While on the red carpet at the Danse Avec Clairobscur VIP fundraising event in November, Good Celebrity caught up with philanthropic star Briana Evigan and discussed her charitable deeds.
The “Step Up 2: The Streets” beauty discussed her involvement with the African Wildlife Foundation, which works directly with the people of Africa to preserve wildlife and land for the continent. She’s also a supporter of The Elephant Pants, which shares its proceeds with the African Wildlife Foundation.
“It’s just crazy what they’re doing. It’s absolutely insane. I always support them,” she said about the rangers in Africa.
Evigan regularly posts about the cause on her social media pages. In her latest Instagram snap, she wrote about the African rangers, sharing, “Rangers are dealing with insufficient training, a lack of equipment, and the dangers of wildlife… they NEED adequate training and support. Fortunately, @theelephantpants donations to @africanwildlifefoundation go toward exactly that!!!”
In addition to her support for African wildlife, the 29-year-old actress and her family support children in the Philippines through their Picture This organization. Founded by her sister-in-law, Victoria Evigan, the organization inspires American children to connect with Filipino children by sharing drawings and letters through a pen pal system. “We believe these friendships will be an opportunity to cultivate compassion in the hearts of American youth. In return this friendship would bring joy, hope, encouragement and education to kids around the world that live with so little. When you’re living in a simple bamboo hut, a colorful drawing from a caring friend could mean so much,” Victoria shared on the Picture This website.
“It’s connecting hearts at a young age. Bringing them more education and supplies that they need,” Briana told Good Celebrity on the red carpet. American children are paired up with children from a small fishing village in the Philippines called Lajala.
The Picture This team sends the drawings and donations including school supplies, art supplies, hygiene supplies lightly used clothing directly to the village. The Picture This team also provides monthly workshops for children in Los Angeles to learn about getting involved with this global initiative. The team also makes an annual visit to the village to enrich those relationships and provide education for the Filipino children.
In addition to the pen pal program, Picture This hopes to raise funds to expand the educational opportunities available to children in Lajala. “Unfortunately, many children have to drop out of school early to work with their families. Our hope is that over the years we will be able to encourage these kids to stay in school as well as raise funds to create educational opportunities,” reads the Picture This site. If you’re interested in connecting with a Picture This pen pal or donating to the cause, visit the organization’s website to sign up and contribute.