Dedicated Fans Celebrate Clay Aiken's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! - The Clay Nation hopes to deliver a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant for the National Inclusion Project as a gift for Clay Aiken, the foundation's co-founder. Graphic by AmazingCA with photo by Kareneh.

#11 NIP Needs Surge for $50k Grant

CA Fans Mark Birthday by Voting

DECEMBER 1 UPDATE: The National Inclusion Project fell two spots short of securing the $50k Pepsi Refresh grant. However, we are off and running in the December campaign.

The voting widget has temporarily been updated and will receive further revisions tonight. Thank you to all who are working to make the grant for inclusion a reality this month!

Two important events headline the network of Clay Aiken message boards -- a continuous Cyber celebration of the singer's 32nd birthday and the final push to provide his foundation, the National Inclusion Project, a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

The latter would be one of the best birthday gifts fans could give Clay, whose commitment to connecting children with special needs to all life has to offer was his focus as a special education major prior to the American Idol step into fame.

In July 2003, during the American Idol 2 Tour, he and Diane Bubel of Charlotte co-founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, renamed the National Inclusion Project last year.

Amid the Clay Cyber cavalcade of birthday greetings with accompanying art work are reminders to pull out all the stops, vote with every available account, and recruit new supporters in the final hours of the grant campaign, which ironically ends at midnight on the singer's 32nd birthday.

Vote 3 ways to expand inclusive programs for all children.

Final hour voting from friends, relatives, associates could push the National Inclusion Project from #11 into the top 10 charities that will receive grant money.

New participants need to register at the Pepsi Refresh site (bottom left corner) and vote three ways: US-based email, Facebook, and by sending a mobile phone text: 102308 to 73774 (Pepsi).

The NIP Voting Widget includes links and text numbers for the Inclusion Project, as well as partner charities that have supported the foundation these past three months. The Pepsi emblem below links to the widget where one can vote for the NIP and and its alliances/partners.

Jerry Aiken, executive director of the National Inclusion Project, urged supporters to take these steps in the final hours of the campaign:

Today is the final day. Please would everyone take on the personal objective to get 5 new votes. Five new votes each could be the difference for success.

We have all worked so hard; let's make it happen. Your support of our partners is appreciated and likewise their support of us has helped us to be this close.

I hope tomorrow I can post - WE DID IT ... WE DID IT! Thank you so much!

Hopefully, National Inclusion Project supporters will be marking the midnight hour of Clay's birthday and the close of a long, three-month campaign with a $50k grant for inclusion!

Below are clickable birthday wallpapers by graphic artists AmazingCA, 1, 3, and Fountaindawg. Photographers include Kareneh, 1; Solitaire30 and dc4clay, 2; and Permaswooned, 3.

Entertainment Sites Send Greetings

Among the many celebrity websites sending birthday greetings Clay is Hollywood Gossip with this special post:

He's an American Idol finalist, a father, a former Broadway star and, now, a 32-year old man.

Indeed, Clay Aiken celebrates a birthday today, as Claymates around the world are likely sending their favorite artist a slew of best wishes as we type this. We encourage readers to do the same.

After all, we're talking about one of the most humble, charitable artists around, one who spent the summer promoting the release of his fifth studio album and touring with Ruben Studdard. Aiken seems like a very nice guy and we hope he's having a terrific day!

'In My Life' a Tribute to Teachers

As a music instructor from a long line of educators, I especially was touched that Clay performed John Lennon's "In My Life" as a tribute to the teachers in his life during the Tried & True Live! PBS Special, still airing on stations throughout the country.

On such an important day in his life, I think it appropriate that Clay sign off this blog entry with that exquisite rendition.

In My Life from Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE!
View full full screen at YouTube.

Happy Birthday, Clay! Have a wonderfully productive day, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken-Bing Crosby 'Drummer Boy' Duet a Classic

Little Drummer Boy - Clay Aiken-Bing Crosby Duet
View montage by Ashes full screen at YouTube.

Countdown for $50K Grant Drive

Montages Celebrate Virtual Duet

Clay Aiken's "Little Drummer Boy" duet with the late Bing Crosby during the Nick at Night Christmas Holiday Special of 2003 is celebrated as a wonder of modern technology but, more importantly, the blending of two singers with incredible pipes.

