Jake helps raise $400,000 dollars for the LA Conservation Corps (16 April), and Earth Day Goodies

Yesterday lunchtime (16 April), Jake Gyllenhaal was back at the LA Historic State Park for another event by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. This time, without the crutches, Jake was a presenter at a luncheon, which not only celebrated the Corps' 23rd anniversary but also raised $400,000 to enable the Corps to continue its work of helping the young of the city by inspiring them to protect and enhance their natural environment. For instance, 'The Corps is the main source for trees in the LA area.'


The fact that this is the second Corps event in 13 months that Jake is known to have been associated with - on top of his recent efforts to promote the work of Global Green in February this year - indicates that Jake has a firm commitment to raising the profile of environmental schemes which educate and enlist the young to keep cities green and make them greener. Especially his own home city.



All of which has prompted Glamour Magazine to put a poll up today: 'Does Jake persuade you do to more for the environment?' Interestingly, the results of the poll don't seem to ever change but remain firmly on the fence...


And this is a reminder that 22 April is Earth Day! And if it's Earth Day and you're a celebrity with green credentials (and green fingers in Jake's case), that means you get lots of biodegradable loot. This is the time when every environmental business going fights for space in the 'sturdy hand-woven bag [which] is made from fibers extracted from the leaf sheath of the Abaca plant--a banana-like plant native to the Philippines--that the plant regenerates; with a hand-twisted paper handle; sustainable, biodegradable and reusable.'



So what can 'Leonardo DiCaprio, Heather Graham, Justin Timberlake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Pink, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Drew Barrymore, Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Tyra Banks, Bette Midler, Sting, Rosario Dawson, Tina Fey, Alicia Silverstone, Ricky Martin, Courteney Cox and others' expect this year? Here are some of the items: Organic raw vegan chocolates, candles, hand-woven wine bags, reusable hot water bottles (I had no idea there was a non-reusable kind...), Biodegradable Doggie Waste bag, a banana paper memo book and a belt made from the inner tubes of truck tyres.


Jake and others will also be receiving 'BōKU Super Food [which] is loaded with naturally occurring vitamins, trace minerals, anti-oxidants and probiotics. BōKU is a proprietary blend of the most powerful super foods on earth, all derived from natural plants with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The concentrated powder is doctor formulated and certified organic, kosher, and vegan.' Also, a rather intriguing organic beverage called Biotta and a bunch of additive free spices. Time to clear some cupboard space, Jake!



ETA: Many thanks to IHJ for the pics! You can find more there.