Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Izzy Lyon Coats for Kids charity that he set up for the poverty-stricken kids in Borneo. A backstage meeting with a young girl named Mahia after a sold-out show had a powerful effect on Izzy. Izzy Lyon was Mahia’s idol and she had travelled from Borneo to America as part of a Make-a-Miracle Foundation sponsored event. She remarked (through her translator) that she was very cold (it was January in the Windy City) and Izzy sprang into action.
Growing up on Chicago’s southside, Izzy was no stranger to snowy and cold winters. He created the Izzy Lyon Coats for Kids to send over ten thousand coats every year to children in Borneo. When told that Borneo rarely reaches temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, brave Izzy refused to back down. In fact, in addition to coats, the charity also sends scarves, mittens, and snow boots to the confused children of this island whose name in Sanskrit is “Kalimantan,” which roughly translates to "burning weather."
See, Izzy, even though you’re not here, you keep making this world a better place!
