NEW YORK (Nov. 10) -- When you're a hardened New Yorker crossing through Times Square, almost nothing phases you: a semi-naked cowboy strumming a guitar, a bicycle rickshaw driver in an Uncle Sam suit, even former Fugee Wyclef Jean randomly handing out $50 gift cards.
Wait ... Wyclef is handing out gift cards! Where's mine?
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Stewart Stockdale of Western Union, left, presents musician Wyclef Jean, center, with a donation to Jean's charity. To the right is Hugh Locke, who heads up that organization.
That was the scene Monday in midtown Manhattan, where the 37-year-old Grammy winner announced a partnership with Western Union to offer prepaid Visa gift cards for the holiday season -- a plan especially aimed to give consumers an easy way to send money to loved ones in foreign countries.
Western Union kicked off its "Random Acts of Giving" program by donating $225,000 to Yéle Haiti, Wyclef's charitable organization, which supports education and humanitarian programs in his native country of Haiti.
"I have considered what brands I wish to be associated with, and this makes sense," the musician said. "For years I have trusted Western Union to help manage my money-transfer needs worldwide. Now consumers can trust them to serve their cash-gifting needs through a new prepaid Visa gift card."
Jean's new album, "From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion," conveniently hits the market just as he and Western Union announced this initiative. The album features "Warrior's Anthem," in which he tells a story of the crushing poverty of his hometown and the day he received his first pair of shoes.
At the news conference, the singer shot down notions that he has political plans. "I can help my people more by being in music," he said, "raising awareness and money."
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Nick Ut, AP
Nick Ut, AP
Stewart Stockdale, Western Union's executive vice president of the Americas, unveiled the new debit card, which features Jean's face.
"Wyclef's resounding success in music and philanthropy have made him an icon worldwide," Stockdale said. "He relates to our brand and is the ideal ambassador to help amplify our message to new consumers with a need to move money around the corner, or the world."
After Stockdale presented the donation check to Jean's charity, the two walked outside on Times Square and began giving away gift cards.
"Wow. Really?" said one woman, who didn't want to give her name. "Usually I just get handed coupons and things I don't want."
After a short walk through Times Square, the singer entertained 2,000 people with a free concert at the Nokia Theater.
