Kris Allen Grows a Mustache for a Good Cause (VIDEO)


Janelle Lin (DonorsChoose), Kris Allen, and Andy Davis (Music Empowers) collaborate to help music programs in need. (PRNewsFoto/Music Empowers Foundation)

Season 8 American Idol winner, Kris Allen, is growing a mustache in order to help raise funds for DonorsChoose.org through the Music Empowers Foundation.  See the PSA and read the press release below.  I hope Kris keeps us updated on his progress! Ha.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Music Empowers Foundation and platinum recording artist and American Idol-winner Kris Allen today announced a new program to support music education programs in public schools.  Mr. Allen and Music Empowers have partnered to provide a major grant to DonorsChoose.org, the national online charity that matches individual donors to project requests from teachers in public schools.  The initiative hopes to benefit over 10,000 students by helping to provide music supplies to classroom music programs in high poverty areas across the country.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111114/DC06204)

“We are thrilled with the tremendous support of Kris Allen and the Music Empowers Foundation in helping teachers acquire the music supplies their students need to thrive,” says Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. “Their commitment will expose thousands of students to music education who may not otherwise have the opportunity.”

Funds provided by Music Empowers will be used specifically to match contributions made by individual donors to eligible classroom music projects, under a DonorsChoose.org program called “Double Your Impact.”

“Once individual donations total 50% of a music project’s cost, Music Empowers will fund the other 50%,” explained Andy Davis, founder of Music Empowers Foundation.  “If all goes well, we should be able to fund hundreds of these projects and make a real impact in schools where music programs are struggling due to lack of funds.”

Kris Allen recently attended Nickelodeon’s NickTeen HALO Awards on behalf of Music Empowers and DonorsChoose.org and voiced his support for the joint initiative.  “I think DonorsChoose.org is an amazing resource for helping teachers to get the materials they need to do the best job for their students. I am really happy to partner with Music Empowers Foundation to support them and the music teachers and students who will benefit,” said Mr. Allen.

In an effort to encourage people to visit the DonorsChoose.org website and contribute to one of the projects eligible for the Music Empowers Foundation matching funds, Kris Allen recorded a special public service announcement which now is airing on television. As revealed in the PSA, he also will be growing a mustache over the next four weeks as a further incentive for his fans to help out.

Individuals wishing to contribute to one of the projects supported by Music Empowers and Kris Allen can go to www.donorschoose.org/KrisAllenStache for a complete listing of eligible projects.

About mj santilli 34833 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!