This blog is about the most important lesson I have learned from Clay Aiken. Since January 12, 2010, we have been reading about Haiti, which has been devastated by an Earthquake measuring 7.0 in magnitude. Tens of thousands (actually it's more than likely hundreds of thousands) of people are dead and millions are in need of assistance in the form of food, water, medicine, medical attention.
So the most important lesson I've learned from Clay Aiken? Through his Ambassadorship with UNICEF, I have learned to give when I can and what I can. Early on in my journey, it would sometimes take a gentle reminder from Clay to draw my attention to an area of the world in need. Not any more. I am now following Clay's example and rather than him asking me to donate, I'm just donating - because it's the right thing to do. As citizens of this world, we need to take care of each other - Clay Aiken has opened my eyes to that.
Clay Aiken is looking good!! While there is no doubt that Clay Aiken is a talented singer, actor and writer - Clay Aiken is also a man who at the very beginning said he wanted to make a difference, use his celebrity as a platform, and he has.
Building on his desire to make this world a better place for ALL children, Clay Aiken announced on November 15, 2004 his appointment as UNICEF Ambassador for Education for all Children. UNICEF approached Clay after hearing of his involvement with his own charity, the Bubel/Aiken foundation that helps young people with special needs.
Since 2004, Clay has traveled on behalf of UNICEF to five countries - bringing awareness to the plight of children on a global basis:
Indonesia:
Uganda
Afghanistan:
Mexico:
Somalia:
Do you feel the need to see more Clay Aiken? How about visiting the following:
Clay Aiken News Network (while you're at the Clay Aiken News Network, check out the UNICEF Page for more information on Clay's ambassadorship and all that he does)
Clay Aiken is more than just your usual pop star. Clay has also been a proponent for children all around the world. His UNICEF visits have taken him to Indonesia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Mexico and Somalia - all to help raise awareness of the plight of children on a global basis.
What else has Clay done? He co-founded a wonderful organization, started out of love, and continues to grow. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation now helping kids in 20 different states.
Want to learn more about The Bubel/Aiken Foundation? Check it out at
Clay Aiken, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, recently blogged in support of ONE - an organization dedicated to tackling poverty and saving the lives of children around the world.
"I’ve had a chance to see many wonderful children, full of laughter and hope, in even the poorest places around the world. And I’ve seen the incredible work of UNICEF to help those children and their families survive and thrive. But I have also seen children sick and dying from lack of basic nutrition and medicines. And I cannot forget that despite UNICEF’s work, 25,000 children die every day, mostly from preventable causes. I believe that number should be “zero”– no child dying unnecessarily."~Clay Aiken
Clay is asking President Barack Obama to launch a Presidential Initiative to Accelerate Child Survival and he's asking us to join in, by signing a petition to the President. Click on the link to read the entire blog and sign the petition! We CAN make a difference!
So what does this blog have to do with Clay Aiken? Everything. It encompasses his heart and the pledge he made many years ago to use his new found celebrity to educate and bring some good into this world. He has succeeded ten fold - whether as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation or Broadway Cares. We have been blessed with his beautiful voice - not just singing, but bringing to light the needs of children both near and far.
25,000 Children die every day of preventable causes. 25,000 Children Every Day - those words have been echoing through my mind for several days. It boggles the mind - 25,000 Children from preventable causes. For example, Mosquito-borne malaria is the biggest single killer of children in Africa, where a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds. A simple mosquito net can decrease infection rates by 50 percent.
YOU can help (yes YOU!!) for $17.79 YOU can provide three mosquito netstreated with long-lasting insect repellent to protect children from mosquitoes and other biting insects. The simple provision of mosquito nets, together with UNICEF awareness campaigns, can really save lives and so can you!
As tight as things are for me right now, I am so thankful for everything that I am blessed to have - a roof over my head, health, my children growing, going to school, safe from war, disease and unimaginable poverty.
So now down to the nitty gritty. UNICEF has a new campaign, which began yesterday - 12 Days of UNICEF
"12 Days of UNICEF," a blogging campaign to encourage Americans to give back this holiday season with Inspired Gifts. Beginning December 19 and running through December 31, UNICEF celebrity Ambassadors and Supporters, including Lucy Liu and Clay Aiken, will post daily blogs on the UNICEF website about Inspired Gifts and their impact on children around the world.
