extensive listing of mj's charitable activities

Charitable Activities

Michael Jackson’s humanitarian background commences during his early years, when, out ofhis daily earnings as a Jackson – 5 lead member, he would purchase ice-cream and chewinggum for children in his neighborhood, according to himself, his mother, Katherine, and fatherJoseph. Both as a child and until later in his life (as required by his Jehovah’s Witnessesreligion), he would deliver Bibles door to door to families and preach to them the word of God,while concealing his renowned identity with disguises. As Jehova's Witnesses, he, along withhis mother and siblings would not celebrate birthdays and Christmases.

The Early Years:

The Jackson Five’s June, 1970 concert at the Los Angeles Forum in California, the groupreturns to the stage, at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan as part of a star-studded tribute toboxer Joe Louis. By 1970, the ‘Brown Bomber’ was broke andailing, and the organizing committee hopes to raise 100,000 dollars to help him defray hospitalcosts. Comedians Bill Cosby and Redd Foxx, and music artists Billy Ekstine, Mahalia Jackson,B. B. King, the Four Tops and the Jackson 5 entertain crowd of 12,000 spectators on August 12. Louis himself is too ill to attend, although a vacant chair is left in front in his honor. BerryGordy, himself a former boxer, serves as the Honorary Chair for the event, and is probablyresponsible for getting the Jackson Five to perform for the gig.

On January 31, 1971, the Jackson 5 return to their home county, Gary, Indiana, to play twobenefit concerts for Mayor Richard G. Hatcher’s re-election campaign at WestsideHigh School. A ceremony is held outside their former home at 2300 Jackson Street.

Approximately in 1972, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 visit the Children’s Heart Hospital

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in Philadelphia County, PA., the singer also being seen signing pictures and autographs for thechildren therein.

In early 1972, the Jackson 5 and The Supremes are the headlines performing a benefitconcert, the first annual 'Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Concert' in Atlanta, Georgia, helping toraise the start-up funds for the "Martin Luther King Jr . Center for Social Change"in Atlanta.

On September 30, 1972, the Jackson 5, and a variety of entertainers, perform for "Save TheChildren", a film theme of the 1972 "Black Exposition" and conducted by "Operation PUSH"("People To Save Humanity") in the International Amphitheater of Chicago, the eventhighlighting, among musical acts, footage of the city’s black population, their churches, schools,slums and playgrounds, and promoting the hope for an improved future, benefiting the childrenof Chicago, Illinois.

On November 18, 1972, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 perform at an NAACPfund-raising dinner at Hollywood, Palladium, California, at the 6th annual Black Image Awards.The NAACP is the National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People, one of theoldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States.

On December 9, 1972, Michael J. and the Jackson 5 make an appearance in the WattsChristmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, and they serve as honorary chairmen. The paradeis televised the following day on KTLA.

On December 23, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, the 14-year old singer and the Jackson 5,dressed as Santas, make their appearance at a Christmas party held at the Pacific Townclub, tovisit and offer presents - on behalf of their record company, Motown - to 700 (according to some sources, others reporting a number of 400) underprivileged children.

In an article, titled “The Jackson 5 Really Changed!”, the writer points out that “the first time theJ-5 did a benefit at a children’s hospital, Michael came home and cried all night at the memoryof all those sick children lying in beds, some not even able to move their hands to clap. That is

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when he became actively involved in communicating with these kids. He corresponds withyoungsters his own age in hospital all over the country. These are not letters dictated to asecretary by a superstar, but letters written in Michael’s own hand during breaks in recording orrehearsing or even in school.”

On December 24, 1972, the Jackson 5 perform Christmas songs during a benefit concert atthe "Foundation for the Junior Blind" in Los Angeles, California, for 1000 visually impairedchildren, 400 of which attending the benefit party. On his thoughts about the event, MichaelJackson declares: "You know, really, this is what Christmas is allabout - giving." On March 7, 1973, young Michael Jackson visits the bedside of 6-year old Leslie Robinette -suffering from from aplastic anemia caused by the genetic disease fanconi anemia – at theSeattle Children’s Hospital - then The Children's Orthopedic Hospital and Medical Center.Robinette received a bone marrow transplant, and was one of the youngest to ever have theprocedure. She went through chemotherapy, radiation, an ever-changing plethora ofmedications and was kept in isolation for three months; her state of health was precarious, thedoctors saying, after she was dismissed from the hospital, that she might live 10 years. “I was sitting in my room looking out the window, ironically listening to 'Looking Through theWindow' by the Jackson 5, when I heard all the nurses going wild and carrying on”, Robinette declares 26 years later. Coincidentally, the Jackson 5 were there. “They asked me which one I wanted to see, and I said I wanted to see Michael - he was thecute one”, she says, laughing. She describes teenage Jackson as shy, but kind and sincere, signing anautographer for her, holding her hand and asking about her state. “I would never say that he saved her life - that's crazy - but he gave her back a little of her will tolive because she had lost it”,Trine Robinette, Leslie’s sister adds. Leslie eventually did improve, and her family returned totheir farm in Greeneville, Tenn., where she still lives with her parents. 11 years later, Leslie metJackson again, while he was on tour in Knoxville with his brothers, where she received freetickets, then went backstage to meet the Jackson clan. "I asked him if he remembered me, and he said yes. We talked about my singing in chorus andhow I was getting my back brace off soon”, Robinette says. Jackson then told his security detail that she was his guest, so she got to watchthe third show from a raised VIP platform, seated right next to Jackson's mother, Katherine. Stillstruggling with her disease, she is less than 4 feet tall and weighs about 60 pounds, but she isnow 42 and is involved in North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and currentlyis training to become an instructor. "I've always felt that Michael and I were kind of kindred spirits, because we both grew up notbeing able to really go anywhere or do anything normal kids do”, Robinette says, adding that she hopes people will remember Michael Jackson for his gooddeeds and music.

On August 16, 1973, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 perform in a benefit gig at St. PaulCivic Center Arena in Minnesota, with proceeds of the concert being funneled to the

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Afro-American Music Opportunities Association (AAMOA). AAMOA, based in the Twin Cities,promotes Black Music and assists Black composers and musicians worldwide.

On January 29, 1974, the Jackson 5 start their one-week tour in Dakar, Senegal for their firstAfrican tour, where they perform concerts, attend representations from several African dancers,visit the humble dwelling places of some inhabitants there, and also pose for pictures with andsign autographs for them, among sightseeing and shopping experiences. They also hold apress conference with a Senegalese radio, and visit Goree Island.

On August 17, 1974, the Jackson 5 perform at the World Expo/Expo ‘74 in Spokane (Washington). Expo'74was an environmentally themed world's fair, which ran fromMay 4 to November 3, 1974.Spokanewas the smallest city to host a world's fair until Knoxville, Tennessee held the 1982World's Fair eight years later. The theme for Expo '74 was “Celebrating Tomorrow's Fresh NewEnvironment.” The fair had 5,2 million visitors and was considered a success, nearly breakingeven, revitalizing the blighted urban core, and pumping an estimated 150 million dollars into thelocal economy and surrounding region.

In a back issue of Harlem's Black newspaper, the “Amsterdam News”, a display commercialannouncing a performance of the Brewery Puppet Troupe at the Space for Transnational Arts on November 29-30, 1974 is featured.‘The Jackson 5 Meet Malcolm X’ - with puppets is “a comedy musical adventure chronicling through the art of puppetry thedancing and singing talents of the Jackson 5 and their encounter with one of the most importantmodern-day black leaders, Malcolm X”.

The Jackson 5 attend The Tournament of Roses Parade in 1974. Better known as the RoseParade ,it is "America's New Year Celebration", a festival of flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and a college football game onNew Year's Day, produced by the non-profit ‘Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association’.

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In 1977, The Jacksons (as they would be named themselves since 1975) visit theimpoverished areas of Trinidad, Port-au-Spain, namely the economically deprived inhabitants,not affording to attend a Jacksons’ concert. Michael Jackson enters their cardboard – stonehouses and visits and greets the Catholic – school girls therein. The mentioned year finds TheJacksons competing with other teams of entertainers in the "Rock ‘N’ Roll Sports Classics"special program;being joined in their East team by affiliated show business members, they are awarded as first –place winners of the competition with a set of 20,000 dollars, a charitable contribution funneledto the University of California, U.S.A.

On May 17, 1977, the Jacksons flow to Glasgow, Scotland for a command performance forQueen Elizabeth II, with proceeds of the show going to the Silver Jubilee Fund. The Fund wasestablished 1977 to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, and its purpose is to enable asmall number of senior students in Cumbria’s schools and colleges to undertake workexperience projects of academic nature overseas, connected to industry, service to thecommunity, the arts, sport etc.

Michael Jackson is seen signing autographs prior a benefit show at the Shubert Theatre in LosAngeles, California, in October, 1978.

In January, 1979, the singer donates a certain amount of books, including J.M Barrie's "PeterPan", tothe "Chicago Public Library’s Young Adult Section", and, on occasion of a library project,"Boogie To The Book Beat", he delivers a speech on the importance of reading.

In 1979, "The Black Linkage For Adoptive Children" hosts a charity event during which theJacksons’ costumes from their 1979 Destiny Tour were auditioned off to the highest bidder;Michael Jackson’s costume garnered 575,00 dollars, the highest price from an impersonatorwho performed in an outfit that night for a gig.

In 1979, the entertainer participates at a fundraiser organised by American actress, writer andactivist, Jane Fonda.

In 1980, Michael Jackson performs song “Rock With You” at “Because We Care”, a UNICEF

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Charity Gala held at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. " Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, not only for your applause, but thank youfor caring; and I’m very happy to be here. I love you all. Thank you”, he says to the audience after performing his song.

The 1980's

Around 1980, while touring in Philadelphia, Michael Jackson and The Jacksons visit the localChildren’s Hospital, the group making other such relief apperances during their tours.

For The Jacksons' Triumph Tour, opened on July 9, 1981 in Memphis, Tennessee, MichaelJackson, inspired by film “CloseEncounters Of The Third Kind”, designs a space-age set and also brings in magician Doug Henning to work on the show’sspecial effects. ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’is a 1977 American science fiction film written directed by Steven Spielberg. The film starsRichard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, and Cary Guffey. Ittells the story of Roy Neary, an Indiana electrical lineman, whose life changes after he has anencounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO). In addition, the United States government isalso aware of the UFO’s, as is a team of international scientific researchers. Jackson meant tocreate a special atmosphere of triumph, in celebration of brother Randy’s recuperation followinga serious car accident in Hollywood the year before.

On July 22, 1981, The Jacksons give a special benefit concert for the "Atlanta Children’sFoundation" at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia, and raise 100,000 dollars for the charity, subsequently to lengthy episodes of Black youth disappearances and

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murders in the mentioned city. Speaking on behalf of himself and his brothers, Michael Jacksonreveals, "We Are doing this because we care". LeBaron Taylor, vise president and general manager of Divisional Affairs for CBS Records,distributor of Epic Efforts for whom the Jacksons record, and coordinator of the special eventcomments, "We are pleased that The Jacksons have scheduled this special performance forsuch a worthy cause [...]".

* During the years of residing at Hayvenhurst mansion with his family, Michael Jackson acceptsa large number of children’s requests to visit him there through foundatio ns such as "Make AWish", most of these visits not being publicized, sister La Toya Jackson confirms in her 1991autobiography, as well as the singer himself. The young visitors would be treated to screenings, sweets to their preference fromthe residence’s Candy Store, to petting the exotic pets of his menagerie, to arcade and video -game playing and the like.

In July, 1982, Jackson attends the City of Hope Spirit of Life Awards Dinner, producer QuincyJones being honoured with a ‘Spirit of Life’ award that evening. ‘City of Hope’ isan organization recognized worldwide for its compassionate patient care, innovative scienceand translational research, which rapidly turns laboratory breakthroughs into promising newtherapies. For nearly 100 years, City of Hope’s pioneering research has brought the worldcloser to cures for many life-threatening diseases, from cancer to diabetes.

In 1982, singer Donna Summer covers world-anthem "State Of Independence" on her album, “Donna Summer”produced by Quincy Jones. Summer's version of the song features an all-star choir includingMichael Jackson, Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Loggins, MichaelMcDonald, Lionel Richie, Christopher Cross, Dyan Cannon and Stevie Wonder. This song wasoriginally written and recorded by Jon Anderson and Vangelis for their 1981 album, The Friends Of Mr. Cairo. It was cited by Quincy Jones as being the precursor to and inspiration for the 1985 'We are the world', written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and thematically, it is a spiritually-driven songabout universal love, peace, and unity unfolding under God’s guiding truth.

On January 27, 1984, Michael Jackson is burned on the back of his head while filming the saidcommercial with his brothers for the Pepsi Corporation. The magnesium smoke bombs used for

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the commercial are to blame, being only two feet away from either side of the singer’s head. Aspark from one of the bombs set his hair alight and resulted in second and third degree burnshis scalp. As a result of the incident and news coverage, both Pepsi and Jackson’s sales soar.Two subsequent Pepsi commercials are debuted at the Grammy awards ceremony in 1984. Jacksondoes not sue Pepsi, instead donates the entire earnings in damages from the sponsor - 1,5,million dollars – to a center named after the singer, “The Michael Jackson Burn Center ForChildren”.

“Eat It”, a parody of Beat It by “Weird Al” Yankovic is released, on February 28, 1984. Themusic-video spoof was blessed by a healthily amused Jackson, who will also give permission toYankovic to release his other parody, for“Bad”,on April 12, 1988.

On April 9, 1984, through the auspices of the "Brass Ring Society", an organization whichfulfills the wishes of terminally ill children, he welcomes 14-year-old David Smithee to hismansion, the boy suffering from cystic fibrosis, as a result, granting his last wish. During the afternoon visit at Jackson's Encino, California home, the boy watches a movie withJackson in his home theater, plays video games and learns how to moonwalk from the star. Ofthe video games, David later tells a Tulsa Tribune reporter, "I played two games with him and beat him both times.”The visit was topped off with Jackson giving David the red leather jacket he had worn in the "Beat It"video and a beaded glove he had worn to the American Music Awards, where he collected eightawards. 7 weeks after, however, Smithee unfortunately passes away.

On April 14, 1984, Jackson equips a 19 – bed unit at "Mount Sinai Medical Center", a divisionof the "T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia and Cancer Research" and attends a dinner eventorganized by the said foundation. That day, he also poses for a picture with young DavidSmithee, which will unfortunately pass away a month later.

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In 1984, he engages in supporting the "National Campaign Against Teenage Drunk Driving",campaign addressing the perils of alcohol use: car accidents, and/or life loss. In May, he is asked to donate the song "Beat It" for anti drink driving advertisements

In June, 1984, the entertainer meets with other supporters of the “Camp Goodtimes”, anon-profit organization founded by parents of children with cancer, in Malibu, Los Angeles,such as O.J. Simpson, Dustin Hoffman, David Soul, Neil Diamond and Richard Chamberlain.The first Camp Goodtimes event will be held in Vashon Island at Camp Sealth,August 1984. Ninety-three children, cancer patients and siblings attended and twenty-five American CancerSociety volunteers staffed the camp along with the summer staff at Camp Sealth.

On July 5, 1984, on occasion of a Jacksons’ press conference at former restaurant in NewYork, USA, "Tavern on the Green", Michael Jackson announces that his Victory – tour share ofproceeds are to entirely cover three charitable organizations: "The United Negro College Fund","Camp Good Times" and "T.J. Martel Foundation". Furthermore, at each gig, 500 places arereserved for invalids and hospital patients, taken on stretchers into the stadiums.

In 1984, the group donates 1200 tickets, valued at 39,000 dollars, to a number ofdisadvantaged children, subsequently to a performance at Texas Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Inaddition, they perform for eight children suffering from incurable illnesses in Jacksonville,Florida, where Michael Jackson grants the wish of 14-year old Malanda Cooper in Miami,Florida, paralyzed in a car accident, visiting her backstage and presenting her with a tape of hisVictory tour concerts and a jacket worn by the singer during the concerts. The group alsoperforms for 700 other underprivileged people during another performance. Furthermore, theyenable the transportation of 40 children from the "Thelma Marshall Children's Home" fororphans, foster and abandoned children, - The Hoosier Boys Home and the Donzels WorkStudy Program for high school students working toward a college education to Detroit, Michiganfor a performance there. The selfsame year, Michael Jackson meets and supports a moribundyoung patient by offering his black sequined glove and leather jacket to him.

On December 13, 1984, he visits the unit for burn victims at "Brotman Memorial Hospital" inLos Angeles, him having been admitted there previously for head injuries, derived from a stagepyrotechnics incident during filming the commercial for Pepsi along with

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his brothers. Among the victims, he meets 23-year old mechanic, Keith Perry, burned over 90percent of his body in a car crash. The surgeons declare that Jackson’s visit at Perry’s bedsidewas the main reason he had pulled through: "Michael encouraged him, talking to him for hours", says Los Angeles hospitalspokesman, Judy Davis.

1984 is the year when the United Negro College Fund the 'Michael Jackson Scholars' programwhile the singer is on tour with his brothers.

On January 28, 1985, Michael Jackson arrives at A&M Lion Share Studios, Los Angeles,California to record with a variety of American singers the highly successful benefit anthem,"We Are The World" (co-written with singer Lionel Richie), grossing a total of more than 60million dollars for the most severely famine – stricken African countries. Among the long list of other performers are: Harry Belafonte, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, StevieWonder, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, James Ingram, Bob Geldoff, Jackie, La Toys, Marlon, Randyand Tito Jackson, Al Jarreau, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Steve Perry,The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, DionneWarwick etc. The recording session begins at 9:00 p.m., and lasts the entire night. Jackson doesn’t leaveuntil 8:00 a.m. the next morning. “We Are The World – The Video Event” will become the ninth best selling video cassette of 1985. The song itself will be released on March 7, 1985to be selling approximately 800,000 copies in its first three days of release. By 1986, the song will have sold in excess of 7,5 million copies and raised 8 million dollars for faminerelief.

On February 14, 1985, the singer helps with the delivery of Valentino, a baby deer born to hispet deer, Prince and Princess at Hayvenhurst in Encino.

In 1985, for the “Hands Across America” project, which follows the USA For Africa one, Jacksonfavors use of “ We Are The World”. He has been outvoted by the other board membersand a new song was specially written for the event, “Hands Across America”, with “We Are TheWorld” as the B-side, though the song won’t achieve nearly the amount of success “We Are The World”has. A second version of “We Are The World”

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will be produced by George Duke, with children singing the lyrics. Jackson has always preferredthis version to the USA For Africa one, feeling the song was meant to be sung by children.

On March 29, 1985, the singer visits the Royal London Hospital, it being his second visit therein two years. Jackson also views the remains of Joseph Carey Merrick JohnMerrick - the Elephant Man - , sometimesincorrectly referred to as John Merrick. He became well known in London society after he went to live at the London Hospital.Merrickdied in 1890, at the age of 27. Following his hospital visit, Jackson attends an evening party and reception afterwards in hishonor, CBS Records presenting him with a platinum wall-mounted plaque.

On July 30, 1985, Michael Jackson severely sprains his right hand during the filming of 3-Dfantasy musical, ‘Captain EO’. He is treated at the ‘Brotman Memorial Hospital’ where he also visits a sick fan, confined to her wheelchair.

In 1985, he attends an Australian Telethon in Perth. He also makes a brief speech outdoors,before a crowd of fans. In August, 1985, after his appearance on the Telethon, hevisits the ‘Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital’ in Perth, which benefits the hospital’s children.He chats with children there and their parents and poses for picture. On October 21, 1985, whilein Perth, he also visits the animals from the “Cohuna Wildlife Sanctuary”, and is photographedwith a Koala bear in his arms, being fed leaves.