How extraordinary it would have been if Clay and Bing had crossed paths in real life. Meanwhile, their virtual duet from the holiday special is a fan favorite year after year.

"The Little Drummer Boy," also known as "Carol of the Drum," is a popular Christmas song written by pianist/composer Katherine K. Davis in 1941. Based on a traditional Czech carol, the song was popularized by the Harry Simeone Chorale and has been adapted countless times since.

The lyrics tell of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval. The newborn seems to understand and smiles at the boy in gratitude.

The Little Drummer Boy - Montage by Aspiegirl
View montage full screen at YouTube.

Taking a different approach, Aspiegirl's montage of the classic Clay-Bing duet opens with children begging for money in the streets of New Delhi, India. Their enforcers profit greatly from the young beggars.

The young boy at the end of the montage is from America. As the video progresses, many people walk by turning a blind eye to him.

'Peace on Earth' Provides Counterpoint

With David Bowie, Bing Crosby originally recorded the Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy duet for his 1977 television special, Merrie Olde Christmas. Crosby died on Oct. 14, and the show was aired on Nov. 30. The duet was issued by RCA as an official single in 1982 and has become a staple of holiday radio play.

Uploaded just before her death in December 2009, the opening montage leads the final Clay-The Man blog by Ashes.

Of the many heartfelt comments posted in the Carolina blog's tribute for Joan Martin last December, the message by bluecouchpotato captured the legacy of a truly special friend and CA fan whose art lives on in this digital plane:

Perhaps it is sweet solace that through the very technology that enabled us to be part of her life, she will continue to be part of ours, and so many others will continue to wish they had known her.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: In 2003, singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel of Charlotte co-founded the charity to expand inclusive programs for all children. Graphic by AmazingCA, photos by Katy4Clay.

T Minus 3 Days for NIP Pepsi Grant

Supporters of the National Inclusion Project -- and that includes Clay Aiken fans; countless new recruits among family, friends, associates; hundreds of participating Pepsi charities partnering with the foundation -- have less than four days to pull out all the stops and secure a November Pepsi Refresh grant for $50,000.

If you are new to the three-way voting process (Pepsi, Facebook, mobile phone text), scroll back through recent Carolina blogs for some tips. Specifically, see these sub-heads from Nov. 23: Holidays Provide NIP Alternatives; Nov. 19: Inclusion Project Moves to #12; and Nov. 16: Pepsi Voting Easy as 1,2,3.

In addition to "how to vote" steps, there are fliers you can download, print, and distribute, as well as successful strategies from NIP supporters that may provide you ways to enlist other voters.

Since the campaign began, reciprocating charities have been key to the Inclusion Project's daily vote tally. Click on the VOTE NOW art below to link to the NIP Widget created by Scarlett and updated daily according to Royalle's reports, or use the one in the Carolina sidebar.

Click on VOTE NOW art to link to NIP Widget.

With 30 daily votes per account (Pepsi, Facebook, mobile phone text), only three can go to the Inclusion Project. The other 27 should be given to partners and alliances. Leave a comment similar to this one so they will know of the NIP support:

The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. We are promoting you on our widget. Thank you for your support and comments. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject Text 102308

Reciprocal Voting Key To Campaign

These are recent comments posted by foundation partners/alliances trying to help the Inclusion Project move from #11 into Pepsi's Top 10 winners' circle:

HOPE HEALS: We are having voting parties all weekend long. Also, at our house, no one can come in without promising to vote and text. Hope Heals coming your way. Let's do this!

SECOND CHANCE WILDLIFE sending votes to National Inclusion. Thanks for staying strong for us as we are you.

RATCO is voting for you. We want so badly to see you win your grant this month!

PANDORA's PROJECT: Thank you for all your support. We have pulled back this month but are voting for you everyday.

MWVA: Keep the faith, guys! Keep doing the hard work you have a reputation for doing. This is Midwest Women's Vascular Advocates saying a prayer for you!

HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY appreciates your support and is sending multiple votes to you daily.

HALE MIDDLE SCHOOL: The HMS Staff is out for a week, but they and their families are voting for you daily!

AHC supporting you all the way! Thanks for helping us get in the money. Now let's get you there!

