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Clay Aiken Starts A Charitable Foundation

Yahoo! Music, Jul 31, 2003 6:00 pm PDT
(7/31/03, 6 p.m. ET) -- Clay Aiken announced the formation of his Bubel-Aiken Foundation to benefit children with mental disabilities on Monday (July 28). The American Idol runner up was with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Wachovia financial center in New York's Rockefeller Plaza when he made the surprise announcement unbeknownst to Wachovia executives and all in attendance at the event.

Aiken said in a statement, "The Bubel-Aiken foundation is something I was going to have Wachovia help me set up and manage anyway, so I just thought 'why not do it today.'"

Aiken added, "Diane Bubel is a close friend of mine from home and she changed my life because she's the one who encouraged me to audition for American Idol. That's why I'm starting this foundation in her name. Hopefully we can make some positive changes in the lives of children with mental disabilities."

In the end, Wachovia bank opened an account for Aiken's new foundation and kicked in a $10,000 donation in Aiken's name immediately following the press conference. Aiken's account was the first official account at the bank's new Rockefeller location.

Aiken's full-length debut album will be released in August, and included on the set will be his current single "This Is The Night."

Also this week, Aiken paid a visit to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday (July 30) to sing happy birthday to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole and to promote a film education program.

For more news at LAUNCH, click here.

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