Backstreet Boy uses status to help his `own back yard'
Source: HERALD-LEADER

By Beverly Fortune
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

Pop star Kevin Richardson was in Lexington yesterday, using his Backstreet status to turn Kentuckians' attention to ``their own back yards.''

The Backstreet Boy and Kentucky native announced that he is forming a foundation to focus on environmental issues in the state.

Richardson made the announcement at a news conference yesterday morning that drew about 20 people to Blue Grass Field.

Instead of ``sitting around on my butt worrying about problems, I thought I'd use my status as a celebrity to ask more questions and maybe change things,'' said Richardson, 29, who lives in Los Angeles, but bought a farm near Lexington about six months ago.


The foundation, called Just Within Reach, is in the process of being licensed and receiving non-profit status in Kentucky.

It will be run by Richardson, his wife, actress Kristin Richardson, who was also at the news conference; his brother, Tim; and friends Jim and Vicki Hanna of Los Angeles.

Richardson will donate money to cover initial operating expenses. Long-term funding sources have yet to be determined, but he anticipates organizing fund-raisers and soliciting public contributions.

The Backstreet Boys are scheduled to be on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with Regis Philbin. Richardson did not know the date of their appearance but said his share of any money they win will go to his new foundation.

Just Within Reach's abbreviation JWR matches the initials of Richardson's father, Jerald Wayne Richardson, who died of colon cancer in 1991.

His father was the manager of a summer camp at the Cathedral Domain in Lee County, where Richardson was a counselor, hike leader and life guard.

Richardson said his recent marriage prompted him to think seriously about working on environmental causes.

``We want to have children,'' though not immediately, he quickly added. ``I want them to grow up healthy and have clean water to drink.''

The foundation's goals will be to:

Educate people about local environmental issues, such as forestry, coal mining and hazardous wastes.

Hold companies and government agencies accountable for any pollution activities.

Encourage a sense of personal responsibility toward the environment.

``We need to recycle, turn lights off, maybe drive hybrid cars and heat our houses with solar energy,'' he said.

Immediately after the news conference, he met with members of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a social justice organization that works on social, economic and environmental issues.

Executive committee member Teri Blanton said Richardson would be briefed on major environmental issues in the state.

A flight over several environmental problem areas in the state, including the Martin County Coal Corp. slurry spill, was canceled because of potential ice storms.

Richardson hopes to either produce a TV program or a video, using songs he has written, to educate children and adults about environmental concerns.


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