by Cary Key

Created on: June 07, 2010   Last Updated: July 07, 2010

Well, it has been one year that the world lost one of its finest people. I am 44 years old and I grew up with him on TV, radio and interviews etc... Through the years he entertained me with his amazing music and so much more. His dance was the Fred Astaire of my/our time. Always something new, something better, something more astounding than before. He was a perfectionist to the letter and it showed.

In the late 80s, I started looking a little further into this man Mr. Michael Jackson. I came to understand that he was much more than just a singer and dancer. He was one of the most giving people I have ever, ever read about or studied. His love for children, anyone and everyone else for that matter, their well being was first and foremost in his love and compassion for all. His gifts to so many were truly limitless. He helped feed, clothe, and provide medical attention to children and people all over the world. Not just here in the US but Europe and Africa also. There are places he reached out to that I did not even know existed. He has left an indelible mark on the world today and more important is the mark he has left on my heart. In his own words he has left us all “speechless”.

Here is a short list of some of the things he has done. However this list does not even put a dent into the charities and funding that he has contributed. Michael Jackson gave away millions of dollars. His favorite charities seem to have been charities that helped children. Burn victims, cancer victims, starving children. The list goes on and on and on. As I said this is only a short list of the hundreds he gave to.

The Millennium-Issue of the "Guinness Book Of Records" names Michael as the Pop Star who supported the most charity organizations. These are some of the projects that were supported by Michael Jackson:

AIDS Project L.A.
American Cancer Society
Angel Food
Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
BMI Foundation
Brotherhood Crusade
Brothman Burn Center
Camp Ronald McDonald
Childhelp U.S.A.
Children's Institute International
Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
Congressional Black Caucus
Dakar Foundation
Dreamstreet Kids
Dreams Come True Charity
Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
Heal The World Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Love Match
Make A Wish Foundation
Minority Aids Project
Motown Museum
NAACP
National Rainbow Coalition
Rotary Club of Australia
Society of Singers
Starlight Foundation
The Carter Center's Atlanta Project
The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
Transafrica
United Negro College Fund
United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope
Volunteers of America
Watts Summer Festival
Wish Granting
YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw

OK so now it is our turn to take up the mantel. I am going to ask each and everyone to do something. Try to do your level best to perpetuate and lead by example the side of Michael Jackson that has yet to be told. With kindness, grace and love for his fellow man. Michael Jackson was an ambassador of peace when the world desperately needed him.

We can all do these things, it is really quite easy. One kind act or word can travel through time and space. Love is the most important gift we have to give and love is the most precious of all gifts to receive. Mr. Michael Jackson, I miss you as do millions of others just like me. Wherever you are on your journey, I hope that it is filled with love and peace-something that you did not receive enough of on the big blue planet called Earth. Now that  ladies and gentlemen, is what we should remember about Mr. Michael Jackson a true humanitarian. Until another day, peace.

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