Free Republic

Left-wing billionaire and Democrat donor George Soros has reportedly fueled Democrats with $125 million through a super PAC heading into the November midterms. Dubbed as a “long-term investment,” the money is one of the largest political donations in recent years, Politico reported, noting political donations of nine figures are exceedingly rare.

In a memo to employees of Apple, Inc., CEO Tim Cook announced that the tech giant would be donating $1 million each to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Anti-Defamation League (ADL), matching donations by employees “two-for-one,” and allowing iTunes users to directly support “the work of the SPLC.” “I believe Apple has led by example, and we’re going to keep doing that,” said Cook. “We have always welcomed people from every walk of life to our stores around the world and showed them that Apple is inclusive of everyone.” “In the wake of the tragic and repulsive events...

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2010 – Two years ago, Army Pfc. Ted Bonham suppressed his self-described “horrible phobia of needles” and participated in a routine blood drive with his reserve unit in Knoxville, Tenn. He couldn’t have guessed then how big that gesture of generosity would become. When the technician asked if Bonham and his buddies from the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion would have their cheeks swabbed to possibly become bone marrow donors -- with the comment that they probably would never be called -- Bonham was the only one to come forward. Today the 20-year-old is undergoing a procedure at...

Surprise! Billionaire Meg Whitman's campaign won't go broke after all. Whitman, the front-runner for the Republican nomination for governor, will announce today that she contributed $20 million more to her war chest late Monday, the Mercury News has learned. That means the former eBay chief executive has donated $59 million to her campaign so far, with two months to go before the primary and seven months left before the general election. The $39 million Whitman donated previously had already set a California political record for self-funding. But her ubiquitous radio and TV ad campaign led to her spending $27.2 million...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2009 – The price appears to be right for former game show host and naval aviator Bob Barker, who donated $3 million to help build a premiere Defense Department center for wounded warriors suffering traumatic brain injuries. The donation brings the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to its $60 million goal to build the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bill White, president of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, announced yesterday. The 72,000-square-foot, two-story facility is expected to open next year next to the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund...

WASHINGTON - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad said Saturday he is donating $10,500 to charity and refinancing his loan on an apartment building after reviewing documents showing he received special treatment from Countrywide Financial Corp. Conrad said it appears that Countrywide waived 1 point on his mortgage for a Bethany Beach, Del., vacation home. He said he would donate the equivalent amount of money to Habitat for Humanity. "Although I did not ask for or know that I was receiving a discount, and even though I was offered a competitive loan from another lender, I do not want to...

WASHINGTON - Sens. John McCain and Chuck Hagel have long been friends. Fellow Republicans and Vietnam War veterans, their Senate offices are just across the hall from each other. But at least during the presidential primary, Hagel's wife, Lilibet, is helping McCain's likely Democratic rival, Barack Obama. According to Federal Election Commission records, Mrs. Hagel donated twice to Obama's campaign in February for a total contribution of $500. The contributions were first reported by the Washington Post The contribution came a month before Sen. Hagel, a sharp GOP critic of the war in Iraq, appeared on ABC's "This Week" and...

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 – The Chrysler Foundation announced the donation of $100,000 to the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Foundation’s 5 Star Campaign in Norfolk, Va., today. In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, Chrysler’s gifts promote the foundation’s campaign for the modernization and expansion of the MacArthur Memorial. “In keeping with Chrysler’s tradition of support for the U.S. military and the courageous men and women who defend this great country, the company and our foundation are proud to contribute to the MacArthur Memorial,” said Bob Nardelli, the automaker’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We want to make sure that future...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2008) -- Marines put their lives on the line in battle so that millions around them don’t have to. They’ve been doing this for 232 years, and continue, to this day, to sweat, bleed and fight to ensure the safety of this country. Putting one’s life on the line for another is a selfless act that comes straight from the heart. For Lance Cpl. Nathan J. Williamson, a warehouse clerk with Supply Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, being a live organ donor allowed him to save his mom’s life...

Sheik Juwad al-Shimmari, Al Waheda city council chairman, hands out school supply packets to students of the newly refurbished Al Taybeh Elementary School, Nov. 12 in Al Waheda. Photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd Infantry Division. FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER — Children in Al Waheda received more than pencils and paper as they arrived to class Nov. 12; they were given a completely refurbished school. “The community continued to educate the children, despite not having a place to go,” Sheik Juwad Al Shimmari, the Waheda city council chairman, said through a translator. “But now we have this beautiful school and...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2007 – Representatives of Fairfax County, Va., donated $100,000 today to help build the Pentagon Memorial that will honor the 184 people, including 20 county residents, killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the building. County Supervisor Penelope A. Gross presented the check that brings funds raised so far to more than $15 million, Pentagon Memorial Fund spokesman Jerry Mullins reported. The memorial fund committee’s goal is to raise $22 million to build and maintain the memorial. “This makes everyone excited,” Mullins said of Fairfax County’s gift. “We have a big team of folks...

Espy donates to Jefferson’s legal defense fundBy Susan Crabtree and Kevin Bogardus August 01, 2007 Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, who was forced out of office in 1994 after allegations surfaced that he improperly took gifts from businesses and lobbyists, donated $1,000 to Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-La.) legal expense fund in early June. Espy, the first black person to hold the position of Agriculture secretary, was acquitted of 30 corruption charges brought against him by an independent counsel four years after leaving office. The charges included accusations that he took $35,000 in gifts. He was also the first USDA chief...

PHILADELPHIA - Former President George H.W. Bush got his World War II service revolver back Wednesday, 60 years after giving it to a Navy lieutenant aboard the submarine that rescued him when his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. Bush donated the revolver to the National Constitution Center the same day the son of late Lt. J.G. Albert Brostrom returned the .38-caliber Smith & Wesson and its leather shoulder holster to him. Brostrom was the sonar man on the USS Finback, which rescued Bush, a Navy pilot, after he was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire on Sept....

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2006 -- Organizers of the annual “Tribute to the Troops” motorcycle ride and benefit concert recently donated more than $18,000 to Minnesota and Wisconsin-based military support groups. The group raised the funds during their third ride Sept. 8-10. The event takes place each year around the Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. Gregg Schmitt, director of the Minneapolis-based organization, first teamed up with country music artist Rockie Lynn in 2004 to plan the event as a way of showing the families that Americans from all walks of life care about...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2006 -- A Celtic band from California is donating all proceeds from online sales of its latest single generated through a special endeavor on Myspace.com to a veterans organization. One of the U.S. Celtic music scene’s rising acts, Culann’s Hounds, has earmarked proceeds from their track titled “The Blackthorn Tavern” to the National Veterans Foundation. Band member Steve Gardner said he and bandmate Michael Kelleher think it’s the least they can do. “Beyond politics, Michael and I both believe strongly that American citizens who fight in the name of their country deserve the thanks and support...

FORT GORDON, Ga. (Army News Service, July 17, 2006) – Sgt. 1st Class Christine Shedrick shares a bond that few have with an in-law. “We’ve always been very close. Now we’re more like sisters than sisters-in-law,” said Shedrick of the 15th Regimental Signal Brigade, who donated 60 percent of her liver to Tammy Johnson on May 4. Johnson was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis five years ago. The disease blocks the bile ducts and leads to a hardening of the liver, which eventually stops functioning. “The only cure is to have a transplant,” said Johnson, who lives in El Paso,...

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2006 – Civil servant Ronald A. Rosenfeld demonstrated his heartfelt commitment to helping wounded troops in dramatic fashion -- he donated $150,000, the equivalent of his annual salary, to the Walter Reed Society. About two years ago, a Catholic monsignor told Rosenfeld and his wife, Patty, that war-wounded servicemembers from Iraq and Afghanistan were receiving outstanding medical treatment at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but that money was in short supply for certain quality-of-life items. Without hesitation, the Rosenfelds decided to help. "Through such generosity of donors like yourself, the Walter Reed Society has been able...

SAN ANTONIO (Army News Service, June 1, 2006) Bank of America is donating $1 million to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to help finance a 60,000 square foot rehabilitation center for servicemembers critically wounded in war. The San Antonio, Texas, center is scheduled to open January 2007, and will offer treatment to servicemembers suffering such injuries multiple amputations, severe burns, and spinal and brain injuries. Physicians will also help patients adapt to their new disabilities through therapy and advanced training. “The Soldiers sacrifice so much and they put themselves in harm’s way every day, so we owe them,” said Scott...

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2006 – The Utah Youth Soccer Association has teamed up with "Operation Give" to collect soccer equipment for needy children in Iraq, UYSA officials said. Operation Give is a nonprofit organization comprising volunteers in six states who collect donations for in-need children overseas. The donations are sent to U.S. servicemembers for distribution. The organization is a member of the Defense Department's America Supports You team. "We are lucky to have the resources our soccer community enjoys, so we jumped at the opportunity to donate," Leisa Vineyard, the group's president, said. "We're proud to team up with...

No sooner did Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger call for a state investigation of price gouging at the pump than his critics jumped in feet first -- noting that the "no special-interest money" governor has taken nearly $2 million in campaign contributions from the very oil companies he wants investigated. "Arnold's latest slick stunt, pretending to care about soaring costs of gas prices, rings hollower than a Krispy Kreme doughnut,'' said the anti-Arnold labor folks at the Alliance for a Better California. And indeed, records show that the governor -- who has raised $82.7 million since riding into Sacramento on the promise...