The Riverkeeper

This year marks the ball`s 50th anniversary and we are excited to introduce you to this amazing evening. with presentation of the big fish emeritus award to dr. howard a. rubin featuring the premiere of a Tribeca film “fellows” short film, with introduction by robert de niro special

performance by sting hosted by andy cohen

Riverkeeper Fishermen’s Ball honoring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ralph Lauren By Andrea Bell

There is a new trend afoot in the celebrity ranks, and it’s one that is long overdue. We are seeing more and more of the entertainment industries elite aligning with one or more causes and using their influence to either spread awareness, raise funding or bring cachet to something they believe in. While fame and martyrdom have always gone quietly hand in hand, with many founding organizations or supporting movements to do good with their success and prosperity, there is suddenly an urgency with many to work at uniting followers and encouraging more of us to take part at any level. None seem quite as intent as those working toward environmental change and stewardship. And this is not surprising, as it is now obvious to anyone not hiding under a rock that our planet, and our dependence on it for our survival as a species, is in trouble. industries. Robert De Niro, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Mark Ruffalo and many others were treated to a performance by Sting celebrating continued success in the foundation’s endeavors.

DiCaprio has been lauded for the last few years making large donations to a multitude of causes through his foundation that fights climate change, supports wildlife biodiversity and ocean conservancy, raising over $45 million since 1998 for over 65 different organizations. Those that have accused the actor of using the stance to promote his movie, the Revenance, may want to check that date. This isn’t a new play for Leo and it is exactly this type of big ticket investment that is needed to check the corporate greed that has pervaded every industry on the planet.

Most notably in recent years may be Leonardo DiCaprio, who dedicated the final moments of his Oscar acceptance speech this year to calling on society to put an end to global warming, to hold irresponsible corporations accountable, and to do our part to alleviate the issues we have caused for the earth’s fragile eco system. He delivered an engaging and genuine speech to the United Nations Assembly back in 2014 as the then newly appointed “UN Messenger of Peace” noting that “climate change is our single greatest security threat.” Leo was one of the distinguished guests at the 2016 Riverkeeper Foundation’s“Fisherman’s Ball” and has put his money where his mouth is, donating $100k to match Ralph Lauren’s grant and making them both the “Big Fish” of the evening. Many famous names were on hand to stand in solidarity of Riverkeeper’s 50 year commitment to cleaning up the Hudson, once the site of mass polluting by New York

Mark Ruffalo, Andy Cohen, Jeff Koons, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ralph Lauren, Jessica Joffe, Lauren Bush Lauren and David Lauren, Chuck Close, Robert De Niro.

Stars that run the gamut from Miley Cyrus to Patricia Arquette have used their award show presences to gain a foothold in their chosen cause, often accomplishing more than just raising awareness. Miley’s speech at the Video Music Awards last year helped raise over $200K for homeless youth.

Let’s see more of this outspoken caring from our society and remember that we can all play a part. We continue to be inspired by the hairstyles and wardrobe of these celebrities we admire, let us also be influenced to volunteer time or donate money toward bettering the world. We are inextricably linked to our natural surroundings, the eco system and our place in society’s fabric and hierarchy. If we were to collectively come together to celebrate this mentality, we really would save the world. Each and every one of us.