An animal advocate, the singer rescues a chimpanzee (that would become his pet animal) froma cancer research facility in Texas, U.S. in 1985, and would, moreover, house otherendangered species of animals as part of his menageries from both Hayvenhurst andNeverland ranches throughout the years.

On February 28, 1986, he telephones and invites 14-year-old Donna Ashlock from California -convalescing after a heart transplant - over to "Hayvenhurst" mansion in Encino, there diningand watching a film with the young patient, the actual visit taking place on March, 8. That sameyear, he invites 12-year-old Danielle Finmark (attending "Camp Ronald McDonald for Good

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Times", an organization for children with cancer) to the ranch, where she tours the residence,visits his menagerie, has lunch with Jackson and watches movie "Short Circuit" with him,according to Finmark.

In the afore – mentioned year (1986), he establishes the "Michael Jackson UNCF EndowedScholarship Fund", a foundation then estim ated at 1,5million dollars, aiming to boost youth education, specialization in art performances andcommunication. The company’s funds would be a yearly supply for the African-Americanstudents attending a "UNCF" college or university. That year, the fund had provided 97scholarship awards and enrolled scholars in nearly all of UNCF’s 42 schools, it was reported.

On July 30, 1986, Michael Jackson attends the funeral of film director Vincent Minnelli, and isseen sympathetically holding hands with visibly mourning Liza, Minnelli’s daughter, and fourthwife, Lee Anderson. Minnelli died at age 83, after struggling with emphysema and bouts withpneumonia that caused him to be repeatedly hospitalized in his final year. He was interred inForest Lawn Memorial Park fro Glendale, Los Angeles.

“Michael’s Pets”, a collection of stuffed animals made in the likeness of Jackson’s own pets ismarketed in October, 1986. The singer was “very instrumental in the designing of the toys” and“in how it should be programmed”, according to Bob Michaelson, who helped develop the linewith Jackson. The stuffed pets are ten in number, namely Cool Bear, based on the singerhimself, Jabbar the giraffe, Louie the llama, Muscles the snake, Bubbles the chimpanzee, UncleTookie the frog, Spanky, a white dog, Mr. Bill, another dog, Suzy the rabbit, and Jeannine theostrich. T he singer requests that one dollar out of each purchasefrom the "Michael’s Pets" set be placed aside for a children’s organization.

On November 13, 1987, Michael Jackson meets 4-year old wounded Angela Darlington andher mother, Helen, in Melbourne Children’s Hospital during a stop fromhis BAD concert thereat the Olympic Park Stadium.The mother has this to say on the visit 21 years later: “My daughter, Angela, was in hospital withhead injuries after being hit by a car. One day we were told by the nurses that Michael Jacksonwas coming to visit. We had to keep it a secret, so the hospital wasn’t overwhelmed with fans.There was a big flurry, as his assistants handed out T-shirts and signed copies of his Bad album to everyone on the ward. Then he just walked around and talked to the patients. […] I

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said hello. He said he was pleased to meet me. I was gobsmacked. He was very gentle andseemed shy. I got the sense he had a deep love for children, especially those who’d been hurt.Then he crouched down and said ‘Hello, Angela’. She couldn’t talk, because she’d just come out of a coma, but she started smiling. After thatday, she started to get better. I think of him as an inspiration. We’d been having a terrible time –Angela was in hospital and I’d been ringing Lifeline to keep myself together, but he was a totalinspiration for the whole ward. I thought: ‘Thank God for sending him’. He just had a presenceabout him – this great empathy with people who needed to get better. Now, Angela is 25, atuniversity and full of life. There was another boy on the ward who was about 15 and was a hugefan. After Michael’s visit, he started getting better too. His mom thought it was a miracle. Ibelieve many of the children got better after meeting him. I think people should know about thisside of Michael. I’ve never believed he was anything but a good person.”

On September 10, 1987, on a stop from his Bad Tour concerts, Michael Jackson visits theKorakuen Amusement Park inTokyo, Japan, and the Disneyland Tokyo the following day.

In September, 1987, Michael Jackson donates 20,000 dollars to a family in Japan, for their5-year old kidnapped and murdered son, Yoshiaki Hagiwara, in memory of whom the singersays a few words while on stage in Yokohama, Japan, on the second legof his Bad World Tour. He also dedicates the Tour to the late youth. Furthermore, on September 13, he displays his support towards a campaign against racism, as well as towards "NAACP"smission to help arrest prejudiced conduct against black artists.

In October, 1987, he gives away 30 personal items and memorabilia such as t-shirts,sunglasses or a windbreaker

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for an auction addressing "UNESCO", the proceeds of which being invested into awarenessraising and helping educate children in developing countries. On November 12, 1987, while on tour in Australia, he visits a children's hospital in Melbourne. On November 18, 1987, he visits the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, Australia.Natasha Lang, mother of a child committed in the hospital at the time, offers her account of hisvisit there years later: “[…] I will never forget that day as long as I live, when Michael came tothe hospital with an abundance of stuffed animal toys, so generously given, to all the children inthe children’s ward. He went around the ward and visited each child personally and quietlyspoke words of comfort to them and I will never forget the delight of these children, the medicalstaff and the parents who visited on that day. My son now is a grown man and I wish to sharethis photograph with the whole world because it shows Michael’s selfless and generous nature.My son, unfortunately, lost his eye in a school accident that week and, as you can imagine, itwas a real tragedy for the whole family, but that day he gave us all some joy, great pleasure andan abundance of happiness.” World-conscious single, “Man In The Mirror” (written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard), isreleased on January 9, 1988, and is the fourthconsecutive number-1 single off album BAD. It was recorded with The Andre Crouch Choir. The song is described as Jackson going “a step further" and offering "a straightforward homilyof personal commitment”, which can be seen in the lyrics: “I'm starting with the man in the mirror/I'm asking him to change his ways/And no messagecould have been clearer/If you wanna make the world a better place/Take a look at yourself andthen make a change.”The videoclip features shots of starving children, homeless people, intermixed with shots ofindividuals that have made contributions towards helping them: Bob Geldoff, organizer of BandAid and Live AID for the relief of famine victims, Willie Nelson, organizer of Farm Aid benefitingfarmers, shots of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, Bishop DesmondTutu, President Reagan with Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachov. Other notable people appearingincludeRaúl Alfonsín, Lech Wałęsa, Anwar El Sadat, Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter, Rosa Parks,Pieter Willem Botha, and Adolf Hitler.Tragic events such as the Iranian hostage crisis, John Fitzegerald and Robert Kennedy’sassassinations, King’s, John Lennon’s are combined with a more joyful occurrence, the rescueof Jessica McClure from a well in Midland, Texas. Jackson is featured in only a brief shot,raising his arms giving the peace sign, surrounded by a crowd of children while on tour inJapan.“Man In The Mirror”peaks at number 1 in the United States soon afterwards. It is one of Jackson's most criticallyacclaimed songs, topping the BillboardHot 100 charts for two weeks. The song reaches the number 8 in the UK Singles Charts in 1988, but in 2009, following the news of his passing, the song will peak at number two. In January, 1988, one of his Bad Tour concert proceeds in Los Angeles are funneled to"Childhelp USA", the largest organization against child abuse. In February, 1988, the singer’s (inspirational) song, "Man in the Mirror", in partnership with"Camp Ronald McDonald", provides the cancer-plagued children of "Good Times" with itsroyalties.

On February 24, 1988, two-year old cancer patient, Allan Bufford, held by his mother, Brenda,meets his favorite entertainer backstage in Kansas City, Missouri on occasion of Jackson’s USleg of his first solo world tour, the Bad Tour. The ill boy obtained his doctor’s permission toattend the sold-out show. On March 1, 1988, (on occasion of the United Negro College Fund's 44th dinner) at a pressconference organized by his sponsor, Pepsi, in Manhattan, N.Y., he offers UNCF’s Presidentand CEO, Christopher Edley a check for 600,000 dollars, the entire grossings from his privatesold-out benefit concert held at Madison Square Garden in New York City (for the 42 UNCFinstitutions, including Fisk University), making him one of "UNCF"s most significant donators.The event featured children reading their dreams and wishes as Jackson looks on. At the 30th Grammy Awards held at the Radio City Music Hall, New York City, March 2, 1988,he performs “The Way You Make Me Feel”, as well as gives a powerful gospel performance of “Man In The Mirror”, chanting repeatedly exhortations. “Stand up for your brother! / Stand up for your sister! / Stand up for mother! […]”, cries he,being joined on stage by the New Hope Baptist Church Choir, all in blue gowns. His otherbackground singers include Siedah Garret and Andre Crouch. Jackson is given a standingovation for his performance, and many ensuing press praises, but he wins no Grammy awards.Jackson was nominated at 4 categories. In the spring of 1988, Michael Jackson moves out of his home in Encino, California, which hehas shared with his parents, brother Randy, and sisters La Toya and Janet since approximately1971. He purchases a 2,800 acre ranch in Los Olivos, California inMarch for the reported price of 28 million dollars, while other sources say it was closer to 17 million.Previously called 'Sycamore Ranch', it was spotted by Jackson 5 years before, when he filmeda music video for "Say, Say, Say"with Paul McCartney. The grounds of this ranch consist in a mansion, guest house, tenniscourts, lakes, streams, thousands of oak trees and a large space for his menagerie. Shortlybefore purchasing his new home, his Encino house is used for an auction of artwork, the 2million-dollar proceeds from the auction going to the “South African Council of Churches” forhousing, clothing and medical supplies. The auction is hosted by actress Whoopi Goldberg;Jackson was not at home at the time. On March 15, 1988, at his new mansion, Michael Jackson hosts benefits for Saint Vincent’sResidence.Saint Vincent’s Residence is one of the charity organizations from the Catholic Community Services ofNorthern Nevada, which offers 28 studio apartments and 25 rooms at affordable weekly ratesfor low-income and special needs individuals and families. Its mission statement reads: “Withfood, clothing, shelter and a helping hand, Catholic Community Services brings hope to allpeople in order to build spirit and self reliance within them and within our community.” In April, 1988, Jackson gives away free-of-charge tickets for three concerts in Atlanta, Georgiato the "Make A Wish Foundation". On May 22, 1988, he visits the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, Italy, where hesigns autographed pictures and delivers sweets, records and moral comfort to the ill children,among whom 13-year old heart-transplant patient, Nunzia Glaccio. Jackson signs a check for100,000 pounds to the hospital for leukemia research.While in Rome for his BadTour, he also visits the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican City, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, and othersignificant places. In June, 1988, he visits the Liseberg Amusement Park in Goteborg, Sweden, and poses for afew pictures with children there, including with life-size cartoon characters. He also sinks hishands as part of a Hand In Cement ceremony there. On June 19, 1988, Michael Jackson is performing a concert during Bad World Tour at theReichstag Building in Berlin, West Germany, before an audience of 50,000 people. Over 3,000East Germans gather at the Berlin Wall to listen to Jackson performing on the other side of theWall in West Berlin. The entertainer decided to perform at Reichstag to send out a message ofpeace and unity. The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republicbetween East Berlin and West Berlin which ran just behind Reichstag, from August 13, 1961, this completely cutting off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed thedeath strip that contained anti-vehicle trenches, fakir beds and other defenses. The fall of theWall started on the evening of November 9, 1989,and was the first step toward German reunification, which was formally concluded on October 3, 1990. Michael Jackson wrote a poem dedicated to this historic episode for his 1992 book,“Dancing The Dream”, titled simply “Berlin 1989”. In 1988, Jackson’s signed fedora is given away on occasion of a music celebrity auctionadvantaging the "T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research", the hatbeing sold for over 4,000 dollars. In the summer of 1988, there is a request made in Malaysia by some officials there thatMichael Jackson perform to raise money for the Welfare Fund, which distributes money tochildren’s homes and charities. The Ministry asks the cabinet, but reject their offer. Around 1988, Jackson has his giraffe, Jabbar shipped to California in Encino from a breeder inMissouri, and he applies for a state permit from the Fish and Game commission to keep thegiraffe – neighbors complaining of the smell from Jabbar’s pen. Years before, at Hayvenhurst,neighbors also would complain of the noise his three peacocks at the time, Winter, Spring andSummer would make when mating. Jabbar grows to become a movie star like Bubbles thechimpanzee, appearing in Pee Wee Herman’s “Big Top Pee Wee”. Jackson hasgiven Herman permission to use any of his animals that he wanted to in his film after agreeingto follow all instructions for their caring. Jabbar later will get a playmate in June 1989, Mahali, for his Neverland Ranch, which he purchases from the Sedwick County Zoo in Wichita,Kansas, for 15,000 dollars. With the help of trainer Bob Dunn, Bubbles the chimpanzee will be taught to do several tricks:going to the toilet, flushing it himself, kissing pictures of himself, playing dead, blowing bubbles,moving his lips like he is talking, joining pillow fights, sticking his tongue out, giving the highfives, riding a horse, rollerscating, imitating his owner’s famous moonwalk dance. Bubbles alsoappears in a film, “Back To School”, by Rodney Dangerfield. Michael Jackson will also rescue a gorilla, Ivan, having spent 25 of his28 years in a cage at Tacoma, Washington’s B&I’s shopping mall. He adds to his collection ababy lion, who first went to a trainer before joining his fellow zoo mates; most of his animals areharmless, having been declawed and no longer having venom. On July 16, 1988, he meets Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Wales before his third "Bad"concert at Wembley Stadium, London, and presents a check for 150,000 dollars/300,000 pounds forthe "Prince’s Trust" (an organization addressing disadvantaged children), as well as one for100,000 pounds for the "Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital" in the U.K. Jackson also presents the royal couple gives with Bad Tour jackets for sons Prince William andPrince Harry; he also presents them with a framed set of cassettes and compact discs of soloalbums “Off The Wall”, “Thriller”and “Bad”. “I was so excited at meeting the royal couple. I’m very very happy that they came to watch meperform. I thought the Princess was just wonderful.”, says the singer following the meeting. Originally, Jackson did not wish to perform “Dirty Diana” in order to not offend the Princess who bears the name, but she told him that is one of herfavorite songs and that he should perform it, which the singer eventually does. On July 20, 1988, he returns to meet with the critically ill children and their parents at the"Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital", where he spends longer time with the less criticalpatients, reserving words of comfort to them, reading them stories and delivering presents,including albums, signed photos and T-shirts. He associates himself with the "Wishing WellFund" for sponsoring the contruction of a novel unit, as part of the "Hospit alfor Sick Children" in Great Ormond Street, London, England. Notably, 9-year old Neil Clark,having undergone live-saving surgery to remove a brain tumour – and originally not scheduledto see the popstar – is visited by the singer, the boy’s father declaring with gratitude that thevisit "cheered my son up". 4-year-old Joanne Doeffer, having undergone a throat operation andbreathing through a special tube, was visited by the star, the meet-and-greet prompting her tostruggle and say "Thriller" to a delighted Jackson. In the evening, a banquet is held in his honorat the Guildhall. In July, 1988, on occasion of a ceremony honoring the singer in England, Jackson isaccompanied by 10-year old Jimmy Safechuck, a young American orphan he had taken underhis wing. At Hamley’s in London, the world’s largest toy store, he shops withSafechuck and purchases computer games, over twenty dolls and teddy-bears, and sixpuppets: three Stevie Wonder ones and three of himself. He also wishes to purchase a carnivalfor the backyard of his ranch, offering 2 million dollars to John Carter’s Steam Fair; however,Carter isn’t interested in selling it, thus Jackson’s offer is declined. On his 30th birthday in 1988, on August 29, he delivers a concert to the "Give For Life"charity in Roundhay Park, Leeds, England, where 90,000 admirers sing him "happy Birthday".The benefit concert’s 130,000-dollar grossings will favor immunization programs for 40,000children. He also presents a check for 65,000 pounds to the mentioned charity-organization. Michael Jackson lends his song, “Beat It”, for use in a Flinstone Kids cartoon specialencouraging children to avoid drugs. “The FlinstoneKids” airs inSeptember, 1988. In it, little Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty work odd jobs to earn money for tickets to a MichaelJackon concert. They finally make it to the concert and see Michael Jackstone singing new lyrics to “Beat It”about not needing drugs: “They told the girl / Why don’t you step over here? / You wanna be cool, / Take a look in here. /They wanna do drugs / And their words are really clear, / So beat it! / You don’t need it! (Sayno!) / You don’t need friends / Doing things that are wrong, / There’s lots of kids like you / Whoare cool and strong, / It might be kinda tough, / But you can move along, / So beat it! And say itain’t fair, /Don’t mean it! / Don’t need it! / Just say no to drugs! / Defeat it! Have a life that’shappy, / A future that’s bright, /You make it happen,/ Drugs are wrong / And you’re right./ Justbeat it! / Just beat it! (Say no!) / And defeat it! / Now, Moms and Dads. / You ought to listen tome: / To be a kid today, / It ain’t easy. /Just make your home and family / A loving place to be. /So beat it! Send it riding a wave!” Sister La Toya also contributes to the special with “Just Say No”from her album, “LaToya”. On October 23, 1988, the performer also signs a check for 125,000 dollars, to Mr. EstherEdwards and Motown founder, Mr. Berry Gordy, finance sustaining the maintenance of the"Motown Museum Historical Foundation" in Detroit, Michigan, the highest amount of moneydonated up until that time to the museum; Jackson also donates a black fedora, one of hisrhinestone gloves and a stage costume dating from 1972. Later that year, ITV Telethon disseminates 4000 Michael Jackson concert tickets to the"Hospital for Sick Children" in Great Ormond Street, London, tickets valued at 200,000 pounds;the entertainer, accompanied by a number of patients, visits the institution and the childrencharged therein, as well as reads a story to the less affected patients, comforts them verbally,poses for pictures and hands out dozens of presents to them. In December, 1988, he visits 12-year-old David Rothenburg, doused with kerosene andseverely burned 5 years before by his father during a custody conflict; the boy had suffered anestimated 50 reconstructive operations, yet, remained disfigured. Afterwards, the singer visitsthe injured youth more times, and pays for the necessary further operatory interventions. On January 10, 1989, at the completion of his Bad tour, the "Children’s Wish Foundation", inassociation with Jackson, donates 100 tickets to critically ill children foreach concert. * During his Bad World Tour (as well as other tours of his), he is joined backstage prior to hisconcerts by children with illnesses from the respective local areas of his performances, withwhom the entertainer would pose for pictures and sign autographs to, often, the singer spendingtime purchasing and assembling playthings he would personally deliver to them the followingday, according to Seth Riggs, Jackson's vocal coach. Jackson invites underprivileged childrento watch him perform, and contributes to hospitals, orphanages, and other charities. At everyBad Tour concert, he makes sure that 400 tickets are being reserved for underprivilegedchildren. These tickets will be distributed across hospitals, orphanages and charities. Jacksonalso donates concert takings to multiple causes. He also brings out several children on stageto dance at the end of each Bad Tour concert. They are usually chosen at each stop from localhospitals or charitable organizations, such as “Make A Wish Foundation”. Then he joins in,dancing like them. While in Los Angeles, California, he also brings young Jimmy Safechuck onstage. On February 7, 1989, Michael Jackson visits each classroom from the "Cleveland ElementarySchool" in Stockton, California, the parents of the children at the nearby Central UnitedMethodist Church, as well as the children checked in the hospital, 3 weeks after a gunman hadfired 100 bullets into a playground, then committing suicide. 5 children were murdered and 39injured during the attack. The pop star arrives to comfort the surviving children by giving themthe confidence to view the world more positively subsequently to the traumatic experience. 8year-old Thahn Tran, who had lost his younger brother during the massacre, speaks about theeffect Jackson’s visit had on him: "I didn’t want to go back to school, but Michael made it allright again. If he goes there, it must be safe. Michael is my friend and I’m very glad.", sharingthe sentiments of other children there, according to Diane Batres, a counselor from the districtsupport unit. In addition to making another visit to the nearby church hosting the injured onesfrom the attack and the parents of the dead – to whom he offers words of sympathy, signsplaster casts on the wounded youngsters’ legs, while chatting and joking to them -, he makesanother stop at the "San Joaquin General Hospital", and talks to two wounded children undertreatment there. 7-year-old Alice Montejano says, while raising her autographed picture: "I’m notfrightened about going back to school now, because Michael will keep all of those bad menaway". Afterwards, Michael Jackson says the following to the children in the mentioned hospital:"You are very brave. When you are better, perhaps you will come and visit my private zoo."Vice-Mayor of Stockton, Ron Coale, has this to declare on Jackson’s goodwill visits: "Wordscannot say how much turmoil this town had been through over the past few months. MichaelJackson’s visit has helped us to try and overcome it a little." On March 5, 1989, he invites 200 disadvantaged children from "Saint Vincent’s Home forDysfunctional Children" and "Big Brothers and Big Sisters Programs" to visit the Circus Vargasin Santa Barbara, California, with him, after which he welcomes them to his newly constructedmansion at the time, Neverland, showing them around, as well as introducing them to hisprivate zoological garden. He contributes to the creation of a new California Raisin commercial which first airs in theaters in July 1989,and on TV in September, and it features a claymation of Michael Jackson. The claymation dreams of being ‘MichaelRaisin’, who performs “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”,by Marvin Gaye. His singing voice isn’t used in the ad, because of his exclusive contract withPepsi at the time, but his speaking voice is. The singer acts as a model for the claymation figureand contributes to the creation of six other backup raisins. He receives 25,000 dollars for hiscontribution to the ads, which he donates to charity. On November 13, 1989, Jackson performs song "You Were There" (that he wrote with BuzKohan) for singer-entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., the first and only time, at the 'Sammy Davis Jr.60th Anniversary TV Special', the event’s funds advantaging the "United Negro College Fund";for the show's all-star finale, Jackson accompanies Ella Firzgerald and Eddie Murphy on stage.The reaction to Jackson's simple, yet intense performance earns him a nomination for an Emmyaward. At the same date, he is reported to have hosted 50 children from "Maclaren Hall" and"Make A Wish Foundation" at his residence, while, via the "Wishes Granted" charity, 4-year-oldDarian Pagan, suffering from leukemia, is granted the wish to meet the singer and is,additionally, invited to watch a performance by a group of Canadian acrobats with him. On December 19, 1989, the entertainer visits F.A.O Schwartz toy store in Manhattan, New York to purchase Christmas gifts. He then goes to RadioCityMusic Hallwith several children to view the 'Christmas Spectacular', an annual musical stage show,featuring over 140 performers, lavish sets and costumes and an original musical score. On December 28, 1989, young HIV victim and activist Ryan White befriends the entertainer,and shares a holiday with him at Neverland Ranch at the singer’s invitation. Following theyouth’s swift disappearance, Michael Jackson dedicates song "Gone Too Soon" (from his 1990"Dangerous" album, composition also performed in loving memory of late Princess of Wales in1997) as well as the poem: "Ryan White" (from his book, "Dancing TheDream" ) tohim. The 1990's: On January 6, 1990, he organizes a festivity for 82 deprived children at his residence via"Childhelp USA, who are offered a tour of the ranch, games to play, a barbeque for meal and afilm representation to watch: "The Little Mermaid" and "Back To TheFuture II". On April 4, 1990, while in Washington to receive a humanitarian award on behalf of PresidentBush, he visits the capitol Children's Museum there; he plays with exhibits and enjoys beingsurrounded by children. On April 5, following his award reception, he is aguest of honor at the Children's Museum fund-raising reception at the historic MerrywoodEstate, McLean. On April 12, 1990, 18-year old activist Ryan White dies from AIDS. He has been treated as anoutcast in his home town in Indiana since contracting the disease through a blood transfusion at14, it has been reported. This will result in him being banned from his school in Kokomo,Indiana as parents would protest. Over 1,500 people attend White's funeral on April 11, a standing-room-only event held at the Second Presbyterian Church on Meridian Street inIndianapolis. White's pallbearers include Elton John, football star Howie Long and television talkshow host, Phil Donahue. Elton John performs "Skyline Pigeon"at the funeral and also trains the Hamilton Heights High School choir to sing with him. Thefuneral is also being attended by friend Michael Jackson, seated beside Ryan’s sister, Andrea,and his mother, Jeanne (whom he comforts throughout the service) and First Lady, BarbaraBush. Busloads of Ryan's schoolmates at Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia, 25 milesnorth of Indianapolis, also attend the funeral, which is carried live by ‘Cable News Network’ In July, 1990, he invites 45 critically ill children from the Project "Dream Street", from LosAngeles to Neverland, where they are treated to a tour of his ranch, a meal and a film. TheDream Street program is an organization for children with life-threatening illnesses.On August 18, 1990, he welcomes 130 children from the "YMCA" summer program in LosAngeles and Santa Barbara, treating them to a barbeque meal, video games, a free pair offootgear and the permission to visit his private zoo and watch films. On September 12, 1990, Michael Jackson attends a ‘City Of Hope’ Gala in honour of CBSRecord Division President at the time, Tommy Mottola.

