Mariah Carey
Photo: Virgin

After helping raise money to support September 11 relief efforts on the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" telethon, Mariah Carey is now hoping to raise consciousness about the thousands of children in the U.S. waiting to be adopted.

The singer will headline and host the December 21 "A Home for the Holidays With Mariah Carey" special on CBS. The telethonlike program, taped November 3 in Los Angeles, also features performances by Destiny’s Child, Enrique Iglesias, Mandy Moore, Charlotte Church and Josh Groban.

Actors Dustin Hoffman and Patricia Heaton and figure skater Scott Hamilton will present real-life stories of adoption success stories. All involved are hoping to encourage eligible families to open their homes to a new member. They will not solicit any money.

The program is the third annual "A Home for the Holidays" special and is a joint venture between the Wendy’s restaurants owner Dave Thomas’ Foundation for Adoption and the Children Action Network. A spokesperson for the Children’s Action Network said more than 134,000 children are waiting to be adopted in the U.S.

For feature interviews with Carey and Iglesias, check out "Mariah Carey: Under Pressure" and "Enrique Iglesias: The Great Escape."

• Mariah Carey
• Mandy Moore
• Enrique Iglesias
• Destiny's Child
• Charlotte Church

Teen opera phenom Charlotte Church has traded in the concert hall for the dance floor on a new song, "Just Wave Hello," slated for her upcoming self-titled album, which is due out next month.

• Charlotte Church

• Charlotte Church