By Lindsay Diaz
For some people, being famous is a life-long dream. Being recognized in public and not being just another face in the crowd is something that a lot of people desire. What could be cooler than to use your fame to get into all the best clubs and parties? For Eric Nies, his fame let him achieve his dream and it’s not what some may think.
He created the foundation for a project he had envisioned since 1994. He always felt that he had a great connection with children, and with his time away from the entertainment industry, he was able to realize his purpose. With that, A Moment of Hope was created.
Nies began his career in the entertainment industry as a male model and acting in commercials for products like Coca-Cola, American Airlines and Starburst. Soon after, his name and face became synonymous with MTV when he was cast as a roommate on the first of MTV’s Real World series, The Real World: New York. On the Real World, Nies was known as the male model with the huge crush on small-town bumpkin, Julie. With all the fame he had achieved from his career with MTV, including minor film roles, Nies still felt like he had a bigger purpose in life.
A Moment of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing youths from all over the world together to make a difference. Nies said that after September 11, the effect that it had on many children was incredibly traumatic and felt that an organization like A Moment of Hope could help not only those affected by the aftermath of September 11, but help prevent acts of terrorism from happening again. Nies said that this is possible by enlightening children, the children who will one day be the leaders of tomorrow. Nies says he’d like to see the organization affect as many as five million children.
Through A Moment of Hope, Nies hopes to provide youths worldwide with information that will educate and inform children with valuable information that will be pertinent in their growth spiritually and mentally.
Nies said September 11 will one day have a new meaning. He hopes it can be a day for children everywhere to get involved in a Moment of Hope and gather together and do something, like raise money for any charity of their choice.
“I’m just trying to build a place where kids can communicate,” Nies said.
As another effort to expand awareness of A Moment of Hope, Nies is producing a documentary he hopes will air next September 11. It’s called “A Voice of Inspiration” and will also have a concert with potentially many big-name artists on the line-up.
Nies finds himself once again, embracing the spotlight. But this time he doesn’t do it for the money; he does it to bring awareness to A Moment of Hope. He has found his mission in life.
