Update From Six Degrees

We've received an update from the folks over at Six Degrees. Last month, Claymates helped raise over $41,000 for the Bubel Aiken Foundation through this great initiative. Actor Kevin Bacon also donated $10,000 to the foundation.

Mr. Bacon's conversation with BAF Cheief Operating Officer Kristy Barnes is now available at SixDegrees.org. Kristy also posted her story on the Six Degrees blog:

We [Bubel Aiken Foundation] are blessed to have many faithful supporters who are connected through several message boards. Once we established our badge through a volunteer’s help and then put it up on our “Approved Fundraiser” page, the word spread quickly. Daily updates, encouragement, and advice flowed freely. The end of the drive happened to coincide with our annual “Champions of Change” gala and the fever of the drive led to even more anticipation for this highly-anticipated event. We were truly blown away by the final totals and are appreciative of our supporters’ passion which translated into funds that will help us to accomplish our mission.

Yahoo Video Has Clay's Past and Current UNICEF Videos To View

If you've been watching videos of Clay's recent trip to Afghanistan and just can't get enough, perhaps you would enjoy going to Yahoo Video, where you can see 9 videos of Clay and his various UNICEF activities. A listing of the videos are:

UNICEF: Clay Aiken's Question
Clay Aiken in the field with UNICEF
Clay Aiken talks about the tsunami
Clay Aiken Thanks Unicef Donors
UNICEF and Clay
UNICEF Helps Children Survive
Clay Aiken Talks About his Visit to Tsunami Sites
Lighting Up Fifth
050114_Kids Help Out_Clay

So, if you can pull yourself away from the great videos of Clay in Afghanistan, especially that one with the baby, revisit Clay's past ventures with UNICEF by going to Yahoo Video.

Tidbits 4/21

• LiveDaily - summer tour update:

  Singer Clay Aiken has filled in a few gaps on his upcoming summer tour, adding several new shows to a trek that supports his most recent studio album, "A Thousand Different Ways."
  
  Aiken has piled new stops in Dallas; Houston; Tulsa, OK; and Syracuse, NY, onto his itinerary. Details for the entire tour, which kicks off July 4 in Dallas, are included below.
  
  The singer made news earlier this month when UN agency UNICEF hailed his role as a traveling Goodwill Ambassador.
  
  "As a former teacher, I recognize that spark of hope and excitement all children possess when given the opportunity to learn," Aiken, who spent five days traveling between Kabul and Bamyan in the central region of Afghanistan, said in the organization's press statement. "Rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing essential supplies and teaching materials are just some of the advances UNICEF and its partners have made to keep that hope flourishing."

• Charlotte Observer - In an article about Sanjaya being voted off AI, it talks about the lack of excitement left in the remaining idols. Concerning Clay, it says, "Clay Aiken vs. Ruben Studdard pitted two men who offered very different styles and excited fans on all ends of the spectrum."
• TV.com - Day's Of Our Lives - Monalisa57 from The Clayboard has found some videos, including a behind the scenes video, of Clay on Days of Our Live's website.
• AV Club - AI contestants not successful enough? "Second-season winner Ruben Studdard is the kind of throwback chubby R&B singer that no A&R man would've signed six years ago; ditto his runner-up, the schmaltzy, nerdy Clay Aiken."
  
• Spokesman Review - uh... article about music in general -
  

  On the background music front, only those who know the words can truly be overcome by the fumes of sanitized, instrumental-only versions of songs like "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" or "Every Breath You Take." For those who don't, it probably sounds like something either their parents or Clay Aiken fans might like – sort of like oatmeal with prunes.

• Philadelphia Inquirer recaps Clay's interview with ET and The Insider:

  American Idol hero Clay Aiken tells The Insider that with Sanjaya gone, the show is boring: "I rooted for him. I thought it would be great for him to win." Great, as in a gift to music? Or great, as in a piece of irony?
  
  Clay shows no mercy. "I haven't been watching [Idol] at all," he said, explaining the Sanjaya phenom was "the excitement for this year." And now, it's all over.

• Nothing here yet.
  

Screencaps, Video From Tonight's ET Appearance

Gerwhisp has posted caps and a video of Clay's interview with Entertainment Tonight about UNICEF, the Virginia Tech tragedy as well as his thoughts on Sanjaya Malakar. What a great segment!

- Download clip @ SendSpace

UNICEF: Claynadians Pitch In; Challenge Extended To $200,000

Canadian UNICEF ambassador and host of CTV's Canadian Idol Ben Mulroney commented on the support Clay's Claynadian fans have given to the $100,000 in 10 days campaign.

"We were excited to see Clay’s Canadian fans join this campaign with such enthusiasm and generosity," said Ben Mulroney. "Thank you so much to Clay and all his fans for your support!"

---

Here are the 2 updates we received from UNICEF Fieldnotes in the past 24 hours:

Clay Aiken Thanks Afghanistan Donors + Tune In Tonight

Today is Day 8 of the campaign for Afghanistan and we've already far surpassed the goal. Clay Aiken asked us to share his thanks with you.

