Criss Angel, Holly Madison spread holiday cheer

“Madifreak” couple donates cash, dozens of toys to charity

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 | 11:51 a.m.

Criss Angel and Holly Madison played Mr. and Mrs. Claus this morning and donated cash and dozens of toys to support Help of Southern Nevada's holiday toy assistance program.

Expanded coverage of Criss Angel and "Believe," including an interactive timeline, stories, video and more

Dec. 5, 2008: Criss, Holly to co-host birthday bash
Dec. 1, 2008: Criss and Holly, and an oh-so-close marriage proposal
Nov. 27, 2008: Criss and Holly: What should we call them?

Justin M. Bowen

Criss Angel works his magic with another blonde at the 10th annual KLUC 98.5 FM toy drive, which benefits Help of Southern Nevada's holiday toy assistance program.

Justin M. Bowen

Criss Angel and Holly Madison at KLUC 98.5 FM's annual toy drive, which benefits Help of Southern Nevada's holiday toy assistance program.

Criss Angel and Holly Madison played Mr. and Mrs. Claus this morning and donated cash and dozens of toys to support Help of Southern Nevada's holiday toy assistance program.

The donations were made in conjunction with KLUC 98.5 FM's 10th annual toy drive.

"To give back gives you a feeling that's really priceless and, you know, you can't buy that feeling anywhere with all the money in the world, so that's why we like doing these things," Angel said.

Criss Angel and Holly Madison at KLUC 98.5 FM's annual toy drive, which benefits Help of Southern Nevada's holiday toy assistance program.

Criss Angel and Holly Madison were interviewed on KLUC 98.5 FM after they donated cash and dozens of toys to the station's annual toy drive.

Rather than a horse-drawn sleigh, Angel's shiny black Rolls Royce ferried the couple as they spread some holiday cheer.

The magician's $7,500 monetary donation was a joint contribution from Angel, the Luxor Hotel and Casino, and Cirque du Soleil.

Luxor president Felix Rappaport and vice-president and general manager of Cirque du Soleil's Vegas operations, Jack Kenn, were also on hand this morning to share in the spirit.

"What I always say is people don't know the real Criss, and this comes much closer to being the real Criss than what people see on TV or the stage," Rappaport said. "He's a very giving person. He's got a big heart; he loves children, loves families, appreciates where he's come from."

Angel and his new girlfriend chose to support Help of Southern Nevada, which provides assistance to families and individuals to overcome barriers and attain self-sufficiency, because the program helps local Las Vegas families.

"He chose the charity because it goes directly to the people of southern Nevada and Las Vegas in particular," Angel's spokesman, Steve Flynn, said. Angel has lived in Las Vegas full-time since 1994. Meanwhile, Madison has been visiting the city on a weekly basis ever since she and the Mindfreak magician started seeing each other about two months ago.

Despite a busy schedule that includes 10 weekly performances of his new Cirque du Soleil show, Believe, and production for his hit A&E show, Mindfreak, Angel said charity work is very important to him.

"I think it's the essence of what's important in life," Angel said. "If we all looked out for each other a little bit more, I think we wouldn't have a lot of the crisis that we have in today's society."

The Make A Wish Foundation last year gave Angel a Chris Greicius Celebrity Award to recognize his generous support.

A budding philanthropist, Angel said he has recently founded his own charity that will benefit the needy.

"I have my own foundation, which I just started, called Believe Anything Is Possible, which is going to be an organization to help the underprivileged," Angel said.

"It's mainly focused on kids (but it will support) anybody who's really in desperate need," he said, adding that the foundation's first fundraising event will be held early in the new year.

Those who wish to support the toy drive benefiting Help of Southern Nevada can drop off new unwrapped toys at the Nevada Power Pearson Office at 6226 W. Sahara Avenue.

In addition to Angel and Madison, multi-platinum recording artists Usher and Akon have also thrown their support behind the cause.

The station's holiday initiative gathered 2,300 bicycles, 13 semi trailers full of toys, and $67,000 in gift cards for local families in need last year.

Discussion: 12 comments so far…

By Achilles

12/8/08 at 3:43 p.m.