In November, 1990, Michael Jackson invites British lung cancer victim, John Brown, to visithim to his Neverland Ranch in America. The 14-year old jets to Los Angeles, California withsister Michelle. The trip is arranged by “Make A Wish Foundation”. Mother of two, Michelle, haswritten to them when John was told there was nothing that doctors could do. On thearrangement: “It’s wonderful. This is a fantastic, kind-hearted act. John can’t believe it. Michaelis his favorite pop star.”, his sister says. “It’s just in time for John. He knows he is dying and heprobably has weeks left rather than months. He’s such a brave lad.” In 1991

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, he organizes and hosts a "Chimpanzee Tea Party", in benefit of Jane Goodall’s aperesearch institute. On May 6, 1991, he also attends Mrs. Goodall’s "InternationalTribute Benefit". On June 1, 1991, Temptations' group member, David Ruffin, dies of a drug overdose. Becauseit has been found that Ruffin was peniniless, Jackson contacts Swanson Funeral Home inDetroit and makes arrangements to cover a large portion of the funeral costs. He also sends aheart-shaped arrangement of carnations to the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit with thenote, "With Love, from Michael Jackson". Jackson was a big admirer ofTemptations. He would not attend the funeral ceremony to not divert attention from it. In June, 1991, the singer is co-chair at an event dedicated to Stevie Wonder, who receives theNelson Mandela Award. The other co-chairpeople at this special dinner hosted by Bill Cosby areHarry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy, Lionel Richie, Denzel Washington and OprahWinfrey.On July 26, 1991, Jackson visits the "Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation" in LosAngeles, California, (charity addressing drug abuse problems and approaching relief programsfor families with gang members), talks to the children there, offers them financial support and awide-screen television s et. He attends the event along with child star andfriend, Emmanuel Lewis. On July 27, 1991, the artist invites the Jackson family in Neverland to celebrate the first ever‘Joe Jackson Day’ in honor of the family’s patriarch. Later at the Hayvenhurst mansion, JosephJackson receives his present from Janet and Michael: a boat. In December, 1991, the entertainer’s company in Los Angeles, California, "MJJ Productions",donate 200 turkey dinners to a number of destitute families. Before heading for a two-week venture in Africa, the singer pays a visit to a storage facility inOxnard, California, where a sequined glove of his will sell for 1,000 dollars. Before the auction,he meets with four children, to whom he sings "Man In The Mirror" after one child didn't believeit was truly Jackson singing. On January 14, 1992, single “Remember The Time” is released with a spectacular short filmdirected by John Singleton. The 9-minute clip stars actor/comedian Eddie Murphy, supermodelIman and basketball player, Magic Johnson. Joanna Burns, Jackson spokesperson at the time, says “He’s very concerned about AIDs. Hehopes the appearance of Magic Johnson [on Remember The Timevideo] will help raise public awareness.” In November, 1991, Magic Johnson announced that hehad been contaminated with the HIV virus, shortly afterwards setting the ‘Magic JohnsonFoundation’ to help combat HIV. Jackson also wished to draw attention to the African origins,the video being set in Ancient Egypt, Ira Robbins of ‘Entertainment Weekly’describing "Remember The Time"as being a "gorgeous ancient Egyptian extravaganza" video. The short film presents elaboratedance sequences and groundbreaking visual effects, with Jackson interpreting a wizard comingto entertain the Pharaoph’s (Eddie Murphy) bored partner (Iman). The single goes to number one on the U.S. R&B chart and it becomes a top ten single in ninedifferent countries. On February 3, 1992, he informs on the creation of "Heal The World Foundation" during apress conference at the New York Radio City Music Hall, the mission of the foundation beingthat to provide rescue to world-wide children; protection against abuse; caregiving; to delivermedicines for children and fight world hunger, as well as to convey awareness on children’srights and necessities, and improve world’s life standards. Between February 11 and February 18, 1992 - and on occasion of Black History Month - theartist tours 30,000 miles of the African continent in 11 days (covering Gabon, The Ivory Coast,Tanzania, Kenya and Libreville), where he visits medical centers, schools, churches, children’shousings and educational NGO’s for disabled children. He phones his ranch daily, however, tomake sure his property and animals are unaffected by the storms and floods in California at thetime. He is reportedly interested in making a film, "Return To Africa", for his own video library. While in Gabon, President El Hadj Omar BongoOndimba, declares that “the return of Michael Jackson (to Africa) fits into the tradition of the abolition oftime and the integration of space. His music made us feel that he’s never really been away”. Inreturn for the honors received by the entertainer in Gabon, he presents President Bongo withthe album Jackson was awarded when he was named ‘Artist of the Decade for the Eighties’.The President’s grandchildren, Christopher, Neata and Malika join some one thousand children,including the singer’s friend, Brett Barnes at a party given by Jackson back at theIntercontinental Hotel.He also gives an interview while in London regarding his visit and more for May's issue of "Ebony" magazine, confessing towards the end, "You know, that's the most I've said in eight years... You know I don't give interviews. That'sbecause I know you and I trust you. You're the only one I trust to give interviews to." While in England, on February 22, 1992, he and his young friend visit comedian Benny Hill atthe Royal Brompton Hospital in London for areported 35 minutes. The 67-year-old comic has been convalescing from a heart attack, butrefused to undergo a heart bypass. Jackson hands him a bouquet of flowers andenthusiastically tells him: "Great to see you at long last‘, and keeps repeating You’re my hero’. Jacksonis said to also have asked Hill if he wanted to appear in a video with him, to which the comicreplies, "Of course, why not?" Jackson then confesses to Hill that he watches his shows everyday and that he has hundreds of his videos. Benny Hill's best friend, TV producer DennisKirkland, reveals, "Michael has invited Benny to stay with him next time he is in L.A. [...]Michael's visit was the tonic he needed." Benny Hill passes away three months later fromcoronary thrombosis. Michael Jackson was a big Benny Hill fan. "I just love your Benny Hill (impression)!"the young Michael Jackson told a bemused English music-press critic during a 1970’s tour. "He's so funny!".In a ‘New Musical Express’ 1981interview with The Jacksons, the entertainer reveals that Benny Hill makes him laugh: “Uh! Are you kidding? Every day! I love Benny Hill. I like him better than Monty Python. […] Hejust cracks me up. A genius.” On June 27, 1992, Michael kicks off his Dangerous World Tour in Munich, Germany. The showfeatures special effects by David Copperfield, a strategically built stage, special lighting andpyrotechnics, new and original choreography and notable costumes. It took tow 747 jets totransport the equipment from country to country. On May 1, 1992, after being rewarded with another "Point of Light" award by President GeorgeBush Sr., the singer visits 7-year old Raynal Pope - other sources at the time, such asAssociated Press reporting that the girl's name was actually Raynelle Tucker, severely injuredby four dogs March 21 in District Heights, Maryland. He spends forty fiveminutes with the young girl, her younger sister, Myjan and two of their cousins; they playhide-and-seek, wrestle and dance, after which Jackson poses for pictures and autographs aBeat It jacket. On May 6, 1992, he pays expenses for young Ramon Sanchez’ funeral, mortuary andcemetery costs and a headstone, illustrating how he is a " point of light" andthat each person can help a dispriviliged someone. 9-year old Sanchez was killed during theRodney King violent riots in California, while in his kitchen having a glass of milk. His parentscouldn't afford to bury him, hence Jackson's aid. The Sanchez family later have the opportunityto thank the singer in the flesh, being arranged for them to visit a studio in Culver City, where hewas filming a Pepsi ad. Through a translator, the mother of Ramon tells Jackson that "Ramonwas one of your biggest fans. You have helped to make a very tragic time for us more bearable.Your involvement was a pleasant surprise, and we are eternally grateful." In June, 1992, Jackson attends a Soccer’s Charity match held in Italy, after which he willreceive funds on behalf of Nazionale Italiana Cantanti for his Heal The World Foundation. On June 26, 1992, a day before the first leg of his Dangerous Tour, Michael Jackson donates40,000 DM to then Mayor of Munich, Mr. Georg Kronawitter, as a relief for the needy childrenresiding in the urban areas. On June 29, he visits the "Sophia Children’sHospital" in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, publicly signing a check for 100,000 pounds for theinstitution's "Michael Jackson Playroom"; the singer is also presented with a check for the HealThe World Foundation.In July, 1992, the performer finances "La Partita del Cuore" ("The Heart Match") in Rome, Italywith L. 821,477,296, and children’s foundations in Estonia and Latvia with 120,000 DM. On July 25, 1992, while on tour in Dublin, Ireland, he announces a donation of 400,000pounds, out of his concert earnings, to various charities there - some reports solely mentioningthe 'British Children Charity'. A delay provoked by a malfunction before his Dangerous Tourconcert in Leeds, UK, leads to the singer being fined by a national council with 60,000 pounds,that are paid by Jackson to a music charity fund.On July 29, 1992, via his helicopter, the entertainer fetches characters Mickey and MinnieMouse from Euro-Disney, Paris, to the "Queen Eli zabeth Hospital forChildren" in Haggerston Park, London, and distributes toys to the ill children there. While inLondon, he visits one of his favorite comedy actors, Benny Hiil, at a hospital where he wasinterred for cardiac problems. Jackson excitedly tells him he is his hero, having watched all hiswork, Hill confessing to Jackson he too is a fan and that he has material of the entertainer whichhe very much enjoys. Hill dies, however, a few weeks after, and Jackson releases a statementto the press on the set of his video for "Jam": "The world is suffering the great loss of a great talent". Eric Herminie, a fan of Jackson’s, threatens to jump off the roof opposite the Dorchester Hotel,where the entertainer is staying on his Dangerous Tour concert in London, Britain. “It was worthit.”, Herminie says. “He was fabulous on the phone. I talked for quite a while with him. Hesounded a very warm person. He told me not to do it again - to stay together. Of course, I amgoing to. He basically saved my life. If he hadn’t come out, I obviously would have jumped.” On July 31, 1992, before performing on his second concert at the Wembley Stadium in GreatBritiain, he financially (re)acknowledges the "Prince’s Trust" with a 350,000-pound check. Thevery year, the first "Heal The World European Children’s Congress" is established in England,the occasion of which 84 children, aged between 8 and 16, have gathered to discuss globalissues of imminent interest and their possible solutions. Despite being down with laryngitis, theartist also participates at "Regent’s College" for several hours. On August 16, 1992, backstage in Leeds, England, he meets with 6-year-old Nicholas Killen,left visually impaired after a cancer procedure. On August 24, 1992, Michael Jackson attends the first ‘Heal The World European ChildrenCongress’ at Regent’s College in London, Great Britain. In September, 1992, Michael Jackson presents the Queen of Spain’s charity with a sum of1,000,000 pesetas. On September 30, 1992, Jackson visits the "Leaganul De Copii Sfanta Ecaterina" care facilityand its children, in Bucharest, Romania, before his "Dangerous" tour concert on October 1. He spends quite a large amount of time in the orphanage, where 5-year old Alice, whosemother was an employee at the facility, gives to a gracious Jackson a drawing and photo albumcreated by the home's children, which he patiently browses. Before his concert, he officiallylaunches the Heal The World Foundation in presence of then Prime Minister, Theodor Stolojan,and discusses HTWF’s tenets in a press conference, before which a group of children sing "Heal The World" to him. He also finances a playground for 500 homeless children there via Playday, in theamount of 10,000 dollars, and inaugurated by then Romanian President, Ion Iliescu. A portion ofthe proceeds from this concert is reported to have been directed to the Serbian refugees at thetime. During his stay in Bucharest, he also takes time to visit the Snagov Monastery, built byVlad Tepes, the so-called Dracula; he requests privacy, and spends 6 hours inside, reportedly, in order to pray and explore thebuilding, but agrees to sign an autograph for one of the female journalists waiting outside. On October 1, 1992, Jackson chooses a concert in Bucharest, Romania for worldwidetelevision broadcast, the country being known for the large number of children’s housings. Michael Jackson, along with other celebrities of color, contributes to the financing of directorSpike Lee's 1992 film, "Malcolm X", a biographical film about the African-American minister,human rights activist and black nationalist, Malcolm X. The public speaker was shot dead bythree men, while speaking to a meeting of Afro-American Unity. The story of the film is based on" The Autobiography of Malcolm X" as told to African-American writer, AlexHaley. Actor Denzel Washington was nominated for an Academy Award For Best Actor for hisrole as Malcolm X. On November 24, 1992, inside a hangar at "John F. Kennedy Airport" in New York, MichaelJackson monitors the loading of 43 tons of medical supplies, blankets, shoes and winterclothing onto a cargo jet bound for the children of Sarajevo, a war-torn zone in the formerYugoslavia. The Heal The World Foundation teams up with "AmeriCares" to fly the 2.1million-dollar worth of aid to Sarajevo for distribution by the United Nations. The aid is reportedto have been also addressed to the Serbians, Croatians and Muslims in need. On November 25, 1992, Michael Jackson grants the wish of young David Sonnet, whom hemeets via the Make A Wish Foundation, the boy being invited to go along with other childrenfrom the foundation to Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Sonnet suffered a brain aneurysm at thetender age of 8, leaving him only able to function through a communication device, it helpinghim convey his thoughts through a specialized computer. Young David had received a ‘Beat It’jacket from a local charity in a West Palm Beach, Florida, which he wore for his specialencounter. Jackson notices it and says “I see you have my jacket on’.Among the activities David did together with his mother at Neverland, he held Bubbles,Jackson’s monkey, rode the Octopus, the merry-go-round and other activities suchlike. Because Sonnet was unable to talk or walk, the two shared an “I Love You” in sign language. Avisibly emotional Jackson receives a stuffed lion and a picture of himself from the youngster andtells the boy he would keep his photo in his room. Before this encounter, David Sonnet hadwritten to Jackson on various occasions as a show of support, and the entertainer would writeback and include photos and other personal mementos. A hat of his featured in this auctionfrom West Palm Beach was gifted from Jackson to Sonnet, while Sonnet sent a thank you cardto the singer, inclusing a wedding card when he married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. Both timesJackson responded with a signed letter and salutation. According to Debbie Sonnet, David’smother, Jackson’s music did help him recover of a coma his recovery room was decorated withnumerous Jackson photos and his music was played at all times. Sonnet passed away on July 26, 2004. On December 26, 1992, the singer acknowledges the merits of the "United Negro CollegeFund", by virtue of which the "Michael Jackson Scholarship Program" had enabled over 200young men and women to receive qualified education up until that time. Jackson contributes ataped performance of "Heal The World" to Lou Rawls' UNCF telethon,taken from a "Dangerous" concert mixed with footage of Jackson during his journey in Africa. In 1992, he attends the ‘Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards’, performs ‘HealThe World’ on stage with a large group of children and makes a brief speech. The Milken FamilyFoundation is a private foundation established by Lowell Milken and Michael Milken in 1982, with the mission to support education and medical research. In 1992, Michael Jackson recites via phone to Ryan White’s mother, Jeannie, part