Also, Clay is scheduled to appear tonight on Entertainment Tonight. Tune in to hear Clay's thoughts on his trip with UNICEF.

Day 8 Update : Clay Aiken's Appeal for Afghanistan

Our new total is $161,798.82 as of 9 a.m. this morning. This total, in US Dollars, now reflects the donations made in the U.S. and in Canada.

Speaking of Canada, I had a conference call with my colleagues from UNICEF Canada this morning. They heard from UNICEF Canada Ambassador Ben Mulroney, host of Canadian Idol, and asked me to pass along this message:

"We were excited to see Clay’s Canadian fans join this campaign with such enthusiasm and generosity," said Ben Mulroney. "Thank you so much to Clay and all his fans for your support!"

---

UNICEF is also extending the challenge to see if we can raise $200,000. Don't forget, you have until this weekend to make your donation. As of this afternoon, the combined total for American and Canadian donations stands at about $160,000. So what can $200,000 do? UNICEF posted this list of what they could do with $200,000 today:

• Large tents are used for temporary classrooms and community programs. Each tent costs $700.

• Hand pumps bring clean water to families in Afghanistan. My colleagues in the field in Afghanistan tell us that only 23% of people living in Afghanistan have access to clean water. The Mark II hand pumps UNICEF is providing in Afghanistan, like the one in the picture above, cost about $206.29 each.

Look at it this way: If this campaign raises $200,000, UNICEF could provide 333 tents or 970 water pumps. What a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of thousands of kids in Afghanistan. If you haven't made a donation to Clay's campaign yet, I hope you'll consider helping UNICEF provide clean water and education to children.

Clay Video and Interview at ETOnline

Today, Clay was at the ET set to talk about his UNICEF trip and his rooting for Sanjaya Malakar on AI6. But, in addition to Clay being on TV, this information can also be found at ETOnline.

Get ready for lots of surprises when you see Clay both on TV and online. First, the beard is gone. He must have shaved it off right when he got back home!! For some fans, this will be a time of rejoicing. For others, like myself, I am already missing the beard. But as I've said before, I love the Clay under the beard more, so all is well!

Coming as no surprise are the great things Clay has to say about his trip to Afghanistan. He reiterated again the hospitality of the people there, but also said that he was nervous about his safety there. He said that he and Diane Sawyer wanted to get together to eat, but they could not leave their respective hotels, even though they were only about a mile apart. Watch the video to hear more things Clay has to say about his trip there.

One more thing...what may shock many people is that Clay was actually rooting for Sanjaya Malakar and even hoped he would win AI6!! Now, I find myself cheering and whooping it up to hear him say that, because I was rooting for Sanjaya myself. As Clay said, you gotta love a guy who has the courage to get up before millions of people with a mohawk!! Seems our guy has been watching AI more than he might admit to!

Be sure to check out the interview, video, and picture of Clay at ETOnline. In fact, I think I'm on my way to watch it again!

TV Alert - Clay on ET Tonight

Don't forget Clay will be on ET tonight to talk about his trip to Afghanistan. ETOnline.com now has a nice article and video clip from the show:

The 28-year-old North Carolina native has gone a long way since his days at "American Idol" -- literally! He just returned from Afghanistan as part of his work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

But even though he grew out a beard during his trip, the facial hair did little to disguise his famous face.

"Some of the girls giggled just a little bit," he says. "But they're very shy. Everybody who we met was just really hospitable and totally welcoming."

The trip was not without some drawbacks, however.

"I would be lying if I said that I was not nervous," Clay says. "I was very nervous before I left. I hugged all my family, said goodbye." His stay proved to be an eye-opening experience.

"It was interesting," he says. "I was actually in Kabul at the same time DIANE SAWYER was, and she was at a hotel less than a mile away from where we were. We were trying to get together for dinner, but we couldn't because she couldn't leave her hotel and I couldn't leave mine [at night]. That's the situation in Kabul."

Tidbits 4/20

• The Clayboard - SunflowerSD at the Clayboard posted a picture of a billboard for Clay's Pala concert. She says its on Mesa Blvd. between 163 and I-15. Great advertising for Clay!
• Access Hollywood - in case you missed this yesterday ... This is from the Access Hollywood News Desk:

  AIKEN-AIDE: We have not seen Clay Aiken much since his days on the "American Idol" stage, but he has quietly been working as a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004. Today we heard that Clay was visiting women and children in Afghanistan on his first trip to the country. He spent five days traveling in the central region and focused his trip on education. He also visited clinics where he administered a polio vaccine to a newborn baby. While there he launched a campaign to raise $100,000 in 10 days to support UNICEF's lifesaving programs in Afghanistan and topped it in the first 7 days with $139,778.

