Resa
Proud Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 785
- Points
- 28
Michael Jackson: King of Pop Was Also King of Compassion
Posted on Friday, June 24, 2011 (EST)
Michael Jackson, who left us for his heavenly abode two years back, was publicly the King of Pop, but privately, he was the King of Compassion.
By Dee Pfeiffer
June 24, 2011, (Sawf News) - The accomplishments of Michael Jackson in the field of music, dance and entertainment have been documented worldwide. He was an innovator who changed the face of modern dance, captivated and influenced generations of music lovers and produced ground-breaking videos that were ahead of their time. What is lesser known, however, is how much he gave of himself, his time and his finances in order to help the suffering and those in need.
Quietly and without the need or desire for recognition, Jackson visited orphanages and schools across the globe, paid the cost of funerals for those who could ill afford the expense, and supported so many charities and good causes that he was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most charities donated to by a pop star.
Indeed, the entire proceeds of his 1992/1993 Dangerous Tour went to charity, as well as his cut from the 1984 Victory Tour. Whilst the tabloid media busied themselves in tearing him down, Jackson was using his time to give to the needy, sick or deprived, visiting as many orphanages and hospitals as he did concerts.
From a very early age, Jackson was moved to tears by the suffering of others, and especially the plight of children. As a child watching images of starving African children, he told his mother he was going to 'do something about that one day'. And, he kept to his word.
On the second anniversary of his death, we look at just a few instances which give us a glimpse into the singer's heart for the suffering:
In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the song 'We Are The World' together with Lionel Richie in order to combat poverty in the Third World. The record sold over ten million copies worldwide and raised a staggering $63 million plus for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US.
On February 6th, 1988, the inspirational and spiritually uplifting single, 'Man in The Mirror' entered the pop charts. Jackson donated all of his royalties from the single to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who have cancer.
In December 1988, Jackson paid a visit to 12 year old David Rothenburg, who was hospitalised after being doused with kerosene and seriously burned by his father five years previously. Despite an estimated fifty operations, Rothenburg remained disfigured. The star paid for all necessary further operations and the pair remained lifelong friends.
Michael Jackson at 'This is It' concert tour press conference.. Photo Credit: PR Photos
On 7 February, 1989, Jackson visited the Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California. Three weeks earlier, a gunman had open fired 100 bullets in the school playground, killing five children and wounding 39 others before turning the gun on himself. Jackson spent time comforting the children and helping them to think positively again.
On May 6th 1992, Jackson paid the funeral costs for young Ramon Sanchez. Sanchez was killed by a stray bullet during the Rodney King violent riots in California and the boy's parents could not afford to bury him.
On November 25th, 1992, Jackson granted the wish of young David Sonnet, who he met through the Make A Wish Foundation, an organisation that grants wishes to terminally ill children. Sonnet had suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 8, leaving him unable to talk or walk. Jackson invited the boy and his mother to his Neverland home and later, his mother credited the singer's music for helping her son to recover from a coma.
In December 1993, Jackson and his newly formed 'Heal the World Foundation'supported the UK's 'Operation Christmas Child' in airlifting over 100,000 gifts, toys, sweets, pictures and school items to needy children in Sarajevo.
In February 1995, the star made a private request to attend the funeral of Craig Fleming, a two year old boy whose mother threw him over the side of a Los Angeles bridge along with his four year old brother before jumping to her death. The mother and four year old survived. Jackson contributed towards the surviving youngster's medical expenses and founded a special trust fund for his ongoing care.
Michael Jackson. Photo Credit: Splash News
On November 1, 1996, Jackson donated most of the proceeds from his HIStory concert in Bombay, India, to the poor. When travelling from the airport, he stopped the car several times to dance with, pick up and hug poor urchins from the streets. On the day of his show in India, he invited around 50 children from local orphanages to his hotel room where they were treated to games, cakes and burgers. Later this same month, the star visited an orphanage and a school for blind children in Thailand. At the orphanage, he distributed toys and gifts to the children before leaving a donation of $100,000. An orphanage spokeswoman at the time said, "They don't know him as a pop star. To them he is just a very nice man who came here to offer hope."
New stories of Jackson's compassion for those less fortunate are surfacing regularly, and his humanitarian legacy continues through the stipulation in his will that the Jackson Family Trust donate 20% of its earnings to a number of undisclosed charities.
Only now that he is gone are we truly realizing what a legacy Jackson left. Yes, his performances left people mesmerized, and his music captivated music lovers worldwide. But perhaps his most lasting legacy will be his humanitarian work which has left an indelible mark on the countless hearts of those whose lives he touched.
http://www.sawfnews.com/Entertainment/67141.aspx
Posted on Friday, June 24, 2011 (EST)
Michael Jackson, who left us for his heavenly abode two years back, was publicly the King of Pop, but privately, he was the King of Compassion.
