Idol Gives Back to Kids

Kids are kids. They don't have any choice over where they're born or who their parents are. But 1 in 5 kids in the U.S. are poor-which puts them at greater risk of not graduating, not getting a job or even getting sick.

The millions of viewers who contribute to American Idol Gives Back are making life fairer for kids in some of the poorest, most remote communities in America. The portion of their contribution that goes to Save the Children will speed babies' brain growth, help kids learn to read books like Goosebumps, and make sure kids have healthy foods like apples and carrots.

Idol Gives Back supports a number of programs that will make a big difference for kids living poverty and ensure that all kids have a fair start in life:

Early education: 90 percent of brain growth occurs before the age of five. It's the most important time for kids to learn. But 2 out of 5 kids don't go to preschool. The early education program sends trained specialists to visit low-income mothers. They offer advice on things like how to put their babies to sleep or how to read to them. These kids are growing up in difficult circumstances, but they do just as well as other kids on pre-reading tests after the program.

Literacy: Half of low-income 4th graders aren't reading at a basic level. It's not hard to see why: there is a single book for every 300 kids in their neighborhoods. Save the Children offers a literacy program to these kids that gets real results. Last year, 60 percent of kids in the program made major reading progress. The percentage of kids reading at grade level doubled. The key is the Literacy Block, an hour of games and reading out loud for kids who are struggling to read.

Nutrition and Fitness: 1 in 3 kids is overweight or obese, putting them at greater risk for diabetes (which can cause blindness) or heart disease. Kids in remote areas often live hours away from the closest grocery store that sells healthy food. Their families buy food from places like the gas station instead. And there are often no playgrounds or parks to play in for miles. To help these kids grow up healthy, we give kids a half hour of exercise followed by a healthy snack after school.

How can you help?

Become a fan of k2kUSA as we build an army of kids to fight for fairness

Take the quiz--each completed quiz sends a book to a school that needs it.

Donate to Save the Children's U.S. Programs or Idol Gives Back