Ideavillage, Criss Angel bring ‘magic of the season’ to needy kids

WAYNE, N.J. — Ideavillage donated 150,000 Criss Angel magic trick gifts — valued at more than $1 million — to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Make A Wish Foundation. The gifts were distributed to thousands of locations across the United States, in time for Christmas.

Company executives joined the famous TV magician for a special Christmas week visit to the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club to hand-deliver a portion of the gifts. Leaving the kids with a message to “work hard, believe anything is possible and to always do the right thing,” Angel, caught in the moment, spontaneously decided to give each of the 113 kids in attendance an additional $100 gift. “I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. My mission in life is to try to be a positive force and help others in anyway I can,” Angel said.

Ideavillage CEO Andy Khubani — himself a father of five — said, “It is a blessing to be able to share the magic with those in need. That is the magic of the season.”

In related news, Angel will debut a new online magic clinic for aspiring magicians. Beginning in January 2011 Angel’s “magicJAM” will be broadcast live on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. EST via CrissAngel.com.