Sunday, November 2, 2008

Clay Aiken Champions Change

Clay Aiken is a man with a heart as big as his voice. Clay is an advocate for children on a global basis. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he has traveled the world in order to educate us on the plight of children on a global basis.

Closer to home, on October , 18 2008 The Bubel/Aiken Foundation (co-founded by Clay & Diane Bubel) hosted their 2008 Champions of Change gala.

The 2008 Recipients were
CVS Caremark, Corporate Champion of Change; Dan Habib and Betsy McNamara, Champions of Change; and Rich Donovan, Champion of Change. Follows is a brief description of this year's recipients as posted on the Bubel/Aiken Foundation website

CVS Caremark Charitable Trust was honored as a Corporate Champion of Change for their outstanding efforts to improve the lives of children with disabilities. The five-year, $25 million CVS Caremark All Kids Can program supports nonprofit organizations helping children with disabilities in school, in recreation and in developing skills for successful lives, all within an inclusive environment.
Champions of Change Dan Habib and Betsy McNamara turned their personal goal of educational and social inclusion for their son Samuel into a universal goal of ensuring that all children have the tools to reach their full potential. The result is the film Including Samuel, which tells their son’s story of inclusion, along with the trials and triumphs of four other subjects. Dan is an award-winning photojournalist, director and producer of documentary films. Betsy is a fundraising consultant and an inclusion advocate who is the mother of Samuel, who has cerebral palsy, and Isaiah, who is typically developing.
Rich Donovan was recognized as a Champion of Change for applying his world-class business acumen to creating means of empowerment for people with disabilities. He was a key to Merrill Lynch’s diversity strategy. As CEO of Integrated Process Solutions, Rich provides large corporations and governments with ready-for-action profit opportunities as a “return on disability”. Rich, who happens to have cerebral palsy, is Board Chairman of Lime Connect, showing real-life solutions - and real financial advantages - to hiring, working with, and providing products and services for people with disabilities. In serving children, he is an advocate of education as essential to the future economic and social success of individuals with disabilities.
The gala included dinner, both a live and silent auction and a special performance by Clay Aiken.

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation was founded on July 28, 2003, based on the shared vision between Clay and co-founder Diane Bubel of a world where special needs children could be fully immersed in society.

Here's a video of some of the highlights of an amazing night.





12 comments:

Ashes said...

Wonderful blog Sue! Seems like a number of us have been on the same wave length today..Thinking about all the good things Clay gives us.

The video is beautiful, it just melted my heart even more :)
♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

Great blog Sue! I loved your video! It made me cry! Clay has such a huge heart and has truly made the difference he wanted to make!

Anonymous said...

Clay Aiken is a man to be respected for all he does for others.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty. What we do out of love and the need to help others and do the "right thing" for each other doesn't get enough coverage. I'm tipping my glass to Clay and all of the others who contribute to great causes in whatever way they can.

Unknown said...

Great Blog Sue. The BAF gala was a wonderful experience and showcased the people who use their voices and fight for children with disabilities and those without.

Dianne Barbee said...

Sue,

Aweome blog about Clay Aiken and the causes he champions! The montage is beautiful.

Thank you for your kind comment in the election blog at my corner.

Have a great weekend!

Caro

Ashes said...

Clay is a wonderful, caring guy..on top of being unbelievably talented..we are so lucky to have him in our lives :)

Thank you Sue for your wonderful comments when you visit me.

Dianne Barbee said...

Sue,

As always, thank you for your kind remarks in my latest entry. You are certainly doing your part to help Spamalot come in #1 in the Broadway Cares fundraiser.

Take care, and have an awesome new week!

Caro

Ashes said...

Sue, had to stop in to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Lots of hugs,
Ashes

Allegra said...

Terrific blog on the Gala. It was a very special night.

Dianne Barbee said...

Sue,

Thnx for your kind comments in the WFI blog. Clay Aiken's fans are very creative TBAF fundraisers.

Hope you had a super birthday. Congrats on your SPAMALOT plans!

Have an awesome weekend!

Caro

Dianne Barbee said...

Sue,

Many thnx for the kind comment in the Christmas music blog. You own the distinction of being the only one to leave a note in my test blog, LOL!

Looking forward to your montage entries! *g*

Have an awesome week!

Caro