Look To The Stars News: National Inclusion Project

Clay Aiken To Perform At Charity Gala Benefit Celebration

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Clay Aiken will perform at the National Inclusion Project’s annual Champions Gala Benefit Celebration this weekend.

The benefit and awards dinner will be held at 5 PM on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Champions are selected by the National Inclusion Project for their substantive efforts to ensure no child sits on the sidelines, supporting the Project’s mission of opening doors for all children to be included together and experience all that life has to offer.

The Champions Gala will feature a special performance by Clay Aiken, as well as dinner, and silent and live auctions, in support of the National Inclusion Project’s programs for all children.

Clay Aiken Offers Download For Donations

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Former American Idol contestant Clay Aiken is offering a free download of an unreleased song… but is encouraging people to make a charity donation in return.

“Just You” was recorded for his 2006 album A Thousand Different Ways but never used, and now Aiken is using it to raise money for the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, an organization he created to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them.

“Go ahead…. download the song,” he said. “It’s yours. Share it with your friends. It’s free. But… I want to make it count for someone… so let’s make it count for tens of thousands of children in the US with developmental disabilities. If you can’t afford anything for it… then don’t pay… but… if you can… I encourage you… I ask of you… that you make a donation to the Bubel/Aiken Foundation for how ever much you feel the song is worth. If you want to give $1… great. If you want to give $1000… GREAT… if you can only give $.05 … that’s fine too. It’s a tough time we’re living through nowadays, and non-profits are hurting more than ever as well. BAF (which will soon be known by a different name) has had amazing success in fulfilling it’s mission, and is embarking on a long term plan to continue including kids in every aspect of life. But, it will continue to need help from all of us in order to make that possible.”

Who Is That On The Phone? It's Clay Aiken For Charity!

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Do you want to have Clay Aiken answer your phone? Well, now is your chance, with a new auction being run by the singer’s very own charity.

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation addresses areas of the disability community traditionally under-served, providing services and financial assistance, creating awareness, and recognizing ‘Champions of Change’. It was established by Aiken – a UNICEF Ambassador who has traveled to Banda Aceh, Indonesia and Kabul and Bamyan in Afghanistan, raising awareness and funds in support of education – after working with 13-year-old Mike Bubel while pursuing a career in special education.

As well as the chance to win a personal voice recording made by Aiken for your mobile phone, you can also bid on prizes such as the original score of “Proud of Your Boy” recorded and signed by Clay Aiken for Disney’s special edition release of the hit Aladdin, as well the original stool used by Aiken on his “Soft Rock and a Hard Place Tour” with local symphonies in 2007. Also up for sale are hockey jerseys signed by the singer and golf packages.

Clay Aiken Is A Champion Of Change

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Singer Clay Aiken performed at a special benefit for his own charity on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old sang at the 2008 “Champions of Change” event held in Raleigh on October 18 that honored companies and individuals who help promote the Bubel/Aiken Foundation’s mission give children with disabilities the opportunity to experience life with their peers.

Held at the Raleigh Marriott City Center, the event featured an auction that included a Tiffany bracelet, tickets to “Spamalot,” dinner with Aiken, clothing belonging to the American Idol runner-up, and a bust of his own head signed by Jimmy Kimmel!

Clay Aiken To Answer Your Questions

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:02:00 +0000

Former American Idol contestant and star of Broadway’s Spamalot Clay Aiken has teamed up with an internet social networking site to talk about his charity work and to host an indepth interview featuring questions directly from readers and fans.

www.gather.com has posted a video featuring the singer talking about his experience with his charity, the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, as well as his work with UNICEF. The site will then interview the star next week, and is calling for questions from the public.

Aiken established the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003. The initiative grew out of a relationship between Clay Aiken and 13-year-old Mike Bubel, who had been diagnosed with autism. Aiken met the Bubel family while pursuing a career in special education, prior to competing on American Idol. The bond between the singer and the Bubel family grew strong as they shared a vision of a world where children like Mike could be fully immersed in society. Both Aiken and Mike’s mother, Diane, had witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities opened to typical children. They knew with the right support system doors could be opened to these individuals that had thus far remained closed. An organized effort could encourage and facilitate community inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.