It's crunch time, Clay Nation. Let's make this happen in the days we have left. What an awesome birthday gift the Pepsi grant would make for Singer Man, the Inclusion Project's co-founder!

Below is a clickable of AmazingCA's opening graphic:

Have a wonderful, productive weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Celebrate 'Merry Thanksgivoween'

MERRY THANKSGIVOWEEN: Seasonal celebrations collide.
Cartoon by Mike Thompson of the Detroit Free Press.

Group Text for Turkey Dinner

Holiday Commemorations Merge

Due to their proximity on the calendar and the influence of commercial activity, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations have so effectively merged that the appropriate seasonal greeting could easily be "Merry Thanksgivoween!"

The spooks of Halloween have come and gone (except for the big red crayon and little bumblebee below), families are gathering for Thanksgiving Day festivities, while from Schenectady to Spokane, Pensacola to Phoenix, radio stations with AC, Hot AC, CCM/Gospel, Oldies, and Smooth Jazz formats have begun singing the third stanza of "Merry Thanksgivoween" with Clay Aiken Christmas carols.

Among the CA vocals decking the airwaves with a joyful noise are "O Holy Night," "The First Noel," "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," "Merry Christmas with Love," and "Winter Wonderland."

Thanksgiving graphic links to 'All Is Well' montage by SueReu.

The Thanksgiving graphic by A Beautiful Mind links to SueReu's montage of "All Is Well," celebrating the second and third stanzas of the "Merry Thanksgivoween" triology.

Christmas Albums Fan Favorites

Clay's Christmas albums -- Merry Christmas with Love and All Is Well -- are seasonal favorites and were the nucleus of his popular Joyful Noise holiday tours.

Recognized by Billboard as the "Best Selling Christmas Album of 2004" and the "Best Selling Christian Album in 2005," MCWL has long been certified platinum. The CD features classic carols, as well as some of the singer's personal favorites, "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day" and "Mary, Did You Know?"

Mary Did You Know - Montage by Claysidney
Blend of Clay Aiken concert/TV performances.
View full screen at YouTube.

Also, see SueRue's new montage: Clay Aiken - Four Years of Mary Did You Know at YouTube.

A Walmart exclusive in November 2006, the four-track AIW was made available on iTunes in December 2007. YouTube hosts countless montages set to the EP's four songs, the title track as well as "Christmas Waltz," "O Come O Come Emanuel," and "My Grown-Up Christmas List."

Kai, Lia Portray Halloween Verse

Grandchildren Kai and Lia volunteered to "sing" the first verse of Merry Thanksgivoween, celebrating their evening of trick or treating as a big red crayon and a bumblebee.

One-year-old Lia was not sure about and evening with ghosts and goblins; but, by the third clickable, she and her brother were enjoying their Halloween bounty.

Last weekend, the giant crayon, 3, and I had another long telephone conversation during which I understood "cars ... trucks ... piano." His mother usually comes on and translates the parts I miss, but she was out of the room.

Kai's special parting gift -- "I love you, Grandma!" -- is a precious memory for this long distance grandparent.

FOCUS ON INCLUSION: Supporters of the National Inclusion Project plan to work for the $50k Pepsi Refresh grant through the Thanksgiving holidays. Singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel of Charlotte co-founded the foundation in 2003. Double clickable graphic by AmazingCA, photo by Kareneh.

Holidays Provide NIP Alternatives

Creative voting is the key in the National Inclusion Project's $50k grant campaign while visiting family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend. Daily votes for the NIP, alliances, and partners via the Pepsi site, Facebook, and mobile phone are a must for regulars if the foundation is to advance to the Top 10.

Thanksgiving should provide many with new voting recruits. Hold daily group texts --102308 to 73774 (Pepsi) -- with all who gather for holiday meals, games, and other weekend festivities.

Make sure all eligible (US citizens 13 and older) guests who can access an email account vote for the NIP during the holidays. Use the voting widget in the Carolina sidebar or its home base. Traveling with laptops and iPhones, Royalle and Scarlett will update the widget daily as usual.

Click to link to NIP Widget
Vote and add to websites.

