Big names in music and entertainment united at a fund-raising telethon in aid of Haiti. Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Wyclef Jean, The Edge and Jay-Z led the “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon.
According to MTV News, on Jan. 25, 2010 singer Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti, and CNN’s television personality Anderson Cooper co-hosted George Clooney’s MTV telethon. While Clooney was in Los Angeles, Jean in New York, and Cooper live in Haiti, donations went to Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, and UNICEF. The two-hour telethon aired on major networks and many other channels, raising over $57 million, and counting.
At the telethon, Clooney spoke to the audience and said, “At the core of every religion is the belief that we take care of one another. The Haitian people need our help. They need to know they are not alone."
According to Brian Hiatt, Rock&Roll Daily reporter, Jay-Z, Rihanna, The Edge, and Bono performed a new Haiti benefit single produced by Swizz Beats called “Stranded.” Swizz Beats told Rolling Stone that “the idea of the song is ‘we’re not gonna leave you stranded’ and that’s what the chorus is.” The song is now the number one single on iTunes.
In addition, sports stars are also lining up to lend a hand. According to Tim Saunders, reporter at Look To The Stars, at the Australian Open, tennis star Roger Federer organized a tennis event that had an entry fee of a minimum donation of $10. The event featured stars such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams and Samantha Stosur.
National Basketball Association owners and athletes made a combined donation of $1 million to the UNICEF relief effort. According to NBA News, Philadelphia 76ers center and Haiti native Samuel Dalembert made an announcement to the audience at their last home game that he will match donations made by the fans that evening.
It’s easy to judge and make false statements about the celebrity culture when we hear about how much money they make but we never read about the work they do outside of their luxurious lifestyles. After Haiti was hit hard, celebrities dipped deep into their pockets for the cause and opened their arms to a wide spread of donation organizations. From supermodels, actors and actresses, to athletes and singers, celebrities all over Hollywood are lining up to lend a hand.
At a glance
What: Haiti donations
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest celebrity donations so far:
Tiger Woods: $3 Million to Wyclef Jean’s Haiti relief organization
Gisele Bundchen: $1.5 Million to the Red Cross
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: $1 Million to Doctors Without Borders
George Clooney: $1 Million to Partners in Health
Oprah Winfrey: $1 Million to the Red Cross
Sandra Bullock: $1 Million to Doctors Without Borders
Lance Armstrong: $250,000 to the Livestrong Foundation
Madonna: $250,000 to Partners in Health
Places to make donations: Doctors Without Borders, Livestrong Foundation, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF
Follow the lead of these celebrities and make a donation today.
Singles on the CD include:
1 - Send Me An Angel (Alicia Keys)
2 - A Message 2010 (Coldplay)
3 - We Shall Overcome (Bruce Springsteen)
4 - Time to Love / Bridge Over Troubled Water (Stevie Wonder)
5 - I’ll Stand by You (Shakira with The Roots)
6 - Motherless Child (John Legend)
7 - Hard Times Come Again No More (Mary J. Blige with The Roots)
8 - Breathless (Taylor Swift)
9 - Lift Me Up (Christina Aguilera)
10 - Driven to Tears (Sting)
11 - Halo (Beyoncé)
12 - Lean on Me (with Keith Urban & Kid Rock (Sheryl Crow with Keith Urban & Kid Rock)
13 - Like a Prayer (Madonna)
14 - Hallelujah (Justin Timberlake with Charlie Sexton)
15 - Let It Be (Jennifer Hudson with The Roots)
16 - Many Rivers to Cross (Emeline Michel)
17 - Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) (Jay-Z with Rihanna, Bono & The Edge)
18 - Alone and Forsaken (Neil Young with Dave Mathews)
19 - Rivers of Babylon / Yele (Medley) (Wyclef Jean
20 - Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) (Jay-Z with Rihanna, Bono & The Edge)
