Glenda is a single mother who had a steady job that supported both she and her young son. In her mid 30s, Glenda developed cataracts that caused her to become legally blind. She could no longer work, drive or perform daily household activities such as cooking and reading to her son. Eye surgery provided by the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation restored Glenda’s sight. Glenda says, “I am able to support myself and my family again and that is very important to me.”

The Lighthouse has over 175 stories like Glenda’s from last year alone. The Lighthouse has also provided over 500 pairs of glasses and 600 hearing aids to Georgians in need over the last year. They recycle over 100,000 pairs of eyeglasses a year to send on medical relief missions. That is what the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation is about–helping restore the sight and hearing of others.

Celebrity exploitation and obsession has taken itself to a new level. Even companies that usually shy away from this form of promotion are hitching their branding on to the bandwagon. The bottom line is – celebrity notoriety sells almost everything and companies can always expect a good return on the publicity.

I can almost imagine the executive conversation that goes on in the marketing boardrooms of some of the nation’s most respected brands:

Louis Vuitton – Maybe we can get Naomi Campbell to throw another hissy fit so she can wear our shoes in public during her court mandated public community service.