There probably aren't many occasions in which you'd find a teen idol giving a keynote speech at a YMCA groundbreaking.
But then, there's only one Brian Littrell.
Yesterday, along with U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher, hospital personnel and other dignitaries, the world-famous Backstreet Boy/Tates Creek High grad was on hand at the groundbreaking for the new Beaumont Centre Family YMCA.
The new center will be one of several locations that will house the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids, a program coordinated through St. Joseph Hospital.
Littrell, who sat on stage next to his mother, Jackie Littrell, was born with a heart defect; last year he underwent corrective heart surgery.
Through the Healthy Heart Club for Kids, he hopes to teach children and parents about pediatric heart disease.
``It means a lot to me that we could do this,'' Littrell said. ``It's a big achievement to leave the city of Lexington six years ago to pursue a career and to come back and help the community.''
At age 5, Littrell was diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. The question of surgery was put off, and he lived with the disease without a hitch until last year, when a complication -- enlargement of the heart -- set in. In the midst of a skyrocketing career, he underwent a trying surgery in early 1998.
When he was younger, his parents studied up on heart disease, but they couldn't always find the answers. While Brian yearned to play soccer and basketball, his parents balked, saying doctors warned against too much physical activity.
After some study of his own over the years, Littrell started learning more about what people with heart disease can and can't do.
``It's good for you to be physical,'' he said. ``It's good for you to eat right. It's good for you to take care of yourself, and that's what we're really focusing on. I am a walking example of things to come.''
Littrell's mother said her son was destined to be involved with a project like this.
``When Brian was in serious health at the age of 5, and in the IC (intensive care) unit at St. Joe, doctors were telling us, `This illness has a 100 percent mortality rate -- go make your plans.' ''
Jackie Littrell said she appealed to her higher power.
``I said, `God, if you choose to leave him here, he must have a great work to do.' ''
About 200 people turned out for the ceremony, including several young fans.
A group of elementary-age girls stood in the front row, clutching pinup magazines, quietly but fervently kissing Brian's picture on the pages, and alternately gazing up at the real Littrell, a strawberry blond in a gray suit.
For fan Lauren Bradley, a bit older at 12, a video camera was prop enough.
``(His speech) was really touching, and he's really sweet to think about things like this when he's busy with the tour and everything,'' said Bradley, a Lexington home-schooled student. ``To take time out for work, it's really special.''
Littrell seemed more than happy to do it.
``I've been blessed with many miracles in my lifetime -- a wonderful family, and health and happiness and a wonderful career,'' he said. ``Hopefully we can continue to do things like this that will affect these little ones.''
Even though it's tough for Littrell to get back home as often as he'd like, he plans on dropping in on the children in the Healthy Heart Club when he can.
As for living in such a bright spotlight, he doesn't find it hard to balance the fame with serving as a good example.
``It's just me being myself,'' he shrugged.