More than 10 years ago, Guadalupe Carmona de Gonzales (also known as Mama Lupita) began caring for children who had been abandoned or whose moms were in prison. Despite getting just a few hours of sleep a night, Lupita says she never tires of her work: "Serving god is very nice."

Jessica sang at a benefit concert for three organizations that help children called "Griffin's Song". One of the organizations was Casa Hogar Elim Orhpanage. Before the concert she greeted guests from the orphanage and said that "it will be a very emotional concert". Jessica has raised money for this orphanage, Griffin Fund (supports siblings of kids who have died), and CJ Foundation for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Her motto is "When you give, you always get". Now, isn't she just a wonderful role model and inspiration? Fame sure hasn't gone to Jessica's head. She's putting her money to excellent causes!

Jessica quotes: "Anything to help kids, i'll do it. I want people to know that about me". "I'm not just a person who likes to perform and get on stage." "God put me in this position to be able to share."

Jessica first visited Casa Hogar Elim as a freshman in high school when her father, Joe, organized a summer trip for her church youth group. She says, "It really changed a lot of our lives". "We were dying for a Mustang or a Tommy Hilfiger shirt. These kids were dying to eat the next day. It put everything in perspective."

"I think they know my music, but hopefully this visit won't be any different," says Jessica. She signed autographs and sang three songs for the kids. "I want them to see me as the same Jessica who came last time."

~All quotes and information above taken from a Teen People article on Jessica, in the Dec/Jan 2001 issue~

NEW YORK-- For many celebrities, one of the best aspects of fame and fortune is the power it gives them to bring their clout to a cause. On The Early Show, we talk to pop star Jessica Simpson, who is using her spotlight to bring attention to an orphanage in Mexico.

Simpson is a performer whose idea of success is giving back. Her last album, Sweet Kisses has sold more than 4 million copies so far, and the hits keep pouring from her golden voice. Simpson's next album will be released in February, but a single will be available this month.
Simpson's main cause is contributing to a Mexican orphanage just south of the Texas border, which she helped to build when she was younger. She visits when she can, where the children rally around her and beg her to sing.

She has said that being able to help these impoverished children is how she knows she's "made it." The Casa Hogar Elim orphanage shelters 93 children, from babies to teen-agers, all of whom have been orphaned, abandoned, or seriously abused.

With no source of income, the orphanage relies completely on donations.

~Article taken from cbs.com, the early show~