of the poemhe wrote for the late young activist and friend, during her appearance at the MauryPovich US TV Show.Mrs. White talks about her deceased son and his friendship with the entertainer. On January 18, 1993, he joins Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Michael Bolton,Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers and various other artists, including a choir of children, allconducted by Quincy Jones, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to sing “We Are The World”for a preinaugural celebration of then incoming President Bill Clinton. The new first family,including daughter Chelsea Clinton, later joins Jackson and the other stars on stage. Hisappearance at the event is unscheduled. Jackson stays at the Madison Hotel and his onlyrequests are for clothes pressing service and strawberry ice cream. “An American Reunion: The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala”takes place a day later - January 19 -at the US Air Arena in Landover, Maryland. Jackson first addresses President elect Clinton onthe need for and importance of increased funding for AIDS cure research, then sings “Gone Too Soon”- in memory of his friend, late activist, Ryan White, and “Heal The World”, accompanied by a large group of children. He dedicates the song to "all the children of the world". He then joins the other performers at the event, including Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin,Chuck Berry, Elton John and Barry Manilow, for a finale led by reunited music group, FleetwoodMac, singing one of their songs, the optimistic “Don’t Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)”, a song about living each day in positivity, discarding past negativity. In January, 1993, Jackson is involved in the creation of a new version of the video for “Man InThe Mirror” - “Portrait Of Change” -is shown on MTV, with footage of the Presidential campaign and some of the areas needing themost changes: poverty, homelessness and the environment. On January 26, 1993, at a press conference held at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, anovel U.S. Children’s Relief Initiative, "Heal L.A.", is announced by Jackson, a collaborativeeffort sustained by "Cities in Schools", "Big Brothers/Big Sisters", "BEST Foundation", "WattaHealth Foundation", and "Partnership for a Drug Free America", with the mission to battleurban-area troubles and those of their young denizens through instructive programs featuringAIDS prevention, a substance-free living, as well as counseling and immunization campaigns. On January 31, 1993, Michael Jackson performs at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California forSuperbowl XXVII’s halftime of Dallas' 52-17 trouncing of Buffalo, this raising NBC's halftimerating higher than the Super Bowl action before it. Unlike many previous years, he was the onlyperformer in the entire halftime show and his set included message-oriented songs such as "Jam"(with the beginning of "Why You Wanna Trip On Me"), "Billie Jean"and "Black or White". The finale featured a video montage showing Jackson participating in various humanitarianefforts around the world, and a choir of 3,500 local Los Angeles area children singing "We Are The World", later joining Jackson as he sings his single, "Heal the World". A giant inflatable Globe also rises on the center of the stage, as is the case with each Dangerous and later HIStory concert. The foundation’s initiative, “Heal L.A.”is launched in conjuction with his appearance at Superbowl XXVII. The NFL pays performersonly for their expenses, but it donated 100,000 dollars to Jackson's ‘Heal the World Foundation’,named for one of the songs he sang at halftime. Radio City’s Music Hall marketing and specialevents expert, Arlen Kantarian, declares shortly after the singer’s demise that he recallsJackson pushing to sing newer songs from his then newly released "Dangerous" album, as opposed to older songs like "Billie Jean" and "Black or White."According to Kantarian, Jackson said, "'Billie Jean's' just a tune; it doesn't mean anything,'"and "It's a new world; this has to be about 'Heal the World.'" In February, 1993, the entertainer sends his condolences to the parents of two-year-old JamesBulger, then murdered in Liverpool, Merseyside by 2 older minors.In February, 1993, in association with "Sega", "HTW" distributes over 108,000 dollars ofcomputer games and equipment to children’s hospitals, housings and charities in the U.K. In March, 1993, it is announced that Michael Jackson has formed an independent filmcompany dedicated to producing uplifting movies. Michael Jackson Productions, Inc., willdonate a share of its profits to the singer’s Heal The World Foundation. Another project Jacksonis reported to be involved in, also dedicated to children, is a plan to form an entertainment andeducational cable television network. Jackson was partners in the venture with former junk bondking, Michael Milken. In March 1993, "The Rock & Roll Cookbook", by Dick and Sandy St. John, is published, andincludes recipes from various rock stars. Included in the book is a recipe for Maple Pecan ButterCookies that Michael Jackson contributed. It does not reveal, however, how often he madethese cookies.The same month, the singer wins approval from officials in Santa Barbara Countyto build a twenty acre breeding ground for apes, white tigers, bears, llamas, snakes and otheranimals on his then Neverland Ranch. On April 14, 1993, Michael Jackson visits the Hasbro toy factory in Powtucket, Rhode Island towitness how toys are made; he checks out the production line and fun room where toys aretested, as well as visits with children and signs autographs for them. In 1993, Michael Jackson heads a list of the music industry’s Who’s Who participating oncomedy actor and occasional singer Eddie Murphy’s third musical album, ‘Love’sAlright’, “JET”’sApril 23 issue reveals. A variety of charities would benefit from proceeds from the sales of the Murphy-written single, ‘Yeah’, and it features voices as Michael and Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Julio Iglesias, LutherVandross or Garth Brooks. The single’s proceeds would be funneled through Murphy’s “YeahFoundation”, which he founded soon after the single had been recorded. Eddie Murphy’s album,‘Love’s Alright’, also features a duet between himself and Michael Jackson, titled “Whatzupwitu”, the video for this song being released that year. The song, featuring the Boys Choir of Harlem,bears the message that man and the world are God’s creations and He is the overseer of all,both good and evil, and the video is a light-hearted look at Murphy and Jackson singing anddancing against a backdrop of blue skies, clouds, hearts, birds and flowers. Jackson, whofeatured Murphy in his “Remember The Time” short film, agreed to be a part of the two mentioned projects. On April 26, 1993, as part of his "Heal L.A." tour, Jackson pays an unannounced visit to the"Watta Health Foundation" and two school centers from "Los Angeles South Central", where heengages in discussions with the children and the service staff providers of the immunization,mentoring and drug-abuse prevention programs. He also poses for pictures with the children inneed of the mentioned programs, and embraces them. Jackson's "Heal L.A." and "Heal TheWorld Foundation" will provide much needed funding to many inner-city organizations, includingto the "El Santo Nino Center" on East 23rd Street, where the singer meets with the children laterin the afternoon. His final stop that day is the "Horusman Middle School", where he listens tochildren boasting of a special mentoring program.On May 5, 1993, former American President, Mr. Jimmy Carter, and Michael Jackson, thenchairmen of the "Heal Our Children/Heal The World" initiative, visit Atlanta, Georgia to promotetheir "Atlanta Project Immunization Drive", sponsored by "Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.","Ronald McDonald Children's Charities" etc., and commissioned to increase the number ofchildren benefiting from local immunization services to over 17,000, by means of a family healthcare system. In June, 1993, he announces that "HTW"s total earnings of 1,25 million dollars, along with his entire "Super Bowl XXVII" proceeds from that year will be funneled to "Heal L.A." to the childrenhaving suffered from the Los Angeles’ riots at the time. In the same month, he invites 100children at his home from "Challengers Boys" and "Girls Clubs" in Los Angeles. The Big Brothers of Los Angeles give Jackson a rocking chair made by a woman who madethem for President Kennedy and the Pope. Another group of children visiting the ranch get asneak peak preview of “Tom & Jerry: The Movie”. The film wasn't scheduled to begin running in theaters until July 30, but the artist received anadvance copy from Joseph Barbera. On June 10, 1993, Michael Jackson attends an afternoon rally at a middle school in Los Angeles, California, to launch a new DAREPLUS (‘Play and Learn Under Supervision’) programfor the school, an initiative educating children on the perils of substance abuse and gangmemberships/grouping. Jackson was a member of the Board of Directors of DARE (‘DrugAbuse Resistance Education’) and he was presented with a t-shirt for which he was grateful: “Thank you very much. I love you all. Thank you.” On June 18, 1993, he pays a visit to a hospital in Washington, D.C. for several hours, speaksto the children and plays chess with them. “Together For Our Children”, a syndicated special, begins airing in June, 1993. The specialwas put together to help raise funds for children's immunization. Jackson lends a performanceof "Jam" fromLondon's Wembley Stadium to be included in the special. On June 28, 1993, “Will You Be There”, the eighth single from album Dangerous is released.Also on the soundtrack for family movie, “Free Willy”, in the 2002 ITV interview with Martin Bashir, Jackson says that he wrote "Will You Be There"in his Giving Tree at Neverland Ranch. The full version of the song includes a prelude featuringthe Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus performing a portion ofBeethoven's ninth symphony. The segment is from the fourth movement and is a lesser knownportion of the famous "Ode to Joy". The German lyrics were written by Friedrich Schiller, and them translated read the following: “Do you bow down, millions? / Do you sense the Creator, world? Seek Him beyond the starrycanopy! / Beyond the stars must He dwell”. This classical introduction is then followed by a chorale interlude arranged by Andrae andSandra Crouch. The Andrae Crouch Singers are heard throughout the rest of the song as well.In the song, Jackson asks for support either from his fans, a friend/lover, God, or all of them,wondering and yearning for their love “in my deepest despair”, “in my trials and my tribulations”, ‘through our doubts and frustrations”,“in my pain, in my joy”,and makes the following vow at the end: “I’ll never let you part. / For you’re always in my heart.”The song manages to remain in the US top 10 and UK top 40 in the UK for over six weeks, andso far has sold 10,530,000 copies worldwide. In early July, Jackson sends Mallory Cyr, an eight year old girl suffering from a rare intestinaldisorder, a check and a promise to call. He has responded to a letter writing campaignconducted by school children in Sabattus, Maine. Jackson's note reads, "I amsending you all my loving and caring, Mallory, along with the enclosed gift, which I hope willhelp nourish you and keep you strong." In August, 1993, "HTW" partners with "Pepsi-Cola Thailand" to endow 40,000 dollars to the"Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's" foundation and to the Rural School Children andYouth Development Fund, as a sponsorship for school meal programs in the villages ofThailand. In the same month, new ambulances reach "Contacts One Independent Living Centerfor Children" in Moscow, Russia and the "Hospital de Niños Dr. Ricardo Gutierrez" in BuenosAires, Argentina. On September 3, 1993, between his two Dangerous Tour concerts at Taipei's MunicipalStadium in Taiwan, Michael Jackson visits a Toys ‘R’ Us store thatclosed for two hours for his visit. He spends 4,500 dollars on video games, water pistols andother toys for his nephews who accompanied him to the store; he also spends time with thestore manager's children and stops to paint a picture. The Dangerous tour's next stop was Fukoka, Japan. Jackson arrives in Fukoka on September7 andperforms 2 concerts there.He also visits a school affiliated to a U.S. naval base there. At his September 10thconcert in Japan, there is also one special fan who got to see Jackson perform. The artist hasflown a terminally ill Dutch boy, 15 year old Martijn Hendricsen, and his two brothers to Japanvia “Make A Wish Foundation”. They were driven in a twenty three foot gold limousine toAmsterdam airport to meet with the entertainer and see the concert. On September 13, 1993, while on his Dangerous tour in Moscow, Russia, for his concert there,he goes shopping in Moscowand tours the Kremlin Museum and armoury. On September 15, he postpones his flight out of Moscow, instead goes to visit a hospital for mentally challengedchildren there, who rejoice at seeing him and fight for his attention. One of his aides says thatthe singer has asked for one of the children to be flown to America for care and treatment whichJackson will pay for. The singer holds a few children in his arms and on his lap, comforts andplays with them and wishes to entertain them: “I’d like to sing with them. We all know a song together”, he says, visibly emotional. He also visits children in a nearby orphanage, who will sing a song tohim in Russian, turning him – the ultimate performer, into an attentive spectator. On September 18, 1993, Michael Jackson visits Jerusalem, Israel. He arrives in Israel for his Dangerous concerts to be held the following day in Tel Aviv. Jackson visits holy sites, including the ancientWestern Wall, unfortunately is met by religious protesters there, but is welcomed at Masada, another historic site, of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel. He is pictured there with open, worshipping hands. On June 16,that year, the much anticipated concert was rescheduled from a Saturday night to a Monday at the insistence of the fervently Orthodox, who feared a massive violation of the Sabbath bypeople traveling before sundown to the Saturday concert.The superstar's tour producer, Marcel Avram, explained at a press conference that the changewas spurred by “our wish to respect the sentiments of the religious community and not todesecrate the Sabbath.” On September 20, 1993, during his stay in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jackson visits ill patients at ahospital, speaks to and passes toys to them, waves to an extensivecongregation of admirers from his hotel balcony and throws down pieces of memorabilia tothem. He also visits the Tsirn Army Base there. Meantime, Jackson’s associate, "Pepsi",warrants 160,000 dollars for the "Ghandi Foundation for Children", resulted from the singer’sconcerts in New Delhi, India. Earlier in October, 1993, Jackson's thirty-five year old cousin, Tony Jackson, dies in a caraccident. While he wasn't able to return home for the funeral (being on tour in Mexico, andhaving been performed surgery on an abscessed tooth), he pays all of the funeral expenses. In October, 1993, grants totaling in 100,000 dollars are distributed to the "Children's DefenseFund"; "Children's Diabetes Foundation"; "Atlanta Project", and "Boys and Girl Clubs" inNewark, New Jersey, to further the provision of health services for children. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, October, 1993, the entertainer donates thousands of tickets to hisOctober 6 Dangerous concert to ill, needy anddisadvantaged children. From October 15 to 17, 1993, he is Brazil for two History concerts in Sao Paolo. In Rio de Janeiro, he donates thousands of tickets to these for underprivileged children and visits ahospital, including one of his fans checked in it. At the time, concert promoter Dodi Sirenarecalls a "sensitive" artist who asked for an amusement park to be reserved for his use, theninvited children from the poorest public schools. "He displayed great concern for everything inthe country, with poverty, with street children," Sirena says. 2 years later, he would film in Rio de Janeiro, in the Dona Marta slum. “This process to make Dona Marta better started withMichael Jackson,” press liaison for Rio’s office of tourism, Claudia Silva says. “Now it's a safefavela. There are no drug dealers anymore, and there's a massive social project. But all theattention started with Michael Jackson.” On October 28, 1993, Michael Jackson enables 5000 deprived children in Mexico to visit "ElNuevo Reino Aventura Park", home of whale Keiko. In the same month,Jackson passes thousands of concert tickets to the necessitous children of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil, and provides thousands of such children with another set of tickets in Buenos Aires,Argentina. On November 5, 1993, he attends a children’s festivity at "Hard Rock Cafe" in Mexico City,dedicated to the

