‘Tis the season for giving and this season Mindfreak magician and Believe headliner Criss Angel is giving back with yet another charitable gift, the latest one benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

The star of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe is donating $1 million worth of his magic kits—150,000 units in all—to launch his global online Magic Jam Initiative.

“I think we can really use magic in a way never attempted before to inspire these children, help rally their self-confidence and even help them develop social skills.” Criss said. “This is a national effort, not just here in Las Vegas. I know we can give them a true passion.”

Beginning in late January and continuing every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. the talented magician will be online for children from both charities and others so they can learn magic tricks, tackle problems and tout achievements.

Criss has had quite a year and this donation and effort seems to be the perfect way to cap off 2010 and begin 2011.

“This past ear has been beyond my wildest dreams. I have been so blessed. I wanted to do something special. The magic kit we developed with Idea Village is an extraordinary success in 40,000 stores across America. The TV commercial we shot for it has produced amazing results—unbelievable. So what better way to give back, particularly just in time for the holidays. This is the season, and we believe the gift of the magic kits will be a win win for everybody.

It’s one thing to just give something away, but it’s another thing to create a whole ongoing program for them on a regular once-a-week basis at the website. We will have an ability to teach these children many things, especially their own character and learning development within a fan and variety show format,” added Criss.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s been quite a year for Criss and just over a week ago the magician celebrated his 1,000th Believe show with a combined birthday bash at LAX in the Luxor. And coincidentally the 999th and 1,000th show fell exactly on the entertainer’s birthday!

The 1,000th show began with Criss walking down from the ceiling on a pyramid-designed curtain and then instantly into a straight-jacket routine where he hung 90 feet above the audience, where in 30 split seconds he beats Houdini’s long-standing escape record and flows right into a switch box trick illusion. The show included 39 mind-bending illusions in all and was definitely a magical night!