• Scholastic - In an recent issue of Scholastic which talks about the upcoming Idol Gives Back, there is a picture of Clay on the left side of the page. Click under the picture and it will take you to an interview with Clay concerning his UNICEF work. Under the picture it says, "Clay Aiken's Mission, Educating others about saving the lives of children." Click on that to go to the interview, part of which says:

  Name one small way and one big way you help to promote UNICEF.
  
  One small way I help is by encouraging people to support UNICEF. Every penny counts! UNICEF uses the money it raises to help improve kids’ lives around the world. It doesn’t take much money to help a child live a better life.
  For instance, just $2.50 provides a child with school supplies for an entire year. More than 121 million kids around the world are not in school. UNICEF gives school supplies, trains teachers, and rebuilds schools that have been destroyed in disasters. And just $17 immunizes one child for life against six killer diseases. Many kids around the world don’t get the shots they need to protect them from dangers like measles and tetanus. UNICEF saves more than two million kids’ lives every year through immunization and medicine.

  
  Eleven Images - There are three new images of Clay from the recent Stephen Curtis Chapman concert up a Eleven Images.
• Lycos 50 - Clay jumped from #16 last week up to #12 for the week ending April 14, 2007. Under Clay's name, they have written, "If I was invisible..." Clay has been in the Lycos 50 for 198 weeks now.
• ExperienceLA - event listing for Clay's LA concert.
• Charlotte Observer - lack of buzz on this season's idol?

  Clay Aiken vs. Ruben Studdard pitted two men who offered very different styles and excited fans on all ends of the spectrum.
  
  Executive producer Ken Warwick acknowledged this week that the class of 2007 maybe isn't the most sparkling, particularly when compared with last year's finalists.
  

• UNICEF updates from:
• There Was A Man
• Hobbies
• ConCLAYve
• Southern Girl
• Something That Really Happened
• Carolina On My Mind - reflecting on the Virgina Tech tragedy and staying optimistic with the UNICEF fundraiser.
  

Video of Clay at UNICEF's MySpace

A video of Clay working with the children in Afghanistan is now up at UNICEF's MySpace. Here are some of my own personal favorite moments from the video:

• "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!!" - How sweet! He was having a ball and the kids were clapping along. How special is that??
• Seeing the video of where that precious picture of him holding that baby came from - I got to see that beautiful face from the photo "in action"! That face continues to melt my heart!
• When he walked in wearing the clothes they wear, complete with hat - Okay, I chuckled a little with him wearing that hat, but he didn't have to wear their native garb. But he chose to, and that is pretty awesome.
• Reading the ABC's to the kids - Why did I love this so much? I don't know, but it touched me. Maybe its seeing teacher Clay in action and the kids seemed to love it.

Check out the video. I know you will all love it!!

Clay On ET Tomorrow

Entertainment Tonight and the official fanclub announced that Clay will be on Friday's edition of ET when he will talk about his UNICEF trip to Afghanistan. (download gerwhisp's video cap of the announcement here)

04/19/07 : Catch Clay on ET Tonight Tomorrow!
By Team Clay

Tune in tomorrow night, April 20th, to watch Clay on Entertainment Tonight! Check your local listings for exact channels and show times.

Earlier today, Access Hollywood also posted a blurb about Clay's trip onto AccessHollywood.com:

AIKEN-AIDE:We have not seen Clay Aiken much since his days on the "American Idol" stage, but he has quietly been working as a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004. Today we heard that Clay was visiting women and children in Afghanistan on his first trip to the country. He spent five days traveling in the central region and focused his trip on education. He also visited clinics where he administered a polio vaccine to a newborn baby. While there he launched a campaign to raise $100,000 in 10 days to support UNICEF's lifesaving programs in Afghanistan and topped it in the first 7 days with $139,778.

"Walk Me Down The Road" - A Tribute To Those Who Are Helping The Children

Yesterday I found a poem on The Clayboard that I thought was really beautiful and a great tribute to Clay as a UNICEF Ambassador as well as all others who are doing all they can to help the children of the world. The poem, Walk Me Down The Road, was written by OLMass, and he says concerning this poem, "After Clay's visit to the countries devasted by the tsunami, I was inspired to write this poem. Combine his recent trip to Afghanistan with Idol Gives Back and you'll see why this one grabs my heart."

OLMass also made a good point that its not the fact that Clay is helping the children, but the fact that the children are being helped. Whether its Clay or some other UNICEF Ambassador or American Idol or just us on our own, just the fact that people are reaching out and giving in whatever way they can and making a difference, that is the most important thing.

Read this poem with that in mind, and let's be thankful that so many people are trying to reach out and make a difference.

Walk Me Down the Road
By OLMass

A child cries out in the night, "I'm hungry and I'm cold!"
And when that child's cry is heard, his story must be told.
With children crying everywhere, in every single land,
It's up to you and up to me to lend a helping hand.

A child cries out in the night, "It's dark out and I'm scared.
I wish someone would help us, I wish that someone cared.
I wish someone would here my cry; mama's and papa's, too.
We want to live a better life but don't know what to do."