By Dee Pfeiffer
June 24, 2011, (Sawf News) - The accomplishments of Michael Jackson in the field of music, dance and entertainment have been documented worldwide. He was an innovator who changed the face of modern dance, captivated and influenced generations of music lovers and produced ground-breaking videos that were ahead of their time. What is lesser known, however, is how much he gave of himself, his time and his finances in order to help the suffering and those in need.
Quietly and without the need or desire for recognition, Jackson visited orphanages and schools across the globe, paid the cost of funerals for those who could ill afford the expense, and supported so many charities and good causes that he was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most charities donated to by a pop star.
Indeed, the entire proceeds of his 1992/1993 Dangerous Tour went to charity, as well as his cut from the 1984 Victory Tour. Whilst the tabloid media busied themselves in tearing him down, Jackson was using his time to give to the needy, sick or deprived, visiting as many orphanages and hospitals as he did concerts.
From a very early age, Jackson was moved to tears by the suffering of others, and especially the plight of children. As a child watching images of starving African children, he told his mother he was going to 'do something about that one day'. And, he kept to his word.
On the second anniversary of his death, we look at just a few instances which give us a glimpse into the singer's heart for the suffering:
In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the song 'We Are The World' together with Lionel Richie in order to combat poverty in the Third World. The record sold over ten million copies worldwide and raised a staggering $63 million plus for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US.
On February 6th, 1988, the inspirational and spiritually uplifting single, 'Man in The Mirror' entered the pop charts. Jackson donated all of his royalties from the single to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who have cancer.
In December 1988, Jackson paid a visit to 12 year old David Rothenburg, who was hospitalised after being doused with kerosene and seriously burned by his father five years previously. Despite an estimated fifty operations, Rothenburg remained disfigured. The star paid for all necessary further operations and the pair remained lifelong friends.
Michael Jackson at 'This is It' concert tour press conference.. Photo Credit: PR Photos
On 7 February, 1989, Jackson visited the Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California. Three weeks earlier, a gunman had open fired 100 bullets in the school playground, killing five children and wounding 39 others before turning the gun on himself. Jackson spent time comforting the children and helping them to think positively again.
On May 6th 1992, Jackson paid the funeral costs for young Ramon Sanchez. Sanchez was killed by a stray bullet during the Rodney King violent riots in California and the boy's parents could not afford to bury him.
On November 25th, 1992, Jackson granted the wish of young David Sonnet, who he met through the Make A Wish Foundation, an organisation that grants wishes to terminally ill children. Sonnet had suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 8, leaving him unable to talk or walk. Jackson invited the boy and his mother to his Neverland home and later, his mother credited the singer's music for helping her son to recover from a coma.
In December 1993, Jackson and his newly formed 'Heal the World Foundation'supported the UK's 'Operation Christmas Child' in airlifting over 100,000 gifts, toys, sweets, pictures and school items to needy children in Sarajevo.
In February 1995, the star made a private request to attend the funeral of Craig Fleming, a two year old boy whose mother threw him over the side of a Los Angeles bridge along with his four year old brother before jumping to her death. The mother and four year old survived. Jackson contributed towards the surviving youngster's medical expenses and founded a special trust fund for his ongoing care.
Michael Jackson. Photo Credit: Splash News
On November 1, 1996, Jackson donated most of the proceeds from his HIStory concert in Bombay, India, to the poor. When travelling from the airport, he stopped the car several times to dance with, pick up and hug poor urchins from the streets. On the day of his show in India, he invited around 50 children from local orphanages to his hotel room where they were treated to games, cakes and burgers. Later this same month, the star visited an orphanage and a school for blind children in Thailand. At the orphanage, he distributed toys and gifts to the children before leaving a donation of $100,000. An orphanage spokeswoman at the time said, "They don't know him as a pop star. To them he is just a very nice man who came here to offer hope."
New stories of Jackson's compassion for those less fortunate are surfacing regularly, and his humanitarian legacy continues through the stipulation in his will that the Jackson Family Trust donate 20% of its earnings to a number of undisclosed charities.
Only now that he is gone are we truly realizing what a legacy Jackson left. Yes, his performances left people mesmerized, and his music captivated music lovers worldwide. But perhaps his most lasting legacy will be his humanitarian work which has left an indelible mark on the countless hearts of those whose lives he touched.
http://www.sawfnews.com/Entertainment/67141.aspx
Last edited: