Virgin

Heard about Lady Gaga’s Toronto gig in support of Virgin Mobile Canada’s RE*Generation program? Well here’s a brilliant video diary the guys at Virgin Mobile shot during the day - culminating in a VIP view of the gig.

The RE*Generation program, introduced in the spring of 2008 in Canada, is Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite’s effort to empower a generation to help its own by bringing together organizations that care about Canada’s at-risk and homeless youth and connecting them with people who want to help.

Electro-popster Lady GaGa performed at a benefit concert in Toronto last Sunday in support of Virgin Mobile Canada’s RE*Generation program. RE*Generation has raised $300,000 for Canadian programs that support at-risk and homeless youth.

The RE*Generation program, introduced in the spring of 2008 in Canada, is Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite’s effort to empower a generation to help its own by bringing together organizations that care about Canada’s at-risk and homeless youth and connecting them with people who want to help.

“Youth homelessness is a serious issue in Canada and one that we can’t afford to ignore. There are tens of thousands of young people living on the streets in Canada. Many have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, violence and substance abuse, mental illness and family instability,” said Andrew Black, President and Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Mobile Canada. “Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite want to help make a difference and we want to inspire our customers and other Canadians to do the same. RE*Generation gives them a place to direct that passion, connect with agencies so that they can make a difference and inspire everyone they know to make a change in the lives of youth that need it the most.”

Virgin Unite Ambassador, Jewel has recruited celebrity friends to provide hand-written lyrics of their hits for an auction to benefit Project Clean Water.

In addition to Jewel’s personal contributions, Katy Perry, Pussycat Dolls, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, John Mellencamp, Josh Groban and Jason Mraz are just a few of the artists who’ll be auctioning lyrics written in their very own hand. The auction takes place December 3, 2008 to December 18 2008.

“Project Clean Water has always been my passion along with music. I am so excited to be able to find a way to tie the two together with this auction,” said Jewel. “I am also very blessed to have the support of my musician friends who will help make a stronger impact on the donations from the auction.”

Visit Jewel’s website at www.jeweljk.com or www.jeweljkauction.com to check out the auction and place your bid.

Once we made it past the never-ending huge winding queue for chicken fajitas, beef fajitas and delicious gyros (and slightly smaller queue for funnel cakes) we get say hello to the fabulous Virgin Unite guys holding their own for the greater good. Who are Virgin Unite you ask? You mean you don’t know? Shame on you. Hang on, just let me get my Good Cause Hat on… there that’s better. No where was I - explaining Virgin Unite? They are the charitable foundation part of the Virgin Group who fundraise for great and worthy social programs and businesses who need a leg-up to survive. They are a truly a great bunch of guys investing in brilliant programs all over the world so when you see them at a Virgin Festival near you, pop over, say hello and find out how you can help them from your neck of the woods. Well that doesn’t really paint a full and wondrous vision as they deserve check out their brand new website for much more stuff about them. Just neatly next door to the Unite guys are Flick Off - the guys who have come up with the best campaign name ever. Flick Off encourages all conscious, friendly Canadian types (that’s all of you then) to use less energy in the fight to prevent climate change - this is their website here. Marvellous, now - on with the tour… let’s burn some rubber Andrew…