Take a note from queenmama247, print and pass out the NIP PDF flier describing the Inclusion Project's mission, campaign to obtain a $50k Pepsi Refresh grant in November, and ways others can help. Here is her latest post:

I have a very nice single mom next door. When her 15-year-old son stopped by with some pumpkin bread from her, he asked if there was anything he could do for me, as he needed to do some community service for his school requirements.

We talked for a few minutes about the National Inclusion Project. He thought it was a great idea; we printed 150 fliers before I ran out of ink; and he is passing them out after school.

Off to bake some cookies for my hard-working neighbor!

Steps for a Thanksgiving Group Text

Here's a project for anyone getting hungry and bugging the cook. Below are double clickables of three Inclusion Project fliers. Appoint a helper to print/cut enough for your guests so you can hold a Thanksgiving group text.

Be sure to keep the cell phones turned on so you can hear the chorus of Pepsi replies. In a Facebook post, Scarlett suggested this very special blessing for Thanksgiving dinner:

May the rain fall lightly on this house,
the sun shine warmly,
the winds blow softly,
and bless it as a place of joy and peace.
Before we eat, please take out your cell phones
and text 102308 to 73774.
Thank you. Now we can eat.

Special thnx to Scarlett, 1 and 2, and Magical Music, 3, for the clickable flier selections below. Now let's put them to good use this weekend:

Three double clickable/printable fliers

The fliers are great for this weekend's holiday meals, football halftimes, Black Friday shopping, etc. Use your imagination, and be sure to post your successes!

For voting instructions and other ideas, scroll through previous Carolina blogs. Specifically, see these sub-heads from Nov. 19, Inclusion Project Moves to #12 and Nov. 16, Pepsi Voting Easy as 1, 2, 3.

Greetings to NHHS Class of '61

Welcome to members of the New Hanover High School Class of '61 from Wilmington, NC, who knew this blogger when. They were linked to the Carolina blog in a "guess this class member" teaser Monday night.

I hope you will join us in supporting the Triangle-based National Inclusion Project through Nov. 30. Btw, your hits show up in the blog's live feed, and I have noticed several visitors from Leland, Princeton, and Wilmington in locations related to NHHS.

Merry Thanksgivoween, Clay Nation, NHHS friends, and all you hold dear!

Thanksgiving design by Linda/ABM

Happy Thanksgiving in four styles to all who drop by the Carolina/OFC blogs throughout the year!

Thanksgiving with a Beat

Simple Gifts

Glorious Thanksgiving

Turkey Day Hoedown

Clay Aiken Advocates for Anti-Bullying Bills

Mr. Aiken Goes to Washington - Clay spoke before a Congressional hearing Thursday urging federal legislation to create safe learning environments for all students. Graphic by Fountaindawg.

At Congressional Hearing

Aiken Speaks for Bullied Youth

Addressing a congressional hearing in Washington, DC, is nothing new for singer Clay Aiken, who Thursday spoke about the importance of two bills dealing with the harassment and bullying of young people in schools.

Asked by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to help support the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act, Clay's voice was one of many -- House and Senate sponsors of the bill, mothers who have lost sons to suicide due to in-school bullying, a teen experiencing harassment -- urging legislative action.

You can download WLOS-13 Asheville's video report on Clay's speech at Clack Unlimited and view it at Ideal Idol. The full report of Thursday's meeting can be read at the GLSEN site. Here is the paragraph about Clay's participation:

Clay Aiken, known to many as an American Idol star, is also a father and a former special education teacher who feels strongly about enacting specific anti-bullying protections so that future generations have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.

“I never had someone who told me that it was ok to be different…that it was okay to be me. What I did hear was that it would get better once I was out of high school…that things would get better. But from where I sat, I could not possibly believe that to be true.

We need federal leadership from Congress to encourage all states and districts and each and every school to create safe learning environments where all students can learn and succeed.”

The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) would amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (part of the No Child Left Behind Act) to require schools and districts receiving federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Act would also require that states report data on bullying and harassment to the Department of Education. The bill was introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez and Bob Casey and currently has 130 co-sponsors in the House and 15 co-sponsors in the Senate.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) would prohibit discrimination against any public school student on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Rep. Jared Polis and Sen. Al Franken presented this bill to provide protection to students from bullying, harassment and discrimination. The bill currently has 127 co-sponsors in the House and 30 co-sponsors in the Senate.

