Celebrities organize appeals for relief funds
NEW YORK -- Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman has helped organize an online auction to raise funds for disaster relief following Hurricane Katrina.
The auction, which also includes corporate-donated items, will open tomorrow on the Charity Folks website, an online auction venue, and run until Sept. 16.
Items include a resort getaway and memorabilia packages from various movies. Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Comedian Jerry Lewis said yesterday that his annual Labor Day Telethon benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association will feature celebrity fund-raising appeals for hurricane relief efforts. In addition, the MDA will donate $1 million to help victims.
Country singer Tim McGraw, jazz crooner Harry Connick Jr., and other stars will appear in a televised concert tomorrow to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The show will be broadcast on NBC, MSNBC, and the financial network CNBC. The concert from New York will also feature jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and include an appearance by actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Red Cross said yesterday that it has raised $21 million, with nearly $15 million coming from individual donations through the Red Cross's website.
Red Cross spokeswoman Sarah Marchetti said at least 30 companies had made donations by yesterday morning.
Hank Goldstein, chairman of Giving USA in Glenview, Ill., said all donations combined could reach $1 billion.
To donate:
Charity Folks: Visit www01.charityfolks.com.
Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit www.redcross.org.
