A recent celebrity karaoke night contributed more than just entertainment by raising funds and promoting awareness for UNICEF and its Schools for Africa project.
Tom Bergeron hosted the event, with the Ricky Minor Band performing backup for stars like Heidi Klum, Molly Sims, Tom Hanks and many others.
Lakers powerhouse Pau Gasol performed an emotional rendition of “How to Save a Life” by The Fray, while James Denton, Kyle Maclachlan and Doug Savant sang “R.O.C.K. in the USA.” Heidi Klum, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson sang “YMCA”, and Molly Sims gave Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” a whirl. Other performances included “Easy Lover” by Kristen Bell and Don Cheadle, “Regulate” by Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas.
UNICEF’s Schools for Africa is a philanthropic organization working to provide sub-Saharan children with an education despite the lack of schools as well as conflict, discrimination and poverty.
Along with its partners, UNICEF works to “build, rehabilitate and furnish schools; provide access to clean water and separate latrines for boys and girls; train teachers in child-friendly methods to improve education and basic life skill mentoring; supply students with school materials and recreation equipment.”
As of 2011, UNICEF is one of the most successful humanitarian foundations when it comes to saving the lives of children in more than 150 countries.