Few things, like Santa Claus and Christmas gifts, say “winter holidays” like the song “All I Want From Christmas Is You.” But did you know that Mariah Carey, the author of this New Year’s classic, is a genuine sustainability champion? From working to help eradicate world hunger to her support of the Make-a-Wish foundation, Mariah Carey always gives back to the community.
This comes after a staggering music career that made her one of the best-selling artists ever. In multiple ways, Mariah Carey has been a great influence on hearts and minds. Since there are too many to count, here are our four favorite Mariah Carey sustainability initiatives.
Mariah Carey, a wish granter for the Make-a-Wish initiative
Let’s start with something a little left-field. The Make-a-Wish foundation isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think “sustainability.” But it shows Carey’s dedication to giving back to her fans, especially the most vulnerable ones.
Through her involvement lasting 20 years, Carey brought a bit of joy and peace to children in need of a diversion. For her work, in 2006, the foundation awarded her the title of Wish Icon. The event revealed that the star had donated six figures to the foundation and granted dozens of children’s wishes.
In the words of the organization:
“Many children have taken Carey’s place at music awards shows, thanks to her generosity. Carey also donates to help grant performing arts/music wishes.”
Carey’s campaign to solve the global education crisis
All over the world, an estimated 222 million children are unable to get a minimum education. The United Nations is trying to change that through its Global Education Cannot Wait program. And Mariah Carey is one of their biggest supporters.
Carey is also a part of the Global Citizen Festival, a concert founded by the organization of the same name. Through these, Carey turns her appearances into a big boost for sustainability.
She also significantly boosts the visibility of the project itself. For such a well-known music star, just talking about the project is bound to bring in supporters. And Global Citizen seems to agree, if their coverage of Carey’s many initiatives is any indication.
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Running Camp Mariah, since 1994
Camp Mariah is the oldest still-running initiative from Carey. This sleepaway camp is a place for less fortunate kids to spend three weeks of their summer vacations. Campers can expect to take various arts and science classes and make new friends.
The camp might be named after her, but that’s not the end of Carey’s involvement in the project. Carey is a Fresh Air fund board member and has raised a staggering $700,000 for the initiative.
Other work with Fresh Air
Carey visited the camp multiple times, choosing it as a location for shooting the music video for her 1996 hit “Always Be My Baby.” But the most incredible fact is still to come.
According to Fresh Air, Carey premiered her greatest hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You,” during a holiday concert to raise funds for the initiative. If that’s the case, it’s no wonder she managed to raise so much money.
Partnering with other Christmas artists for the World Hunger Relief Week
Back in 2008, Queen of Christmas Marey Carey became one of the biggest Hunger Ambassadors for the World Hunger Relief program. Since then, she has been joined by Christina Aguilera, interestingly another big name in the world of Christmas songs, with hits like her 2000’s “My Kind of Christmas.”
Among the World Hunger Relief Funds’ many accomplishments, some reign above all others. From 2007 to 2015, about the time when Mariah Carey became ambassador, the YUM! initiative raised $640 million for the UN’s Food Programme.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — In the Featured Photo: Mariah Carey performing in Oslo, Norway, 2015. Featured Photo Credit: Mattis Folkestad/NRK P3.
