husband and I bought a house in the Catskills, we would stay at Mohonk Mountain
House, a lakeside lodge in the Shawangunks. We fell in love with the area-it's beautiful and
needs to be protected. Four years ago, I joined Riverkeeper, a grassroots organization that
fights to reclaim the Hudson River waterfront and to prevent pollution.
You can explore, as Henry Hudson did, in old towns like Newburgh, where you can dock in front
of Cena 2000 for a bite". For more information, please visit the
oficial website
Slow Food USA
Slow Food USA hosted "Fertile Ground," their first annual benefit for Slow Food in Schools on
Wednesday, May 25, 2005, in Brooklyn, NY. The event honored the work of pioneering school
nutrition consultant and author, Ann Cooper, formerly Executive Chef and Director of Wellness
and Nutrition at The Ross School in East Hampton, New York. Alice Waters, founder of Chez
Panisse restaurant and the Berkeley School Lunch Initiative, and Marcia Gay Harden were
Co-Chairs of the event. For more information, please visit the
official website
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to find cures for children with
catastrophic illnesses through research and treatment. Children are treated without regard to
a family's ability to pay. St. Jude covers all costs not covered by insurance for medical
treatment rendered at St. Jude. Families without insurance do not pay. St. Jude freely shares
research findings with doctors and scientists around the world. To support St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, Marcia has auctioned signed boots on Ebay. For more information, please
visit the official website
YMCA of Greater New York
The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive
values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a
focus on youth. The YMCA of Greater New York gives young people a place to come after
school for safe, productive activities that encourage and support academic performance,
help to build their self-esteem and develop healthy lifestyles. Among the hundreds of
programs offered by the YMCA of Greater New York are a variety of youth programs, including
child care, day care and after-school care programs; swimming, sports leagues; instructional
classes; evening Teen Centers; counseling and health awareness; life/social skills;
mentoring; leadership training and development; service learning; computer training;
college/career preparation; day camps and sleep-away camps. Marcia is an avid supporter
of the YMCA of Greater New York - in 2009 she hosted two public service announcements for
the organization.