Two NBA stars, an Olympic gold medalist, a Hall of Fame golfer, a New York Times bestselling author and a top track & field star are among the newest members of World Vision’s Celebrity Ambassador Network.
The new Celebrity Ambassadors will partner with the Christian humanitarian organization to raise awareness, funds and additional support for its work serving the poor in nearly 100 countries worldwide.
Meet the new Celebrity Ambassadors:
Jamal Crawford
The first three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Jamal Crawford is a guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. For several years, Crawford has partnered with World Vision to host a Christmas toy drive for children in Los Angeles, and back-to-school backpack distributions in his native Seattle. In the coming year, he will expand his work with World Vision to benefit its international programs.
Isaiah Thomas
An NBA All-Star in 2015-16, Isaiah Thomas is a guard for the Boston Celtics and a former star at the University of Washington. Thomas has partnered with World Vision’s U.S. Programs team to distribute backpacks and books for youth in several communities.
Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is one of today’s most popular writers, with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and five have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She is a longtime supporter of World Vision, and serves as the international spokesperson for its Knit for Kids initiative.
Kelvin Beachum
Kelvin Beachum is an offensive tackle for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2016, he traveled to Honduras with World Vision to support its work to increase access to clean water, food, education and economic opportunities. He also recently joined World Vision’s advocacy efforts to help pass the Global Food Security Act.
Betsy King
Betsy King was named to World Golf Hall of Fame in 1995 following a legendary career on the LPGA tour. She founded Golf Fore Africa following a 2006 trip with World Vision to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Today the organization she founded partners with World Vision and the golf community to bring lasting change to children and families living in poverty.
Ashton Eaton and Brianne Thiesen-Eaton
Ashton Eaton is the reigning Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the decathlon and Brianne Thiesen-Eaton is a two-time silver medalist in the heptathlon at the World Championships. They become involved with Team World Vision – which encourages people to run and raise funds for clean water projects in Africa – at the invitation of Olympian Lopez Lomong. They also sponsored a child, Philemon, in Kenya. In October 2015, the Eatons joined World Vision on a trip to Kenya, where they met Philemon, saw clean water projects, visited schools and ran a community race to raise awareness of child birth registration. They are currently leading an online campaign to raise additional child sponsorships.
The new Celebrity Ambassadors join Patricia Heaton, who recently agreed to serve as the founding member of World Vision’s Celebrity Ambassador Network.
About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.
Highlights
- The new Celebrity Ambassadors join Patricia Heaton, who recently agreed to serve as the founding member of World Vision’s Celebrity Ambassador Network.