Mariah Carey may be no closer to becoming a mother herself —after all she’s spent most of 2009 shutting down rumors she was expecting — but she did play mother figure for a day to 35 children this week. It happened as she began her annual Aspen vacation by renting the ski resort’s local recreation center to throw a party for the youth who are currently wards of the state.
This has been a tradition of Carey’s for more than a decade and no one is more elated by the generosity than Judé Liguori-Oliver, an administrator for child protective services who has been involved with Carey for the special Christmas event for the last three years.
“This is an opportunity they haven’t had before,” Liguori-Oliver told the Aspen Times, “Many of these kids haven’t been out of Denver. A lot of them haven’t been in the mountains.”
The songstress greeted the kids and brought along husband, actor Nick Cannon, and Santa in a sleigh led by reindeer. Some of the fun was provided by storytellers, magicians and jugglers, and the kids also had their choice of ice skating or swimming. It didn’t end there, as each child got a picture with Mariah and Nick. On their ride back to Denver, they were provided with movies of their choosing paid for by Carey.
What’s interesting is that the Aspen Times reports this is the first instance in the last decade of her generosity that it’s been widely reported, specifically because this year’s locale was at a public facility, which got locals asking questions. Once locals heard who it was and what it was for, the only concern was the children, ages 9 to 12. “It was just all about the kids,” Liguori-Oliver said. “We are very grateful. Mariah is a celebrity that gives back.”
Photo courtesy of David Shankbone, via Wikimedia Commons