NC Sen. Kay Hagan visits with Clay Aiken.

Following the hearing, Clay stopped by the office of Senator Kay Hagan, US Senator for North Carolina, who posted the above photo of their visit.

In previous trips to Washington, Clay has championed the causes of inclusion, children with disabilities, and various UNICEF projects in his role as a celebrity ambassador. Below are regular and wide screen clickables of Washington graphics by Fountaindawg:

For more coverage, see the following:

Clay Aiken, Parents Join Lawmakers To Push Ani-Bullying Bills
Clay Aiken and Others Say Pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act
SSIA and SNDA Gain Support on Capitol Hill (includes photos from hearing and press conference)

Inclusion Project Moves to #12

In the third consecutive month competing for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant, National Inclusion Project supporters celebrated as their efforts finally yielded steps toward the top 10, first to #14 and into the 12th position by late Saturday afternoon.

The NIP must be in the Top 10 to win the grant that will open doors for ALL children to participate in all that life has to offer. The campaign includes supporting alliances formed by the foundation, as well as reciprocating votes with partnerships formed during the past three months.

Click to link to NIP Widget
Vote and add to websites.

Alliances, partners, their Pepsi links, and text numbers are listed on the NIP Voting Widget created by Scarlett and updated nightly according to detailed reports by Royalle. Fans not assigned to Groups A-E should support the charities in Groups F, G, and H. Use every available email and Facebook account in your household.

To put these causes in your circle of support, locate their link and/or text number on the widget in the Carolina blog's sidebar or go to the handy tool's home page via the screen cap below.

Following Internet, Facebook, and text votes for alliances and partners, be sure to leave a comment on each organization's page that the NIP has voted for their charity. Here is an example:

The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject ...Text 102308 ... Thank you for your support and the comments you leave.

Vote 3 ways to expand inclusive programs for all children.

Pepsi Voting Simple as 1, 2, 3

If you are new to this project, follow the steps and links below. Encourage family, friends, and associates to help with the final push that is needed for a winning position on Nov. 30.

1. Go to the National Inclusion Project page on the Pepsi site.

2. Click the Vote for This Idea tab.

3. You will be prompted to sign-in. Log-in with your email address. (If you haven't already, you can register very easily.)

4. Click Vote for This Idea again. (This is very important!)

5. You will know you have voted when you see the Votes Left Today counter change from 10 to 9.

6. If you are a member of Facebook, log out and back in. Select the Facebook option in the pop-up window, and vote for the NIP again.

7. You can also text the numbers 102308 to Pepsi (73774).

8. Share your vote on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards, and via email, asking others to do the same.

Screen cap of NIP Flier
Double Clickable

9. Download, print, and share the NIP informative flier in PDF format with prospective voters at ball games, fall festivals, malls, the zoo, the gym, church, school/business meets. Ask recipients to text the same vote everyday in November.

Ever the innovator, gueenmama247 reported great success from distributing the fliers:

I have printed out the flier. I drop them off everywhere I go. People were happy to get them at the doc's office Friday. Today I will leave some at the pharmacy.

The library let me leave some on the counter, and I will check Monday to see if they need more.

Use your imagination, Clay Nation. As of Saturday, NIP supporters have 10 days to bring "Let's ALL Play" inclusion training and scholarships to community programs nationwide.

Most readers of this blog know what a special birthday gift the grant would be for a certain singer whose humanitarian endeavors have become the passionate projects of his fans.

Here's to a wonderful weekend recruiting, distributing, and voting, Clay Nation!

Thanksgiving design by Linda/ABM

Clay Aiken Fans Mark Holiday Album's 6th Anniversary

MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE: Graphic by Fountaindawg marks sixth anniversary of Clay Aiken's multi-platinum holiday album.

Record Debut for Holiday CD

Fans Celebrate Aiken's MCWL

Clay Aiken fans are today celebrating the sixth anniversary of the singer's holiday album, Merry Christmas With Love, by sharing favorite performance videos of songs on the CD.

For weeks, Cyberspace fans have been tracking radio spins for Clay's Christmas songs, staples on holiday charts every season.

Released on Nov. 16, 2004, MCWL debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums chart with first week sales at 270,000 units, the largest for a Christmas CD since the Soundscan era began in 1991.

