The Stars Come Out for Save the Children's U.S. Programs
Westport, Conn. (April 9, 2008) — Thanks to American Idol Gives Back, the stars have been shining for children in Save the Children's U.S. programs.
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American Idol judges Paula Abdul (left) and Randy Jackson (right) are all smiles after visiting Goshen elementary school in Central Valley, California last month. Joining them are student Maria and Save the Children staff member Kimberly Green. |
American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul dropped in on students in Save the Children's after-school program at Goshen Elementary School in central California last month, cheering on the children's efforts to improve their literacy skills, nutrition and physical activity. The prime-time stars jumped right into the activities, and Paula got everyone going when she led them in a dance routine in the school cafeteria, demonstrating that exercise can be fun.
In March, teen sensation Miley Cyrus — accompanied by her famous father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus — made a surprise visit to Big Creek Elementary School in Clay County, Kentucky, where Save the Children supports school literacy and early childhood programs. The Hannah Montana star hails from Tennessee and was particularly interested in meeting children from Appalachia. Miley and her Dad spent time with students and staff at the school and even visited the home of one lucky family.
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Miley Cyrus a.ka. "Hannah Montana" poses with Big Creek Elementary student, Charity. |
Meanwhile, pro football quarterbacks (and brothers) Peyton and Eli Manning spent a March Sunday afternoon with seventh- and eighth-grade students from Save the Children's emotional-support programs at Craig Elementary School in New Orleans. The two Super Bowl MVPs and New Orleans natives joined the children in a variety of structured games designed to build trust and teamwork — and tossed around footballs with the thrilled teens.
All of the stars filmed segments highlighting Save the Children's work with children in the United States, which were aired on American Idol Gives Back this evening. For a second consecutive year, Save the Children has been selected as one of the non-profit organizations benefiting from Idol Gives Back, FOX's Emmy Award-winning charity event.
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Superbowl MVPs and brothers, Peyton and Eli Manning, take a time out from a friendly football game with students from Craig Elementary School in New Orleans, where Peyton (back left) and Eli (right) visited in March in support of Idol Gives Back. |
Save the Children's U.S. programs benefit more than 35,000 children a year, providing them with the tools and support they need to break the cycle of poverty. Today, when 2.6 million children in rural America are still living in poverty, and one-third of U.S. children and adolescents are either obese or at risk of becoming obese, Save the Children continues its work in some of the nation's poorest rural communities providing literacy, physical activity, nutrition and early childhood support to children in need. In addition, when a disaster strikes and significant numbers of children are at risk, Save the Children is there, responding to the needs of children and families, as well as working to promote emergency preparedness and response measures that focus on children.
