Kelly Clarkson’s Fans Reach Out to the Troops

It’s one thing to support your favorite celebrity by purchasing their CDs, concert tickets, posters, magazines, and the like. It’s quite another when a celebrity’s influence touches his or her fans in such a way that they feel empowered to give to others.

Well, that is exactly what American Idol Kelly Clarkson’s fans are up to. Influenced by her rarely publicized acts of kindness, several of her fan websites and message boards have teamed with WalMart.com and the U.S.O. and developed the “Operation Thankful” campaign.

“Operation Thankful” is a program designed to raise funds for the purchase of Kelly’s #1 selling debut CD, to be donated to our Military Troops. The latest popular music is a #1 request by our soldiers these days and Clarkson’s fans have decided, what better way to say “Thank You” to the troops then with a copy of Kelly’s Thankful CD.

Although combat is easing in the Middle East right now, our soldiers will continue to be stationed there for months to come, as well as other parts of the world or on bases throughout the country. Regardless of their location, the donations from “Operation Thankful” will be used to purchase copies of the Thankful CD, and with the assistance of the U.S.O. delivered to the troops wherever they may be located along with heartfelt “thanks” for their efforts and service to the country.

This is an immense undertaking by a fan organization and a testament to what last year’s American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, has come to mean to many people. “Kelly Clarkson has a very giving nature and has contributed her money and time to help those in need on many occasions,” said Lynda Shulman, an organizer of the project. “Because of Kelly, many of her fans have followed suit and are always looking for ways to help and support others. Thankful’s title perfectly expresses our feelings toward our troops.”

The project goal is high but organizers are confident that the response is going to be overwhelming. Already, behind the scenes fundraising has collected close to 50% of the original goal that had been set and project organizers will be reaching out to businesses over the next few weeks for possible matching donations.

American Idol may have started out as a cheesy reality TV talent show to fill the void in new programming over the summer months but something happened when America found Ms. Clarkson. They found someone they could idolize! Kelly’s talent and drive to succeed may have been the initial factors that drew America in and had millions placing telephone votes last summer to bestow the title on her. But the true inspirational story here lies in the way she has conducted herself since last September. Exemplifying what an American Idol should be, Kelly’s actions have sparked an almost “pay-it-forward” mentality among her fans. Kelly’s delivery of Thankful to her fans has left them with a need to share this with the world thus bringing about the idea for “Operation Thankful.”

So for every wrong thing reality television can do to the minds of America, it did one very right thing last summer by introducing the public to Clarkson. The public in turn wants to express their gratitude to the dedicated men and women of our armed forces with Kelly’s “Thankful” message. Now that’s something to Idolize!

If you would like to say “thank you” to our troops visit operationthankful.comto find out all the details on making your donation.

If you haven’t already purchased Thankful for yourself, make sure to do so now – for 29% off from Amazon.com – by clicking below.

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