2003-12-31
9:14 a.m.

"Official Fan Club" Message with Message from Clay

Not sure if we will always make these into MPs, but this is our first, so it's special. Plus, it has a message from Clay, and he says he loves me, I mean us, I mean all his fans. Oh, read it yourself....

Nelle

ps
be sure to see Auld Lang Syne the Broad's Way

Dear Clay Fan Site Administrators/Moderators,

Here is the next official update from the official fan club. I'd love for you guys to post it, as is, on your sites, in addition to it being e-mailed out from the fan club, since there have been technical difficulties with some people being unable to receive them right now. That should be resolved in the very near future. Thanks for your cooperation and patience!

Happy Holidays and God bless,
Suzanne

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My Dear Fans,

Happy Holidays! I would like to take a minute to thank you all so much for making this such an incredible year. What an amazing ride 2003 has been, and it is all because of you. From picking up the phone to vote, to picking up my CD in the store, to picking up your checkbooks to donate to the Foundation, you have gone above and beyond all I could have hoped for or imagined and really, truly, are the best fans in the world. I am humbled by your continuous generosity and support.

Thank you for the well wishes for my graduation. It was so humbling to stand amongst educators who every day are changing the lives of their students. I become envious of them when I think of the time they have in their classrooms to witness the miracles of discovery they have each day with the special children God has loaned them for this time. However, college has also opened doors beyond the classroom, providing a glimpse of life in the "real world." Working with children with autism has provided me with an opportunity to see the world in a different way. I see them strive to overcome obstacles and persevere, and learn to persevere myself. They are my inspiration.

I was very fortunate to have an opportunity to go ice-skating with 100 incredible children last weekend as an event sponsored by the Foundation. Thank you, Wachovia Bank, for partnering with us for the event and creating a memory for these kids, as well as a learning experience for both the children with and without developmental disabilities. In a perfect world, there would be no distinction between these two groups; each would have opportunities to play and grow and learn and succeed...Thank you for supporting this event and bringing that dream one step closer to a reality. I also enjoyed meeting several wonderful people last week at the Carolina Hurricanes hockey game who generously donated to the Bubel/Aiken Foundation by purchasing box seating for the game. Thank you to all who are helping make my dream of the Foundation a reality through your generous giving, and helping make opportunities available for ALL children, regardless of their developmental disabilities.

Everyone can do his or her part to give a voice to these children. I appreciate your help in so many ways, and there are so many ways to help. If possible, you could give of your time. Support causes you believe in by volunteering. Thank you for caring enough to educate yourself in order to create awareness in your community. Help eliminate stereotypes that have too long been associated with disabilities. Check out the foundation's website for ideas of ways you can make a difference in the lives of special children and help their voice in this world be heard. This voice can be heard through YOU. Each day, I remind myself that it's not necessarily how we make a difference...if we just make sure that we do.

It was wonderful to spend a few moments at home with my family and friends during the holidays. I love them so much and value the time I am able to have with them. Every moment is precious. Seize the memories you make during this holiday season and never let them go. May God grant you health, happiness, and hope in this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Best wishes for 2004,
All my love,
Clay

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

New Release: Clay's new single will officially be "The Way." "Solitaire" will be released as the b-side of this new single early in 2004. Make sure to call all your local radio stations to request "The Way"! Also, make sure to request Kimberley Locke's new single, "8th World Wonder."

Skate with Clay: While many of his fans were decking their halls with boughs of holly and roasting chestnuts on an open fire, Clay was busy making appearances in his hometown of Raleigh, NC. Clay spent last Sunday afternoon at the RBC Center, ice-skating with 100 children from the local area. This event was to mingle children with and without special needs together, offering an afternoon where they could learn from each other and make new friends. Bubel/Aiken Foundation volunteer Dawn Graham had this to say to summarize the event: "Clay spoke and skated with each of the children, asking their names, where they went to school, etc. He looked to have as much fun as they did! They were each outfitted with a specially made Bubel/Aiken Foundation jersey, and Clay was sporting a 'Canes jersey with 'Aiken 03' on the back. Some of the children were not physically able to skate, so some of them were pushed across the ice on metal chairs...Some were lead on skates by their care givers or some of Clay's friends, and some skated fine on their own! I left the arena that night counting my own personal blessings, and added 101 more to that list of blessings! I was very moved by Clay's kindness and generosity. The Bubel/Aiken Foundation Skate with Clay event was a huge success! Thanks to Clay and the Foundation for letting me help out!" Erin Hope, one of the children invited by the foundation to participate in the event, said, "It was really cool to see Clay and talk with him and skate with him!" Jeff, her father, commented, "The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is a great organization that will finally raise awareness to the world concerning the needs of special children." Special thanks to Wachovia Bank for providing funding for this amazing day!

Carolina Hurricanes: Clay fans at the Carolina Hurricanes game last Monday night received an extra special treat. Not only did Clay perform the National Anthem, but he also sang 4 songs during the breaks between the periods, including holiday favorite "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day" and his new single, "The Way." People came from all over the country when they heard Clay was singing, and many bought box seats to the game as a fund raising event for the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. During the game, Clay stopped by the boxes to say hello! "I was thrilled to have the opportunity to have my picture taken with him... We were all surprised and pleased to hear Clay sing four songs in addition to the National Anthem! What a treat!" commented fan Kay Carter, "I went all the way to the Miss America Pageant back in September to hear him sing one song, and it was well worth it. To hear him sing five songs was the greatest Christmas present he could have given his fans!"

