Thursday, July 09, 2009

Clay Aiken: Looking and Doing Good


IN ALL THINGS LOVE -- Animated graphic by cindilu2.

On Humanitarian Stage

Clay Aiken Makes a Difference

We came for the voice, but stayed for the man.

Since bursting onto the national stage in 2003, Clay Aiken has generated far-reaching degrees of the global influence that can accompany an entertainer's career. With an expanded platform and larger classroom, the teacher-turned singer is making a difference and so are his fans.

Not all celebrities choose to use their influence in humanitarian ways to benefit others. However, within a couple of months after his American Idol season, Clay co-founded The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, whose mission of inclusion serves to bridge the gap between young people with special needs and the world around them.

In 2008, TBAF celebrated its five-year anniversary, having touched thousands of children through more than 35 programs across the country. Fundraising totals and 2009 accomplishments will be focal points of the Oct. 17 Champions of Change Gala in Raleigh, NC.

Global Commitment with UNICEF

Clay's commitment to the education and health needs of children went worldwide when he was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004.

Everyone deserves the best start in life, which is what UNICEF is working to provide the world's most vulnerable children.

Education is essential to a child's development. I hope that as an Ambassador I can encourage people to join UNICEF's mission to make education a reality for children throughout the world.
- Clay Aiken

Since then, he has visited several countries, including Indonesia three months after the devastating 2005 tsunami; UNICEF-supported shelters in northern Uganda; health centers and schools in Afghanistan; flood-ravaged states in Mexico; and conflict-worn northwest Somalia.

Following each mission, the singer relays through field blogs and media interviews his observations of an area's circumstances and the difference UNICEF makes. His fans have become supporters of UNICEF projects, helping to raise, for example, "$100,000 in 10 Days" to provide lifesaving programs for Afghanistan.

"We came for the voice and stayed for the man" long ago became a mantra of CA fans. There is nothing more handsome nor heartwarming than this incredible singer involved in the humanitarian projects that are so much a part of him.

Looking good? Oh, yeah!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: In this clickable collection, graphic artists have captured some of Clay Aiken's humanitarian endeavors with UNICEF. Represented are Clayquebec1, photo by Invisible926, 1; A Beautiful Mind, 2; AmazingCA, 3 and 4; and Claystruck, 5.









At a Clay Aiken message board this week, members were asked what they thought the singer's signature song should be. The pop hit "Invisible" and "This Is the Night," his AI2 single, were among those named.

I was in the group that immediately thought of "Measure of a Man," title track from the first mainstream album. Below is gerwhisp's 2007 montage that shows the Measure of a Man named Clay.



Measure of a Man (UNICEF) - Montage by gerwhisp

Other blogs featuring various aspects of "Clay Aiken Looking Good" include:

Clay Aiken News Network

All That Is Clay Aiken

Chexxxy's Pearls

Clay Aiken Journey

Clay-The Man

gerra730

Shyeyewitness and Friends

Something That Really Happened

Hope you'll visit all. Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

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46 comments:

jbc4clay said...

Yes, Clay Aiken is Looking and Doing Good. Thank you for all of the blends and love the video.

kilo said...

I love your title "Clay Aiken: Looking and Doing Good"! Your blog is great!

Ashes said...

Beautiful! Clay Aiken never looks so good as when he's doing good.
He helps so many around the world improve their lives.
No wonder we love him so :)

SueReu said...

:) Clay Aiken has it all - talent, intelligence, humor, heart and yes, he is looking good!!!

Thanks Caro!

Anonymous said...

Clay Aiken is looking good.
Gotta love this man.

musicfan said...

Another wonderful blog. Clay Aiken is good looking, but also a good man!! He is an amazing man!!

Thank you for this special blog!! It's a winner!

Anonymous said...

Loved this blog! Love Clay Aiken!

CLM said...

Another great blog about Clay Aiken. Thanks Caro

Anonymous said...

I like these pictures of Clay Aiken.

katy said...

Clay Aiken is an intelligent man with a mission for inclusion.

lulu said...

