TV telethons announced for Katrina victims

[Scooter24]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9146525/

NBC plans ‘Concert for Hurricane Relief’; MTV plans to raise Red Cross funds

LOS ANGELES - Hurricane Katrina telethons reminiscent of benefits for tsunami and 9/11 victims were announced Wednesday with artists including Wynton Marsalis and Green Day, while Jerry Lewis’ annual Labor Day fundraiser will join in as well.

Lewis said Wednesday his telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association would include celebrity appeals for hurricane relief. MDA also will donate $1 million to help victims in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, he said.

“While the needs of ‘my kids’ are with us all year-round, Hurricane Katrina is a national disaster on a scale that’s difficult to comprehend,” the actor-comedian said in a statement. “We simply couldn’t ignore the need to help.”

...

MTV lends a hand

Another aid effort was announced by MTV Networks, starting with a Saturday, Sept. 10, music special airing on MTV, VH1 and CMT and intended to raise funds for the American Red Cross and other organizations.

Besides Green Day, scheduled performers include Ludacris, Gretchen Wilson, Usher, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp, the Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, David Banner and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington.

The special also will be available on MTV2, mtvU and VH1 Classic, as well as broadband video networks MTV Overdrive and VSpot.

The concert is part of what MTV Networks said will be an ongoing effort by its outlets to promote volunteer efforts as well as fundraising.

[LastDemocratInSC]

1. WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, SC, raised $230,000 this evening for the Red Cross

I don't know the mix of direct contributions vs. pledges but the Upstate area of South Carolina has historically been a generous community in times of need. Let's hope for the best.

[gauguin57]

2. I hear Morgan Freeman, a Mississippi resident, is holding a

celebrity auction, or some such thing, for the victims.

[Anywho6]

3. KCRA in Sac telethon tomorrow

I encourage everyone who is able to volunteer to work the phones for any Red Cross telethon! Since I am currently unemployed and really can't afford to donate a great deal of money, I thought this would be a great way to contribute to the cause. (Yes, I realize that the Red Cross has a fairly big overhead, but, let's face it, the hurricane victims need help now and I honestly believe the Red Cross is the most capable organization to provide the breadth of aid that is needed).

Peace...

[2Design]

4. red cross - doesn't anyone remember the last time - all the money

to the red cross did not go to the victims - they wanted to use some for computers and other things

all this money going into the red cross - is it taggged to ONLY go to Katrina victims or will the funds be hijacked again and spread to other parts of the world while leaving many without - waiting for checks from insurance companies

I just keep thinking there must be some organizations where we can be sure the funds get to people in real need in the area

I am thinking of habitat for humanity - could pick a chapter that serves those states - and help or give funds to build homes

[Anywho6]

5. Not a lot more time to analyze the crap out of this, people

Just pick one and do it!!! We can hand wring over the shortcomings of the organizations later. People are suffering and dying as we chat about it.