The NBC special Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together attracted big name performers and big donations from viewers. Together with the American Red Cross, NBC Universal hosted the live one-hour special across the network on Friday, November 2, 2012 and raised almost $23 million to help out victims of Hurricane Sandy.
According to NBC, a new record was set for “individual donations by phone, text and online” coming into the Red Cross during the 8pm to 12am time period on November 2nd. More donations were tallied during that timeframe than during any previous benefit telethon of the past five years.
“We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring of support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” stated American Red Cross Chief Marketing Officer Peggy Dyer. “Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how the American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need, and we urge the public to continue to give. We also thank the dedicated and talented team at NBCUniversal for the millions of people they have helped through this telethon.”
Matt Lauer hosted the special fundraiser which included performances by Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler. Other celebs that took part included Kevin Bacon, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and Brian Williams.
More on American Red Cross:
“The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-HELPNOW or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.”
