Backstreet Boys News

(4/15/02, 1 p.m. ET) -- Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson's recent visit to Chicago raised more than $56,000 for his environmental foundation, Just Within Reach (JWR). JWR promotes education, personal responsibility, and accountability with regards to the health of the planet. The singer's trip on April 6 was highlighted by a gala dinner and auction held at the local Peninsula Hotel.

"It's really touching that so many people would come out to support a cause I've committed part of my life to," said Richardson. "I'm glad more people are joining our efforts to improve the environment. We have a big battle to fight. And even though a single person can make a difference in how they impact the Earth, there's strength in numbers--our strength comes from knowing that we're fighting for the right things and for the right reasons."

At the dinner, Richardson and his wife Kristin presented the very first JWR Visionary Award to 9-year-old Lucas Musil and 13-year-old Kylie Musil of Naperville, Illinois. The brother-and-sister team was saluted for best personifying the goals of JWR. The pair earned the honor for their "initiative and achievement in building environmental awareness and cleanup programs in their schools and local community."

Later that evening, Richardson performed the Backstreet Boys' recent hit "Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely" with singer-songwriter Richard Marx(*NSYNC, Michael Bolton). Marx and Richardson also both played piano on Marx's 1989 hit "Right Here Waiting."

Richardson also put in a solo performance of John Lennon's anthem of hope for the future, "Imagine." "I was trying to think of the perfect song for this evening," explained Richardson. "'Imagine' has a strong message and was written by someone who did what he could to make a difference in the world. After all these years, it still tells us there is hope for saving this world we're living in."

More fundraisers in support of JWR and the environment will take place in several regions of the United States this year, according to the organization's website(justwithinreach.org). The JWR Visionary Award gala dinner will now be an annual event hosted by the organization. Richardson noted, "We have so much to do to improve this planet. But just think of what we can do if we work together...just imagine."

-- Jason Gelman, New York

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