STARS SUPPORT KEYS' CHARITY EFFORT

　　This is already the multi-Grammy award winning singer's eighth annual charity ball, which this year not only celebrated the effort of Alicia Keys' organization "Keep a Child Alive," but also honored the late Beatles George Harrison's philanthropic contribution in starting a charity using their celeb power.

　　Alicia Keys: "He was one of the first musical artists that created an event such as this where he invited his friends, his musician friends to really do something for a cause and it was the Concert for Bangladesh. So that's been 40 years and I think he really paved the way for an evening like tonight and we wanted to honor him for really having that vision."

　　Keys, a mother of a one-year-old son, said that being a mother inspired her to push on with this project. Alicia Keys: "It's always been very important to me and that passion hasn't wavered but I do think understanding a child and what if my child was totally left out there and nobody paid any attention to his needs, you know, it does make it all that more powerful."

　　Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am praises Keys for her commitment in raising awareness through "Keep a Child Alive", which helps those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

　　"She's not some artist and the managers doing all the work. This is her, so I have to applaud her, I would travel all around the world, I would come from Mars to earth to help her out and do the things I can do to make this event and her philanthropy successful."

　　Black Ball regular, Tyra Banks, said Keys' past ball was one of the best events she has ever attended.

　　"I remember entering and there was an exhibit and talking about what your money did in a very artistic and creative way. Then we sat down at the dinner table and they passed around wooden Africa bowls with wooden spoons and we ate family style."

　　And the event was successful, as this year's ball raised over 3 million U.S. dollars, pushing the total fund raised since 2004 to over 14 million US dollars.

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