Clay Aiken
Children's Advocacy Award
Multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken's musical success has enabled him to fulfill his lifelong wish to support educational and children's causes. While the accolades that followed his stunningly close second-place finish on the second season of American Idol have validated him in ways that he never could have dreamed of when he was a teacher working with autistic children back in his home state of North Carolina, it is the charitable work that his musical career has enabled him to do that means more to him than anything else these days.
The singer created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003, an organization that promotes and funds educational and recreational programs for children with special needs. He also serves as a United States Fund for UNICEF National Ambassador, helping ensure that children everywhere can receive a primary education. In 2006 Mr. Aiken was appointed to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Mr. Aiken holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
NCLDSO, THERE WAS ANOTHER REASON WHY HE WAS IN NEW YORK HE WAS GETTING ANOTHER AWARD!
THANKS PHILLY AND WELL DESERVED I MUST SAY.