Idol Gives Back

As you may have heard, American Idol will be using it's huge appeal to raise money for children in the US and Africa by hosting a 2 night special charity event.

The producers and stars of TV phenomenon American Idol will be giving back next month as part of a massive charity push featuring Bono, Borat, Annie Lennox, Pink and Gwen Stefani.

Show sponsors Coca-Cola and AT&T will donate cash to charities committed to ending poverty Africa for each vote cast for idol stars of the current season on April 24th and 25th. Viewers will also be able to donate cash during the charity drive.

Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell have filmed a video in Africa to promote the new charity.

Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson will visit Louisiana to highlight ongoing post-Hurricane Katrina problems there.

Sacha Baron Cohen will do a Borat skit on the shows and Stefani, Pink, Lennox, Josh Groban, Fantasia and Bono are all expected to perform.




WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

So - the money is going to Charity Projects Entertainment FUND. I'd never heard of them, so I thought I'd check them out.


The money raised by the two shows will equally benefit the U.S. and Africa. In the U.S., the money will be distributed via CPEF to Save the Children and other U.S. organizations working to deliver programs to children living in extreme conditions in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.

In Africa, the money will be dedicated to delivering health and education programs and will be distributed via CPEF to a number of organizations, including U.S. Fund for UNICEF, The Global Fund, Save the Children, Nothing but Nets and Malaria No More.

For viewers interested in learning more about how to get involved in efforts to fight AIDS and extreme poverty around the world, IDOL GIVES BACK is also providing a link on its website to ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History

The Best Online Giving Guide

Well this is my first post. I'm really excited, because I want to talk about giving.
Most people want to give. They want to feel that good feeling that comes from helping others. Yet many of us don't give.

There are hundreds of reasons, but one that I hear over and over is - "I just can't decide where to donate. I'm not sure if my donation is being well spent."

What I am going to do is to look at different charities. Help you decide. Because it doesn't do anyone any good, if the gift isn't given. So, if you have a favorite charity, or one that you would like me to look into and review, please post a comment.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to give a little love . . . in any form.

Sam