A Very Special Christmas

It's been almost 25 years since the first A Very Special Christmas record came out, a fresh take on music for the holidays that featured top stars of the day. The latest A Very Special Christmas record features new stars such as Sean Kingston, Colby Caillat, Mitchell Musso (all three pictured here), Miley Cyrus, the Carter Twins, Carrie Underwood, Jason Mraz and more.

The A Very Special Christmas series, launched in 1987 under the A&M Records label, has been enjoying remarkable success for over two decades. Performing artists enthusiastically donate their talents in an extraordinary array of holiday music, including pop, rock, rap, gospel, jazz, country and Latin. The first record sold more than a million copies, generating millions of dollars.

Linking rock’n’roll with Special Olympics was the brainchild of record producer Jimmy Lovine as a way to memorialize his father, Vincent. The series was created by Jimmy and Vicki Iovine, Jerry Moss, Herb Alpert and has been spearheaded by Executive Producer Bobby Shriver since inception.

Special Olympics is grateful to the recording artists who have donated songs to the A Very Special Christmas series, including Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Smashing Pumpkins, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Enrique Iglesias, No Doubt, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, U2 and Aretha Franklin.

Funds generated from the sales of A Very Special Christmas albums go to the Special Olympics Christmas Record Trust. Grants to Special Olympics Programs from the Trust provide resources for sports equipment, skills guides and new initiatives that create opportunity and enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities around the world.

In 2007 alone, nearly $3 million (US) was raised directly from the A Very Special Christmas series, benefiting 74 Special Olympics Programs, including those in developing countries like Namibia, Malawi, Chad and Afghanistan. Special Olympics was able to use the funds to recruit 300,000 new athletes.

Special Olympics Programs worldwide apply for these competitive grants, which are awarded based on individual Program needs. Within the United States, funds from the grant program have helped Special Olympics reach more athletes in rural areas, inner city schools and minority populations.

Special Olympics Programs worldwide apply for these competitive grants, which are awarded based on individual Program needs. Within the United States, funds from the grant program have helped Special Olympics reach more athletes in rural areas, inner city schools and minority populations.

In Jordan, Azerbaijan, Brazil and Australia — and nearly anywhere else you go in the world — Special Olympics changes lives, thanks to people like you who purchase these holiday music albums, and to the generosity and dedication of the artists who create the albums. Together we can help bring the joy of sport to people around the globe.

Visit the A Very Special Christmas Website