Walk me down the road, mama, to a better place somewhere,
Walk me down the road, papa, to a place where people care.
Walk me down the road, dear God, please take away my fright,
If you walk me down the road, dear God, I'll be safe tonight.

A child cries out in the night, "Won't someone help me, please,
I want to go to school all day to learn my ABC"s.
'Cause science, math and language are what life is all about,
So if I learn my ABC"s, I'll find my own way out."

My child, you deserve a life that's free from so much pain,
My child, the world will teach you to see rainbows through the rain,
I promise you, my child, as you cry out in the night,
I will take whatever's wrong and try to make it right.

Walk me down the road, mama, to a better place somewhere,
Walk me down the road, papa, to a place where people care.
Walk me down the road, dear God, please take away my fright,
If you walk me down the road, dear God, I'll be safe tonight.

UNICEF: Donations Continue Pouring In -- 3 Days Left!

Clay featured on the homepage of UNICEF.org

UNICEF has posted an update about Clay's appeal for Afghanistan. So far, over $150,802.31 have been raised, far surpassing the goal of $100,000 over 10 days.

UNICEF posted this note on its Fieldnotes blog:

Afternoon update on Clay Aiken's Afghanistan Appeal

Here's our afternoon update. As of an hour ago (1:34 p.m.), we've raised $150,802.31 for UNICEF's work in Afghanistan. Thank you!

Today's Day 7 and we're already more than $50,000 ahead of the goal. Three more days to go . . .

Tidbits 4/19

Syracuse.com - Clay Aiken creating buzz as fans from "as far away at Alberta, Canada, and Oregon" flock to buy tickets to the July 18 concert.

• You don't want to miss 1inNebraska4Clay's beautiful photo essay titled "Can You Imagine?" CLICK HERE TO SEE IT.
  
• LBFCA is back in business - check out their new post -- "The PPs are Broken"
  
• MLive - Grand Rapids Symphony conductor tells us why he brought Clay Aiken to the Symphony in December -

  In December we brought Clay Aiken to perform with the symphony. It is a way for us to do something a little different and bring people who normally wouldn't attend symphony performances in. It is basically a rock concert inside DeVos Hall, presented by the Symphony.

• Houston Press - Claymates and non-Claymates clash ... one visitor says: ""If you've never been to a Clay concert, you don't know what you are missing. My guess is you only say these kinds of things about Clay to get hits in your blog. Okay, you got mine. Happy?"
  
• Express - random Clay mention in this article about a play - "He abandons his job and family to follow her on tour in a manner usually reserved for Clay Aiken fans."
• Washington City Paper on the elimination of AI6 contestant Sanjaya Malakar - "Anybody who gets enough exposure will eventually become a sex symbol. To wit: Clay Aiken and Sanjaya leave women weeping despite exuding less testosterone than a tutu."
• A few more tour mentions:
• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
• Star Gazette
• Entertainment Weekly - a future of no more critics?

  Personally, I'm scared of a day when my giant corporate overlords decide my skills are no longer necessary, and they can make more money by just posting a giant scribble board with a sentence at the top of it like "RASCAL FLATTS SUX" or "CLAY AIKEN RULZ" and letting people go to town.

• Kinston Free Press- article about a girl who performed with Clay - "She recently performed a duet with American Idol star Clay Aiken in Raleigh." (was this at the BAF gala?)
• Yahoo News - bizarre article about an American Idol contest for lawyers... small Clay mention:

  "American Idol," spawned from the U.K. reality hit "Pop Idol," debuted in summer 2002. The program has become a cultural and ratings juggernaut (an estimated 28 million viewers tuned in Wednesday night to watch the departure of much-mocked contestant Sanjaya Malakar) and has launched the music careers of such Billboard chart-toppers as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Carrie Underwood.
  

• A few updates on the UNICEF fundraising efforts:
• Casper Lives
• Something That Really Happened
  

American Idol 2 - Remembering Clay's Performances - Top 7

With all the excitement last week over Clay's UNICEF trip and the $100,000/10 Days Appeal, I did not put my weekly American Idol 2 article in CDD. That was Week 8, and Clay sang "At This Moment" and was the first to sing. Of course, he did a great job. I love Lionel Richie's comment, "I'm still in awe that all of that is coming out of that body!...Who is that guy, I don't know, who are you?" And he thought Clay pulled it off with power and conviction and did a great job. While Randy and Paula weren't crazy about the song choice, Simon shocked us all and thought it was perfect and on the money. Who would have thought!! And Clay was safe for another week.

This week on AI6, the Top 7 sang country songs. Country is not my personal favorite genre, but I actually enjoyed the country singing of Jordin and Melinda, and Phil shocked us with a really good rendition of his song.

