The Many Charities of Mariah Carey

She has sold more than 60 million records, and in a career that has spanned two decades, has been called by some "the best singer of all time." Mariah Carey has sold more than 63 million records, with Madonna and Barbara Streisand being the only female singers to have sold more. (Madonna has sold only a half a million more, with Streisand selling 71 million records.) She is the first artist in history to have had number one hits with her first five songs, and she has had a total of 18 number one songs-more than any other female solo artist. What many people may not know about Mariah Carey, however, is her involvement in helping others through a variety of charities.

Mariah Carey has helped so supported so many charities in so many ways that she has won the Congressional Horizon Award. She has helped inner city youth learn about career opportunities through Camp Mariah. She has helped raise funds for the Make-a-Wish-Foundation, which grants wishes to dying children. She has supported the Save the Music Foundation, American troops around the world (and has performed for some of them), relief for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, Feeding America, and many other charities.

Mariah Carey began her own charity, Camp Mariah, after learning her own sister is HIV positive. Camp Mariah is partners with another charity, the Fresh Air Fund, which provides free summer vacations to children from the toughest areas of New York City. Nearly 300 young people attend the camp every year. Children must be in the sixth grade to apply.

Besides helping young people and encouraging them in seeking a career, there are weekend camping trips for those in Camp Mariah. There are also year round activities in New York. Children learn to improve their writing, reading, and communication skills, develop skills in solving problems, learn about specific career paths and find about jobs, meet guest speakers and volunteer mentors from many professions, learn about the link between education and future employment, and about many other things.

"This sad family story made me care more about other children in need," looktothestars.org quoted her story of her sister from an interview in Bravo magazine. She said she wants "to give them advice and to see that they get a better life."

She added that organizations like Fresh Fund are very necessary, because children do not have many good role models in their lives. Such people are needed to provide "comfort," according to the popular singer, as well as point young people "in the right direction."

The website of the Make-a-Wish-Foundation, wish.org, states that Mariah Carey is "at the top of the charts" in helping dying children. It noted she has granted "dozens of wishes," as well as donated more than $100,000 to see that 20 more wishes were granted. One such wish helped 17-year-old Aaron receive microphones, drums, a guitar, and a keyboard. He recorded a CD of his own songs and sent it to Carey in appreciation. Another way Mariah Carey has helped the charity was in performing when the charity celebrated its 25^th anniversary.

Mariah Carey, George Clooney, Courtney Cox, Chris Brown, Lance Bass, Matt Damon, Matthew Perry, and other celebrities autographed bowls for Clothes off Our Back, when it raised funds for Feeding America. The bowls were sold to raise funds for the charity, which is the largest American hunger relief charity.

Of Mariah Carey's 18 number one songs, 15 were in the 1990's, and she has had other hits too. Some of her number one songs were, "Honey," "I'll be There," "I Don't Want to Cry," and "Dream Lover." She has also been very busy helping many people through various charities.

Citations:

Mariah Carey's Charity Work, Events and Causes , no author listed, looktothe stars.org

Mariah Carey, no author listed, wish.org

Giving Back - Mariah Carey supports "Feeding America," no author listed, mariahconnection.org

Camp Mariah, no author listed, freshair.org

What Are Mariah Carey's #1 Hits? by Bill Lamb, top40.about.com