Jordin Sparks Cares About More Than How Many Records She Sells

Jordin Sparks was the youngest winner of "American Idol" at only 17 years old in 2007. The R&B and pop singer and actress saw her debut self-titled album go platinum and sell more than two million copies. Her single, "No Air," is the highest selling single by any Idol contest--selling more than four million digital copies--and she has had four top 20 songs and a 2009 Grammy nomination. What many people may not know about Jordin Sparks, however, is her concern for others and her involvement in helping a variety of charities. Many might be surprised that someone so young has been so active in helping others.

Jordin Spark's involvement in helping charities has included raising money for school supplies for disadvantaged children, raising money to restore instrumental music education in public schools, and playing tennis in the Arthur Ashe Kid's Day, which attempts to use tennis to instill in kids the values of humanitarianism, leadership and academic excellence. She has also fought childhood cancer, helped raise money for hearing aids, and assisted others in a variety of causes.

She said she became involved in raising school supplies, because so many school children don't have all the supplies they need, and it is so easy to donate the supplies needed. In 2008 the singer appeared in a public service announcement to encourage teenagers to donate pens, pencils, books, and other supplies to Staples stores. Materials given were then passed on the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Hanscom Air Force Base Youth Center.

Jordin Sparks has used Twitter to encourage her fans to donate to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer and, as a part of the X The TXT campaign, to urge her fans to not send texts on their cell phones while driving.

When Alex was four and had had cancer four three years, she set up a lemonade stand that raised $1,000 in one day to help find a cure for childhood cancer. She died in 2004 at the age of eight, and her parents started the foundation the next year.

The campaign against texting and driving is part of a pledge campaign against the practice in 30 cities. Jordin Sparks says she does not know why more states have not passed laws against texting and driving, because the practice can be deadly.

Jordin Sparks and actor Will Farrell were a part of the 14th annual Arthur Ashe Kids' Day. Children who participated got to play in interactive tennis games, listen to music, and participate in other events with a variety of stars and tennis stars. Other participants were former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick, Billie Jean King, singer Justin Bieber, and the Jonas Brothers.

She has also been involved in fighting malaria in Africa. While many people may know that AIDS, famine and poverty kill millions on the continent, they may not know that more than one million children a year die from malaria in Africa. The disease is carried by mosquitoes.

While "Idol Gives Back," a special "American Idol" show has given money to Malaria no more to fight the disease, Jordin Sparks has been personally involved. In 2007 she joined President Bush in Ghana to highlight efforts to fight the disease that destroys red blood cells and clogs the tiny capillaries that carry blood to the brain and other organs.

"I love being able to do something and give back and use my name for something bigger than myself, essentially for the greater good, "Jordin Sparks said in an interview in looktothestars.org. "I hope that doesn't sound too cheesy!"

While some might expect a 20-year-old to only be concerned with clothes, her success as a singer, or men, Jordin Sparks has shown she does care about others.