homeless ones from the "Tere Alarcon" orphanage. In December, 1993, "HTWF", in association with "Gorbachev Foundation USA", renders60,000 vaccine doses to the impoverished children of Tbilisi, Georgia.On December 16, 1993, Michael Jackson and "HTWF" offer support to U.K.’s "OperationChristmas Child", the organization’s children airlifting over 100,000 (other sources state 30,000)of 'shoebox gifts' of toys, sweets, school items, photographs, letters and the like to the childrenin Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. On December 6, 1993, the ninth and last single off the Dangerous album is released. “GoneToo Soon” was written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, produced by Jackson, anddedicated by him to his late friend, Ryan White. The song enjoys top 40 success in the UnitedKingdom. In 1994, Michael Jackson presents 500,000 dollars to the "Elisabeth Taylor’s AIDS Foundation".On January 7, 1994, the pop star organizes, on occasion of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, agala for 100 needy children at his Neverland residence. Meanwhile, "HTWF", with partners"Unihealth" and "Los Angeles Immunization Coalition", disseminate vaccines to the homelesschildren in Los Angeles, beggared by a damaging earthquake in the area. Moreover, thesinger’s "HTWF", along with "Discovery Playthings", hands hundreds of toys to childrenattending an immunization drive. "Heal L.A.", additionally, donates more than 85,000 dollars tothe "Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center", "Casa Rutilio Grande", "Clinica Para Las Americas","Families in New Directions", "Meeting Each Need With Dignity", "Proyecto Esperanza", "PuebloNuevo", and "Vaughn Street Family Center" sheltering the victims of the Los Angeles and SanFernando Valley earthquake. Associated with "General Electric", "Lever Brothers" and "SurfWash", "HTWF" deliver washers, dryers and soap to 25 NGO’s, as well as free laundryservices, all for the earthquake-stricken people, in addition, along with "Heal L.A." and"Salvation Army", 400 homeless people and their children are invited to spend a day at"Universal Studios". Michael Jackson and his residence are also hosts to 100 children from the"Community Youth Sports and Arts Foundation" in Los Angeles, whom he speaks and playswith, poses for pictures and signs autographs; the children, moreover, watch film "Beethoven's2nd" with him in his amusement park, and visit his private zoo.In 1994, 500, 000 dollars in earnings derived from "The Jackson Family Honors" event held atthe MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada are pledged to several charities notcontrol by the Jacksons, such as an entertainment industry earthquake relief fund, Friends ofConservation, and the Library of Congress - American Popular Music Program. Televisionbroadcast fees and ticket revenues of the gala were estimated at 6 million dollars. Theremaining 5.5 million dollars are said to be funneled to "Family Caring for Families", a thenrecent Jackson family NGO. At the mentioned gala fundraiser and tribute to actress, ElizabethTaylor and music mogul, Berry Gordy, Michael Jackson joins members of his family and otherartists, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Celine Dion, Bruce Hornsby, Gladys Knight and DionneWarwick to perform " If You Only Believe", a relief anthem speaking about theblessings of life, regardless of its inevitable perils. The entertainer originally has not wished tobe present at the event, only a couple of months before being discharged from a facility wherehe recuperated following the 1993 false allegations that took a hold on him, but relents to hisfamily's wishes. He takes the stage to present Gordy and Taylor with their honors, after whichthe two of them each say their speech of support towards Jackson, Gordy stressing, "Michael, Ibelieved in you when you were 9, and I'll never stop believing in you!", after which he embraces a gracious Jackson. The Honors were broadcastedon NBC three days after the taping, on February 22, 1994. In early 1994, Jackson has reportedly resurrected an earlier project. He was to havecontributed a song to the Addams Family Values soundtrack. That song, "Is ThisScary",is now being finished along with an extended length video. The video, financed by the artist,was said to cost 6 million dollars. Michael Jackson is looking at a new home - in Florida, ten minutes from Walt Disney World inOrlando. The massive house was set on an immense piece of property and cost approximately10 million dollars. Jackson is interested in building a park on the property for children. In the summer of 1994, "HTWF", in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District, "IHave A Dream Foundation", "Best Buddies", "Overcoming Obstacles" and "California One ToOne", provides 2000 children with tickets to see singer Janet Jackson, the L.A. Laker Jam andThe Beach Boys in concert; in the fall of the same year, "Heal L.A." funds implementation of theLos Angeles Team Mentoring Program in six Los Angeles Unified School District MiddleSchools, from the South Central Los Angeles and the Pico Union Districts, reaching over 1,000young people, and utilizing 300 volunteers. On June 23, 1994, the singer visits Cab Calloway in a New York Hospital. Cabell "Cab"Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994)was an American jazz singer and bandleader, and in May, 1994 suffered a stroke leading to his passing six months later. On August 6, 1994, Jackson and then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, visit two children’s facilities inBudapest, Hungary: the Heim Pal Hospital For Children and the Bethesda Hospital, whileshooting the Communist-themed video for the HIStory album. The singerdistributes an estimated 2,600 toys to the afflicted young patients, while "HTWF", along withpartners "Toys 'R' Us" and "AmeriCares", distribute 20,000-dollar-worth toys, food andprovisions suchlike therein. Author of "Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary", AdrianGrant, also present at the facilities, remembers a highlight of this event 10 years later in aninterview for a fan magazine: "During the visit, the most amazing thing happened, when Michaelbrought a smile on the face of a dying 8-year old girl who had lain motionless and silent forweeks. […] [She] reached out and touched Michael’s hand. It was great to see the positiveeffect Michael’s superstar status could have on a person. […]", says Grant. Jackson also offersto purchase a respiratory machine for the Bethesda Hospital. On August 21, 1994, the Jacksons, minus Randy, perform at a U.K. Scientology fund-raiser“For The Children Of The World.” It is yet unclear whether Michael attended the event, althoughhis then wife was and still is a devout member of the Church of Scientology. In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley visit almost every room in the St. JudeHospital in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. He hands out toys and signs autographs to the illchildren, then stops to chat with some of them. 10-year old leukemia patient, Kristen Sidman(sp) is one of them, whom he tells, while stroking her head, “You are going to getbetter…”, then adds, “She’sshy as I am – can’t believe it”. In March, 1995, Michael Jackson and "HTWF" provide specialized treatment to 4-year-oldpatient, Bela Farkas, who was abandoned by his mother and in need of a liver transplant, thesinger also visiting and befriending the boy a year before at the "Bethesda Children's Hospital"in Budapest, Hungary where he was charged, Jackson paying for the ultimately successfulsurgery expenses and care. He also meets a girl admirer from Krusevac, Serbia, backstage,following his concert in Budapest, and empathizes on the struggles of Serbian people, praisingtheir history to her.On March 3, 1995, Michael Jackson attends two-year old (murdered) Craig Fleming’s memorialservice, pays his surviving brother’s medical costs, establishes a trust fund in benefit of thelatter, as well as dedicates song "Childhood" from his "HIStory" album in his memory. He alsoinvolves himself in founding the "Community School/Safety Havens Initiative", with the purposeof creating a secure environment for the L.A. students, families and residents, and consisting inafter-school activities, namely computer instruction, languages, mathematics and sports. In thementioned year, "HTWF" brings forth entertainment figures to support "Heal L.A."s initiatives,such as pop/rap singers Kriss Kross (who visit patients at the "George C. Page Children'sHospital Community Health Center", in support of Heal L.A. Immunization Initiative),Raven-Symone and Bryton McClure (who visit students at Bancroft Middle School, in support ofHeal L.A. Mentoring Initiative). In 1995, "HTWF" and "International Rescue Committee" ship two pallets of toys to children inwar-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. The singer further supports the rescue and release of cageddolphins by addressing a plea to authorities concerning proper legal approach on the dolphins’life standards from zoos and parks. In the meantime, "Heal L.A." continues to support the"Community School/Safety Havens Initiative" by including over 1200 more families to thecurriculum and extending its timetable. On April 18, 1995, "HTWF", "Permanent Charities" and "EC2000" finance transportationfacilities for 46 children from 18 countries to attend the "World Congress of Children" ("WCC")held at Neverland, a 3-day seminar and leadership preparation tackling children’s critical issues,such as reports on Switzerland’s child rights, the solutions being submitted by "HTWF" and"WWC" for the "World Summit of Children", during the United Nations’ Golden Jubilee inCalifornia. Jackson and his wife at the time, Lisa Presley, welcome the children to theresidence. Additionally, "HTW" and "International Rescue Committee" channel 2 boxes of toysto the war regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, while, along with "WCC" and "Children's Torch ofHope", convey "WCC"s mission and statement across the U.S. at over 30 events. Travis Thomas, a 5-year old boy who suffers from cystic fibrosis, wished to meet theentertainer, the issue number 2 of History Magazine reveals in 1995; his wish comes true inJune through Jackson and the Make A Wish Foundation, a non-profit group that fulfills the dreams ofchildren suffering from fatal illnesses and which Jackson would support for many years. Travisand his family, along with 20 other seriously ill children, spent a weekend at Jackson’sNeverland Ranch and were allowed to roam around the compound’s private amusement park.“The love this man has on his face when he is with these special children is unbelievable. He isone of the kindest and most gentle men I have ever met’, Travis’ mother says. “One evening,we were watching TV and Travis hadn’t eaten for a couple of days. He was on TV”, Thomasrecalls, “and we came across the American Music Awards and Michael Jackson… Travis sat upand wanted to eat… He said, ‘I love Michael Jackson, Mama!”. On July 11, 1995, Michael Jackson makes a rare public appearance; he takes the stage in aBeverly Hills event – the opening of ‘The Magic Johnson Sony Theatre’. Following the singer’sintroduction, he presents a pair of gold swords to the President of Ghana on behalf of friend andbusiness partner, Prince Al Waleed. “My brother and friend, Prince Al Waleedasked me to present these swords to you tonight, and I’m very honored. Thank you.”Then, the entertainer receives his own award, the Diamond of Africa. Afterwards, he signsautographs and pictures for fans, and has a store closed for him for almost an hour’s time, whenhe purchases CD’s and takes time to watch Disney animated film, “The Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs”. Minister Louis Farrakhan reveals, for the first time, during a public lecture in Chicago, July 26,2009 , thatthe entertainer quietly donated 100,000 dollars to the historic ‘Million Man March’ fromOctober 16, 1995. ‘The Million Man March’was a gathering of social activists, en masse, held in Washington, D.C.. Under the leadership ofNation of Islam head, Louis Farrakhan, African American men from across the United Statesconverged on Washington in an effort to “convey to the world a vastly different picture of theBlack male” and to unite in self-help and self-defense against economic and social ills plaguingthe African American minority/community. In December, 1995, "HTWF" and the youth ambassadors of "WCC" address a statement tothe "Guardians of the Future" monument in Mexico City, co-sponsored by "EC2000", "TerraChrista Communications", "UNICEF", the mayor’s office in Mexico City and the "Coalition forChildren of the Earth". In 1995, singer, dancer, and choreographer Michael Jackson rehearses for what would havebeen a concert with “just the man, just the moves, just the music”, a special due forcable-network, HBO, and titled “Michael Jackson: One Night Only”. On August 17, 1995, onoccasion of a live-chat interview with his fans (Simulchat), he announces the existence of thisproject: “I’m doing an HBO special, and it’s intimate. It’s close-up. It will allow me to dothings I’ve never done before.” Jackson also rehearsed a special pantomimenumber for the show with internationally acclaimed French actor and mime, Marcel Marceauand planned to accompany this act with song, “Childhood”, and had other 25 songs planned or performing, notably "Black Or White", "Dangerous", "Smile"and "You Are Not Alone". The concert was set to be aired on Sunday, December 10, 1995, 8 p.m.,at New York’s historic Beacon Theater, but it was cancelled because Jackson had collapsed onDecember 6, while rehearsing for this special due to a severe case of gastro-enteritis,dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and was rushed to Beth Israel Medical Center in NewYork where he remained hospitalized until December 13. William Alleyne II, the artist’s doctorfor almost two weeks at the time, speaks for the first time since Jackson’s life-threateningexperience, a month after his untimely demise fourteen years after: “Mr. Jackson was in critical condition, Alleyne says. He was dehydrated. He had low bloodpressure. He had a rapid heart rate. He was near death. […] Michael Jacksonwas unconscious when he arrived. I had to make that clear.” Alleyne adds that he found noimmune system problems and no drugs while examining Jackson and, eventually, he wasstabilized.“Michael Jackson was the most soft-spoken, least demanding guy you would ever want to meet,Alleyne says. Everything he said was a whisper. His biggest concern was could he perform.” Alleyne advised the singer against it. Near the end of Jackson's hospital stay, he asked Alleyne if he could visit other patients inintensive care. Jackson met one lady, gave her an autographed picture after he prayed with her,and the lady told Alleyne, ‘I can die now; I prayed with Michael Jackson’. “I told Mr. Jacksonmaybe visiting with people who had suffered heart attacks or other serious problems wasn'tsuch a good idea.”Before Alleyne left the hotel that day, Alleyne recalls Jackson telling him: “Thank you for saving my life”. Then Jackson told Alleyne he understood how difficult it had been for a black man to get to sucha distinguished position within the medical world, that Alleyne's accomplishments were inspiringto Jackson. “It was very touching, Alleyne says. I will never forget that. That to this day he is soloved comes as no surprise to me. He was very gracious and kind”, Jackson’s former doctoradds. The “One Night Only” show was put on hold and soon after Jackson’s hospitalization, histhen wife, Lisa Marie Presley, would file for divorce. Asked about a possible reschedule by a fanduring a VH-1 interview in 1996, the artist said there were plans for the concert to still happen in South Africa. The showwould, however, not be rescheduled indefinitely. In 1995, all proceeds from the sales of two French perfumes, "Mystique de Michael Jackson"and "Legende de Michael Jackson", named after the singer, go to charity. In February, 1996, "HTWF/WCC" youth ambassadors from Mexico exhibit a model forsustainability to the U.N. Habitat II Prep. Committee; later on, the 2 NGO’s attend "ChildrenFirst: A Global Forum" in Atlanta, Georgia, event hosted by former President, Mr. Jimmy Carter,Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, "Carter Center", and "Task Force for Child Survival", and co-financed by"Rockefeller Foundation", "Annie E. Casey Foundation", "World Bank" and "Heal the World",gathering 360 representatives from 100 countries to discuss strategies on the improvement anddevelopment of children’s lives. "HTW" and "WCC" also assist the "Spectrum of Light YouthConference" in Washington , D.C., with the intention to create new collaborations benefiting asustainable society in a thriving environment. On February 16, 1996, Michael Jackson performs “Earth Song” at the Brit Awards. It isJackson’s first TV performance in England in over 20 years. The performance is interruptedwhen Pulp singer, Jarvis Cocker storms the stage in protest, but is soon carried off by securityand later questioned by police. Jackson later expressed his discontent over the incident,however, the controversy created by the performance has led to another rise in HIStory’s sales, putting the album back in the top 10 in Europe. On June 21, 1996, Michael Jackson donates his four-time platinum "HIStory" C.D. to theDunblane appeal in Sevenoaks, U.K. In 1996, a new drink, "Mystery: fresh-cool-magic", coinciding with his worldwide HIStory Tour,hit the market. The official Michael Jackson product is described as a "healthy and vitalisingisotonic mineral drink", "refreshing, fruity, with a touch of fresh peaches", contains "Vitamin Cand other vital vitamins, as well as calcium and magnesium" and has a "unique pink colour". Prior to the starting off the HIStory World Tour, Michael Jackson performs a free-of-chargeconcert at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on July 16, 1996, attended by 60,000 people. The concert is in celebration of the 50th birthday of HassanalBolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, and is attended by the Brunei royal family, excepting the Sultanhimself. Starting with July 18, 1996, Jackson visits South Africa for a few days, arrives inJohannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for then President Nelson Mandela on thementioned date. Mandela invites an estimated 2000 children to the party and poses with thesinger before cutting a birthday cake for his 78th birthday at Hilton College in Kwazulu-Natal.Jackson has taken time off from touring, to visit South Africa where he also reveals he is writinga song about him. Mandela, stepping out on to a patio to greet the media, turnes to Jacksonand says, “I can see who is the world leader. I have neverseen so many journalists!” While in South Africa, Jackson also visits the black township of Soweto, where he lays a wreath of flowers atthe memorial to honor the youngsters who were shot dead by South Africa’s security forcesduring the 1976 Apartheid riots, and renders a bouquet of white roses, carnations and lilies inremembrance of 11-year-old leukemia victim, Jaymee Bowen. Meanwhile, the highest bid for aNeverland visit on behalf of the star is obtained at the “Cities in School” celebrity auction and,with the aid of radio “KIIS-FM” in Los Angeles, 115,000 dollars are delivered to school pupils. Michael Jackson returns to Budapest, Hungary in July 22, 23, 1996, to meet with now healthyBela Farkas at the Bethesda Hospital, as well as other young patients in the hospital. Farkaswas diagnosed with liver failure two years before and was in need of a transplant, thearrangements for which having been made by the entertainer a year before. He also visits theHungarian Parliament, and attends a children’s show in the Nep Stadium, where he interactswith children and holds some in his arms. In September, 1996, the artist is guest of honor at "Hope", the first sports festivity forunderprivileged children, where 3000 children and 600 volunteers have participated. On September 6, 1996, in Prague, Chech Republic, he visits a children’s hospital. On September 13, in Bucharest, Romania, he gives away toys and sweets to and plays withchildren from the "Leaganul De Copii Sfanta Ecaterina" state home, which he also visited back in 1992, and which he also acknowledges with 35 million Lei (1 million dollars). Jackson visits achildren's hospital as well, where he plays with the toddlers there. On arriving in Bucharest, September 12, he, alongside the Cascio family children, kneels before a monument - a cross in UniversitySquare dedicated to the victims of the 1989 Romanian revolution, and lays flowers. He also is aguest at the Parliament Palace where children give performances for him, including for "Heal the World", which Jackson sings along to. As during many of his tours' stops, Jackson takes time to tour thecity and sightsee the famous architecture there. During the HIStory Tour in Warsaw, Poland, on September 20, 1996, Jackson, who had thebig dream to build amusement parks the world over, is approached by a local businessman,Jacques Tourel, director of the World Trade Center in Warsaw, to consider Poland as one of thepossible places to build amusement parks. On October 1, 1996, he donates earnings from one of his concerts in Tunisia to the "NationalSolidarity Fund", charity dedicated to fighting poverty. On October 3, inAmsterdam, the Netherlands, he visits hospitals "Ronald McDonald House" and "AMC",interacts with the patients and distributes toys and other presents to them. A unit from one ofthe hospitals (for parents who want to be with their children) is named after Jackson. Thatmonth, Jackson also visits a facility for challenged children in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, and offers2000 free concert tickets to them. On October 27 and 29, 1996, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Michael Jackson performs twoHistory concerts. A group of children are seen sitting on the floor in a supermarket andperforming Heal The World to a gracious, applauding Jackson.He shakes hands with admirers and children inside the hotel he is checked in and signsautographs for them. The singer also invites a group of children in his hotel room, who are seenshooting confetti at a happy Jackson and holding colorful balloons. On November 1, 1996, Jackson donates most of the proceeds from the HIStory concert inBombay, India to the poor. Michael Jackson flew to India in a private jet.Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft, the event management agency that had the airport shutdown on his arrival recalls 14 years later: “Michael met the CM and Raj Thackeray. This wasfollowed by an aarti by Sonali Bendre. As he was walking out, a strange incident occurred. Achild fell down and Jackson immediately glided over and picked him up. He held him andhugged him with such care like he was the child’s mother.”, recounts Sabbas. “The (1993)allegations seemed all wrong. Michael even shot with 100 children in India for a calendar thathe was producing”, he continues. On his way from the airport, he stopped the car several timesto dance with the poor. Sabbas adds that Jackson was even willing to postpone his visit for aday or two in India to meet Mother Teresa. But that didn’t work out. Viraf Sarkari, co-director atWizcraft, recalls that all the celebrities and industrialists wanted to meet him. “We arrangedmeet-and-greet sessions with him. Michael kept all his commitments. He was a gentle personand met everyone respectfully.” Sabbas echoes the sentiment that Jackson was the easiestinternational artiste to work with, as he was very humble and the staff very professional. Bothdirectors acknowledge that Jackson had a great spiritual connect with India. Viraf says, “We firstmet him in Los Angeles to confirm the concert. We were told he is very keen on performing inIndia. We’d presented him with a Ganesha, a Nataraj and a sherwani. And without requiring anyexplanation, he said, “Yes, that’s Ganesha,the god of luck.” Evenwhen Bal Thackeray presented a silver statue of Nataraj to Jackson, the star didn’t need thepolitician’s explanation and said, “Yes, I know, that’s the god of dance and art.” More recountings on the visit coming from Times of India are as follows: on his arrival in India on October 31, Sonali Bendre, clad in traditional Maharashtrian (Indian State – Maharashtra) nine yard saree,performs the aarti and tilak for the singer at the airport, him being taken up with the ceremony.When being driven out of the air port in his 20-car motorcade, he stops his Toyota, removeshimself from his security guards and steps out to meet the urchins lined up along the highway tocatch a glimpse of him. He picks up several children, whom he hugs and kisses. He thenspends a few minutes with them before he proceeds to the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray’sresidence, Matushree, in Bandra East. Here, he is presented with a silver tabla and tanpura,which are musical instruments from India. Later that evening, at the special bash organized inhis honour by the concert’s organizer, Bharat Shah, at the Oberoi, he makes a briefappearance. Bharat Shah presents Jacksons with a silver replica of the Taj Mahal at the sameparty. At his request, a high tea is organized at the pool side where children from orphanagesare invited to meet and play with him. He hands them gifts and chocolates that he has broughtwith him. Jackson also organizes a party for children in his hotel room on the day of the History show itself. About 50 children are invited, for whom he orders cakes and burgers. He also playswith the invited children. Jackson requests that he is provided with a few saris which he wantsdraped around the sofas during the photo session with the children, to give his pictures theethnic effect. Burkhas are arranged for the singer due to him wishing to visit Aasha Daan,Mother Teresa’s ashram in Byculla, South Mumbai. But due to an extremely tight schedule, hewasn’t able to fulfill his wish. He visits and endows a children’s home and a school for visually-impaired ones in Bangkok,Thailand with 100,000 dollars, toys and the like in November, 1996. On November 7, 1996, 13-year old Emely Smith is granted the wish to encounter himbackstage in Auckland, New Zealand, during a halt from his concert there, where he will alsopay a visit on November 16 to children’s hospital, "Starship", room toroom, and hands out toys, autographs and C.D.’s, respectively, to each of the young patients.The visit lasts for hours, the singer conversing to all the ailing children. He signs autographs tothe children, and one cancer-stricken young girl asks the entertainer what it is like being asuperstar, to which he humbly replies: "Hmm... I don't know.. I really don't. 'Cause I don't remember not performing, so it's fun to makepeople happy... It really is." Another boy tells him his favorite song is the singer's 1972 "Ben". When asked by a reporter how the looks on the patients' faces make him feel, he replies, hishand on his chest: "It touches my heart. I love them very much.", after which he shakes hands with the boy asking him about "Ben", then adds, hand on chest again: "It's heart-touching." "The Smith Family", a fund-raising NGO for indigent people, receives a finance portion of the artist’s Australianconcerts. In November, 1996 Michael Jackson pays a visit to the "Prince of Wales Hospital" in Brisbane,Australia, a housing of children with cancer and heart conditions, asthma and various tumors, inwhich he delivers autographs and toys to over 75 children. He also visits a children’s facility inSydney, where he similarly acknowledges more patients, as well as 6-year old severely burnedvictim, Tjandamurra O’Shane - doused in petrol and set alight in the grounds of a primaryschool by an Adelaide man - at a hospital in Australia, on a halt from the HIStory tour.