Great blog, Caro! Certainly Clay Aiken is looking good!!

sbleu said...

Clay Aiken is an intelligent, caring humanitarian who is also looking good!!

Kallie said...

I love being a Clay Aiken fan!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blog about Clay Aiken. You do great work!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Clay Aiken definitely looks good. Very, very good, in many ways! Thanks for the great blog!

Charly said...

Clay Aiken can stand proud for all the good works he does.

ImGranny said...

Great blog! Clay Aiken is a class act AND he's easy on the eyes!

Anonymous said...

Clay Aiken is my Measure of a Man!

Truth Rules said...

Loved the blog! Love Clay Aiken!

Anonymous said...

Clay Aiken always looks good. The thing that impresses me is that he does good. I love his heart.

outback

Ashes said...

Love the blog Caro. Your page and others have been a patient process today! I've just downloaded the latest Firefox browser, & so far so good. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Hugs :)

Anonymous said...

Love me some Clay Aiken, looking Good and always Doing Good!

hugs, Shy

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the memory here.
Clay always looks good. Like the video. Donna in Wi.

tuesdayschild said...

Thank you for this! Clay is gorgeous inside and out.

Anonymous said...

Another great blog. The pictures are beautiful of our singerman. Have a awesome w/e.
Hugs Margaret

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Clay!!

fgs said...

Clay Aiken said back in the beginning that he wanted to make a difference. He has taken the opportunity to lend his voice to more than one charity. UNICEF is a high profile charity known world wide, but he's been looking and doing good with others, too.

SueReu said...

I just felt the need to pop back again and have a look at Clay Aiken - the man with as bit a heart as his voice.

thanks again Caro!

SueReu said...

I love a man with a big heart, which is why I LOVE Clay Aiken!

Anonymous said...

Clay Aiken is a good man. It's too bad his stalker (John Paulus) won't leave him alone.

PaulaBear said...

Clay Aiken is definitely looking good and gets better with age!

katy said...

Great blog, love it and Clay Aiken.

Anonymous said...

I am so thankful and happy that I am a fan of Clay Aiken. He is a wonderful man.

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,

Haven't we been lucky to have found such an incredable and caring man? He has done so much to make this world a better place.

I love the montage, the Photo Interlude....OH, EVERYTHING!!

I'm still going through the links...

Have a great weekend.

Hugs,
Marlyne

Woodhaven700 said...

At 30 Clay is so young to have done so much to make this world a better place.

tuedayschild said...

Love Clay the singer/actor/comedian but love Clay the humanitarian even more!

lulu said...

Clay Aiken certainly has made a difference and continues his walk.

T said...

Perfect blog title. Another great blog Caro. Clay has raised awareness & continues to make a difference. I'm so glad that you featured what Clay Aiken is all about.

Beautiful graphics and montage too.

Cheers & hugs :)

Anonymous said...

That's Clay Aiken, always doing something to help others, even when he doesn't know it! Must be a quality of those with the X Factor :)

Rhode Island Fan said...

Clay Aiken is looking good and he is the true measure of a man. I am nothing but proud of him.

gerra said...

Clay Aiken's heart for children is one of the many reasons that I love him. Is there anything hotter than a man with a big heart? I don't think so. And man, can he sing.

LovesClaysVoice said...

Caro, thanks for the blog! Clay is the true measure of a man! I admire him for his tireless work for UNICEF and TBAF. I miss him terribly and hope we get to see him soon and hear that glorious voice!

Anonymous said...

Love Clay more than ever.

chel4clay said...

Don't ya just love a man that loves children? Clay Aiken looks great and is doing good things.

tuesdayschild said...

Clay Aiken is a beautiful man inside and out. I feel sorry for anyone who can't see that.

Cynthia J. Coleman said...

I buzzed your blog entry on Yahoo Buzz. I love to see positive Clay mentions on the web, Here's the url; http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:902285535f9dd25dc496ed95bdba667b:89a97d0beda449fff2d7db12209bc6ae/Clay-Aiken-Looking-and-Doing-Good?usc=1#