National Volunteer Month Profile: Ian Somerhalder

April is National Volunteer Month and we are going to showcase a few of our favorite actors and actresses and their work towards bettering the world around them.

Ian Somerhalder has come a along way since he was our Nice Boy of the Week back in 2009. At that time we were celebrating the start of The Vampire Diaries and his portrayal of Damon caught our attention.

RELATED: Nice Boy of the week Ian Somerhalder

In November of 2010 Ian founded the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) with the purpose of

“Advancing science; promoting the conservation of natural resources, such as forests, lands, and wildlife, for the benefit of the entire community; providing relief to the poor, distressed, and underprivileged; and supporting other organizations conducting activities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”

Since then ISF has focused on Creatures, Environment, Youth, Grassroots and Youth.

His work with animals is something he is very passionate about. He and his wife Nikki Reed (Vice President of ISF) own a number of pets from horses to cats. The foundation offers emergency grants to agencies responsible for the welfare of abused and neglected animals.

The oceans are also high on the list of priorities for ISF. They host beach cleanups and campaigns to protect endangered aquatic species all around the country.

If you would like to get involved please visit their website here. You can help out in a number of ways from buying some of their gear to holding a fundraiser.

Ian Somerhalder is a great example of someone using their star power for the betterment of society and we at NGTV are happy to celebrate his efforts for National Volunteer Month.

Be sure to check back in this month as we highlight other actors and actresses who use their platforms for good!