On November 26, 1996, Jackson visits the "Royal Children’s Hospital" in Melbourne, Australia,where he delivers toys to and signs autographs for the children. On December 7, 1996, on occasion of the annual Orphans Christmas Party held at the ManilaHotel in Manila, Phillippines, he donates toys to 300 children from different orphanages aroundMetro Manila, signs autographs and speaks to the medically cared for children; additionally, hemakes known that a portion of his concerts will be used for renewing a hospital's facilities whichhe has also visited. A young orphan boy present at the event says: “I gotseparated from my mom and siblings. That's how I ended up in an orphanage... […] I becamehappier [after I had received the gifts from Michael]… It feels like… the sadness is gone. I’m notsad anymore.” Then P.R. officer at Manila Hotel, Gwen J. Cariño, offers a detailed insight on her blog regarding the event and its preparations alongsideJackson himself, shortly after the susperstar’s untimely passing in 2009:“Michael offered to fill up the 300 loot bags with goodies and toys, candies and chocolates. […]It was at the Champagne Gardens on Dec. 7, 1996. I was surprised to see him walking towardsus, guided by his aide. Michael came up to me as I had to brief him. “Hi, how are you?Thanks so much for letting me in, I know I’m early ’coz I didn’t want to miss the program.”I said, “Are you kidding? Thanks so much for volunteering! Here’s what Michael, why don’t youjust sit here and watch the musical numbers before we get into the gift giving. I will have totweak the program a bit.” He replied, “Sure, anything you say…(pausing to look at my name tag) Gwen!” […] Amazing how he patiently sat through the whole program. Carol Banawa, then an Ang TVmainstay couldn’t believe MJ was watching her perform. She had her red blouse signed by himright after her number. Then followed Stefano Mori’s dance number. Later, his back upsingersand dancers came up on stage followed by select kids from different orphanages who danced tothe beat of Billie Jean. Oh, the smile on Michael’s face was just amazing. […] He later showedme and [security] Wayne other stuff people would use or pick up on the ground when theycouldn’t find paper for him to sign on. One lady made him sign at the back of her elegant,designer Filipiniana gown. One teenager came up to him holding a dead leaf and another one, apopped balloon. […]” On December 31, 1996, Michael Jackson warms up for his HIStory World Tour with a one-offconcert staged inside the Sultan’s Jerudong Park Garden, a Disney-style theme park whereadmission and all the rides are free of charge. Admission to Jackson’s concert was free ofcharge, as well, moreover, around 60,000 fans packed into the park to attend his two-hourshow. Michael Jackson visits the Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan around 1996, signsautographs and hands over more than 200 toys to them. On January 25, 1997, the musician waves 85% of the $5 to $6 million ticket receipts from aconcert held o n November 1, 1996 in Bombay, India, and donates 1,1million dollars to a local NGO educating children dwelling in slums - ”Shiv Udyog Sena” - thesum also helping to create jobs for 270,000 young unemployed people in the state ofMaharashtra, Bombay; on arriving in Bombay, the singer asks to stop in order to converse withchildren playing in the crowded slums for 20 minutes, according to Indian journalist, HemaShukla. On February 16, 1997, Michael Jackson performs at a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor for her AIDSbenefit concert in Los Angeles, California, aired on February 27, 1997,and titled "Happy Birthday, Elizabeth" by ABC – TV. In early April, 1997, Michael Jackson is interviewed and photographed with his personal familyby British OK! Magazine. OK! Has paid for the pictures and interview andJackson has donated the entire 1-million-pound profit to his Heal The World foundation. OK! has recently providederroneous information on the birth of his first son, releasing selective photographs of thenew-born son without the parents’ consent. On April 19, 1997, he arrives in Paris, France at the Grévin Wax Museum for the inaugurationof his wax figure there. A huge legion of fans welcome the singer, that the Grands Boulevardshad to be closed off by the police, in collaboration with the Grévin Museum. After greeting theexcited crowd and signing autographs to fans for over 10 minutes, Jackson and his entourageenter the Museum. French mime, Marcel Marceau makes a surprise appearance at theunveiling of Jackson’s wax figure and performs a panthomime act for the entertainer. Heimprints his hands in clay, as well as offers one of his “HIStory” tripleplatinum record to the Museum. On exiting the building, Jackson once again greets his manyadmirers and signs autographs for more than 15 minutes. Melissa, a young girl brought by heparents beyond the safety barriers, runs to him happily and hands him a photo to beautographed. He dedicates the photo to the girl and she runs off, only to return to him threemore times, Jackson eventually taking her in his arms and waiting for her parents to take apicture. He also acknowledges a fan in wheelchair, bends down to her level and signs anautograp, after which reaches out to kiss her both cheeks. Michael Jackson returns to Warsaw, Poland in an unofficial, but elaborate visit on May 28, 1997,to explore the possible venues for his new project. The local politicans are amazed, thereforedecide to support the 500-million dollar investment. Rough estimates place Jackson’s intendedcontribution at 100-300 million dollars. A June 1, 1999date is scheduled for the opening. While in Warsaw, his first stop there was the President’sPalace of Wilanow, which he tours alongside Professor Marek Kwiatkowski, and converses withthe former President’s wife, Jolanta Kwasniewska, who expresses hope that the singer’s plansfor Poland all materialize. The President of Poland at the time, Aleksander Kwasniewski, handsa plaque over to him on behalf of the city of Warsaw and they embrace. The singer showsinterest in the interior decorative frieze of the Palace, as well as in the monument of King JohnIII Sobieski. Then, Jackson visits the ‘Bristol Hotel’ and a high school, Batorego, which he toursfor 15 minutes, without disturbing examinations taking place at that time. His third stop is the‘Warsaw’s Kings Bathrooms”, enjoys the peacock, a movie on Warsaw, and tours the ‘Palaceon Water’. He attends a piano concert - a Chopin recital at the Theatre of Stanislaw, after whichthe Major of Warsaw, Marcin Swiecicki, presents him the keys to the city and effigy of mermaid.Both Jackson and Swiecicki, furthermore, sign a letter of interest in which both parties agree to prepare for thecontructions of a theme park of the first kind there. He even will set up a company in Delawareunder "MJJ Poland Inc". He also attends a special dance show put together by patients from theChildren’s Hospital on Litewska Street and acknowledges, as he usually/always does, the illyoung patients. That day, he will shop for children at the “Kidiland” toy store, reportedly in theamount of 670,000 dollars, then fly to Lubiaz by helicopter to visit the “Cistercian Order Palace”for 45 minutes; Jackson expresses will of having the two-story baroque building renovated andleased; he tours with same Professor Kwiatowski, very impressed by the singer’s knowledge onPolish relics. The plans to build the amusement park on a nearby military airport have wonapproval from state officials in February, 1998, meantime the entertainer asks Landmark to draw up sketches for the proposed theme parks,however, following the project’s approval and a huge hiatus, the army owning the airport doesnot agree to make it available for the park, and other two grounds pointed out by thegovernment will also be denied due to local protests. The Polish government abandons thisproject altogether and nothing will come out of it. In 1997, Michael Jackson takes part at ‘The Variety Club Of Great Britain – Central CountiesRegion’, a children’s charity annual event, where he presents a pair of keys to an official there,on behalf of Jackson and his Heal The World Foundation. At this point, no further informationregarding the keys’ exact utility is known, but can be safely assumed it was a donation made tothe Club. His wife at the time, Debbie Rowe, is also present at the event. On June 17, 1997, Michael Jackson, a classical music enthusiast since early childhood, attends “TheThree Tenors” in Modena, Italy, the three tenors being Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, just a day before his HIStory concert in Milan. Jacksonis introduced as a guest of Pavarotti's and is seated in the front row of the audience. Theentertainer, checked in at Principe de Savoya Hotel, is seen outside, prior to the concert, incompany of Disney characters, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, meeting with children gathered infront of the hotel and accepting gifts from admirers. On June 18, 1997, he signs "Children in Need", a book auctioned by UNESCO. On June 18, 1997, the singer attends the 30th anniversary of the Phantasialand theme-park inGermany before flying to Milano, Italy to perform a HIStory concert. InMilan, a boy from Latin America, Daniel, suffering from AIDS, meets Jackson, the entertaineralso inviting him on stage and carrying him in his arms. Antoinette Parisi, the adoptive mother ofDaniel, writes after the ruling of the trial 2003/2005: “I’ll never forget what you did for my son,Daniel. After meeting you, the doctors called it a miracle, because, for some months, it was likehe never had AIDS. Now that justice has been served, I just wanted to express my gratitudeand happiness. […] My child is not here with us anymore, but I know that from up there he isalways looking over you. […]” On July 5, 1997 the ‘Nezavisimaya Gazeta’ Russian daily newspaper publishes the informationthat, on July 2, 1997, Michael Jackson has donated 1,5 million dollars to theJehova’s Witnesses organization in Russland, Russia. On July 16 1997, one of Michael Jackson’s vans accidentally runs over an admirer’s leg,causing a broken foot. The fan, called Joe Jenish, later receives a phone call to inform him thatJackson knew of the accident and arranged that he meet him. The next day, Jenish goesbackstage at the Wembley stadium in London, where the entertainer apologizes profusely forthe accident (albeit it was not his personal fault) and signs his cast twice. On July 18, 1997, Christine Dowling, a 31 Irish Michael Jackson admirer suffering fromMorquio syndrome, is granted the wish to meet her famous hero. The opportunity arises duringJackson’s HIStory Tour concert, when the entertainer’s security people wouldbe looking for fans to come up on stage for the song performance of “Heal The World”. “The music for “Heal the World”came on and I was wheeled onto the stage. Michael held my hand”, Dowling recounts 13 yearslater. “Normally, I wouldn’t feel anything in my right hand, as I had lost feeling in it a few yearsbefore, but that night I could actually feel Michael’s hand. He turned to me as we headed off ofthe stage. He told me that he loved me and I knew that he really meant it!” She goes on to say:“A few hours after the concert, I could feel a burning sensation up and down my right arm. Thenext day, I had feeling back in my right hand. I truly believe I got my feeling back from simplyholding Michael’s hand. My Ma said, “With 35,000 people singing such a positive song as “Heal the World,”you were bound to get a miracle.” […] Even though I am in a wheelchair, that night I felt like Iwas walking on air. […] I am so blessed and thankful that my dream came true.” Following herhero’s death, Dowling organized a tree planting in his memory, as well as a Michael JacksonMemorial 7 Fun Day on August 8, 2009, with full proceeds directed to a children’s hospital shehad attended in her childhood. On September 13, 1997, Michael Jackson attends a public memorial for late Princess Diana ata church in Los Angeles, California. On 31 August 1997, the Princessdied in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris along with then boyfriend, DodiAl-Fayed. Jackson also dedicates song “Gone Too Soon” to his late friend and reschedules a HIStory concert from Ostende, Belgium - that was supposed to take place precisely on August 31 – to September 3rd, which he dedicated in loving memory to Diana, especially his performance of "Heal The World". From the September 3HIStory concert onward, Jackson’s cover of Charlie Chaplin’s song “Smile” is played back before each concert, pictures of the late Princess being shown on the jumbotronfor some parts of the concert. On November 18, 1997, Michael Jackson quietly arrives in Seoul, South Korea to discussinvestment in troubled underwear maker, Ssangbangwool Ltd's Ski Resort. “Michael Jacksonhas come to Korea to discuss the possibility of investing in Muju Resort,” says a companyspokesman. The spokesman adds that Ssangbangwool has planned to expand the resortcomplex to include a theme park, but says the plans had been put on hold when the companyfaced financial troubles. * Jackson invites underprivileged children on stage with him in each city included in his Europe"HIStory World Tour" during world-awareness songs such as "Heal The World", similarly doingso during his "Dangerous World Tour".* Jackson has also acknowledged his admirers and supporters throughout the years whileduring his tours, on occasions of events such as fan gatherings, displaying his appreciation tothem by means of paper notes he would cast down from windows including, greetings, pillowsand blankets. Food (such as pizza or hot chocolate), candles and the like, were delivered at hisrequest by trucks, to each individual, and he would occasionally be inviting a few of them for avisit inside his hotel rooms for pictures and autographs. He would, additionally pay the costs forhotel accomodations for some (i.e.: in New York, following the September 11 terrorist attacks).A variety of groups (varying from families in need to his own supporters) would also be allowedto visit his mansion and its vicinities in California, including in his absence over the years, wherethey would help themselves with food and other facilities, as reported and/or witnessed. * At a non-accurate date, Michael Jackson visits, offers a computer to and pays for the medicalcosts of a 4-year-old girl and admirer of the star at a hospital, the child being gravely injured bya dog in Washington, D.C.; in addition, he makes a discrete appearance at the funeral of twochildren in South Carolina, drowned in a car by their mother, for whom he speaks in theirmemory and pays for the last rites’ expenses. In January, 1998, Michael Jackson records a demo version of charity song, “What More Can IGive”, with tenorLuciano Pavarotti. On February 25, 1998, the megastar attends the investiture ceremony of then South KoreanPresident, Kim Dae-jung, one of the century’s astute fighters for democracy and 2000recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He stays in Seoul, South Korea from February 20to February 27. Kevin Sullivan, reporter of Washington Post, who met with the artist at the event, answers thatthe latter’s purpose for his being present at the event was because “[Jackson] praised KimDae-jung's commitment to children, and he said he was considering a concert to benefitstarving children in North Korea and around the world. (Jackson did headline two huge concertsin June 1999, one in Seoul and one in Munich, that raised several million dollars for children's charities.)” Aday after the artist’s sudden demise, former South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung, who, lessthan two months later will also pass on due to a multiple organ dysfunction, says “the world haslost a hero… and Korea also lost a beloved friend, who showed continued interest andsupported unification of Korean peninsula. Korean people are sad.” On May 15, 1998, Jackson participates at the "Southern Africa Economic Summit" fromWindhoek, Namibia, an annual event considering the formation of a newly competitive Africa,and meets with President Patrick Nandago. The singer is there to announces his plans to builda leisure complex and shopping centers in the impoverished country, investments he hopes toimprove the lives of ill and impoverished children around the world. On July 27, 1998, he announces during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan the establishmentof "Michael Jackson Japan Co.Ltd.", a new Japanese Company Wonder World - Land Of Toys.The new company's mission is the construction of theme parks and toys selling around theworld. In July, 1998, Jackson, along with with business partner, Don Barden, arrive in Detroit,Michigan, to announce plans for the billion-dollar entertainment complex, ‘The MajesticKingdom’ in the city that launched his superstardom. He also speaks to fans on microphone atChene Park, visits Detroit's Children's Hospital and a downtown church. In September, 1998, Michael Jackson befriends 5-year-old cancer-ailing Aza Woods at the"Hilton Hotel" in Las Vegas, displays the "Star Treck: The Experience" show to him and inviteshim to his ranch, helping with his healing stages. In 1998, he writes and produces song "Children’s Holiday" (translated in Japanese by "YasushiOkimoto"), a charity anthem and number-one single in Japan performed by a Japanese group,J-Friends and a children’s choir, all revenues of which being used in aid of the victims (and theirfamilies) of a devastating earthquake in Kobe City, Japan, in January, 1995. Jackson also gives world-relief song, "People Of The World", to J-Friends, which they would perform on various platforms. On December 12, 1998, Michael Jackson attends the Grand Opening of Sun International's US"Royal Towers” of the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas with friend GerryInzerillo, and goes on stage to perform "Heal The World" with a groupof children. The resort was created by South African hotel magnate Sol Kerzner and Kerzner InternationalLimited.Other performers were Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, N-Tyce, Tevin Campbell, James Ingram,Stephanie Mills and many more. On January 15, 1999, he attends the Bar Mitzvah of the son of his friends, the Cohen family.According to Jewish law, when Jewish children reach 13 years old for boys and 12 years old forgirls, they become responsible for their actions, and “become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah" (English: Daughter(Bat) or Son(Bar) of the commandments). In March, 1999, the entertainer negotiates with a consortium led by Malaysian entrepreneur,Abdul Rahman, to donate a certain amount of money to help create four African universities inTunisia, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, which would be named after him. In May, 1999, Jackson is involved in the "Pavarotti & Friends for War Child" charity concert inModena, Italy, event ultimately earning 1 million dollars for "United Nations High Commissionfor Refugees", an NGO benefiting refugees from Kosovo, with the help of the "Safe Children"project. The singer could not be present at the event on health purposes of his son, the latetenor performing Jackson’s "We Are The World" with the event’s artists for the finale in hisabsence. At an uncertain date, Jackson is said to have recorded a compact disc in honour oflate Princess Diana, together with singer Paul McCartney and late tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. On May 9, 1999, the pop star participates, alongside other artists, in the "No Boundaries" reliefalbum, the proceeds of which being intended for providing food and shelter for the Kosovovictims. On June 10, 1999 the first "Michael Jackson Dance Studio" (previously in the mediaannounced as the “Michael Jackson Entertainment School”) is opened in Tokyo, Japan. In June, 1999, Michael Jackson performs at the “Michael Jackson & Friends – The Power ofHumanity ” two sell-out stadiums spellbound,to a audience capacity of 45,000 in Seoul, Korea (June 25) and 60,000 in Munich, Germany (June 27). Among the star friends of Jackson are Mariah Carey, Vanessa Mae, Slash, All Saints, TheScorpions, Status Quo, Ringo Starr, Boyz II Men, Andrea Boccelli, Luther Vandross, LucianoPavarotti, A. R. Rahman, Prabhu Deva Sundaram and Shobana. The concerts raisedapproximately 3,3 million dollars for charities Red Cross, UNESCO and the Nelson MandelaChildren’s Fund. Both concerts were televised in Europe and Asia to a massive viewerresponse. On June 27, 1999, while performing “Earth Song” on top of a bridge (more than 27 feet abovethe ground) on occasion of the benefit concert, “MJ & Friends” in Munich, Germany, the upper part of the bridge collapses, no longer being held by enginesand only stopping from falling free by the cables that were attached to it. Jackson was standingon the steel footbridge when it fell down and violently hit the ground below stage level. Most ofthe audience didn't notice the accident and thought it was part of the show. The singer, visiblyshocked, manages to climb back on stage and carries on his performance of “Earth Song” without showing signs of pain or distress, ending the song with a usual routine, consisting of atank being brought on stage, a soldier pointing his gun to a little girl, her offering him a flower ofpeace and causing the soldier to break down in tears. Michael Jackson suffers chest injuriesduring the accident, as reported by German newspapers the following day, as well as backstrains, causing the singer pain which would become severe in times of abrupt movements orhigh stress (such as his 2005 trial, when he was visibly suffering from them). His longtimemake-up artist, Karen Faye, later recounts the frightening experience: “[…] Backstage, therewas crying and screaming, only the crew and performers knew there was somethingdesperately wrong. From our vantage point we had lost sight of Michael, as the bridge hadfallen below the front of the stage. My heart stopped beating, while in the strong arms of aperplexed security guard. Even though the show continued for everyone else, time stood still forme as I could not imagine how Michael could have survived such a fall. But slowly, and afterwhat seemed like an eternity, as the music and applause continued, I saw one arm reach for thefloor of the stage...then a long lean leg, another arm, another leg...he was up, center stage...finishing the end of Earth Song! My mouth dropped open in relieved amazement . Lookingdazed, he made his way to our side of the stage. "Michael, sit down...." "No!"He demanded. “Security... please get him to the hospital!" I was begging. "No!"He grabbed the microphone and ran out to finish performing "You Are Not Alone". I could notbelieve what I was witnessing. He finished the song, took his final bow, and returned once againto his stage dressing room and then... collapsed. Security whisked him off to a hospital inMunich. […]Once back in the hotel... I started making the phone calls to find out how he was. Igot the reports that nothing was broken, but he was badly bruised, and his back was very badlystrained. It had been a miracle. Being the performer he was, he knew how to land. […] He wasbetter. I asked him...why did you continue? I cannot believe you were able to do that. "You know […], the only thing that I heard in my head was my father's voice saying to me,‘MIichael, don’t disappoint the audience!’” On August 15, 1999, Michael Jackson meets the Dalai Lama for the first time at the Mark Hotelin New York City, New York. The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist leader ofreligious officials of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The spiritual leaderand Jackson speak for about 20 minutes. While in New York City, the singer also has dined at aNew York apartment with country singer, Dolly Parton and Elizabeth Taylor. According to asource, the focus of much of their talk was the death of John Kennedy Jr. and the dangerscelebrities face when flying private planes. On September 4, 1999, at the 4th Kora All-Africa Music Awards in Sun City, South Africa,Michael Jackson presents Mr. Nelson Mandela and his "Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund" witha check for 1 million rand (166,400 dollars, - a portion of the proceeds from the "MichaelJackson and Friends" concerts from June 25, 1999 in Seoul, South Korea and June 27, 1999 inMunich, Germany), the former President declaring the following on the donation: "The trusteesof the Children's Foundation and myself would like to express our deepest appreciation to ourfriend, Michael Jackson. He is a supporter of worthy causes and I'm happy that the foundationis tonight one of his benefitions (sic). [...] And the contribution of Michael Jackson, I hope, willinspire people not only in our country, but throughout the world, to follow his example and tobring a measure of happiness to our children. [...]" In addition, the 3,3-million-dollar grossings ofthe "Michael Jackson and Friends – The Adventure of Humanity" benefitconcerts held in Seoul, Korea and Munich, Germany, advantage "UNESCO", "NelsonMandela's Children's Fund" and "International Federation of Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties". "What More Can I Give" is the key-phrase utilized in these concerts – "the concept ofgiving" - , and a child’s face is shown on the videotron screens during certain parts of theMunich concert. On December 4, 1999, Michael Jackson attends singer Whitney Houston’s Fund RaisingEvent at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. In late 1990’s, the superstar partners with Burbank-based ‘Landmark Entertainment Group’ —the creators of the Spider-Man ride at Islands of Adventure and the JurassicPark water ride at Universal Studios Orlando— to draft a plan for ‘Peter Pan’s Neverland’theme park. Michael Jacksondreamed of a theme park based on the J.M. Barrie story of “Peter Pan”,complete with looping roller-coasters, 3-D flight simulators, water rides, stunt shows, dinnertheater, night-time spectaculars and hotels. The concept looks remarkably similar to Disneylandpast and present, with all the Peter Pan parts of the park (pirate ship, dark ride, skull rock)amplified and embellished with plenty of pixie dust. ‘Peter Pan’s Neverland’ envisioned a grandentrance into Victorian London with replicas of Kensington Gardens, Big Ben, Tower Bridge andthe Houses of Parliament. On Neverland Island, reached by boat, there were six themed lands:‘Lost Boys Woods’, ‘Mermaid Lagoon’, ‘Indian Village’, ‘Pixie Kingdom’, ‘Pirate’s Village’ and‘Future Zone’. No price tag or location was ever announced for the ambitious project, and thepartnership dissolved after a few years. The New Millennium:

