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The Celebrity Apprentice is one show that my husband and I enjoy watching together. In true “reality TV” form, I generally yell at the people on screen for being stupid, ignorant, or saying something that is either totally right on or completely inappropriate and rude.
There are always contestants with whom I can relate, and those whom seem far away from my normal existence — hello Rod Blagojevich who doesn’t even know how to use a computer and barely knows how to use a cell phone. Even my husband’s grandmother knows how to use the computer!
But this season I see Holly Robinson Peete and Summer Sanders competing this season, and I feel like I can relate to them. I was recently on a conference call with Holly, and I told her that she and Summer just seem like moms — hot celebrity moms, but still. She assured me that they only looked liked that because they went to hair and makeup at 7:00am, and that they don’t look like that around their kids every day.
Instead of competing for the job of being Donald Trump’s Apprentice (which is how the show started), in Celebrity Apprentice, the teams are still given tasks that they must complete, and there is still an ultimate winner, but each task that a project manager wins allows them to pass along the prize money to their charity.
You can tell that some celebrities have more of a commitment to their charities than others. I asked Holly if she thought her commitment to her charity was greater because her son RJ (pictured above, photo credit: Chris Voelker, VoelkerStudio.com) lives with autism.
Holly said that all of the celebrities are committed to their charities, but did say “It helps me with my conviction and it helps me block out some of the other little reality TV drama,” like when Sharon Osbourne called her and Summer boring.
“But I do agree that it helps me stay focused to know that I know what families with autism experience and I’m doing it for them,” Peete said.
Although Holly, a beautiful celebrity mom, seems to have it all going for her, she is candid about the effect that having a child with autism has on her. It has shaken her marriage (but not broken it), and affects her day to day routine.
Having one child on the autism spectrum affects the entire family unit. We can learn a lot through the perspectives of several of Holly Robinson Peete’s family members. Not only is she raising awareness (and some money) by appearing on the Celebrity Apprentice, but her husband, professional athlete Rodney Peete, has written a book from the father’s perspective: Not My Boy!: A Father, A Son, and One Family’s Journey with Autism.
One day her daughter Ryan came home from school worried about what other kids at school thought of her twin brother RJ, “The kids do not understand what RJ’s going through, and it’s really sad. He’s not connecting with the other guys. They think he’s kind of a jerk because he doesn’t say hi to them as soon as he’s spoken to.” She told her mom that it’s because they don’t understand what autism is.
As a result of that Holly and her daughter spoke to the fourth graders at the school, and she and Ryan worked on this children’s book together: My Brother Charlie (Read my full review of the book, and enter to win an autographed copy through April 25), which tells the story about a boy on the autism spectrum, from the perspective of his twin sister.
The other thing that showed me her strong commitment to the cause of Autism Awareness (and research funding) was her dismay when Darryl Strawberry resigned. He was playing for his foundation, which raises money for autism research, and Peete’s disappointment was obvious on the show. She could not believe that he would choose to leave when he had the opportunity to bring some money home for his charity.
- Holly Robinson Peete’s HollyRod Foundation, which strives to give help and hope to families dealing with autism and Parkinson’s disease.
- Darryl Strawberry Foundation‘s motto is “Fight for Autism”
- My Brother Charlie is a picture book that I can recommend to everyone. We all know a family who this affects, and this book does a great job of painting a picture. You can still enter to win one of three copies.
- Join me as I watch Celebrity Apprentice Sundays at 9:00 pm Eastern, or catch up to what you’ve missed online.
Have you been watching Celebrity Apprentice? Or are there other celebrities whose charity work you admire?
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom contributor Jennifer Donovan. I received a review copy of Holly Robinson Peete’s children’s book for review purposes, but I received no other compensation. I really like to watch the Celebrity Apprentice, and I want to help raise awareness and understanding of autism.
Frank says
How much of Holly Robinson Peete’s HollyRod Foundation really benefits Autism? According to its 1999 990 IRS Tax Return, out of nearly $400,000 in direct public support, only $9,900 was given to charities. The majority of the money contributed went directly to businesses run by Holly or her husband, Rodney Peete. This information is available on http://www.guidestar.org if you search for “The HollyRod Foundation”. You can create an ID for free and see this report. It is sad that the money contributed was not used how the contributors thought it would be used.
robin wilkerson says
My son Robert, who by the way , is also known by R.J. was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. He was in special classes until he reached the 9th grade but was mainstreamed into regular classes and graduated from high school. He is now 27 years of age, works for Goodwill industires, part time. He is the sweetest man i know and he loves his family very much and has always managed to stay out of trouble. He is loved by everyone. I wish you could meet him.
Adoption of Jane says
I’ve been watching it. Holly Robinson-Peete is no joke. She’s there to handle her business. I can’t wait for her L.A. Center to open. We are in Long Beach but plan on getting there by any means necessary. Hopefully she will build it near one of the Train Stations so all low income families can participate! Go Holly!!!
Susan says
I love seeing celebrities use their influence for good. I don’t happen to watch this show very often (though my husband does), but I think it is great that it raises money and exposure for charities.
It sounds like Holly and her family are doing a wonderful job raising awareness for autism. Good for them!
Stephanie Lynn says
Thanks so much for posting this. I’ve been following this season’s show. I like most of celebrities but I’m partial to Holly and what she is fighting for. Our son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 and it has impacted our lives a tremendous bit. I am anxious to find out more about Holly’s books and her foundation. I commend her in the highest for bringing awareness to this heartbreaking disorder that effects more children than you think. Thanks again for writing this post – I personally appreciate it!