Apolo Anton Ohno's Charitable Work

As if being a five-time Olympic medalist isn’t enough, Apolo Anton Ohno, who is one medal shy of breaking U.S. Winter Olympian athlete history in the 2010 Winter Olympics, is also an ardent supporter of charitable and philanthropic causes that are special to him. And even though he dedicates most of his day to training to become one of the world’s best speed skaters, he still carves out time for those less fortunate than he is.
In 2002, Ohno raised funds to support the Ronald McDonald House and in 2006, he joined efforts with clothing giant, Gap, to become part of their Project Red campaign, an iniative to help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Through his fund-raising efforts with the Project Red campaign, money was given to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS organization to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
In a show of support of his Japanese heritage, he raised $20,000 for Japanese elders who live in the Pacific Northwest and who don’t have access to adequate health care services.
In 2006, he worked with the late Senator Ted Kennedy to help launch the “Math Moves U Hippest Homework Happening” program, a program that stresses the importance of math and science in education. The program provides students with an opportunity to do their math or science homework alongside a celebrity or athlete, like Ohno.
In addition, in the past years, Ohno has lent his charitable efforts to the Salvation Army and the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, an organization in which celebrites donate their own attire. The items are then put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children’s charities.
Read additional Olympic athelete spotlights:

• Graham Watanabe
• Katie Uhlaender
• Michelle Roark
• Amanda Evora
• Zach Lund