Ironically, Susan Boyle's new holiday release, The Gift, which sold 321,506 units, broke the MCWL record on its 2010 anniversary.

Merry Christmas With Love

In addition, MCWL opened at #4 on the US Billboard 200 chart, the highest debut for a holiday album since Celine Dion's CD six years earlier.

Merry Christmas With Love, which reached platinum in only six weeks, has sold over 2 million units worldwide.

Winner of Billboard's Best Selling Christmas Album award in 2004 and 2005, MCWL was also named the Outstanding Yule CD in 2005 by the American Christian Music Awards.

Clickable of opening graphic

Merry Christmas with Love, which is available at Amazon and other vendors, includes some of the most beloved songs of the Christmas season.

O Holy Night
Winter Wonderland
Silent Night
Hark The Herald Angels Sing/Co Come All Ye Faithful
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Mary, Did You Know
Joy to the World
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Don't Save It All for Christmas Day
Merry Christmas With Love
Sleigh Ride
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Clay has performed songs from the album during the Joyful Noise holiday tours and on countless television appearances.

Below are montages by Claysidney and SueReu of songs from the album: "O Holy Night" and "My Grown-Up Christmas List."

O Holy Night and More - Performed by Clay Aiken
Montage by ClaySidney be viewed full screen on YouTube.

Clay sings 'Don't Save It All for Christmas Day'
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.

NIP Supporters Set $50k Goal

The National Inclusion Project is competing in the $50,000 category of November's Pepsi Refresh Challenge and needs the creativity of its supporters to recruit more daily voters. Currently #15, the foundation needs to move into to top 10 to win the grant.

While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.

When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." - Profound statement from a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

Help spread the word so the Inclusion Project can bring Let's ALL Play training to more programs across the nation and open doors for ALL children to participate in all that life has to offer!

Vote 3 ways daily to expand inclusive programs for all children.

Pepsi Voting Easy as 1, 2, 3

1. Go to the National Inclusion Project page on the Pepsi site.
2. Click the "Vote for This Idea" tab.
3. You will be prompted to sign-in. Log-in with your email address. (If you haven't already, you can register very easily.)
4. Click "Vote for This Idea" again. (This is very important!)
5. You will know you have voted when you see the "Votes Left Today" change from 10 to 9.
6. If you are a member of Facebook, log out and back in. Select the Facebook option in the pop-up window, and vote for the NIP again.
7. You can also text the numbers 102308 to Pepsi (73774).
8. Share your vote on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards. Ask others to do the same.

Partners Support Each Other

Inclusion Project enthusiasts are not only voting for the NIP but also alliances and partners formed with other charities in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. Below are a couple of comments from reciprocating causes:

Thanks so much for your support. Three more Cliks4Kidz votes. We donate laptops for hospitalized children undergoing cancer treatments. Please continue to support us. Thanks! - John G

Excited to report that I recruited another voter on my Shenanarts team of voters. I am now delivering ~10~ votes daily!!! I'm working on more. Thanks for your support. - Morgan M

Pandora's Project just voting for you! We're going to be doing a big push for votes and including you in our widget. Thank you for your continued support. - Jessica B

Daily block of 24 family votes to the NIP We were traveling and not commenting for a few days, but voting daily since October, because we have a 16 year old son with autism and strongly believe in the importance o*****r project. Thanks for all o*****r support o***** INRS SCIENCE EXPO! - Cynthia B

Be sure to leave a comment on each organization's page that the NIP has voted for their charity. Here is an example:

The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. Thank you for your reciprocal support. Please leave a comment, as we re-evaluate daily. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject ...Text 102308.

The foundation's current alliances and partners are listed on the NIP Voting Widget that Scarlett created and updates according to nightly reports.

To put these charities into your circle of support, locate their link and/or text number on the widget in the Carolina blog's sidebar or link to the handy tool's home page with the screen cap below.

Click to link to NIP Widget
Vote and add to websites.

Below are the Top 21 charities posting daily reciprocal votes for the National Inclusion Project. The groups refer to their placement on the NIP Voting Widget. This is where I'm using my extra votes -- three for the NIP and 27 for other charities. Hopefully, you and all eligible accounts in your household are doing the same!

