For the third time, West Virginia University’s annual Mountaineer Idol Gives Back Campaign is partnering with Jessi’s Pals to collect stuffed animals for the WVU Children’s Hospital.

Since 2007, the partnership has collected more than 800 new stuffed animals for the hospital. This year, the contestants hope to collect even more animals and raise monetary support for the cause through donations and a silent auction.

The Mountaineer Idol Gives Back show will be held on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms in conjunction with the Mountaineer Parents Club’s Fall Family Weekend.

The remaining 10 finalists will perform their favorite hits from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. The contestants and staff will welcome Jessica Lynch, former prisoner of war and founder of Jessi’s Pals, as a celebrity judge for the evening, as well as WVU Parents Club member Al Gibson and his rock band, Stone Road.

“It’s an honor to be able to partner with Jessica Lynch for such a wonderful cause,” said Mountaineer Week Co-Chairperson Kasey Hott. “Mountaineer Idol Gives Back not only benefits the children who receive the stuffed animals, but it’s special for the contestants, too. It’s great that we can do our part to help make someone’s day a little brighter.”

A silent auction is planned for the event. Items include a football signed by the 2009 WVU Football Team, a basketball signed by WVU Basketball Coach Bob Huggins, two tickets to an upcoming RAIN concert, special gift baskets and other prizes from local vendors.

Audience members are asked to bring a new stuffed animal to the show – as well as empty Coca-Cola product bottles. For every empty Coke product, Coca-Cola has agreed to donate $5 to Jesse’s Pals.

Anyone who cannot make it to the Mountaineer Idol show on Oct. 2 but would like to donate a stuffed animal can contact Sonja Wilson at Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu and arrangements can be made to pick up the stuffed animals.

Mountaineer Idol Gives Back is being sponsored by American Idol, Coca-Cola, The
Center for Civic Engagement, Coni & Franc and the Office of Sustainability.

-WVU-

09/28/09

CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Mountainlair
304-293-2702, Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu