It's sometimes hard to remember that celebrities are capable of thinking about other people.

Thanks to reality TV wannabes and shady sports figures, stars often get a bum rap.

But many public figures set good examples by giving millions to charitable organizations. Even though celebrity activism doesn't get as much buzz as celebrity scandal, it still has an impact locally and globally.

Deavan Ebersole, a 17-year-old Susquehannock High School senior, has been a huge fan of Jordin Sparks ever since she became the sixth "American Idol" winner in May 2007.

He recently heard her talking about Sparks Charities, which encourages young people to volunteer in their communities. In an age when teens are hooked on technology, celebrities have taken advantage of that fact by promoting events and news about the causes they support online.

According to Sparks Charities Web site, www.sparkscharities.org, it has helped stock local food banks, start after-school programs, drill wells in Myanmar Province and raise awareness about melanoma.

That message stuck with Deavan and he decided to spread it.

So instead ofusing social networking to write rumors about peers, à la "Gossip Girl," teens like Deavan use it for positive purposes. He said he uses Facebook and Twitter to tell his friends about volunteering and fundraising opportunities.

He's been talking to co-workers at the Giant in Shrewsbury Township and administrators in his school to increase awareness,

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too.

"My main goal to help get it out there for other people," he said. "It's their choice."

For Christmas, Deavan said, Sparks collected funds to give needy families gifts. He decided to donate his own money to the cause and encouraged others to do the same. For every dollar collected, Sparks matched the funds. He said that with Sparks, he knows that the money will end up in the right place.

"There (are) people out there who don't have Christmases like some of us do," he said.

Of course, Sparks isn't the only celebrity who reminded us to give back during the holidays.

Prince William recently braved the mid-December chill and spent the night on a London street to raise awareness for the homeless charity Centrepoint.

On Christmas Eve, musicians Bono, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and Mundy busked on Grafton Street in Dublin to raise money for Ireland's homeless population.

It kind of makes me wish I hadn't breezed passed the Salvation Army bell ringers and buckets at the mall. Instead of making excuses about being too busy or strapped for cash in 2010, maybe I'll take a hint from Deavan.

While he's not sure what career he wants to pursue, Deavan says he definitely sees philanthropy in his future.

"This one is my main thing that I want to work with," he said.

POPeye is a bi-weekly column focusing on the ever-changing landscape of popular culture. To reach writer Erin McCracken, call 771-2051 or send an e-mail to emccracken@ydr.com.

On the Web

www.pano.org - The Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) is the statewide membership organization of the charitable nonprofit sector.

www.yorkcounts.org - YorkCounts is a nonprofit coalition that works to improve the quality of life in York County.

givingback.org - Giving Back Fund is a national public charity designed to help cultivate a new group of philanthropists within the entertainment and sports industries to create philanthropic role-models who will inspire others to give back.

www.looktothestars.org - Look to the Stars is a source of celebrity charity news and information, covering what the top stars are doing to make a positive difference in the world.

think.mtv.com - Think MTV is an online community where people get informed, get heard and take action on the issues that matter to most to them.

www.dosomething.org - This site is an online resource of tools designed to help a generation of doers take action offline. Check the site for 2010 resolutions to help you get healthy, help the environment, improve your community and help others.

Other celebrity charities

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - In 2003, Angelina Jolie created the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP) to help protect Cambodia's endangered Cardamom Mountains' northern territory. For details, visit www.mjpasia.org.

Bono - In 2006, the U2 frontman co-founded the Product (RED) campaign with Bobby Shriver. The goal is to get companies to sell lines of products that give a portion of the profits to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For details, visit www.joinred.com.

Kanye West - The Kanye West Foundation partners with community organizations to provide high school students with music production programs. The goal is to help them stay in school. For details, visit www.kanyewestfoundation.org.

Ed Kowalczyk - Everlasting Arms donates to Doctors Without Borders, Children's Health Fund and Action Against Hunger. For details, visit www.eddieklive.com/everlastingarms.php.

Alicia Keys - Keep A Child Alive is dedicated to providing life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. For details, visit www.keepachildalive.org.

Paul Newman - Newman's Own Foundation donates all net royalties and profits after taxes it receives from the sale of Newman's Own products to charities worldwide. For details, visit www.newmansownfoundation.org.

Oprah - Oprah's Angel Network uses donations to award grants to organizations around the world that are improving access to education, protecting basic rights and creating communities of support. For details, visit www.oprah.com/entity/angelnetwork.