When you think of charities and celebrity involvement with charities, you figure they are helping out needy people in foreign countries, right?

Well, they are, and I personally think that is sort of a problem.

If you were to drive down Whittier Boulevard all the way to Los Angeles, this turns into Sixth Street in Downtown Los Angeles, probably one of the most poverty-stricken streets in LA County.

The fact that this is so makes me truly saddened, given that Beverly Hills and Hollywood—the hometown to many celebrity philanthropists—are not more than five to ten miles away.

I cannot begin to fathom the irony.

Seeing celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Madonna go thousands of miles away to help poor families and individuals, makes me feel like they are skipping places that are just as important—in our own country.

What makes them less viable than South Africa or Thailand? They are just as needy and unhealthy than any other country, and just as ignored by their government, for the most part.

I understand that there are missions and churches out to help, but these acts are mostly voluntary, meaning this will only help so much.

The charity that should be given should be given to the people in the country you live in, or at least the city you live in, if you ask me.

The fact that they are at least giving to someone makes it fine, and I respect that, but I just don’t think it is fair to have poverty in such close proximity to wealthy neighborhoods.

Not in Los Angeles, not in America, not anywhere.