Danny Gokey, third place finalist from last season’s American Idol, is teaming up with The Clorox Company and infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Harley Rotbart to launch I Don’t Want to Miss.., a video contest bound to get teens nationwide singing the praises of flu prevention. For each video submitted, a donation will be made to Sophia’s Heart Foundation, created in honor of Danny’s late wife Sophia. The foundation provides scholarships for deserving music students and helps children achieve academic success via musical training.

Visit the Clorox Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/Clorox) to learn more.

The month of February is heart health month, and in honor of that, The Balancing Act is telling the personal story of Danny Gokey, an American Idol finalist who finished third last year, a former choir director, and founder of a charitable organization that helps mend and heal the hearts of children who have been touched by poverty, sickness, and disease.

The creation of Sophia's Heart Foundation was inspired by the life of an extraordinary woman whose love for children overflowed and touched the lives of countless others. Sophia was a very outgoing woman who, despite her heart condition, remained full of optimism, energy, and selflessness. During her vibrant and meaningful 27 years of life, she relayed the importance of meeting the needs of children emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.

Danny Gokey shares his own heartfelt thoughts about his beloved Sophia on the segment. “After my wife’s passing, the mission began to develop her legacy, and to share the heart she possessed, through a living continual demonstration of her love.”

“Sophia desired to be the mother of a large family. Although this was never realized in her lifetime, the love she had for children could not cease from existing. I felt the pressing need to pass along the love we felt for all children, and thus I had the vision for Sophia's Heart Foundation. I hope the number of children we are able to reach through this vision will be larger than we ever imagined.”

Through uniting people, organizations, companies, and receiving charitable donations, Sophia's Heart Foundation aims to reach out and touch the hearts of children from ages 0 through 18. What these children have in common is the need for restoration in various areas of their lives.

Sophia L. Gokey had a passion to see the lives of children touched and given an opportunity to live out their dreams regardless of their economic or social standing in the community. She believed in meeting the needs of children emotionally and mentally. Danny Gokey shared that same passion and was inspired to action after Sophia unexpectedly passed away in July of 2008. Sophia’s heart has now become her legacy.

Sophia’s Heart Foundation exists to help mend and heal the hearts of children who have been touched by poverty, sickness, disease, broken families and broken dreams.

Danny’s desire to restore hope to the community and his love for music has melded together to create the Sophia’s Heart Foundation Music and Arts Program.

For the second season in a row, cast members of American Idol almost missed out on their big chance to perform because of the flu. That’s why Danny Gokey teamed up with The Clorox Company and infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Harley Rotbart to launch I Don’t Want to Miss.., a video contest bound to get teens nationwide singing the praises of flu prevention.

For each video submitted, a donation will be made to Sophia’s Heart Foundation, created in honor of Danny’s late wife Sophia. The foundation provides scholarships for deserving music students and helps children achieve academic success via musical training.

On The balancing Act, Dr. Rotbart discusses this season’s flu season, which is further complicated by the 2009 H1N1 virus and will provide flu prevention tips for parents, teachers and teens like hand washing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

For more info about I DON’T WANT TO MISS, visit: www.Facebook.com/Clorox
www.sophiasheart.org