Multi-Media News Room

Gibson to play for personal charity Children International

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 4, 2012) — Singer songwriter Debbie Gibson will appear on season five of Celebrity Apprentice, and has announced she will play for the charity Children International.

Celebrity Apprentice is a reality television show where celebrities compete in weekly challenges and donate any winnings to their personal charities. Every week, the celebrity contestants will work in two teams, each under the guidance of a designated project manager, to compete in business-driven tasks around New York City, using their fame, along with their proven business acumen, to win challenges.

Contestants are subjected to long hours, grueling deadlines, intellectual challenges, personality clashes, and intense scrutiny under the careful watch of Donald Trump and his advisors. The last person standing will be chosen as the Celebrity Apprentice and have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their designated charity.

Gibson will compete to help provide 5,000 poor children in India with medical and dental care and educational support.

Children International president and CEO Jim Cook said, "Children International is fortunate to have such a dedicated supporter as Debbie Gibson. She has proven she is an ardent advocate for children living in the most extreme poverty."

Gibson, who is the youngest performer ever to write and record a number one song, has been a supporter of the U.S.-based humanitarian organization since 1990. Currently, she helps support 7-year-old Helen, her mother and five siblings living in a cemetery in Manila, Philippines. Helen and her family guard a cemetery crypt, and live on less than $11 a month. With Gibson's help, Helen and her siblings now receive medical and dental care and attend school.

Children International's programs provide poor children like Helen with medical and dental care, educational support and health education to children and youth, some whose families live on less than $1.25 a day.

Forbes lists Children International a top charity

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (November 30, 2011) — Forbes magazine recognizes Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, as a top charity.

Many charities have pulled out of the recession reporting an average increase of 4.7% in contributions, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Children International has reported that their income was up over 6% in 2011. The organization attributes the increase to the generosity of American consumers during a still-fragile economy and their commitment to supporting children living in poverty.

Forbes rated Children International in the top 200 of the largest charities based upon three financial efficiency ratios and the trend from the previous year:

• fundraising efficiency
• charitable commitment
• donor dependency

Children International received more than $157 million in direct public support from 300,000 generous contributors. They ended their fiscal year with a fundraising efficiency of 83% making it possible for the organization to effectively change the lives of hundreds of thousands of poor children and their families around the world.

President and CEO Jim Cook said, "Children International is grateful to have such dedicated supporters. Our donors are dedicated to helping poor children and have made it possible for us to be recognized as a leading charity."

About Children International:

Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International’s programs benefit more than 335,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico,Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org.

Media Contact:

Children International Organization
Dolores Quinn Kitchin
Public Relations
Direct: (816) 943-3730
Cell: (816) 718-0711
dkitchin@children.org
http://twitter.com/Children_Intl