It comes as no sudden suprise to anyone that this week a story that became
known statewide resulted from an idea formed by Orlando's own Backstreet Boys.
It appears that earlier this month,22-year-old bandmates Brian Littrell and
20-year-old AJ McLean were shopping when they apprehended a 9-year-old girl
who was attempting to shoplift.
Instead of turning her over to the police,McLean spoke for his friend when
he said,"Brian pretty much took one look at her,and said 'Lets help her out.'
He knew she wasn't from the area...and that she was apparently a runaway.
So we took her back to our apartment, and managed to get her to talk to us..
she told us that she was from Texas,and that she ran away from home a few
months ago because her father was very abusive to her. Her mother was working
three jobs,and wasn't home at all."
Littrell adds with an innocent and modest smile,"I didn't do anything out
of the ordinary. This little girl was in trouble...and I wanted to help her.
We called social services in Orlando to find out what could be done.They
said because of her statement about an abusive father, they wouldn't send
her home right away. So she was temporarily stuck with us," he says with
a laugh,"And we hung out for a few days...and came up with the idea for
what we're calling 'Voices That Carry'. I sat down with my bandmates and
Lea, and we wrote this song."
This song is actually "Voices That Carry",and there will be a benefit
concert within a week that will go to raise money for abused and neglected
children like Lea Holland, the 9-year-old who has befriended the two young
men who helped her out of trouble.When asked to comment on her newfound
friendship with Littrell,McLean,and their fellow bandmates, Lea is all
smiles, and has nothing but kind things to say.
"They made a difference in my life," says Holland," because they stopped
long enough to care. They helped me realize that if I have a problem,I
shouldn't run away from it...I should talk to somebody.They made me realize
that there are people who care about me,and that will understand and listen.
They're my bestfriends. I love those guys!"
For more details on "Voices That Carry",you can contact Backstreet Boys'
Management at Transcontinental Records. Tickets will go onsale two days
before the show.
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