Top 21 NIP Supporters

RETT Syndrome Clinic - Group A
Hawthorne Elementary School - Group A
She Shall Go Free - Group A
Weaver Bored of Education - Group A
Karo Grillo - Group A
INRS - Group A
Spoede - Alliance
Cure AHC - Alliance
Pandora's Project - Group A
HVCPA Opportunity - Group B
RATCO - Group A
Libby Tennis - Group B
Blue Shadows - Group B
Cedar Park HS Band - Group B
Granara-Skerry - Group B
Girl Scouts Eastern SC - Group B
Crown Pointe Academy - Group B
Cystic Fibrosis - Group B
Orpheum Restore - Group B
Hope Heals - Group B
HUGS Adirondack - Group C

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas With Love! Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Talks Career, Family, Charities with WKNO

WKNO: A Conversation with Clay Aiken
View Pierre Kimsey's interview full screen at YouTube.

Fans Campaign for $50k NIP Grant

Memphis PBS Chat Covers Bases

Uploaded to YouTube Thursday, WKNO's interview with Clay Aiken covers all the bases -- performing, sudden fame, the National Inclusion Project, UNICEF, family, fans, connection with former teachers, the Tried & True PBS Special, Broadway -- and much more.

Here is a portion of the promo or overview of Clay's chat with Pierre Kimsey, WKNO producer:

WKNO Producer Pierre Kimsey talks with singer Clay Aiken. The North Carolina native was beginning a career as an educator working with special-needs children when he took an opportunity to audition for the TV show American Idol, then in its second season.

His life was transformed as a finalist, and he has emerged as one of the most successful singers to have been launched by the show.

Aiken has used his celebrity on behalf of the international charity UNICEF and has traveled to Somalia, Afghanistan, and other countries where children have been impacted by war.

Check PBS programming in your area, as some stations prepare to re-air Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE! leading into the 2011 Winter Tour supporting the singer's latest release with Decca Records.

Graphics depicting scenes from the singer's PBS Special include Fountaindawg, 1, 2, 3, and AmazingCA, 4, 5, 6, with photos by Jim R. Bounds:

NIP Needs More Pepsi Voters

While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.

When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." - Profound statement from a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

The National Inclusion Project is competing in the $50,000 category of November's Pepsi Refresh Challenge and needs the creativity of its supporters to recruit more daily voters. The foundation is currently #15 and needs to climb into to top 10 to win the grant.

Dedicated backers maintain a daily voting schedule that includes the National Inclusion Project, official alliances, and partnerships formed with other charities.

Help spread the word so the Inclusion Project can bring Let's ALL Play training to more programs across the nation and open doors for ALL children to participate in all that life has to offer!

Vote 3 ways daily to expand inclusive programs for all children.

NIP Voting Simple as 1, 2, 3

1. Go to the National Inclusion Project page on the Pepsi site.
2. Click the "Vote for This Idea" tab.
3. You will be prompted to sign-in. Log-in with your email address. (If you haven't already, you can register very easily.)
4. Click "Vote for This Idea" again. (This is very important!)
5. You will know you have voted when you see the "Votes Left Today" change from 10 to 9.
6. If you are a member of Facebook, log out and back in. Select the Facebook option in the pop-up window, and vote for the NIP again.
7. You can also text the numbers 102308 to Pepsi (73774).
8. Share your vote on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards, asking others to do the same.
9. Download the full page PDF version of the new NIP flier shown in a clickable screen cap below. Print and share the flier with prospective voters -- at ball games, fall festivals, malls, the zoo, the gym, church, school/business meets. Ask recipients to text the same vote everyday in November.

Click to enlarge screen cap of new NIP flier.

Partners Vote, Pull for Each Other

Inclusion Project supporters are not only voting for the NIP but also alliances and partners formed with other charities in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. A good example is Crown Pointe Academy's strategy this weekend:

Crown Pointe Academy is still voting for you. Over the weekend we are going to be recruiting for you, Hawthorne, Crone's, Colorado Solar, Monte Vista, and a few other favorites. Hope it helps you! - Sherri R.