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http://www.philstar.com/ArticleListByAuthorName.aspx?AuthorName=By+Gwen+J.+Cari%c3%b1o

http://www.philstar.com/ArticleListByAuthorName.aspx?AuthorName=By+Gwen+J.+Cari%c3%b1o

http://www.latimes.com/IslandsOfAdventure

http://www.latimes.com/UniversalStudiosFlorida

http://www.latimes.com/UniversalStudiosFlorida

http://www.latimes.com/disneyland


In January, 2000, Michael Jackson performs at the "Evening of Stars" telethon, organized bythe "United Negro College Fund", the event collecting 13,5 million dollars.

On January 22, 2000, Jackson, alongside other artists, engages in financing the restoration ofthe "Chateau de Versailles" park, 10,000 trees from which being demolished in a tempest, anddonates certain items to the 4th annual online auction by the "T.J. Martell Foundation forLeukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research".

On September 19, 2000, on occasion of an interview for BBC Radio Oxford, London Times'"Millennium Preacher of the Year" at the time, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, offers some tidbits onthen friend, Michael Jackson and his "genuine devotion" for children, including his (the Rabbi’s).He recounts that, on occasion of Jackson’s 42 Birthday at his Neverland ranch – to whichBoteach and his family were invited – the singer also welcomed a critically ill ten-year old boy,suffering from leukemia, and his family for four days. The singer would treat him to theamusements of his home, speak to him in order to help him gain post-chemotherapy confidenceand pays his medical expenses, as in more such cases involving the deprived, Boteach adds,(as part of Jackson’s relief efforts outside the public eye), continuing to say that the pop starwould weekly invite hundreds of children from inner city schools for day trips to his ranch,spending "millions of dollars on children who are in need", an affirmation confirmed by thesinger himself, by others who have been/were in contact with Jackson and some of the mediareports. Moreover, Boteach also recounts that, after reading a piece of news on a criticallycancer ailing boy, Jackson asked the staff of a New York hospital to install a telephone in theboy’s room, the singer then phoning the young patient daily, his paedatrician confirmed.

In October, 2000, Michael Jackson and his family support "Wave To The World", an officialfund-raising project of the Paralympic Games 2000 in Sydney, Australia, alongside a host ofother stars, contacted by project founders, Mark Filby and Stephen White. Jackson puts on anorange "Wave To The World" T-shirt and participates in a video for a song, "Spirit of Life",beside siblings Rebbie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson, the latter acting as executive producerof the song. Michael Jackson, later on, invites founder Mark Filby at the Jacksons’ Hayvenhurstresidence, into a room filled with memorabilia, dedicated by the entertainer to his family. A videocompilation with the participating stars "waving" is, in addition, created, among whom JermaineJackson, Rebbie Jackson, mother Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson.

On October 28, 2000, escorted by actress and friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, he attends the

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"Carousel of Hope" ball - a fund-raising gala addressing juvenile diabetes, held at the BeverlyHilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, where he donates a self-painted plate, and alimited-edition poster at the "African Ambassadors’ Spouses" annual gala, organization directedto treating children suffering from AIDS. The "Carousel of Hope" Ballraised more than 6 million dollars benefiting the Children's Diabetes Foundation. Marvin and Barbara Davis, founder of the "Carousel of Hope" evening of charity fund-raising,hosted the mentioned lavish lunch for the out-of-town guests, plus participants in the fundraiser.Among those who stopped by to hug Michael Jackson is Berry Gordy Jr., his discoverer, andSusanne de Passe, as well as Shirley MacLaine, Carrie Fisher, Joan Collins, David Foster, ToniBraxton, Sidney Poitier, Gregory Peck, Neil Diamond, Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, PierceBrosnan, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sylvester Stallone, CharlotteChurch, to name but a few.

On November 20, 2000 the entertainer attends the birthday party of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach inEnglewood, New Jersey, USA, and meets young Elissa Mingino, a 7-year old girl suffering fromleukaemia. Her biggest dream was to meet with her favourite singer: Michael Jackson.

In December, 2000, a Las Vegas relief project titled "The Way of the Unicorn/The EndangeredOnes", and organized by "Big International Group of Entertainment, Inc." is approved in writing -though yet to be implemented - by means of the singer’s printed agreement to place hisprofessional ability into the project.

On December 20, 2000, in thunderous applause, he makes a surprise stage appearance atWKTU 3 rd Annual Holiday Concert, the"Miracle On 34th Street" relief event in Madison Square Garden, New York, alongside otherartists who performed their finale with Whitney Houston in the lead, such as Backstreet Boys,Melanie C., Ricky Martin, Destiny’s Child, Toni Braxton, Marc Anthony or Christina Aguilera.The singer embraces Houston as he enters the stage and shakes hands with all the gatheredstars. Jackson addresses a few words to the audience, including a “Merry Christmas” holiday wish and joins the other performers for the encore, but didn't perform solo due to a caseof laryngitis. He was a special guest of honor that night.

On February 14, 2001, in New York, Michael Jackson, in association with Rabbi ShmuleyBoteach and "L’Chaim Society", announces via a seminar, the creation of "Heal The Kids", aHTW campaign lasting a year (2001) with the mission to help parents worldwide rededicatethemselves to their children, by providing them with sufficient attending and moral support.Three years afterwards, Boteach declares that the charity completed its purpose.

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On March 7, 2001, the day following his critically acclaimed speech at Oxford University inLondon, he attends ‘MJ Day 10”, the tenth anniversary fan event and charity auction from the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in London, even though in crutches dueto a severe leg pain. The party has been organized, as always, by Adrian Grant, author of ‘Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary”. A visible hurting, but strong Jackson welcomes the crowd and says a few words on taking thestage in front of 3000 excited fans. The event features 100 performers which Jackson describesas ‘beautiful and incredible’, and is, additionally, a charity auction featuring Jackson memorabilia also unfolds, when a hat,personally signed by Jackson will be purchased for over 1,000 dollars, a personal phonecall byhim on a lucky person’s birthday is also out for bidding, in addition to one of his jackets worn atthe WMA the year before, and other smaller items which Jackson donatesfor the ‘Movie For Action’ charity auction; the mentioned NGO is associated with “UNICEF” inprojects concerning African children and mothers with AIDS.Other proceeds from the evening go to Michael Jackson's "Heal The Kids" initiative. This fanevent will give him the inspiration to develop the show further and in 2005, he will put ‘Thriller Live’into production alongside Grant.

On March 26, 2001, Jackson delivers books to children attending a theater play in Newark,New Jersey, upon the opening the "Michael Jackson International Book Club", a "Heal TheKids" charitable subsidiary sponsoring juvenile reading and parental reading to children.Jackson is accompanied by Rabbi Schmuley Boteach and friend Frank Cascio.

On September 11, 2001, upon hearing of the terrorist attacks in New York, Michael Jacksonorders a bus for his family to return safely to California, as well as limousines for his closefriends. He leaves New York with his children and their minder and temporarily retire toJackson’s close friends, the Cascio family, at their house in New Jersey.

On October 21, 2001, Michael Jackson performs alongside a host of other artists (Al Green,Bette Midler, Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey, Usher, Pink and more) his reliefsongs "We Are The World", "Man In The Mirror" and "What More Can IGive" at "United We Stand: What More Can I Give", a benefitconcert organized by the artist and held at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., and collecting15 million dollars for the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York City, N.Y. The benefit gig

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was the third major concert in tribute to the 9/11 attacks. The other two were held in New YorkCity. During the telecast of this show on ABC, there was nomention of Jackson's name and he was always filmed with the rest of the singers in thebackground; this was because Jackson signed a contract with CBS over the 30th AnniversarySpecial (from September 10) to not appear under his name in any other program. Jacksonrecorded the all-star tribute that year, which included stars such as Ricky Martin, Destiny'sChild, Shakira, Celine Dion and Gloria Estefan. But despite the commercial power of such aline-up, Sony Music did not release the song, much the singer’s bewilderment, as he intendedthat the song be released immediately for the benefit of the 9/11 victims.

The singer dedicates album "Invincible" to 15-year-old murdered African-Norwegian, BenjaminHermansen, advising on the importance of not judging a person by race, but by character.

On February 9, 2002, Michael Jackson makes a brief appearance alongside Elizabeth Taylorat the "Art for AIDS: A Tribute To Rock Hudson" fund-raiser held at Laguna Art Museum inLaguna Beach, California. Roy Harold Scherer, Jr., professionally known as Rock Hudson, wasan American film and television actor, and also one of the first major Hollywood celebrity to diefrom an AIDS-related illness. At the beginning of the event, commemorative t-shirts signed byvarious stars including Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Ringo Starr, Sharon Stone,Halle Berry and others have been auctioned. Jackson's, which was signed twice, will go for anamazing 700 dollars. Elizabeth Taylor and him will also briefly appear later at a private 2,500dollar per plate dinner, also in support of the fund-raiser.

On April 24, 2002, the musician performs at a fund-raiser at "Apollo Theater" in Harlem, NewYork for the "Democratic National Committee", to launch a campaign aimed at persuadingUnited States citizens to register and where nearly 3 million dollars are collected for the votingregistration. Jackson performs "Dangerous", "Black Or White" and "Heal TheWorld "(joined by Diana Ross) at the said event called "A Night At The Apollo", the superstar sharingthe stage with former president Bill Clinton and singers Tony Bennett and K. D. Lang.Themoney would be used for the then new "Every Vote Counts" campaign, the committee said. The1'400 audience members paid up to 5,000 dollars each to see the array of stars.

On June 14, 2002, Michael Jackson leaves Paddington Station in London, on a train ride toExeter, Devon (in Great Britain) with then friends, Uri Geller, David Blaine and Mark Lester, as

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well as with 200 fans. They all go to Saint James Park where 10,000 have gathered for afund-raising event in Exeter, organized to collect money for the football club and two charitiesaimed at combating AIDS and malaria. At the Stadium, the singer meets ayoung disabled boy, who jumps for joy straight in Jackson’s arms. “I held him so tight… It wasunbelievable”, the youth says. “And he walks around for a bit and tapped me on the head andsaid “ I love you”, and it was just themost memorable thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He meets other local children at the Stadium,among whom Lauren Setherton (sp), who, at the time, was suffering from cancer.

On September 15, 2002, by means of an auction, the performer donates 16 autographed items(compact discs, videos and a pair of cotton napkins), valued at 3935 Euros, to victims of a floodin Germany, as well as an autographed fedora and a jacket, worn by Jackson at the 2002American Music Awards, to the "Tribute To Bambi" charitable auction, items calculated at18,303 Euros and addressing the street children of Germany from "Off-Road-Kids e.V".

On October 12, 2002, as a personal acknowledgement of the gallantry and sacrificial servicesmade by the military in his community, Jackson invites over 200 U.S. Airforce members from"Team Vandenberg" – then recently returned from overseas deployments – and their families tohis residence.

Between the 19 and 29 of November, 2002, the "Siegfried & Roy's" celebrity auction takesplace, for which Jackson donates an autographed plush bear, benefiting "Opportunity Village" (NGO in charge of the life-expectancy issues of mentallychallenged people and their families) with 5,000 dollars, including a jacket auctioned for 16,000dollars at the "Bambi Charity Event" in Berlin, Germany, on November 21.

In December, 2002, Michael Jackson and Bee Gee's member, Barry Gibb, write "All In YourName", commonly, yet falsely spread about as "Prayer For Peace", and leaked to the media a few years ago. The two meet in Miami, Florida on December 20 to work on the charity song, which was written in protest of the U.S. plans to invade Iraq. Thewar in Iraq will eventually break out as a military campaign against "the terrorists" on March 20, 2003.

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On January 5, 2003, Michael Jackson visits Maurice Gibb from the Bee Gees at a Miami hospital . Gibb eventually died January 12of complications from a twisted intestine. OnJanuary 15,Jacksonprivately pays the last respects to Gibb at the Miami Chapel, along with his brother, Barry Gibb.

On June 11, 2003, Michael Jackson returns for the first time in 20 years to his hometown, Gary,Indiana, where, during a news conference with Gary Mayor Scott L. King – who presents himthe key to the city, the singer announces he would partner with Mayor King to develop aperforming arts center for the city - the 'Michael J. Jackson Performing ArtsCenter', that would be located in downtown Gary. According to Mayor King, the singer wouldsupport the project in any role he felt comfortable with, for instance helping with the design orfund-raising. The implementation of these projects fell through, though, due to the entertainerbeing charged with false accusations few months later, and a trial period ending with hisexoneration. Jackson, then, visits his old home where he grew up, including the Roosevelt HighSchool, where the Jackson 5 perfomed in the 60’s. There, he tells students that "with a will of iron, with perseverance and determination" they „can do anything they want.” He is given presents and made an honorary Roosevelt graduate and Later on, he participates at„Salute To The Troops”, an event open to the public with free admission, where the troops wererecognized.

On June 12, 2003, the entertainer attends a Rainbow/PUSH Coalition breakfast planningmeeting with Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago, Illinois.Operation PUSH" ("People To Save Humanity") focuses, among musical acts, the city’s blackpopulation, their churches, schools, slums and playgrounds, and promotes the hope for animproved future, benefiting the children of Chicago, Illinois.

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Michael Jackson is one of the 3000 people who attend a memorial service for actor (and goodfriend) Gregory Peck in Los Angeles, California, on June 16, 2003.

In June, 2003, Michael Jackson invites the Wolfs - a German family of two parents and twochildren, Saskia and Sabrina, affected by the floods of Saxony, Germany in August, 2002 - over to Berlin, Germany during his participation at the "Bambi Awards", including to Neverlandfor three days, where they enjoy the ranch's facilities and also meet with the singer's children. In September, he donates 16 autographed items, among which CD's, videos, a stuffed teddy-bear and twocotton napkins in support of the floods' victims. Jackson also donates a pair of painted footgearto the "Shoes For Charity" fund-raiser, in aid of children suffering from traumatic experiences.

Patricia Peckley, who suffers from lung problems, has asked the Make a Wish Foundation forthe chance to meet her favorite entertainer. She and her daughter Maria celebrate MichaelJackson’s 45th birthday at Neverland in 2003, visiting his dressing room, enjoying a concertand watching videos in his movie theater. “Michael Jackson is a wonderful human being, an amazing person to talk to”,says Peckley.

On August 30, 2003, 12 year-old Trisha, from USA suffering from asthma, recounts her story ofmeeting the entertainer a year and a half before, via Make A Wish Foundation, one of the truststhe singer would support (for two decades). Her number one wish was to meet the entertainerand she is among the manifold children that were given the opportunity to meet him over theyears. “They told my mom and I, that we were flying to Los Angeles in three weeks to go to theCelebration Of Love concert. I screamed and cried. I couldn't wait”, says/writes Trisha. “[…] [Atthe concert], some guy […] said that Michael would like us to go up to his dressing room. So,my mother and I, plus the other 2 families that were there, walked up the narrow staircase andwalked into the dressing room and he was standing in the corner, in front of the firehouse”, sherecounts. “I was the second to walk up to him and he hugged me so tightly. His colonge got allover the shirt I was wearing, but I hugged him again and started crying. I told him I was a fansince I was 1, and he went "Wow...Thank you". I couldn't believe he said‘Thank you’ to me. Michael and my mother were starting up a conversation about a place inScotland from where she was, It was Lochlomond I believe. I still couldn't believe it.. The nextday (Sunday), we got on a bus and drove for three ours to the Neverland ranch, where fans

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were loaded down the street with "Happy Birthday, King Of Pop!" banners everywhere. I [have]seen Michael pull out in his black S.U.V, I think, but wasn’t sure... That's how I got to meetMichael Jackson”, writes Trisha onwww.mjfanclub.net.

On September 15, 2003, the entertainer hosts a star-studded charitable event at NeverlandValley Ranch, ticket price at presale being 725 dollars, with proceeds going to the Onenesscharitable organization. Guests enjoy a tour of Jackson’s menagerie, amusement rides, variousassortments of food and other exciting things. The party subsequent tothe event is hosted and broadcast live by ‘KIIS FM’. Jackson briefly addresses the guests inattendance. Prior to his speech, the "Harvest International Children’s Choir", along with a hostof fans and special guests in attendance, join in to chant 'Happy Birthday' to their favorite star, whose birth date had been 2 weeks before.

On October 1, 2003, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, he makes anappearance at the "Light The Way For Lupus" charity event raising funds for "Lupus L.A." andLupus research. Therein, he also presents the Medical Visionary Award to his doctor, Mr. AlanMetzger in recognition for his work with aiding Lupus patients, including the singer himself.

On October 27, 2003, Michael Jackson premieres the short film for charity single "What MoreCan I Give" in the conference area of the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The same day,the edited version of the song, featuring a host of other artists, is released via the official "Music for Giving" website as a 2 – dollar download to support charity projects. The charitiesthat received donations when "What More Can I Give" was donated were "Oneness", "Mr.Holland’s Opus Foundation" and "The International Child Art Foundation". It was due to certainlegal delays and misunderstandings that the charity anthem, (also previously devoted to theKosovo victims and intended to be performed with late Luciano Pavarotti in 1999), wasredirected – via Interney pay - to providing financial aid to the September 11, 2001victims in New York, despite the numerous attempts of the singer to have the song properlyreleased.

