West Virginia University’s Mountaineer Idol Gives Back campaign has announced its continued partnership with Jessi’s Pals for its 2010 benefit show.

In conjunction with Fall Family Weekend, held Oct. 1-3, the Mountaineer Idol Gives Back charity show will be held on Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The top nine finalists will perform their favorite hits from the oldies, and a surprise celebrity judge will also perform.

The event is free and open to students and their family and friends. Everyone is asked to bring a new stuffed animal to the show as well as empty Coca-Cola products. Coca-Cola has agreed to donate $5 to Jessi’s Pals for every empty Coke product can or bottle.

A silent auction is planned for the event. Items include signed sports memorabilia, special gift baskets and other prizes from local vendors.

“I love this program because of what it actually gives back to the WVU Children’s Hospital,” said Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Idol advisor. “In addition, when we started partnering with Jessica Lynch four years ago, I was thrilled to be able to meet and work with her. She is an amazing individual and very appreciative of what we have done for her program, Jessi’s Pals.”

Since 2007, the partnership with Jessi’s Pals has led to the collection of over 2,000 new stuffed animals for the WVU Children’s Hospital.

Iraq War veteran Jessica Lynch started the program in 2007 after receiving hundreds of letters and gifts from children while she was recovering from injuries sustained as a prisoner of war in 2003. The program started with 50 stuffed animals and a $1,000 pledge from the Jessica Lynch Foundation.

Mountaineer Idol Gives Back is sponsored by American Idol, Coca-Cola and Coni & Franc. For questions about Mountaineer Idol Gives Back or to donate a stuffed animal before the event, contact Julie Holeczy at 304-293-6007. For more information online, visit www.mountaineerweek.wvu.edu.

-WVU-
jh/09/16/10

CONTACT: Julie Holeczy, Mountainlair
304-293-6007, Julie.Holeczy@mail.wvu.edu