Be sure to leave a comment on each organization's page that the NIP has voted for their charity. Here is an example:

The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. Thank you for your reciprocal support. Please leave a comment, as we re-evaluate daily. http://www.refresheverything.com/nationalinclusionproject ...Text 102308.

The foundation's current alliances and partners are listed on the NIP Voting Widget that Scarlett created and updates according to nightly reports.

To put these charities in your circle of support, locate their link and/or text number on the widget in the Carolina blog's sidebar or link to the handy tool's home page with the screen cap below.

Click to link to NIP Widget
Vote and add to websites.

Below are the Top 21 charities posting daily reciprocal votes for the National Inclusion Project. The groups refer to their placement on the NIP Voting Widget. This is where I'm using my extra votes -- three for the NIP and 27 for other charities. Hopefully, you -- and every eligible account in your family -- are, too!

Top 21 NIP Supporters

RETT Syndrome Clinic - Group A
She Shall Go Free - Group A
Hawthorne Elementary School - Group A
Weaver Bored of Education - Group C
RATCO - Group A
Spoede - Alliance
Karo Grillo Golf - Group A
INRS - Group A
Libby Tennis - Group A
Pandora's Project - Group A
Blue Shadows - Group A
Cure AHC - Alliance
Cystic Fibrosis - Group B
Granara-Skerry - Group B
Cedar Park HS Band - Group B
HUGS Adirondack - Group B
HVCPA Opportunity League - Group B
Girl Scouts Eastern SC - Group B
Earl Crowe SUV - Group B
Alleghany Wellness - Group B
The Bag Ladies - Group B

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

US Celebrates Veterans Around the World

VETERANS DAY: Honoring All Who Served. Click to enlarge.

All Who Served, Past and Present

America Remembers Veterans

A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life." - Author Unknown

At home and halfway around the world, in commemorative ceremonies, speeches, parades, and traditional laying of wreaths, America's leaders and citizens are today honoring the nation's 22 million veterans, soldiers wounded or killed in battle, soldiers home and abroad, and their families.

In South Korea for the G-20 economic summit, President Barack Obama saluted the bravery of US troops who fought in the Korean War, recognizing 62 veterans of the 1950s conflict in an army installation in Seoul, South Korea. The President also recognized Korean soldiers who fought alongside American forces.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, delivering remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater afterwards.

First Lady Greets Troops in Germany

En route back to Washington, First Lady Michelle Obama surprised a group of US servicemen and women based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to help serve a special Veterans Day meal. Earlier, she met with wounded troops recovering at the nearby Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, which regularly receives casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, Dr. Jill Biden. the vice president's wife, joined active-duty military, veterans, and military families at a volunteer event in Washington, D.C., with the Service Nation’s Mission Serve initiative.

Thursday she will make brief remarks and join veterans and other volunteers to work on landscaping and painting of the final two homes of a development at a Habitat for Humanity housing site in Northeast Washington’s Deanwood neighborhood.

Dr. Biden and the First Lady helped kick off the Mission Serve Initiative on Veterans Day 2009 as part of their ongoing work to encourage Americans to show service members, veterans, and military families appreciation for their service.

92nd Anniversary of Armistice Day

In 1919, then President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, the end of World War I:

To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations …

Armistice Day, also celebrated as Remembrance Day and Poppy Day in other Allied countries, took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.

The United States first recognized Nov. 11 as a day to honor veterans in 1938, the 20th anniversary of the official end of World War I. A movement arose in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War to expand the holiday to honor all veterans instead of only those from the first world war.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, himself a distinguished World War II veteran, signed a document to rename Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Except for seven years during the Vietnam War, when the holiday was observed on the last Monday of November, it has been observed on Nov. 11.

'All We Can Do Is Remember'

President Ronald Reagan spoke these words on another Veterans Day:

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars afar away.

The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired.

But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives, the one they were living and the one they would have lived.

When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers and veterans. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.

Clay Aiken's performance of God Bless the USA at the 2004 Capitol Fourth is fitting for this November patriotic day.

Clay Aiken sings 'God Bless the U.S.A.' at the 2004 Capitol 4th.

For links and information regarding the National Inclusion Project's ongoing campaign to secure a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant this month, see the Carolina blog's Nov. 8 and Nov. 4 entries.

Thank you to veterans past and present. God Bless the USA!

Caro