But now, let's get to the good stuff. Top 7, April 15, 2003. Clay comes on stage looking long and lean in a blue t-shirt and suit and knocks the stuffing out of "Tell Her About It". I remember when I first heard him start singing this back in '03, I thought to myself, "No Clay, not another slow ballad. Do something with a little more jive!" So I was thrilled when he broke into the chorus at a faster pace. Of course, slow ballad or a song with a quicker pace, that voice is still golden.

As for the judges, Randy said Clay did his thing...Smokey Robinson said that he proved that he could sing anything...Paula said she loved his great voice but wanted him to let loose and dance a little bit more...and then there's Simon with his back handed compliment. "Clay don't take this the wrong way, but I prefer you when I shut my eyes." He wants Clay to calm down "that weird thing you do with your face" and said it was a compliment because he sounds great. Well, I "forced" myself to watch the video of Clay singing this song several times (tough job, but someone has to do it!), and I didn't myself see any "weird things". All I saw were those gorgeous dreamy eyes and that face which is always full of emotion when Clay sings. And, of course, we found out the next night that America loves Clay with their eyes open, and he once again was safe. Safer than any of us realized at the time. Clay got the majority of the votes every week of Idol.

If you want to download Clay singing any of the AI2 songs, head over to Clack Unlimited's American Idol 2 Solo Performances. You can also download the judges comments, group songs, and the results shows there.

Next week, we'll look at The Top 6 from 2003.

New Article Posted @ UNICEF Website

A new article about Clay's recent trip to Afghanistan has been posted at UNICEF's website. This comes as news arrived yesterday that Clay and his fans have helped raise over $140,000 for UNICEF in just under a week. You can go to UNICEF.org to read the article, see the new photos and watch a short video clip. The video clip is also shown below:

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken visits Afghanistan

NEW YORK, USA, 18 April 2007 – UNICEF National Ambassador Clay Aiken has visited central Afghanistan to see for himself how UNICEF is trying to improve life for children in the region.

“We met a number of young women who have an amazing outlook on their future now in post-conflict Afghanistan,” said the US pop star. “There is an amazing sense of hope, an amazing sense of promise, not only in the country but in the youth as well.”

At the Sadat Health Clinic near Bamyan, Mr. Aiken saw lifesaving measures in action and even administered the oral polio vaccination to a newborn baby. Besides providing immunization, the clinic offers family planning services and midwives to advise mothers on breastfeeding and good hygiene practices.

People from other villages sometimes walk up to four hours in order to reach the clinic.

UNICEF supports Sadat Health Clinic by training health staff in hygiene education, vaccines, integrated maternal and child health, and nutrition. The organization has also assisted with the construction of water points and latrines to provide safe drinking water and sanitation.

Literacy for girls and women

During his two-day stay in Bamyan, Mr. Aiken also visited the Said Aabad women’s literacy centre, which UNICEF helped to establish last October. He heard from girls and women aged 16 to 50 about how they were learning to read and write for the first time, and the subsequent impact on their lives.

In Bamyan Province, the literacy rate is 6 per cent for women and 44 per cent for men. UNICEF currently supports over 95 literacy courses in the province and is working to create 30 new literacy centres there due to high demand.

“Educated women can contribute effectively to the reduction of child and maternal mortality rates,” said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Catherine Mbengue, who joined Mr. Aiken on this visit. “Educated women will be able to voice their concerns and also make better decisions in regard to family planning.”

Ms. Mbengue also urged government officials to make adult literacy initiatives a priority and to ensure the active involvement of women in training programmes and activities.

Rebuilding schools, training teachers

Despite challenging, bumpy paths in the mountainous region, the delegation members continued with their visit to meet hundreds of girl students at Shirin Hazara School in Foladi Valley, west of Bamyan. There, Mr. Aiken spent time with students and the teachers in their outdoor classrooms.

“As a former teacher, I recognize that spark of hope and excitement all children possess when given the opportunity to learn,” he said. “Rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing essential supplies and teaching materials are just some of the advances UNICEF and its partners have made to keep that hope flourishing.”

Still, girls’ school enrolment in Bamyan remains low at just 38 per cent, compared to 62 per cent for boys. Although Mr. Aiken witnessed positive moves to address this situation and make lasting improvements for young people, at least 30 per cent of the province’s school-age children – over a million in all – are not even enrolled in school.

That fact alone shows there is still much work to be done.

BAF Plans To Auction Tour Tickets

Looking for front-row tour tickets? The official fanclub says premium tickets will be auctioned off to benefit the Bubel Aiken Foundation through Ticketmaster.

04/18/07 : BUBEL/AIKEN AUCTIONS
A select number of 2007 summer tour tickets will be auctioned off to benefit the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. This year’s foundation ticket auction is being organized through Ticketmaster. Venues on this tour that do not use the Ticketmaster system will not be able to participate. Ticketmaster shows should have two pairs of front row tickets and a meet’n’greet to bid on for approximately a 10-day auction.

You may currently bid on a pair of front row tickets for the shows on 7/19 in Canadaigua, NY and for the 8/18 show in West Palm Beach, FL by clicking here.