Suggest removal

He's so sweet I can't stand it. All these gifts are tax deductable.
By tvegas

12/8/08 at 5:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

Looks like a homeless person
By denro

12/8/08 at 9:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

That's what I am talking about, doesn't this person know how to dress up a bit? Showing up at a public event such as this should at least necessitate a nice slack and a shirt, and ditching the scruffy look. Call a haberdasher for Mr. Angel! Oh, and dude, get a haircut!
By denro

12/8/08 at 9:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

Oh, and how these two are celebrities is beyond me. What has she done except be with Mr. Hefner?
By gold1020

12/9/08 at 9:57 p.m.

Suggest removal

The holiday toy assistance program is a great cause. No kid should have to wake up christmas morning with no gift.
By acrosby85254

12/10/08 at 4:17 a.m.

Suggest removal

Two friends of mine saw Criss Angel's show on Saturday the 6th of this month..... guess how this story ends?
By Achilles

12/10/08 at 10:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

I noticed the employees at Walmart raised over $30,000 and they aren't rich. Nice!
By VegasAngel

12/12/08 at 9:27 a.m.

Suggest removal

Why is she dressing like the Salvation Army all of a sudden? No fake eyelashes, covering up her airbags (doesn't she OWN a coat of her own - she's always "borrowing" CA's stuff!)

It's like she's TRYING TO HARD to disguise who she really is - just to hook Angel. Look at me, I lived the Playboy lifstyle for 7 yrs., now that I have been shown the door, I'm reforming to fit your needs Criss! FAKE FAKE FAKE - She'll play ANY GAME to catch Criss, 'cause she needs $$$ support and a baby -then BAM her REAL personality raises its FAKE head.

Come on Criss, you're not really this stupid/blind are you???
By VERONICAGAMS

12/14/08 at 2:28 p.m.

Suggest removal

HELLO HONEY THAT IS SO SWEET OF YOU TO BE CONSIDERATE OF THE UNDERPRIVILAGED TOO.JUST LOVE YOUR GENEROSITY TO EVERYONE.YOUR GOOD DEEDS REALLY SHOW WHERE IT COUNTS.YOUR INVITED TO MY HOUSE FOR CHIRSTMAS IF YOU CAN COME ALSO HOLLY IS TOO.HOPING YOU ARE HAVING A NICE CHIRSTMAS HOLLYDAY!CAN I BE YOUR FIRST CHARITY CASE?LOL.AS A ANYBODY?NOT REALLY JUST ANYBODY,BUT AS WHO I AM?PLEASE!YOU ARE SUPER TO DO THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING!SINCERELY!WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO A WEDDING FOR CHRISTMAS?WRITE BACK TO ME OR CALL YOU KNOW THE ADDRESS AND NUMBER.THANKS FOR THE THOUGHTFUL GIFTS,PERSONALLY FROM YOU TO ME. LOVE FOREVER,VERONICA GAMS.
By VERONICAGAMS

12/14/08 at 2:32 p.m.

Suggest removal

HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO,IM BEING TOTALLY HONEST!YOUR SIMPLY THE BEST!YOU BOTH MAKE A CUTE COUPLE.IF YOU COME YOU WONT BE TREATED LIKE CELEBRITIES,YOU'LL BE TREATED LIKE FAMILY! FOR REAL.TAKE CARE,CAN I BE YOUR GUEST SOMDAY OR NIGHT AT THE "BBEELIEVE SHOW"? LOL. I MEANT THAT THOUGHTFULLY REALLY.I"M A CHARITY CASE REALLY,I DONT EVEN GET CASH ASSISTENCE AND AVON FIRED ME.CAN YOU HELP?
By VERONICAGAMS

12/14/08 at 2:40 p.m.

Suggest removal

REALLY I DONT EVEN HAVE MONEY TO BUY YOU A CHRISTMAS GIFT AND I'D CONSIDER BEING A GIFT TO YOU! LOL,SSSHHH I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT,WELL MERRY CRISSMISS!FROM VERONICA GAMS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY.
By crybaby

9/9/09 at 1:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

Spreading holiday cheer. That's what Christmas is all about.They're not a couple anymore.Criss cares so much about the less fortunate. But then, I'm not surprised, he's been dating Sandra!