Clay Aiken will yet again be gracing the Great White Way for a second run in Spamalot! Clay as Sir Robin (and various other roles) is an absolutely must see! I traveled almost 3,000 miles to see Clay in his first run and would LOVE to get back again! I'm not holding my breath, but if I actually win the Write Clay Aiken's Playbill Biography contest, I'll figure out a way to GET THERE!!
Spamalot is just proof positive that Clay is an extremely diverse and multi-talented singer, actor, comedian and just all around performer. Entertainers with his versatility do not come along often and I expect we will be seeing Clay expand his resume in the coming years.
Clay could easily star in a feature length film. I would LOVE to see him play a villain. I know that he could reach down and pull up those emotions (heck, maybe Clay will just think about all the people who have lied about him over the years - it would make for an Academy Award winning performance).
Clay has always said that he wanted to have his own talk show. Clay has a way about him, a natural ease (this comes from being who he is - you get what you see, period end of story). He is funny, warm, charming and would make an amazing talk show host!
How about a starring role on a TV Sitcom? Clay certainly entertained us during his 2007 Summer Tour with a TV Medley to end them all (I've seen one other TV Medley and it pales in comparison to Clay's).
He could also be an advocate for the rights of others. Clay has always stood up for those who have no voice - especially children. The man has the most amazing heart. Whether it's in his own backyard in Raleigh or traveling to Somalia, Clay is a celebrity who uses his time in front of the cameras to educate and help
Whatever Clay Aiken chooses to do, he will continue to carry himself with grace and dignity. I Heart Him and am so excited to be a part of this amazing journey!
Clay Aiken and UNICEF team up once again to remind of us the importance of treated mosquito netting could be the difference between life and death in Malaria infected areas.
For instance, did you know ~
A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds in Africa. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. While it is one of the greatest threats to human and economic welfare on earth, malaria is both preventable and treatable if addressed properly and quickly.
For more information, click on the video below featuring UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Clay Aiken discussing the benefit of this treated netting and how important it is in saving the lives of children on a global basis:
Please help Clay and UNICEF save a life today. Click on the links below for more information or to offer a donation. Every gift, no matter how small, helps.
You've heard Clay's words, now listen to the one-of-a-kind voice of Clay Aiken. An amazing song off his CD On My Way Here. Pictures/videos of Somalia and inspired by Clay's latest UNICEF trip.
Clay Aiken has taught me quite a bit in the past five years. Some of these lessons I knew, but Clay reinforced the ideals.
Clay Aiken is a different kind of celebrity - he cares. He defined his path early on in life and has not deviated from his goal. That goal? To lead a life of service.
Clay has proven in his actions that he is here to make a difference, to affect the lives of others in a positive way. Whether it's through his affiliation with UNICEF (UNICEF site) or his own foundation, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation (TBAF Site), he is making a difference.
One of the ways that Clay makes a difference is through education. Prior to American Idol, Clay's path was to become a special education teacher. In his book Learning to Sing, Clay points out that
"I was planning to teach in the classroom. I am still teaching. My classroom has just gotten a lot bigger."
This was true in 2005 and remains true to this day.
I have learned a lot from Clay Aiken, more than this blog can handle. I have learned about love and I have learned about hatred. I have learned that "family" comes in many shapes and forms. Clay puts this best when he writes of the couple who took he and his mother in after they left his biological father ~
"What I learned from Nanny and Pop, and their children, and all the folks who came to our aid in those difficult times, is that family is what you make of it. Family is about love."
Through Clay, I have found an amazing family on the Internet. These people come from all walks of life, every age, race, religion and political affiliation. What we have in common is Clay and through Clay, and what he has taught each of us, we are also making a difference. We have embraced his causes. We have given, volunteered, learned more and become active participants in this world. It feels good. It feels right.
With that, here's a little video about Everything that I Needed to Know I Learned from Clay Aiken. Hope you enjoy
rney, it would sometimes take a gentle reminder from Clay to draw my attention to an area of the world in need. Not any more. I am now following Clay's example and rather than him asking me to donate, I'm just donating - because it's the right thing to do. As citizens of this world, we need to take care of each other - Clay Aiken has opened my eyes to that.
