By Selena Stevens

"Caring for Kids 101" will promote community involvement, educate students on HIV/AIDS-
related issues and foster the belief that students can make a difference in their communities to help children with HIV/AIDS and other serious and life-threatening diseases..

Developed to engage college students and encourage philanthropic efforts, "Caring for Kids 101" will promote community involvement, educate students on HIV/AIDS-related issues and foster the belief that students can make a difference in their communities to help children with HIV/AIDS and other serious and life-threatening diseases.

On April 1, 12 colleges and universities across the United States began fund-raising events with proceeds benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation to help do more for children around the world. The "Million Penny Drive," sponsored by the UK Greek community during Greek Week April 10-14, is one of the first "Caring for Kids 101" events.

"We applaud the initiative of these young people in helping to raise awareness of the global pandemic that is HIV/AIDS," said Paul Michael Glaser, chairman of the board of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. "Each day 1,800 children worldwide are newly infected with HIV/AIDS. In the United States alone, two adolescents are infected every hour. College students represent our future ensuring that we will leave the world a better place."

"I am thrilled that the UK Greek System has adopted the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation as the beneficiary for their spring Greek Week and fall dance marathon," said actress and former UK student, Ashley Judd. "My involvement in the 'Caring for Kids 101' campaign is partially due to the values I learned while I was a student and member of the Greek system at UK."

Actor Scott Wolf, star of "Party of Five," will serve along with Brooke Shields as co-chairs of the campaign. Actresses Tia and Tamera Mowry will join Judd as national spokespersons.

Elizabeth Glaser, wife of Hollywood actor and director Paul Michael Glaser, was infected with HIV through a blood transfusion after giving birth and unknowingly transmitted the AIDS virus to her daughter Ariel and son Jake. Devastated by Ariel's 1988 death, Elizabeth joined friends Susie Zeegan and Susan Delaurentis to create a foundation to support pediatric HIV/AIDS research. Elizabeth died of HIV complications in 1994. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has established a solid community of medical scientists helping to reduce the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission, discover preventative treatments and develop an effective vaccine. In March, the foundation launched the Glaser Pediatric Research Network, an innovative and collaborative partnership linking world-class scientific centers to accelerate progress on serious and life-threatening pediatric illnesses.