Hurricane Sandy Nonprofit Fundraising Relief Efforts Part 2

In Part 1, I wrote about some of the celebrity nonprofit fundraising efforts in support of Hurricane Sandy relief and today I am continuing with Part 2 by featuring more stars, organizations and media conglomerates helping to raise funds and spread awareness of the devastation that remains.

• I guess I’ll start with the first telethon in aid of Sandy held by NBC titled Hurricane Sandy Coming Together Benefit. The host of the Today Show, Matt Lauer, helped to organize this event, which was broadcast over all of the NBC Universal channels (NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, Style, Syfy and USA) for one hour commercial free. Celebrities who participated included Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Sting, Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Jimmy Fallon and Billy Joel. That event was able to raise a staggering $23 million dollars for American Red Cross.
• ABC followed with a “Day of Giving” when all of their programming – from Good Morning America to the late night Jimmy Kimmel Live – asked viewers to donate to the American Red Cross. This fundraising initiative brought in $15,663,327. A plea to donate to the American Red Cross was also made by American Idol judge Randy Jackson during the American Music Awards (AMA’s) which aired on ABC. In addition, ABC’s parent company – Disney – donated $2 million on their own to help Sandy victims with $1 million going to the American Red Cross and the other $1 million assigned to other organizations working on rebuilding efforts. Also, Disney Employee Matching Gifts – a Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation – will match donations made by all employees in support of disaster relief dollar for dollar.
• MTV held a one hour fundraising special called “Restore the Shore” on November 15th at 11pm EST. The cast of Jersey Shore along with stars from other top MTV shows including Awkward, Teen Wolf, Teen Mom, The Challenge and The Real World participated by calling donors to thank them for their donation. Stars contributing messages of support included One Direction, Mac Miller, Pharrell, Kim Kardashian, Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars, fun., the Jonas Brothers, All Time Low, Sean Kingston, Pink, Taylor Swift, Nikki Minaj, Simon Cowell and many more. All funds raised will go to Architecture for Humanity, which is setting out to help rebuild the famed boardwalk, local businesses and homes in Seaside Heights ravaged by the storm.
• Jerry Seinfeld and fellow comedian Colin Quinn have donated all revenue from their show in Brooklyn on November 8th and have committed to doing the same for their show in Staten Island on December 6th, 2012. They have also added a Hurricane Sandy Benefit Show in Long Island on December 19th and will donate all proceeds to local Sandy relief efforts from that show as well. “I grew up on Long Island and New York City is home,” Seinfeld said in a statement. “This is a tough time for this area and we’re just glad to be able to help in the recovery.”
•  Comedian Louis C.K. performed 2 Hurricane Sandy benefit shows in Staten Island which raised over $150k for the Staten Island Hurricane Relief Fund. Chris Rock was a surprise guest opener. According to SI Live “Rock gave Louis CK a ride from Manhattan to the Sandy benefit show at the St. George and the two decided that Rock would open for him.”
• Not even the National Hockey League (NHL) lockout stopped many of the league’s biggest stars from taking to the rink at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Nov. 24th in support of Sandy relief. Operation Hat Trick was a charity game led by Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers and Brad Richards of the New York Rangers. It may have been an exhibition charity game but the roster read like an All-Star game. Team Richards included Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks, Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators, James Neal of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ville Leino and Taylor Pyatt of the Buffalo Sabres, Matt Martin of the New York Islanders and Mike Komisarek of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brian Boyle, Jeff Halpern, Arron Asham, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Steve Eminger and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers. The team was coached by Vinny Guadagnino from MTV’s “Jersey Shore.” Team Hartnell included Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, David Clarkson, Andy Greene and Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, James van Riemsdyk of the Maple Leafs, Simon Gagne and Justin Williams of the Los Angeles Kings, Daniel Carcillo of the Chicago Blackhawks, Steve Downie of the Washington Capitals, P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens and Jody Shelley, Wayne Simmonds, Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn of the Philadelphia Flyers. The team was coached by former Flyer tough guy Rick Tocchet. Team Richards won by a 10-6 margin and the successful event raised over $500,000.00 for the New Jersey Relief Fund and the Empire State Relief Fund.
• On Thursday, Dec. 6, Neil Young and Crazy Horse will perform a special benefit concert for Hurricane Sandy victims at Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The show, which will raise money for the American Red Cross.
• Last but certainly not least, a concert has been planned benefiting the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which is “providing money, material and know-how to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hardest hit by the storm.” The “12.12.12” concert is being produced and sponsored by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company who also orchestrated the historic Concert for New York City following 9/11. Confirmed performing artists include Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Alicia Keys, Roger Waters, The Who, Bon Jovi, Dave Grohl, Eddier Vedder, Coldplay and Kanye West. The concert will take place at Madison Square Garden on December 12th, 2012 (hence the 12.12.12 title).

It is wonderful to see the creative efforts of celebrities giving their time and talent. Hopefully this commitment to raising funds will continue as long as the need remains. Given the magnitude of the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy donations are desperately needed to help repair and rebuild. As of last count, $244-million of the over $50 billion required for relief and recovery efforts had been raised. Please click on any of the event or nonprofit links above and contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small.

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