"Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast"
Raises Approximately $30 Million for American Red Cross and Salvation Army's Katrina Relief Eforts
Preliminary unaudited tallies from phone and online contributions indicate that Friday night's "Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast" raised an estimated $30 million for the American Red Cross and Salvation Army's efforts to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina (NOTE: This number does not reflect a full accounting of monies raised - particularly in international territories).
According to Salvation Army National Commander W. Todd Bassett, "The Salvation Army wishes to thank the American people for coming together and embracing the citizens devastated by Hurricane Katrina. We'd also like to express our gratitude to the major broadcast networks, cable outlets and performers who gave of their time to help their fellow man. The Salvation Army will use these funds to provide food, shelter and comfort to those afflicted by this disaster."
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the American Red Cross, added: "We are deeply grateful for the enormous generosity of television viewers who are supporting the vital work of our thousands of volunteers in the Katrina relief effort all across the country. This catastrophic event has touched all of America -- and indeed the world -- and is proving that the generosity of the American spirit can do anything when we are united behind a single purpose."
Donations can still be made through the Red Cross at www.redcross.org and Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyUSA.org.
Final National Nielsen ratings for the six major broadcast networks, public television and the domestic cable outlets also indicate that approximately 23 million Americans tuned into Friday night's hour-long fundraising special, with over 37.9 million viewers watching at least part of the special. This number does not reflect those viewers who watched via internet service providers, radio listeners, or viewers in over 200 additional countries and territories.
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