Ellen to host
special Idol for poverty awareness

Ellen DeGeneres will host a special American Idol show called "Idol Gives Back" on Wednesday, April 25, on Fox. The television event is a two-night fund-raiser for the season-long talent contest benefiting impoverished people in the United States and Africa. According to a press release, the show aims to raise awareness and funds for the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, an organization that provides relief programs to help children and young people in extreme poverty.

In the United States, CPEF will donate proceeds of the show to America's Second Harvest, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the Children's Health Fund. Africa-oriented organizations that will receive aid will be the Global Fund, Malaria No More, Nothing But Nets, Save the Children, and UNICEF.

Performers and guests for "Idol Gives Back" include Kelly Clarkson; Pink; Gwen Stefani; Earth, Wind and Fire; Il Divo; Josh Groban with the African Children's Choir; Helen Mirren; and Annie Lennox. (The Advocate)