You can also check this link for additional auctions as they are confirmed. Ticketmaster-venue shows that have not yet had a presale or onsale should generally have the Bubel/Aiken auction start at the same time of the presale, but check the auction page for individual confirmations.

Tidbits 4/18

• Clay won another Insider poll today ... Kathy from California says Larry King's best interview was with Clay.
  
• The July 4 concert in Frisco, TX has been confirmed by the official fanclub. The date was added to the tour section yesterday.
  
• Shelbyville Times-Gazette - article about an orchestra conductor who has worked with Clay in the past -

  Because he often conducts pop concerts, featuring guest artists, he has gotten to work with a variety of top entertainers, from Clay Aiken to Ricky Skaggs to the a cappella vocal group Take 6.

• Clay Aiken UNICEF fundraising surpasses goal ... updates from:
  
• Something That Really Happened
• Hobbies
• Southern Girl - "Well, shoot -- that's small potatoes! So far, just a *week* later, $139,778 has been donated for Afghanistan's children! Yay! And the campaign's not over yet, so there's still time for you to help push that number even higher so more needs can be met."
• The ConCLAYve
  

$145,902 Raised in Less Than 7 Days For UNICEF

Clay issued an appeal...could we raise $100,000 in 10 days for the children in Afghanistan. He saw the need, he knew it was a challenge, but he also knows his fans.

And the fans did not disappoint. In week, almost $146,000 has been raised for UNICEF with the help of Clay's fantastic fan base. We blew the top off that thermometer! And by tomorrow, the total will no doubt have climbed even more!

In two different UNICEF Field Notes blogs, posted by Chris Phillips of UNICEF today, he announced the totals as of April 18, first $139,778.60 at 11:04 a.m. and then $145,902.31 at 5:15 p.m.

Chris's first blog is as follows:

Hello, we have some big news and a big number to share this morning. Together we've raised $139,778.60 (as of 11:04 a.m. this morning) for Clay Aiken's 10 Day Challenge for the Children of Afghanistan. Congratulations and thank you for your amazing support of this program!

Clay Aiken's Fieldnotes post from Monday told us about the great need he saw first-hand in Afghanistan. Schools are struggling to provide school supplies to every boy and girl who wants to learn. Your gifts will make a tremendous difference in the lives of these kids.

Today is Day 7 of the challenge. We've got three more days left and we've already exceeded Clay's $100,000 goal. How much more do you think we can raise for the children of Afghanistan in three more days? Post a comment and let us know.

I'll be back with another post tonight to update you on how much we've raised today. If you haven't made a donation to Clay's campaign yet, I hope you'll consider making a donation to help UNICEF provide clean water and education to children in Afghanistan.

Also, I've received some emails from people in Canada asking how they can join in. If you are in Canada and would like to make a gift in support of this campaign, please click here.

Finally, please consider signing up for our eNewsletters if you haven't yet. Our emails are one of the best ways we share the news of UNICEF's work for the world's children.

Posted by Chris Phillips, UNICEF USA on April 18, 2007 11:04 AM | Permalink

Here is the second blog from Chris Phillips showing the higher total:

We've heard from hundreds of you today. Thanks for your comments here on Fieldnotes, your emails, posts on your own sites, and of course your donations. Again, congratulations on exceeding the $100,000 goal.

Want to know what the new total for Clay Aiken's Appeal for the Children of Afghanistan? As of 5:15 p.m. tonight, we're at: $145,902.31 here in the US. We'll post a total from Canada soon too.
LC made a comment this afternoon that stood out to us: "I trust Clay & UNICEF to follow up with us on exactly how the funds are being put to good use." Over the coming weeks and months, we will use the Fieldnotes blog and our eNewsletter to update you on UNICEF's work in Afghanistan.

Tents and hand pumps are two key products UNICEF provides in Afghanistan. We wanted to give you an inside look at how your donations can be put to work helping children in Afghanistan.

• Large tents are used for temporary classrooms and community programs. Each tent costs $700.

• Hand pumps bring clean water to families in Afghanistan. My colleagues in the field in Afghanistan tell us that only 23% of people living in Afghanistan have access to clean water. The Mark II hand pumps UNICEF is providing in Afghanistan, like the one in the picture above, cost about $206.29 each.

Look at it this way: If this campaign raises $200,000, UNICEF could provide 333 tents or 970 water pumps. What a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of thousands of kids in Afghanistan. If you haven't made a donation to Clay's campaign yet, I hope you'll consider helping UNICEF provide clean water and education to children.

Photo: UNICEF/AFGA00001P/ROGER LEMOYNE

Posted by Chris Phillips, UNICEF USA on April 18, 2007 5:15 PM

We still have three more days in the 10-day appeal to send our donations in. If you have not yet donated, or if you'd like to send in a second donation, just go to the UNICEF Afghanistan Donation Page. This money raised is going to make a huge difference in the education and welfare of the children of Afghanistan!

Tidbits 4/17

• LAist - American Idol looking for most marketable star?

