Monica with a Message

12/01/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

Among the ways New York celebrated World AIDS Days Wednesday was by dimming the 30,000 lights on Rockefeller's Christmas tree and by offering "Music with a Message," a benefit concert starring Monica, Joey McIntyre, 112, Wyclef Jean, Destiny's Child and 'N Sync (which also helped light the Rockefeller Center tree). On the importance of maintaining AIDS awareness, McIntyre told PEOPLE Online: "It's very easy to forget about (AIDS) and think we're indestructible. I can find that (attitude) in me. I'm not preaching. I'm just trying to get the message myself." Chimed in Monica, who emceed the evening: "Sometimes I'm a little uncomfortable that young people look to us for ideas, but I've accepted it and thought this was just a good opportunity for myself and those who like music to learn some things in a fun way. It's a lot better than a long lecture."