Finding a Voice in the World: After Clay's graduation from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on December 20th, 2003, Clay attended a press conference along with Fran Skinner-Lewis and Diane Bubel of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to announce the foundation's first strategic partners and fundraising initiatives. During the conference, many exciting announcements were made regarding the Foundation and its call to the nation to volunteer. Senator Tom Harkin, author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, announced via a video message the first annual "Clay Aiken Able to Serve Awards." In collaboration with Youth Service America, the Foundation will provide grants for 25 national and 8 international awards to young people with developmental disabilities who create, staff, lead, and implement community service projects. Applications are available on the Bubel/Aiken Foundation website at www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org. President George Bush's Council on Service and Civic Participation has created a volunteer recognition program for the Foundation as part of the President's Volunteer Service Initiative. This program will recognize volunteers of all ages in all areas working with children with special needs. Barbara Taylor, Director of Public Affairs and the Executive Director of the Council was present at the event for the announcement and to present an award to Clay for his work with special needs children. "Through this Foundation," said Senator Harkin, "Clay is in a position to lead his generation, create awareness of the abilities of children with special needs, change attitudes that stand in the way of full inclusion and break stereotypes that prevent young people from fully enjoying all life has to offer. These young people have found a voice in Clay Aiken." Add your voice to the cause by registering at the Bubel/Aiken Foundation website.

MBNA Partnership: The MBNA's Bubel/Aiken Foundation Master Card program was introduced at the press conference following Clay's graduation. MBNA, an international company that believes in the power of a diverse workforce and equal opportunities for all is a natural partner for the Foundation. MBNA unveiled for the first time the standard and platinum Bubel/Aiken Foundation credit cards, carrying the Foundation's official logo. Watch www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org for more details and applications for the cards.

Krispy Kreme Partnership: Fellow North Carolina sensation, Krispy Kreme, has also joined forces with the Foundation in efforts to create inclusive opportunities for children with special needs in education, recreation, therapeutic settings, and employment by agreeing to help raise funds for the Foundation. They have also gone an extra mile by committing to raise awareness worldwide by promoting "The Bubel/Aiken Foundation Week" in its stores this summer. People interested in raising funds now for the Foundation can immediately go to any Krispy Kreme store to be eligible for any of its three fundraising programs set to benefit the Foundation. Watch www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org for more details!

Call to Art: The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is pleased to invite your participation in an international call for children's art. We have issued this call in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and to our friends around the world. All youth with developmental disabilities, up to age 22, are invited to participate in the call, and eligible participants will be invited to submit artwork depicting the exhibition theme, "How Does Art Define You?" The Bubel/Aiken Foundation believes that all youth should have access to the arts. At the earliest stages of development, many children encounter barriers to their artistic aspirations-barriers that may include low expectations of the child's performance, attitudinal prejudices that prevent a student from engaging in art activities, and the lack of a stimulating environment that invites exploration and expression. By participating in inclusive art activities, children experience and respond to the world, look beyond themselves and appreciate the contributions that all people make to our society. This call for art is meant to encourage art educators, administrators and facilitators to individualize instruction in response to students' strengths, to explore alternative working methods to the arts and to facilitate supportive connections between youth, working artists, and the community. The call for art is designed to inspire visual art submissions to be considered for inclusion in the publications of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, holiday cards, calendars, and for display throughout this web site in celebration of the artistic abilities of those the Foundation serves. Each selected artist will receive a certificate of recognition. Contest guidelines, an entry form, and list of resources are available at www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org/showcase.htm.

Congratulations: Congratulations to Clay for winning the Best Reality Show Star Award on the TV Guide Awards. Thanks to the many fans who voted to make this happen! Clay was also voted in the top 20 of Entertainment Tonight's "Hot List of the Top Celebrities of 2003," based on having the most mentions on the show over the course of 2003.

Mailing Addresses: Thank you to the many people who have been sending fan mail to Clay (and his puppy Raleigh, too!) Clay has received fan mail from all over the globe. It is always exciting to read what you have to say! A new official fan mail address and e-mail address will be announced soon. Please continue to support the foundation by sending your correspondence (not fan mail) to: The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, P.O. Box 90307, Raleigh, NC 27675.

Luann Comic Strip: Clay has made his cartoon debut in the Luann comic strip! The two-week story arc began Monday, Dec. 29. Greg Evans, creator of "Luann," was inspired to feature Aiken as a guest star in the comic strip when he attended a release party for Aiken's debut album thrown by fans in Los Angeles. The story will run in the Monday-Saturday comic strips. The strips can be read in local newspapers, or online at www.unitedmedia.com/comics/luann/.

On the Charts: Clay Aiken makes his first appearance in the top 10 of the Adult Contemporary chart, and does it twice! "Invisible" is up 11-8, while "The First Noel" rises 13-9. "Silver Bells," a duet with Kimberley Locke, also climbs the charts at 19-16. Clay's first chart entry, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," peaks at number 29 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and "This is the Night" went as high as number 13.

Billboard Radio Countdown: One Clay track will be heard on the "staff favorites" edition of the Billboard Radio Countdown, posted on January 5th. "Measure of a Man" was on of Fred Bronson's from Billboard's top five albums picks of 2003. Fred recently commented to Clay's fan club president that he has not known of any other artist who has charted five different titles on the Adult Contemporary chart in the first six months of his or her chart career!

Upcoming Clay television appearances:

MTV New Year's Special on December 31st (MTV)

American Idol - Life on the Road on January 1st (FOX)

Ed on January 23rd (NBC)

VH1 All Access: Spotlight on January 31st (VH1)

Check local listings for show times!

Information about tours, appearances, releases, etc., will be announced when they have been confirmed. Please be aware that many people have been spreading rumors, even if unintentionally, throughout the internet community. Unless posted on an official site or from an official source, please remember that they may or may not be true!

Keep watching for more updates about Clay and the Official Fan Club coming soon!

www.clayonline.com