Some celebrities adopt a cause or charity for the publicity value, while others support the crusade of the moment, and then move on to the next one.

 Clay Aiken isn’t like that.  He’d still be working on behalf of disabled children even if he hadn’t auditioned for American Idol, made the final round of competition, and then gone on to double platinum sales with his debut album, Measure of A Man.

By John Berger –HonoluluStar-Bulletin

In February of 2005, Clay Aiken was in Hawaii to champion the cause of kids…those with and without disabilities.  He was one of the guest speakers at the Pacific Rim Conference and also there to host the Bubel/Aiken Voices For Change Gala.

According to all reports, the Gala was a huge success.  The exciting evening included a short speech by Clay, a silent auction, dinner, and a mini-concert by Clay.  A former Miss America was the mistress of ceremonies.  She did an excellent job and was a true professional.

Dressed in a beige suit, Clay gave an outstanding speech that was both touching and inspiring.  Clay closed the evening with a short mini-concert.  He performed Invisible, I Will Carry You, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Measure of A Man.  Hula dancers joined Clay as he sang Measure of A Man.

John Berger of the Honolulu Star – Bulletin wrote a wonderful article about Clay and his involvement with Inclusion.  The following are some of the highlights from the article:

…While Aiken these days isn’t the easiest person to reach — having a very tight and hectic schedule — he was the epitome of Southern-grown manners as he talked about his current work with his Bubel/Aiken Foundation (TBAF).

“The fans have been just absolutely amazing in supporting the foundation,” he said. Aiken has been able thus far to juggle his commitments to TBAF with the demands of his singing career, and hopes to do a full-length concert here sometime, maybe after he finishes his next album around the end of the year.

In the meantime, Aiken will sing at least a few songs Friday night for his “Voices for Change” gala dinner/fund-raiser at the SheratonWaikiki….

… Aiken says politely but firmly that he disagrees with the idea that disabled kids should be isolated from their nondisabled peers.

“Our position is that children with disabilities can survive in an atmosphere with nondisabled kids. We’ve been successful throughout the last two years already with camp programs for YMCA … where children with disabilities are able to participate. In some instances, we find that the more severely disabled children require there to be more adequate training for the staff members who are working with them, or more possibly more one-on-one attention, but we do find that we have a lot a success with both the children with disabilities and their experiences in these activities with nondisabled peers, and as well as the kids without disabilities. Their lives are enhanced by these new friendships and being exposed to these diverse groups of people.”…

… Aiken will be sharing his findings on the “benefits of inclusion” at the conference next week as part of a larger look at issues that affect people with disabilities, their families and friends, and the community as a whole.

He is also looking forward to honoring two Hawaii residents, disabilities activist Susan Rocco and state Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (D, Kalihi-Liliha), with TBAF Champion of Change Awards for their work in “the disabilities awareness arena.”

“We don’t do this everywhere. We pick communities with people who have really made a difference. (The senator) has done a lot of work in the legislature advocating for the disabled community in Hawaii,” he says.

As for any comments about “American Idol,” Aiken clearly prefers to talk about his charity work instead.

“I haven’t paid attention to it too much,” he says with a hearty laugh. “My position was, that soon as I was gone, it wasn’t any good anymore.” (It was a joke, AI fans, just a joke.)…

If you want to read the entire article, you can see it HERE 

I wish Clay would make another trip to Hawaii to speak about The National Inclusion Project.  I would love to hear him speak about the benefits of inclusion and visit Hawaii at the same time!

Do you remember this event from 2005?