Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief has announced that more than $55,000,000 was raised from the one-hour telethon special, which aired on Tuesday, September 12. The much needed funds will go to aid people affected by both Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Comic Relief USA, the organization behind Red Nose Day and Idol Gives Back, will manage and distribute all grants made from the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund at Comic Relief USA to the Hand in Hand charitable partners which include: the Rebuild Texas Fund, Habitat For Humanity, Save the Children, Feeding Florida, Feeding Texas, Direct Relief, ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, United Way of Greater Houston, United Way Irma Recovery Fund and the Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief (administered through the Greater Houston Community Foundation).
Additional charitable partners may be announced as the impacts from Hurricane Irma are further evaluated.
Stars who took part included Anthony Anderson, Bun B, J Balvin, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Connie Britton, George Clooney, Andy Cohen, Stephen Colbert, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Terry Crews, Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Drake, Hilary Duff, Jourdan Dunn, Jimmy Fallon, Jamie Foxx, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks, Marcia Gay Harden, Faith Hill, Kate Hudson, Dwayne Johnson, Joe Jonas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Nicole Kidman, Karlie Kloss, Matt Lauer, Jay Leno, Zion & Lennox, Jared Leto, Eva Longoria, Rob Lowe, Matthew McConaughey, Tim McGraw, Tracy Morgan, Norah O’Donnell, Gerardo Ortiz, Chris Paul, Tyler Perry, Dennis Quaid, Questlove, Jeremy Renner, Julia Roberts, Kelly Rowland, Adam Sandler, Ryan Seacrest, Blake Shelton, David Spade, Gwen Stefani, Michael Strahan, George Strait, Barbra Streisand, Sofia Vergara, Kerry Washington, Chandra Wilson, Oprah Winfrey, Rita Wilson and Reese Witherspoon
Online, text and phone donations to the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund will continue to be accepted. Links to donate digitally via credit card or PayPal are available by visiting www.HandInHand2017.com.
Supporters have the option to make a $25 donation to the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund by simply texting “GIVE” to 80077 on their US mobile phones. Supporters can also call 1-800-258-6000 to donate by credit card, calls are toll free in the US.
“It has been truly amazing to witness the reactions in our country in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma,” said Scooter Braun, founder of SB Projects and an Executive Producer of Hand in Hand. "In the aftermath of tragedy, it’s important that we take action and care for our neighbors. There is still so much rebuilding to be done and our hope is to not only continue to raise funds but also inspire others to do what they can to help. People are still in need, and will continue to be for a very long time. We all need to do our part. "
Janet Scardino, CEO of Comic Relief USA, said “Our team is focused on getting funds out to work on the ground as quickly as possible while donations are still coming in. The incredible response and generosity of millions of Americans is going to make such a difference for so many people who really need our help in the aftermath of these devastating hurricanes.”
Hand in Hand was broadcast live on several television, radio and streaming networks garnering an audience of over 40 million across all platforms combined. The one-hour special featured appearances, performances, and messages of support from more than 130 celebrities, musicians, and personalities from 4 different locations.
The Hand in Hand broadcast was produced by SB Projects and Den of Thieves. Scooter Braun, Bernard ‘Bun B’ Freeman, Allison Kaye, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager served as Executive Producers. Additional Executive Producers were Chris Choun, and Lee Lodge with Jordan Brown, Penni Thow, Chalvalier Freeman, Anzel Jennings and Barb Bialkowski who served as Co-Executive Producers.
