November 25, 2008

Ritchie-Madden Children's Foundation

Since giving birth to her 6 lb (2.7 kg). 7 oz daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Richie-Madden on January 11, 2008, Ritchie has turned her life around 180 degrees this past year, devoting her time to her daughter and philanthropy. Ritchie and her husband Joel have been working hard to bring light and laughter to the lives of children. Ritchie-Madden Children's Foundation mission statement:

The Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation is dedicated to bringing meaningful opportunities to children in the U.S. and abroad, while also striving to bring light and laughter into their lives through unique entertainment and special events.We want to do more than write checks. We hope our support will shine a spotlight on important issues facing children and will inspire and educate the public, especially young people, to get involved.

Ritchie's need to help bring joy to children most likely stems from her rocky childhood. Shortly after Nicole was adopted, it became public news that Lionel Ritchie was having an affair with another woman. Her parents went through an acrimonious divorce. In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, she said:

"Their way of making me happy was to say yes to everything I wanted, but I don't think a little girl should have that much freedom,"

Ritchie started using marijuana at 13 and was injecting heroin by 19.

We admire what Ritchie and her husband Joel are doing. Recent pictures and news on their myspace even place them helping women in the Congo.

image source: myspace
story: wikipedia