American Idol Fundraiser: Idol Gives Back

This week, American Idol will host a charity fund-raiser Idol Gives Back. The star-studded event will urge viewers to donate money to charties supporting the needy in America and Africa.

The competition will continue as usual on Tuesday night. The six remaining finalist will sing “life anthem” songs about compassion and hope. Tonight, votes will count more than ever. Each time a person calls in, sponsors will make a donation to Charity Projects Entertainment Fund.

The U.S. organizations that will benefit from Idol Gives Back are Save the Children, America‘s Second Harvest: The Nation‘s Food Bank Network, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Children‘s Health Fund. In Africa, funds are earmarked for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Malaria No More, Nothing But Nets, Save the Children and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

A special 2-hour results show, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air Wednesday evening live from the American Idol stage and from Walt Disney Concert Hall. Other celebrities taking part in the event include Bono, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Josh Groban with the African Children‘s Choir, Keira Knightley, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Grant, Daniel Radcliffe, Teri Hatcher, Helena Bonham Carter, Jack Black , Helen Mirren , Quincy Jones, Annie Lennox and past American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

This is the first fund-raising venture by American Idol, and it is expected to raise millions of dollars. Don’t forget, at the end of tomorrow night’s show, someone will still be going home. Bookmaker.com has odds at +140 that Phil Stacey will go home. I think he will be packing his bags unless one of the other contestants has a bad week. Lakisha Jones and Chris Richardson have to get their act together this week if they want to stick around and be a part of the Top 5.