To take advantage of tonight’s fund-raising event on American Idol, the Children’s Defense Fund is encouraging its supporters to gather friends and families to watch the show together and discuss the social problems facing kids today.

The group has prepared a discussion guide for the gatherings. The “tool kit” poses three questions — and answers— about the state of children’s welfare:

1) How many American children live without health coverage?
2) How many are impoverished?
3) What can people do to alleviate these problems?

In addition, the charity has created a page on its Web site describing its relation with the television show and how people can donate to the fund directly.

The Idol event will generate money for the Children’s Defense Fund and
five other charities.

What do you think? How else can the Children’s Defense Fund take advantage
of the publicity?