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Clay Aiken
- I Will Carry You
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Clay Aiken:
"We came for the Voice, we stay for the Man"
His smile
warms hearts and breaks them.
His laughter brings joy to those who hear it.
His gentle teasing makes us laugh at ourselves.
His eyes share love and hide pain.
His heart cares for those others forget.
His stunning voice melts the coldest heart.
His name is Clay Aiken, and we have waited for him for a very long time…
********************
The BAF helped publish Our Friend, Mikayla, a book written by third graders in Nazareth, Pennsylvania about their classmate with disabilities. On 12-11-06 Clay honored the young authors and read the book to the student body.
Clay attended college at UNC Charlotte where he graduated with a degree in Special Education.
America
Clay has an enormous love for children and his dream is to have children with disabilities included in life activities with their non-disabled peers. Thus, the idea behind the Bubel-Aiken Foundation.
Clay worked with the Bubel family whose son, Michael, had autism. He would sing around the house and Diane Bubel (Michael's mother) encouraged him to try out for American Idol. He went to the audition in Charlotte and got cut. He decided to try out in Atlanta and made it through. This is where it all began......
Ambassador for Education with Unicef
Clay
said,
"Sometimes the world needs a voice....let it be yours."
Founded the Bubel Aiken Foundation
Clay addressing Congress on behalf of children
~~~~Clay Aiken Humanitarian Acts from 2003- 2006~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2006~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~November 18, 2006 - Clay helped light the UNICEF holiday snowflake in New York City.
November 11, 2006 - Clay received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from UNC-Charlotte in recognition of his many humanitarian accomplishments.
September 14, 2006 - Clay was appointed to the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities and sworn in on 9-14-06.
September 10, 2006 - Clay sang at the David Foster Charity Gala in Richmond, BC, Canada, and served as a judge at Star Search Canada. A private concert with Clay and David Foster was sold at auction for $500,000.00 . . . twice!
Fall, 2006 - The BAF helped publish Our Friend, Mikayla, a book written by third graders in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, about the lessons they learned from their classmate with disabilities.
Summer, 2006 - Clay's fans donated over $70,000.00 to UNICEF during a single weekend in response to his BLOG describing needs in the Middle East.
May 10, 2006 - UNICEF Ambassador and 2005 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF spokesperson Clay Aiken visits Middlesex Middle School in CT to honor kids for winning the first-ever UNICEF Kids Helping Kids® Challenge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2003~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
July 28, 2003 - Wachovia Bank ribbon-cutting New York, NY - Wachovia Bank (Rockefeller Center and 45th & Madison Avenue locations) This was the first official day of business for Wachovia Bank in NYC. Clay was present at the ribbon-cutting for the main office at Rockefeller Center; Mayor Michael Bloomberg was also present. Clay opened the first account at that branch, for the Bubel-Aiken Foundation. Wachovia and Bloomberg each gave the BAF $10,000. At the other branch, several employees sang "Amazing Grace" to Clay, and he treated them (and a small group of fans) to an a capella verse of TITN.
July 29 2003- American Film Institute Screens in the Classroom project Washington, DC - various locations Clay spoke on behalf of the American Film Institute Screens in the Classroom project. He also met with several members of Congress, including Bob and Elizabeth Dole.
Sept 24 American Australian Association benefit dinner
Oct 22nd - Read across America Clay read to a group of Harlem grade schoolers as part of Wachovia's Reading First program.
Dec 20th - BAF Press Conference Immediately Following Clay Aiken's Graduation From UNC Charlotte With a Degree in Special Education The Conference Will Spotlight Awards and Grants to Augment and Honor Aiken's Achievements With The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
Dec 22nd: BAF fundraiser Raleigh, NC - RBC Center Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars This was a hockey game that also served as a fundraiser for the BAF. Clay sang the National Anthem, then performed the following songs during breaks in the game: "I Will Carry You" (sang while skating!), "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day", "The Way", and "Invisible".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2004~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 2nd - NEA read across America Read to school children on Dr. Seuss Birthday
Mar 6th - PSA National Education Association - Read Across America
Mar 15 - School visit Clay read Dr. Seuss to kids at the The Special Children's school
Apr 14 - BAF Benefit Dinner Kansas City, MO - A gala fundraising dinner for the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. Clay was in attendance. He gave a speech and to performed "Run to Me" and "Solitaire".
