By Chris Richburg
Despite their different styles of music, rapper 50 Cent and actress/singer Bette Midler have found a common cause.
According to reports, the pair have joined forces to open the Baisley Park Community Garden, a new outdoor children’s learning garden located in the rapper’s hometown of Queen’s, New York.
Midler and 50 Cent were on hand yesterday (November 3) to cut the ribbon for the garden, a joint project between the rapper’s G-Unity Foundation and Midler’s New York Restoration Project (NYRP).
For 50 Cent, the motivation in using his influence and foundation to help Midler stemmed from providing a safe place for area youth.
"It's exciting. It was an opportunity for me to do something for the kids in the community,” the entertainer said about the garden, which will be located at 117-19 165th Street. "This is a hell of a opportunity, for me to collaborate with Bette. We're gonna make it happen."
Founded by Midler in 1995, the NYRP is dedicated towards reclaiming, restoring, and developing neglected New York City parks and community by partnering with various individuals, community-based groups and public agencies.
The opening of the 15,120 square foot garden comes more than two years after the nonprofit organization received a $150,000 grant from the G-Unity Foundation in July 2006.
Midler, an admitted 50 Cent fan, revealed how excited she was to have 50 Cent and the G-Unity foundation involved with the garden as she recalled how challenging it was for the NYRP to find supporters for the project.
“We looked all over town for a group that was interested in these sort of things,” Midler said. “We found G-Unity, which is Curtis' foundation. They were interested. This garden is mainly for kids, and they do a lot of things with kids."
Located within a community that includes more than 52,000 children, Baisley Park features only five percent of the recommended amount of outdoor/open space, according to Community Board 12 in Queens.
The garden’s launch is the latest community endeavor for the G-Unity Foundation, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and underserved communities.