Star-studded 'Hand in Hand' Raises Money for Hurricane Harvey and Irma Victims
Hollywood celebrities, from singers to actors, all came together to raise money for those left devastated by the recent hurricanes through the "Hand in Hand" telethon.
The star-studded relief benefit raised over $44 million for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. During the hour-long show, stars were able to raise $14 million. The rest of the donations were raised in the succeeding hours.
Celebrities who took part in the fundraising event include George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Streisand, and many others. They answered phone calls for those willing to donate.
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"We come together today to love on people that have been devastated by the hurricanes," said Stevie Wonder, who opened the telethon with a cover of Bill Withers' "Lean on Me." He continued, "When love goes into action, it preferences no color of skin, no ethnicity, no religious beliefs, no sexual preferences, and no political persuasions. It just loves."
Dave Matthews performed "Mercy" while Usher and Blake Shelton sang to "Stand By Me." The event also featured a Beatles classic "With a Little Help from My Friends" which was performed by Brad Paisley, Demi Lovato, Darius Rucker, and CeCe Winans. Luis Fonsi and Toki Kelly serenaded audiences with "Hallelujah" while George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton dedicated "Texas" especially to those hit by Hurricane Harvey.
Comic Relief USA will handle the donations. They will distribute them to various organizations such as Rebuild Texas Fund, Feeding Texas, Habitat for Humanity, and United Way of Greater Houston.
To donate to Hand in Hand using a credit card, call 1 (800) 258-6000. Calls are toll free for those in the U.S., in the U.S. territories, and in Canada.
Those who are willing to donate can also do so online through PayPal. Check out the campaign's official website: handinhand2017.com.
