via starpulse.com

Even if you're not from the Lilith Fair generation, it's hard to miss the songstress who gave a divine performance with Pink last night at the American Music Awards. Now Sarah McLachlan is being honored not only for her moving lyrics, but for her massive humanitarian efforts as well.

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CTV announced Thursday that Canadian songbird Sarah McLachlan will receive the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at the 2009 JUNO Awards this March. This Award, named after CHUM Ltd. founder Allan Waters, recognizes one exceptional Canadian artist whose humanitarian efforts have positively influenced the country.

"CARAS in honored to present Sarah McLachlan with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award," said CARAS President Melanie Berry. "She is an inspirational example of how music can touch lives and positively affect change in communities."

Sarah, who just celebrated her 20th Anniversary in October of a multi-platinum career, is known for her humanitarian contributions to charities and organizations both nationally and internationally that often uses music to promote social change.

In 1997, Sarah founded the Lilith Fair, a touring concert festival that showcases and promotes women in music and has since raised over $7 million for charities and women's shelters across North America. In 1999, she founded the Sarah McLachlan Foundation to help bring music to young Canadians, especially in underprivileged areas; and in 2003 she created the first Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach that offers students free high-quality music lessons, educational workshops, and mentorship and support networks to encourage children to explore music and learning. Lastly in 2004, Sarah created a Grammy Award nominated video for the single "World on Fire," which donated $150,000 of its production budget to 11 charities including CARE, Engineers Without Borders, Help the Aged, and Warchild and Heifer International.

And who could forget Sarah's emotional TV ad that featured her multiplatinum hit song "Angel" to promote the BC SPCA's animal adoption campaign? Since 2006, Sarah has been a spokesperson for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, raising awareness for animals that have suffered abuse and neglect.

"I am honored and humbled to receive the Alan Waters Humanitarian Award," Sarah said of the soon-to-come accolade. "I feel so lucky and blessed in my life and giving back feels right and good--it's the best way I know to thank the universe."

A big congrats to you, Sarah!! Also, wanna find out how you can get music and arts involved in your own schools? Here's how you can get started!