Joel Madden named celebrity ambassador for UNICEF

A series of philanthropic efforts by Joel Madden has caught the attention of UNICEF. During a Sunday night appearance on the CNN special Survival Project: One Child, Joel was unveiled as the newest celebrity ambassador for the organization, which works to improve the lives of children around the globe.  Joel said he was "honored" by his new title, and "really excited" about working with UNICEF.

His commitment to the cause seems to be a natural progression from his establishment of the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation with girlfriend Nicole Richie, as well as the couple’s recent work to aid cyclone victims in Myanmar. Joel said that while he’s "always loved children," since welcoming daughter Harlow Winter Kate — 6-months on Friday — his desire to help others has taken on a new urgency.

[Harlow has a] huge role…Once I had a child myself, I look at every single child and think of my own child…Just to think that 26,000 children die every day from simple things that we could prevent, just blows my mind.

Harlow is the first child for Joel, 29, and Nicole, 26. 

Source: CNN; Photo by Flynet.