  Which is fine because the sad truth is someone like LaKisha Jones is ten times the singer as someone like Clay Aiken, but even if she won, do you think Idol would promote her as a champ the same way they promoted Clay as a loser? Don't hold your breath. How much have you seen Reuben or Fantasia lately?

• Express - Clay visits Afghanistan - "CLAY AIKEN, JEDI MASTER? The force appears strong in the young pop star as he visits Afghanistan."
• Celeb Cause - another nice mention of Clay's visit to Afghanistan ...

  Clay Aiken is asking for our help. As an ambassador for UNICEF, it is his goal to fundraise $100,000 by April 22nd. Here is an email he sent out to his fan club asking for their contribution for the children of Afghanistan.

• A few summer tour mentions:
• Philadelphia Inquirer - article #1 - "American Idol hero Clay Aiken plays two nights later (also with the Mann Orchestra)"
• Philadelphia Inquirer - article #2 - "'American Idol' fave Clay Aiken (July 17) will sing in the park this season."
• 15Rounds.com - random Clay mention in this boxing article - "He’s the star, and title or not he could still make money if he was fighting Clay Aiken."
• Hesperia Star - no need to win Idol to be successful - "Conversely, Season Two runner-up Clay Aiken has sold $4.5 million, which is almost double the sales amount for winner Ruben Studdard. "
• Reality TV World - not that we endorse this, but a former AI2 contestant is making a sex video of herself.... uh... no comment - "Four of the "Wild Card" performers -- including eventual first runner-up Clay Aiken -- subsequently advanced to the season's Top 12, however Mojica was not one of them."
• Star Pulse - Kimberley Locke to release new album ... "she became the only female amongst two other southerners, Clay Aiken and eventual winner Ruben Studdard."
  

• There Was A Man - Clay making a difference for UNICEF in Afghanistan
• ClaySpots - Clay's UNICEF Fieldnotes
• Ramblings of Three Friends - another Afghanistan visit blog -
  

  Not only is Clay the co-founder of the Bubel Aiken Foundation, he is Unicef's Ambassador of Education for Children Worldwide. He visited Indonesia shortly after the deadly tsunami of 2004, travelled to war-torn Uganda in 2005, and most recently, spent a week touring schools in Afghanistan. Upon his return, he announced the Afghanistan Appeal: $100,000 in 10 days campaign.
  

New California Tour Date Announced

A new California tour date has been announced. Clay will visit the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA on August 5. No other information is available at this time.

Prayers & Thoughts For Virginia Tech

On behalf of the Clay nation, CDD sends our prayers and thoughts for the students, staff and faculty of Virginia Tech & State University. A horrific shooting rampage took place earlier today at VT's campus in Blacksberg, VA killing 33 people including the gunman according to a statement from the University:

Two shootings on campus today have left 33 dead. Thirty-one, including the gunman, died at Norris Hall; two died at West Ambler Johnston Hall. Fifteen other victims from Norris are being treated at area hospitals.

Update 4/17: We have learned that the CB's msstrombolisir's friend Caitlin Hammaren was among the 33 people killed. Hammaren was a sophomore in international studies and French. You can send msstrombolisir your thoughts and prayers through her Clayboard profile.

Clay's Pens First Blog At UNICEF's Field Notes

As promised by UNICEF, Clay has penned his first blog at UNICEF's Field Notes. And what a wonderful blog it is. He talks about such things as his mom's concern for his travels, the kindness of the people he visited with, and the school children who are hungering for knowledge. Read for yourselves:

Clay Aiken in Afghanistan:
"There is so much more that needs to be done"

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken wrote this blog post for Fieldnotes, reflecting on his visit to UNICEF field sites in Afghanistan

It's not that fun being wrong.

Fortunately for me, I don't have to do it very often! HA HA!

Okay... I'm kidding. I spend plenty of my time on the side of inaccuracy. But, few of my misdirections or misconceptions could possibly compare to how far off of the mark I was in my assumptions about my trip to Afghanistan.

I doubt it would come as a surprise that my mother was none too thrilled when I told her I would be traveling with UNICEF to a country that many consider to be one of the most dangerous in the world for Americans. My brother had just returned from his second tour as a U.S. Marine in Iraq when I let my mother know, so her blood pressure probably stayed high even after my return. I wasn't so at ease about it myself. Hostage takings, suicide bombings, and insurgent attacks are all seemingly daily occurrences in many parts of the country. At least that's what we see on TV and read in papers and magazines.

I couldn't have been more wrong about Afghanistan. And I couldn't have been farther off target about the Afghan people. With the exception of maybe my grandparent's house, I have never felt more welcomed. The Afghan people are some of the most gracious and inviting people on Earth.

After centuries of having their land filled with travelers and explorers, I guess they have hospitality down to an instinctive science. Everywhere we traveled we were greeted with warmth and welcome. Even on the streets of Kabul and the rugged hills of Bamyan. But nowhere as gracious as the schools and UNICEF programs that we visited. Despite the most meager accommodations, we were always invited in and shown every simple resource with the utmost of pride.

