Backstreet - black, blue and green

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jan 02, 2001 Source: Worldpop Submitted By: melly The Backstreet Boys' Kevin Richardson used the Christmas holidays to confirm his earlier announcement that he is forming a foundation which will focus on environmental issues in his hometown of Lexington in Kentucky, USA. The organisation Just Within Reach: An Earth Foundation, will be based in Kentucky but Richardson plans to expand the foundation worldwide. 'Instead of sitting around on my butt worrying about problems, I thought I'd use my status as a celebrity to ask more questions and maybe change things,' says Kevin, 29, who lives in Los Angeles but bought a farm near Lexington six months ago. 'I feel like our environment ties in to a lot of problems we have with our health today.' The organisation's abbreviation, JWR, is taken from the initials of his late father, Jerald Wayne Richardson, who died of cancer in 1991. Kevin will donate money to cover operational expenses and the foundation will be run by the singer, his wife Kristin and his brother Tim. The Backstreet Boys are scheduled to appear on the US edition of TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Kevin plans to donate his share of any prize money to his new foundation. Kevin first spoke of his environmental plans to worldpop on the band's promotional trip across six continents in just four days. During their brief stop in Sydney, Australia the lads revealed their dismay over the controversy surrounding the US presidential elections and proclaimed that Kevin would make an ideal future candidate. 'He's so focused that if he wants it bad enough he could most probably have it,' said Kevin's cousin and BSB band mate Brian Littrell before adding, 'You learn a lot in the record business about the political world and about making the right decisions. You also learn about power.' The band already support a number of charities including the Lupus Memorial Foundation - in memory of Howie's sister Caroline who died from the illness - and the Brian Littrell Endowment, dedicated to heart research following Brian's struggle from a heart complaint and subsequent surgery two years ago. The band's first live appearance of 2001 will be at the US Super Bowl in Florida on 28 January when the boys will sing the US National Anthem before the game. Meanwhile Backstreet's A.J. McLean and 'N Sync's Joey Fatone have put their differences aside and joined assorted music and sports celebrities in the US to help the father of Third Faze singer Minia Corominias in his battle against cancer. AJ and Joey are among celebrities who have donated personal items for an auction to raise money. (2 January, 2001) Comment on this item. Next Item: Tune biz humming retail blues Prev Item: Complete List of Grammy Nominations