Queen of Sports

Floyd Mayweather Donates $50K To Habitat For Humanity

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has donated $50,000 to Habitat Humanity for their Blitz Build 2012 program, and has pledged a total of $100,000 to the organization for the project.

The Blitz Build program brings the community and volunteers in to build a new home for a deserving family in only five days. The home being built this year will be located in Vegas Heights for a family of five. Mayweather’s fiance Shantel Jackson was there to present the check to Habitat Humanity along with Mayweather.

Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Donates $100K To Charity

It’s not often boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. is in the news for something good he’s done for others.

Mayweather is set to serve a 90-day jail sentence beginning in June for domestic battery. Part of an agreement his lawyers made with the judge of his case was that Mr. Money would donate $100,000 to a breast cancer support organization. Making good on that promise, he arrived at his gym in Las Vegas yesterday to sign and present a check to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for $100,000.

Wearing a pink sweater and white slacks, he then signed pink boxing gloves which he also donated to the breast cancer research foundation.

Photo: Mr O / Splash News

Clayton And Ellen Kershaw Launch New Book

Left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen held a press conference yesterday at Dodger Stadium to launch their book, Arise. The book chronicles the couples trip to Zambia where Clayton and Ellen along with the organization, Arise Africa are building an orphanage.

“Look where we are now. We’re at Dodger Stadium talking about a book,” Clayton said at the presee conference. “There’s something to be said for that. I think that’s a platform for us. Ellen and I were talking about how awesome it is to have baseball for other things. That’s sort of the whole purpose.”

Like another very popular athlete right now, Clayton and Ellen are devout Christians and share their experiences with faith and giving to others in the new book. You can order the book here.

Photo: PR Photos

Elin Nordegren Donating Parts Of Demolished Mansion To Habitat For Humanity

We reported last week that Tiger Woods’ ex-wife Elin Nordegren had the $12 million home she purchased demolished in order to a build a new one from scratch. The builder of the new home, talking to People magazine, cleared up the reasoning behind the demolition: the home was not built to code to withstand Florida hurricanes.

Another problem with the home was discovered when Nordegren allowed Habitat for Humanity to go through and salvage “tens of thousands of dollars” worth of cabinets, fixtures, and hardware. A carpenter-ant and termite infestation was found in the cabinets and walls of the home. A spokesman for Habitat for Humanity involved in the salvaging said, “When we pulled out the windows, the bugs were everywhere,. To rebuild that house would have been ridiculous. We’re so grateful to Elin. It’s rare we get this kind of donation.”

Photo: Ralph Notaro / Splash News

Athlete Sighting: Rafael Nadal At Charity Event

Rafael Nadal and his foundation along with the SOS Aldeas Infantiles organization hosted a presentation of the project ‘Integration and Sport’ in Barcelona last night. The project aims to provide a better future for young children in Barcelona and Granada. The gala last night was held to raise funds for the project.

Nadal was joined by his girlfriend, Xisca Perello. Other celebrities who attended the event included actresses Paz Vega and Nastassja Kinski.

Photo: G Tres / Splash News

Chicago Bears’ Amobi Okoye Hosted Health And Hope For Africa Concert Gala

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Amobi Okoye co-chaired and hosted an event over the weekend in Chicago which raised funds for The GEANCO Foundation, an organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of impoverished African citizens. The event, a first for the foundation, called the Health and Hope for Africa Concert Gala, was held at the Museum of Science and Industry and was attended by many celebrities and political leaders in the Chicago community.

Okoye, who was born in Nigeria, was joined by another of the foundation’s supporters: American Idol’s Syesha Mercado. Mercado, who was involved in Broadway’s Dreamgirls, performed her debut single, “Christmas Melody.” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn opened the program, urging citizens to show support for GEANCO’s mission. Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, and his son, Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. were also in attendance.

The event raised $60,000, which the foundation will use to fund future medical missions to Nigeria and to assist in the building of a hospital.

Photos: Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images North America

Tiger Woods Get His First PGA Tour Win In Over Two Years

Tiger Woods racked up his first W in over two years this weekend after an exciting finish at Sherwood Country Club for the PGA Tour’s 2011 Chevron World Challenge. It was a birdie-birdie finish with a 6-foot birdie in the end that set him ahead of Masters champion Zach Johnson.

Woods has hosted the challenge yearly for his foundation for the past five years. He donated $1.2 million to his foundation after the win. He moved up in the rankings from No. 52 to No. 21. Check out some of the highlights and his winning birdie below:

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Photo: Gary Newkirk, Tiger Woods Foundation

Kobe Bryant Leads The United Way HomeWalk In LA

Kobe Bryant served as the Honorary Chair at this year’s United Walk HomeWalk, a 5k run/walk event which aims to end homelessness by raising awareness about the problem and raising funds for those in need. Over the past 4 years, HomeWalk has raised $1.7 million and moved 9,000 people into permanent housing.

The event began with a ceremony in Exposition Park in downtown Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County alone, United Way approximates 51,000 are homeless. What’s most frightening: almost one third of them hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Kobe Bryant saw the homeless population often around Staples Center and in June he and wife Vanessa formed the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which focuses on helping homeless families.

At Saturday’s event, Bryant spoke with the family of Kelly Thomas, the homeless man who was beaten by cops in Fullerton.

Bryant was joined by various elected officials and activists. Baron Davis showed his support in his home town, and is pictured below with LA sports caster Jim Hill.

Elise Buik, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles said, “Kobe Bryant has helped us reach more residents concerned about fighting homelessness, and his charity has done great work with homeless children. With the support of celebrities like Kobe, our public officials and Los Angeles County residents, we can make a difference.

Photos: Koi Sojer / PR Photos

Tim Tebow Foundation Building Children’s Hospital In The Philipines

The Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE International announced they have plans to build a children’s hospital in the country where Tebow was born: the Philipines.

The hospital will be built in Davao City and will be called the Tebow CURE Hospital. The hospital will focus on orthopedics and construction will begin in January 2012.

Tebow said in a press release, “I was born in the Philippines and my parents have been missionaries to that area since 1985. The Philippines have always had a special place in my heart. I’m excited to be a part of this hospital that will bring healing to thousands of children who would not otherwise have access to care.”

About one-third of the children who will be treated at the hospital are expected to be charity cases.

Photo: PRNewsFoto/CURE International

Celeb Sightings At The Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic

Christian Slater was among the celebrities in attendance at the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic in Delray Beach, Florida.

The tennis classic is part of a 3-day charity event hosted by former tennis pro Chris Evert.

The events raise money for an ongoing campaign against drug abuse and child neglect in Florida.

Tennis star John McEnroe, pictured above, also came out to show support for Chris Evert’s cause. Actors Scott Foley and Kevin McKidd were some of the other celebrities who participated as well.

Photo: Wenn.com