By Anita Thomas

American Idol kicks off the Idol Gives Back fundraiser that allows people to call in and pledge donations that help children and families worldwide in need. Idol creator Simon Fuller along with Fox Broadcasting started Idol Gives Back Foundation in 2007. Money raised through Idol Gives Back gets distributed to The Children’s Health Fund, Feeding American, Save the Children and Malaria No More. High profile entertainers take to the stage performing while viewers call, text and go online to pledge. A ten-dollar donation can provide a screen tent to keep mosquitoes out of the sleeping quarters of an African family. This screen protection can save the life of a family and future lives to come.

The opening of the show; President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama thank those that have sent money to the Idol Gives Back Foundation.

Queen Latifah host the Idol Gives Back live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with guest performances by Black Eye Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Wanda Sykes and superstar Sir Elton John.

Entertainers such as Morgan Freeman, Victoria Beckham, Annie Lennox, past idol winner David Cook, along with Idol judges visit many families in need from the United States and Africa to share their stories of heartbreak and hope. Jennifer Garner headed to Bracken County Kentucky to visit a family living in a two-bedroom trailer with no heat. Idol gives back has helped this family to overcome obstacles the children had in education, providing books and supplies needed.

In the mist of all the good that Idol Gives Back does it is sad to say that still an idol contestant has to go home. Back on the Idol stage three idol hopefuls are seated waiting to hear who is safe to continue on to next week. Tim Urban, Casey James and Aaron Kelly are told they are in the bottom three this week and waiting patiently to hear the final results of the votes. Running over time Ryan Seacrest announces the unfortunate one heading home and it is drum roll…..Tim Urban.

Before the show ended Simon announced that just in the two hours of the shows airing Idol Gives Back has raised 15 million and more donations were still pouring in.

It’s not to late to donate call 1-877—IDOL-AID (1-877-436-5243) U.S. and Canadian credit card donors. Text Message donations to U.S. mobile subscribers can text the word IDOL to 20222 to donate $10.00. You can also visit the idol website at http://www.americanidol.com