Fox Kansas City Kansas City BAF Benefit
April 18 National Youth Service Day/Able to Serve Awards London, England
April 19 - Years of 19 London, England - Royal Albert Hall Entertainment Tonight (syndicated) NY Youth Service America & Big Brothers Association
April 21 -McDonalds conference Orlando Florida - WDW Pleasure Island Performed My Girl, I Will Carry You and Invisible
May 1 - White House Correspondents Dinner Washington, DC
May 14 - Blades On Ice Magazine "American Idol's Clay Aiken Dons Skates For Charity" Clay is pictured on the cover (a large inset of the MOAM cover photo) and the article spans 5 pages with several color photos. Among other topics, Clay talks about skating at Rockefeller Plaza and the December 'Skate with Clay' event. Also, several skating stars share their thoughts about Clay.
June 5 - TBAF Benefit Concert Dover, DE - Rollins Center Concert to benefit the BAF and the Autism Society of Delaware. This evening was presented in conjunction with Dover Downs. Clay performed his Independent Tour setlist (sans "Open Arms").
June 6 - NASCAR Nextel Cup (FX) Clay sang "Measure of a Man" as part of the pre-race festivities to honor the 60th anniversary of D-Day. He also performed the National Anthem.
June 15 - Roselyn Carter Center Gala Atlanta, GA - Woodruff Arts Center This evening was to honor nurses and caregivers. Clay performed Invisible, I Will Carry You, The Way, and Bridge over Troubled Water (backed by a children's choir).
June 16 - America's Promise To Our Youth Gala Washington, DC - Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; He sang Bridge Over Troubled Water.
July 3 - National Teachers Association (NEA) Convention in DC because Clay will be at the BAF booth in the exhibit hall .
July 25 - Disney Teacher Awards Disneyland Resort he sang Bridge Over Troubled Water and presented a teacher award and Youth Service award
Nov 6 - Ronald McDonald's Charity Gala Clay sings at a gala honoring Danny Glover
Nov 9 - McDonalds World Children's Day Kick off Clay made hand impressions and served some McDonalds to some children
Nov 19 - E! LA : "Voices for Change" A Gala Benefit Dinner for The Bubel /Aiken Foundation; Clay attended but was not able to speak or sing due to illness
Nov 20 - Art Workshop for Children organized by BAF for World Children's Day at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2005~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Jan 5 - Tsunami Relief (WNBC-New York; carried on many NBC stations and affiliates nationwide) This was an hour-long fund-raiser program for survivors of the December 2004 tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia. As this program was in conjunction with UNICEF, Clay spoke about the need to re-establish schools for children in the stricken areas.
Jan 17 - Cartoon Network Kids Help out music video of Clay singing "give a little bit" starts to air. PSA for Tsunami relief. Two videos, one solo Clay and another with Indie Arie and John Ondrasik
Feb 25 - Hawaii: Voices for Change Benefit Gala; gave a speech and sang 4 songs, I will Carry You, Invisible, Measure of a Man Bridge Over Troubled Water
Feb 28 - Pacific Rim Conference for Disabilities, Sheraton, Waikiki; keynote speaker
March 1 - Caregiver Magazine Mike Bubel and Clay with the title "We've Only Just Begun." There are a couple of Clay pictures and an article about the BAF including an interview with Diane Buble and Fran Skinner Lewis
March 13 to 17 - UNICEF visit to Indonesia Clay visited areas most devastated by the Tsunami
March 15 - CNN coverage of Clay's visit to Indonesia
March 16 - WRAL_Raleigh;WCNC Charlotte -features on Clay's Aceh Visit
March 18 - Forces of Nature Benefit Concert Malaysia Clay made a brief appearance and gave a small speech
April 16 - Florida Voices for Change BAF Gala Dinner Clay gave a speech and sang BOTW, The Way and a duet If I Never Knew you with Quianna Parler.
Best Buddies tree planting; Hollywood, FL - Clay Aiken joined young people with intellectual disabilities and their Best Buddies to plant more than 40 six-foot tall palm trees and clean up a neighborhood.
Fearless Caregiver conference in Fort Lauderdale; Clay was keynote speaker.
April 14 - Speech in Congress Clay testified in front of Congress in behalf of UNICEF asking for increased US funding for the organization
April 11 - Showbiz Tonight (Headline News) interview about UNICEF and AI Miami Herald Newspaper Interview Article
April 9 - MTV ET - Clay's Video Diary on his trip to Indonesia
April 6 - Radio Interview, WLYF Miami Interview about The BAF gala, book and fans, clay boxer shorts and education system
May 24 to 27 - Uganda Visit - as UNICEF ambassador Clay visits war torn Uganda
May 31 - Trick or treat spokesperson - It was announced that Clay will be 2005 National spokesperson for Trick or Treat for UNICEF fund raising campaign
Oct 31 - Etalk Daily 90 seconds on Clay's role in UNICEF, talked about Uganda
Dec 2 - UNICEF Visit P.S. 3 in New York City Clay thanks a class for their wok for UNICEF
Dec 6 - UNICEF School visit in Boston