FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Adam Lambert, the Season 8 runner-up to Kris Allen, had a happy problem. His loyal fans were showering him with so many gifts at each stop of the Idols live tour that there just wasn’t room to put them all on the bus.

His solution was to partner with DonorsChoose.org to provide a way his fans could redirect their support for him and at the same time help children.

DonorsChoose.org is an online education nonprofit charity where public school teachers describe specific educational projects for their students, and donors, visiting the Web site can select the specific projects they want to support.

Lambert requested all the projects should focus on music and the fine arts. DonorsChoose.org and 19Entertainment, the company that produces “American Idol,” selected the participating groups.

One of the selected smaller group giving pages, whimsically titled “The Glittermat Laundry Room,” was designed and submitted by Daphne resident Becky Stevens. This page focuses exclusively on teacher-designed projects for schools in Baldwin and Mobile counties plus schools all along the coast in Mississippi and Louisiana as well as Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

Donors can pick the project they want to financially support. In just the first 10 days, the Glittermat page raised more than $5,000. Funding has already been completed for 19 projects and includes those submitted by Daphne Elementary, Elsanor, Westlawn and O’Rourke. However, 30 others currently posted still need help. And, Stevens said more are ready to take a place on the page when a spot opens up.

Time is of the essence. The Lambert Charity Challenge was launched Aug. 20. The giving pages are in a competition that will end Sept. 20, at the close of the Idol tour. Lambert will deliver supplies for a randomly selected classroom and give an exclusive online interview with the group that raises the most money. The top 10 contributors will received autographed Adam Lambert photographs.

“Regardless of the final donation total for the Glittermat Giving Page, the ultimate winners are our students,” said Stevens. “They receive improved educational opportunities with each funded project.”

To make a donation, go to: http://www.donorschoose.org/adamlambert. Scroll down to click on “The Glittermat Laundry Room” icon and page. You will need a credit card and an e-mail address to receive a receipt for tax purposes. If you pay by check, you must still fill out the online form, supply your e-mail address and mail it in to the address provided by DonorsChoose.org. It must also include the Donation ID (shown on the last screen of the transaction) and a memo notation of “Glittermat Laundry Room” so the check is credited to the right group.

“Every kid deserves a great education and access to the materials and experiences that make it possible,” said Lambert. “I’m so thrilled to team up with DonorsChoose.org and encourage my fans to support arts and music projects in classrooms. Plus, I can’t wait to see the results of the competition.”

To view the YouTube announcement of the Lambert Charity Challenge, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_IpvMOOdD4.