And, why shouldn't they be proud. Until a few years ago, most of these students were forbidden by the Taliban regime from going to school. And now?.... Now over 6 million children are piling into broken down buildings and UNICEF tents everyday to catch up on the lessons that they have missed out on for years. That's if they are lucky. Many, if not most, haven't even the luxury of a tent. Just a dusty ground outside in one of the world's most beautifully scenic landscapes. And still, they come to class. Many walk for miles; for hours.

With frankness I'll tell you, there is little to show off at these schools. The schools I visited had such limited resources that most made the average American 3 year-old's bedroom look like a learning lab. I can remember my own collection of books as a 2nd grader, and it looked liked the Library of Congress compared to the school library I saw at a school for over 2000 students. (And, I doubt I ever read half of them.)

Yet, the hunger and desire to read and to learn is so strong that, despite no enforced laws making schools compulsory in Afghanistan, children are clamoring to go to schools.

As I saw on my trip, UNICEF is there. UNICEF is providing tents so children can study away from the elements. UNICEF is struggling to provide school supplies to every young boy and girl in Afghanistan who wants to learn. UNICEF is providing literacy courses for women who have been forbidden far too long from a right of education that so many of us take for granted. But there is so much more that needs to be done.

Afghanistan is so far from the "lost cause" that I had expected to find in the rugged hills of south Asia. It is, I believe, one of the world's countries with the most potential. The people are perhaps it's most valuable natural resource. They are determined to break through the years of oppression they have endured. They are sponges for knowledge, and poised for success.

Winter is over in Afghanistan. It's time to get ready for amazing growth in Afghanistan's spring.
The people... make that the COUNTRY of Afghanistan showed me and my fellow travelers such AMAZING hospitality despite meager means.

As a people of substantially more means... we can help UNICEF return the favor.

Tags:Afghanistan clay aiken education
Posted by Clay Aiken, UNICEF USA on April 16, 2007 4:48 PM

After reading about the extreme need for better school supplies and resources, I think all who have donated to this cause will be even gladder that you did. I can only imagine what they can do with the close to $100,000 we have already given.

You can leave comments at the end of the blog by clicking on "Comments".

Tidbits 4/16

Clay featured at AOL Television's American Idol" Before They Were Stars (Clay is #4 in the slideshow)

• From Austin Claymate at The Clayboard - "Clay mention on the radio this morning on 96.7 KISS FM in Austin, TX! They were talking about his trip to Afghanistan and how great and brave he was to go there. And they mentioned that he tested the water for contamination and they even commented on the beard! They also played invisible in the background while they were talking about him."
• London Free Press - Neil Sedaka celebrating 50 years in the industry - "Sedaka was excited about Clay Aiken, who performed Sedaka's song, Solitaire, on the show."
• Record Journal - article about Gary Burr, who co-wrote Clay's "Run to Me" - "He has penned hit songs for country stars Randy Travis, LeAnn Rimes and American Idol stars Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken. Burr has also spent the last six years helping out a musician that a few people may have heard of."
• Herald Star - article about some high school talent show - "Those who paid the $5 for the choir concert heard a wide selection of songs, including Daniel Powter’s, “Bad Day,” and “This is the Night,” by Clay Aiken."
• Foxes On Idol - remembering AI2's top 7 -

  It was Billy Joel night, and Smokey Robinson was the guest judge. This was the night that Kimberley Locke sang “New York State of Mind” and Smokey told her she could “sang.” She sure can! Ruben sang “Just the Way You Are,” and Clay surprised everyone by rockin’ it out on “Tell Her About It.”

• Dateline Hollywood (satire) - random Clay mention in this American Idol satire (negative)
• The Transcript - how to make the best first impression - "I tell people they need to have a handshake somewhere in between Clay Aiken and Hulk Hogan."

• ConCLAYve - Clay helps draw "massive" attention to UNICEF.
• Carolina On My Mind - response to Clay's appeal "astonishes" UNICEF

Three New UNICEF Pictures Of Clay Posted On Monday

Three more pictures of Clay in Afghanistan were posted today, making a total of six that are online thus far. The three UNICEF pictures posted at Flickr, show Clay holding a baby, with a group of school children, and teaching the class at the chalkboard. The picture of Clay with the baby is especially touching, with love written all over his face. All six pictures are at the FLICKR site.

We will post more pictures as they become available.

... and in case you missed it, here's a clip that was shown on GMA last week:

Tidbits 4/15

Nice new Clay photo with Angela Fisher on Angie's MySpace page.

• Flint Journal - American Idol article notes: "Even the runners up do well (see Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken, etc.)."

• ClaySpots - Day 4 UNICEF fundraising update.
• There Was A Man - remembering AI2 top 8 and Clay's memorable performance of "At This Moment". This beautiful graphic is courtesy There Was A Man.