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http://www.mjfanclub.net/


Throughout 2003, Michael Jackson has been working on a new studio album, initially intendedfor release sometime in 2004, including on song, “Wonderful World OfCandy”, plannedfor a children charity project. Dieter Weisner, the entertainer’s manager at the time, introducesyoung music artist and protégé, Nisha Kataria, to Jackson, who invites her onto his NeverlandValley Ranch at the time to record with her a few tracks in his private recording studio. Jacksonwrote the mentioned song and recorded it with Kataria as a duet. Due to the late 2003accusations and the resulting arrest of the singer on the 18th

November of that year, all plans had been put on halt since. (sources: Dieter Weisner - MichaelJackson's manager, 1996-2003; www.jvillage.de, Korgnex (from www.mjjcommunity.com, www.maximumjackson.com)

In 2004, Michael Jackson’s custom-designed car, a Bentley Arnage Red Label Turbo, is sold atan auction benefiting the singer’s "Go For Your Dreams" foundation; the automobile served todrive to Jackson’s Neverland Ranch the host of stars that recorded the "What More Can I Give"charity single in 2001, in appreciation for their involvement in the benefit project.

On August 15, 2004, Michael Jackson is a special guest of Reverend Cecil "Chip" Murray atthe First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, California. The artist, his youngestbrother, Randy Jackson, entertainer Steve Harvey, and attorney, Thomas Messerau havecomfortably sat towards the back of the church and enjoyed the service. After Jackson leavesthe church, he makes his way to the Cecil F. Murray Education Center, a small school from ablock away that is run by First AME Church. There, he was scheduled to greet a class room fullof about 25 African-American children.

On September 17, 2004, during his latest child-abuse pre-trial appearances (the singer beingabsolved of all counts of misconduct later in 2005), he welcomes a large group of supporters tothe restaurant "Epiphany" in Boston, Massachusetts, while ordering pizzas for each individual,in appreciation for their enduring commitment to him.

On December 17, 2004, Michael Jackson invites approximately 200 people - children and theirfamilies from 6 special centers, among which churches, church schools etc - at his residence inCalifornia, and reiterates previous statements regarding the access of families, as well as

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tourists around the world, welcomed to spend time and tour Neverland; he also greets thegathering families and verbally addresses them holiday wishes. Jackson’s spokesperson at thetime, Raymone Bain, also present at the event, says that it was not an out-of-the-ordinary eventat Neverland (as previously shown): "[…] And at least 2 to 4 times a month, organizations areallowed to come here. And, since this was the last part of the holidays, he decided he wouldsurprise the kids by doing so and they’re very happy about that". The event was an annualChristmas festivity, where hundreds of inner-city and underprivileged children and adults spenttheir time exploring the surroundings and the singer's ranch, riding on attractions, snacking onfood and drinks, watching movies and playing in a two-story arcade, all of these being providedfree-of-charge by Michael Jackson, and, often, even during his absence there.

* In relation to Neverland, at a non-accurate date (supposedly 1992), the musician composes abackground song, titled "Neverland Entrance Theme", an eerie,classical composition starring a choir of children and playing as a welcome for guests visiting hisresidence.

During his trial (in 2005), Jackson and his parents allow a visit from fans at his home andinside of it, the admirers remaining impressed by the manifested generosity given thecircumstances.

Vernay C. Lewis (USA) from MJFC fan club shares that in April, 2005, a group of fans fromMJFC went to Neverland Ranch to show him support in light of then current trial, and gave hima basketful 2000 of roses. A week before, they were a part of the “Many Nations…One Voice”rally on Courtroom day, April 4, 2005 in support of Jackson. Part of the group of fans(approximately 100) remaining after they handed over their present are welcome inside thesinger’s Ranch by him to view his living and dining room. In addition, fans met him, his parents,

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his children, and make-up artist Karen Faye. He had opened his gates as a show of gratitudefor all the events that had taken place in his support. Michelle Basart (USA) from MJFC shares 4 years later, on occasion of late Michael Jackson’s 51st

Birthday Tribute Party in Portland, Oregon, that “we were able to see Michael as a father thatday. Paris held his had and helped daddy open the boxes & pull out ultimate collection box setsto hand off to all of us fans there. I will treasure it and seeing Paris help her daddy give them tous fans.” At the mentioned tribute bash, Mary Carr talks on she was present at one of Jackson’s HIStory shows overseas and how her and eightother female fans of the entertainer met him in a hotel elevator, as he was was staying tworooms down the hall next to theirs; the fans would then add that, the following day, when theyleft the hotel to pay their bill, they found out it had been paid already by Michael Jackson.

At an unknown date, the singer hires a circus for children with the Down’s Syndrome, accordingto English musician, Pete Townshend. “[Jackson] has unselfishly helped every cause, andindividual child, I have sent his way.”, Townshend declares in June, 2005, defending his friendagainst the child abuse charges. “In one case he hired a circus for the Down’s Syndromechildren of a special school of the daughter of a friend of mine, and showed up to happily, and –yes – in childlike enthusiasm – watch the show with them. This little girl believed she wasMichael’s future wife, and he so kindly allowed her to sit next to him, as his future bride. Hisfeathers may be badly burned, and he may be damaged in other ways too, but he is somethingof an angel.”, says Townshend.

On November 3, 2005, Michael Jackson attends Rosa Parks' funeral service in Detroit, Michigan. The megastar assists a 7-hour long long ceremony, seated between Park's relatives.Tens of politicians, businessmen, religious leaders and people of the show business are presentto pay their respects to the woman having made the fights for the civil rights in Americapossible. Among the famous guests were Reverend Jesse Jackson, former president, BillClinton, then president George W. Bush and singer Aretha Franklin. Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92, notably famous for refusing to leave her seat on a bus to a white man, in 1955, Montgomery city. Her arrest caused the protest against the racial discriminations led by MartinLuther King Jr.

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In January, 2006, while living for a year in Bahrain, the singer has been in talks with Bahrainicorporation, "AAJ Holdings", over a series o f potential projects in theSaudi-Arabian Gulf, varying from music academies to theme parks, with hopes to achieve cityand urban evolution.

On May 28, 2006, on occasion of accepting an MTV Legend Award in Japan, Michael Jacksonvisits the "Seibi Gakuen" children’s home in Tokyo, where he meets more than 160 children,and watches children performing traditional music. He addresses a few words of appreciation to the audience, as well as shakes hands with and signs autographs for the children.

On March 8, 2007, the pop star revisits Tokyo, Japan for several "fan appreciation events",where he first attends a V.I.P. gala as guest of honor, amid a total of 400 admirers,impersonators and business people, as well as over 100 orphans and challenged children andadults, the deprived being given complimentary tickets by Jackson to attend the event; he alsoappears on stage to read an appreciation statement to the audience and to emphasize that hewould neither change his career path, nor would he nurse bitterness over his lifelongsuccession of difficulties, despite "deliberate attempts [of "some"] to hurtme", moreover, adds: "I take it in stridebecause I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, andcontinue, to support me"; he poses for pictures with the guests, and signs autographs and acknowledges the assembledchildren. A day later, he also attends a larger festivity directed at his main fan base and forthose not affording high – priced tickets, where more than 1,000 people assembled at a popularnight club.

On March 10, 2007, Jackson greets approximately 3,000 U.S. forces personnel and their familymembers at Camp Zama, a U.S. army base in Tokyo, shakes hands with some of its members,then holds a brief speech in recognition for their sacrificial services in favor of freedom. Thesinger, subsequently, attends a ceremony at the respective camp in honor of a member beingpromoted at the time.

On November 8, 2007, the pop star participates at Reverend Jesse Jackson’s birthdaycelebration, the event also being a fundraiser.

On occasion of a charitable party held in Devon, England (where members of the Jacksonfamily, - including Michael Jackson, shortly, via telephone - , participated), on June 8, 2008,among additional financially-valuable items, 6,000 pounds are raised through an auction ofJackson memorabilia, including the singer’s white fedora, (worn in one of his videos) signed byhimself.

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On March 17, 2009, reality T.V. star, Jane Goody (housemate on "Celebrity Big Brother 2007",who would lose the battle with brain cancer on March 22) confirmed to "New" magazine thatMichael Jackson had sent her a goodwill message while in London, U.K. Jackson was therebetween March 3 and March 8 to announce his last concert series in the U.K. via a pressconference. The singer called in at the hospital where she was admitted – the terminally illpatient not being available at the time - then recorded an answerphone message for the T.V.star, with the following well-wishes: " Hi, Jade, I'm thinking of you andhoping everything goes as well as it can. I want you to come and see me when I'm over [to London for the concert series]. My brother [Jermaine Jackson, runner-up in the "Big Brother 2007" finale] keeps asking me about you." Goody's publicist, Max Clifford, declared after her death that Jackson would not be attendingthe memorial service, due to the singer not wishing to detract attention from Goody and herfamily. "He has sent a lovely message of condolence to her family, that she was a brave girl andthat her message will save a lot of lives, and he will be sending flowers."

On June 6, 2009, it is reported that Michael Jackson has given his socially-conscious song, „Heal The World” to a group of young entertainers from Merseyside, Liverpool, to help raise money for the "James Bulger Red Ballon Centres Appeal", established by hismother, Denise Fergus from Kirkby, Merseyside.James Bolger, her 2 year-old son was killed in 1993 by 2 teenagers. With all proceeds beingfunnelled to James Bulger House (a school for bulliedchildren), hundreds gathered at an homage event with a host of singers and dancers inLiverpool, including James’ parents. The four-hour concert, paying homage to 3 more tragicteenagers – Rhys Jones, Francesca Bimpson and Sarah Payne - ended with an emotional liveperformance of song „Heal The World”. „The Centre will accomodate roughly 15 children, butthey are never going to lose their education at school because of bullies at school. These kidsare going to have the best education that we can offer them through our charity Red BallonLearner Centres”, the fundraiser’s organizer, Steve Linder, said. On the singer and his offer,Fergus later comments: "[Michael] was aware of James, as he sent a personal message to me,with a large basket of flowers. He wrote a couple of lines for James and he named it 'Child OfInnocence'. We played Michael's song at James' funeral. I've listened to 'Heal The World' overand over again and it gave me such a buzz when we found out we could release it to raisemoney for the James Bulger House. The words in the song are very touching. I feel the world does need healing with childrencommitting crimes. It is very upsetting the way the world is at the moment, bullying is going oneverywhere." The song performed by the Merseyside entartainers would be released on

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October 26, 2009.

* Michael Jackson is reported to have been owner of two top floors of the Dolphin Hotel at the"Walt Disney World Resort" in Orlando, Florida, in which ill children and their families have beenallowed to stay for gratis.

* The entertainer also donated to local schools in Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County,California , according tolocal residents there. (information from Linh Ngo)

* At the wishes of the late entertainer – as expressed in his will - The Michael Jackson FamilyTrust would devote 20% of its trust earnings to a number of undisclosed charities.

* Before his passing, Michael Jackson had hired entertainment company, The MachineManagement, with the purpose of helping him create animation companies, another companymeant to be a vehicle to launch his own film projects, and the "Michael Jackson Global Warming Awareness Initiative", according to a creditor claim of theentertainment company. The singer had been expressing concerns with global warming ondifferent known occasions, the latest having been the 2007 Ebony magazine interview, the 2008„Good Morning, America” radio interview, or the making of the 2009 This Is Itconcerts (via song "Earth Song", preceded by a special introduction on this theme).

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In September, 2009, a YouTube member, MYGRANDSONDEVIN, posts the following linesunderneath a fan video by mjchiccofor song “Privacy”: “I know people judged him so wrongly. I met Mike & got to know him, because my 3 year oldlittle grandson had severe cerebal (sic) palsy - couldn't walk - talked very few sounds - couldn'teat by mouth (fed through a tube) - blind in both eyes & Mike came to see him. Hestayed at our house to see if there was anything he could do. But, unfortunately, my grandsondied.”, the post reads.

On October 19, 2009, it is reported that 2 legal documents, signed by Michael Jackson,handing to USA for Africa the profits from the 1985 hit "We Are theWorld" that Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote, and which brought in „tens of millions”, will go toauction, benefiting VH1's Save the Music Foundation. „(Michael Jackson) was a biggerphilanthropist than most people gave him credit for,” USA for AfricaExecutive Director, Marcia Thomas, says of the singer-entertainer. „He didn't do it for the credit.He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do.” Nancy Birdsall, president of theWashington-based Center for Global Development, adds that „'We Are the World' marked whatat that time was a high point in rich-world concern about poor people in the developing world.That sort of awareness helps to open the way not only for more effective foreign assistance butfor other changes in policy, such as trade and migration, that can have a big impact on poorpeople's lives.” The 2 legal documents, transferring his rights and profits to the group USA for Africa, are estimated to gross in 50,000 dollars at the Alexander Autographs auction at the MoheganSun casino in Connecticut. The in-person and online auction includes a huge number ofrock-and-roll and Hollywood artifacts and is organized by an auction house noted for itshistorical and political offerings.

On February 1, 2010, over 80 musicians are involved in the (re-)recording of best-selling

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charitable hymn, We Are The World (written by Michael Jackson andLionel Richie in 1985), at the Henson Studiosin Los Angeles, California, in order to raise funds for the capital of Haiti, Port-Au-Prince, roughlystricken by an earthquake on January 12, 2010). The project was organized by singer LionelRichie and producer Quincy Jones, the song containing updated lyrics and music, including arap segment pertaining to Haiti. Michael Jackson’s original segment of the song was kept, hissister, Janet, joining him in a duet through a montage. Among the voices provided for this newversion were Pink, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Nick Jonas, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Jeff Bridges, VinceVaughn, Barbra Streisand, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Will.I.Am, CarlosSantana, Enrique Iglesias, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Scherzinger and Nicole Richie, with other artistsjoining for the chorus, among whom Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Faith Evans, India.Arie, nephewsof Michael Jackson - Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, T.J Jackson, Gladys Knight, A.R. Rahman orRob Thomas. A shortened video of the 2010 version of We Are The World premiered on US TVchannel, NBC on February 12, during their coverage of the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, while the full videowas played a day later. The “We Are The World 25 For Haiti” project, apart from raising money benefiting the Haiti victims, it will make grants for efficient Haitirelief efforts and continual development of programs for the nation in the future, via the newlycreated We Are The World Foundation. On February 19, 2010, Latin artists such as Emilio and Gloria Estefan gather to record a Spanish-language version ofthe song - "Somos El Mundo" - for the same purpose. Other singers involved in recording this song version are Banda ElRecodo, Carlos Santana, Chayanne, David Archuleta and JoséFeliciano.

Twelve years after it closed, Michael Jackson’s 3-D space adventure/music video epic, “CaptainE.O”, is screening again at Disneyland Paris in June, 2010, the attraction receivingoverwhelming response from Disneyland and Michael Jackson fans, all excited to experiencethe musical mastery of Jackson’s “E.O.” one more time. “Captain E.O.” is a collaborationbetween Walt Disney Imagineering and Michael Jackson, and is directed by Francis FordCoppola with George Lucas receiving executive producer credit. The project was initiated byformer Disney CEO Michael Eisner, who wanted to help bring something new and relevant tothe struggling Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. Himself a tremendous lifelong Disney fan(Jackson often frequented Disney Parks, and visited Disneyland in California two weeks beforehis passing), the artist composed two original songs for the film –

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“We Are Here To Change the World”and “Another Part of Me”, the latter of which appearing on 1987′s album, “BAD”.The story of the film consists of E.O., played by Jackson, leading a troupe of space misfits onyet another dangerous mission to the nether regions of space. This particular mission involvestraveling to a surreal, industrial-looking planet and finding the Supreme Leader (played byactress Anjelica Houston) to give her the gift of music; this gift, E.O. says, will help her unlockthe beauty within. “Captain E.O.” originally opened at Disneyland Park and Epcot at DisneyWorld in September 1986; it opened the following year at Tokyo Disneyland and was anopening-day attraction at the then-named Euro Disneyland (now Disneyland Paris) in 1992. By1998, however, all the “Captain E.O.” attractions in the four Disney Parks were closed, and laterreplaced with the far less successful, “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”. Due to popular demandby guests, spurred by Jackson’s untimely passing on June 25, 2009,Disneyland offered a special engagement limited return of “Captain E.O.”. The show will alsore-open later this summer at Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland. Although the run is limited, Disneyhas not announced a timeframe for the show’s closing.

Prince Jackson, Michael’s first son, is seen packing food for starving children in October, 2010,

for a charity event organized by The Buckley School he and sister Paris study at. The youth andhis classmates stopped by a Los Angeles warehouse owned by the ‘Children's Hunger Fund’and assembled over 500 20-pound boxes for children in Peru. According to sources, the boxescontained various food courses, including canned goods, beans, rice, and pasta.

Charities:

The singer’s humanitarian commitments during the course of his life are accredited in theGuiness Book of World Records and in the Year 2000 Millennium Edition, establishing him as

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the pop celebrity having supported the most charities, registered as 39, as well as otheraffiliated organizations and projects, namely: AIDS Project L.A., American Cancer Society,Angel Food, Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, BMI Foundation, Inc., Brotherhood Crusade,Brotman Burn Center, Camp Ronald McDonald, Childhelp U.S.A., Children's InstituteInternational, Cities and Schools ScholarshipFund, Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation,Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Dakar Foundation, Dreamstreet Kids, Dreams Come TrueCharity, Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Love Match,Make-A-Wish Foundation, Minority Aids Project, Motown Museum, NAACP, National RainbowCoalition, Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund, Red Cross, Rotary Club of Australia, Society ofSingers, Starlight Foundation, The Carter Center's Atlanta Project, The Sickle Cell ResearchFoundation, Transafrica, Unesco,United Negro College Fund (UNCF), United Negro CollegeFund Ladder's of Hope, Volunteers of America, Watts Summer Festival, Wish Granting, YMCA -28th Street/Crenshaw.

Research has shown that Mr. Jackson supported at least 33 more charities, namely:Democratic National Committee, Community School/Safety Havens Initiative, Lupus L.A.,United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Atlanta Children’s Foundation, Martin LutherKing Jr. Center for Social Change, Foundation for the Junior Blind, Oneness, Mr. Holland’sOpus Foundation, The International Child Art Foundation, Go For Your Dreams, OpportunityVillage, Off-Road-Kids e.V, UNICEF, T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDSResearch, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NationalSolidarity Fund, Family Caring for Families, Operation Christmas Child, Children's DefenseFund, Children's Diabetes Foundation, Boys and Girl Clubs, Ghandi Foundation for Children,Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's, Heal L.A., Prince’s Trust, Youth Sports & ArtFoundation, Jane Goodall’s Ape Research institute, Children’s Wish Foundation, Give For Life,Wishing Well Fund, MusiCares and Camp Good Times.

"Besides his talent as a musician and entertainer, it's his humanitarian efforts. the fact that hereally wanted to bring joy and happiness to sick and disabled children. [...] Michael has alwaysused that fame to give to others. He worked with lots of charities to help sick children and theirfamilies. He worked very hard every day yet during the Thriller period, through the Victory Tourand even after, he'd go and visit children's hospitals, do appearances for the Make-A-WishFoundation, Ronald McDonald House, local hospices when he was off, much of the time it wentunnoticed by the media. That was Michael's decision, these were private moments dedicated tohelp. Lots of artists today don't do that, you don't see them as concerned as Michael was.”

[Journalist Frédéric Taddeï – 2008]

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extensive listing of mj's charitable activities

Documents