Backstreet Boy visits FAO Schwarz
Source: The Chicago Sun-Times
BY KATE N. GROSSMAN STAFF REPORTER
When the three teens left home at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, they had only one goal in mind: meeting Howie D., their beloved Backstreet Boys singer.
They arrived at FAO Schwarz on Michigan Avenue at 6 a.m., the first girls there. Then, the countdown began. Only nine hours to go.
"We love Howie," explained 15-year-old Angie Makas of Chicago. "He's a big inspiration for us."
"And he's hot," said a giggling Megan Reidy, 16.
As the day wore on, hundreds of other girls appeared for their chance to meet Howie--and raise money for a good cause.
The teen idol and several other celebrities have lent their names to "Stars in the Wild," a line of stuffed animals sold to raise money to help protect animals and the environment. The celebrities, including Cindy Crawford and Christina Aguilera, can pick a charity to benefit from the sales.
Howie D. chose the Dorough Lupus Foundation, a nonprofit group formed after his sister died of the disease in 1998. He was recruited by Erica Summers, a 15-year-old from Portland, Ore., who created the stuffed animal line with her father last year. At least half of the $39 cost of each toy goes to charity, said Summers, who was at FAO Schwarz with Howie D. So far, $250,000 has been raised for various causes.
"We wanted to educate people in a positive way," said Summers, whose cheeks were sprinkled with colorful glitter. "Everyone loves celebrities and everyone loves stuffed animals."
And everyone at FAO Schwarz loved Howie D. When the 27-year-old showed up at 3:15 p.m., there was a deafening roar. The three teens, each with a new stuffed animal, were the first to shake his hand.
"Just one second with him is worth it," said the third part of the trio, 15-year-old Gina Castiglioni.
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