USA: Celebrities donate their time and money for Haiti relief

Record ID: 342864

  • Title: USA: Celebrities donate their time and money for Haiti relief
  • Date: 25th January 2010
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SINGER MADONNA AT RED CARPET EVENT
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA2RP55N6NGMPHYMVDMCNC2Q3BI
  • Story Text: Hollywood celebrities are continuing to donate their time and money to the Haiti emergency relief effort.
    Actor George Clooney is preparing to host the massive "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon set to get underway Friday (January 22) night.
    Clooney talked to reporters about the reason he organized the event.
    "First and foremost, so we can raise a lot of money," says Clooney. "If I thought we could all pick up shovels and go in there and help, without being in the way, I think a lot of people would do that. It's a hard thing to do."
    Clooney shared that dozens of other entertainers would be taking part in the benefit.
    "We've got about 130, 140 actors and athletes and singers and television hosts and people like that, they're all just coming up not to be on the show, just simply to answer phones."
    According to his spokesman, Clooney will be donating $1 million (USD) dollars during the telecast.
    A number of other stars have also been giving generously to the earthquake-ravaged Caribbean nation..
    Actor Leonardo DiCaprio will be writing a check for a million dollars to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which was started by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
    Stars who have already contributed to help Haiti include actress Sandra Bullock, who gave $1 million dollars, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who together donated $1 million dollars, and model Gisele Bundchen, who gave $1.5 million dollars.
    Pop star Shakira announced that her Barefoot Foundation would build a school in Haiti. She will also be performing in the telethon, along with Beyonce and Madonna.
    Beyonce will perform in London and Madonna will take the stage in New York.
    Other notables taking part in the fundraiser include Bill Clinton, U2 frontman Bono, singer Bruce Springsteen, rapper Jay-Z and actors Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.
    MTV has said "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" will be the most widely distributed telethon in history.
    The evening benefit show is being broadcast on all four leading U.S. networks, dozens of cable channels, and internationally on Internet websites.
    Also on Friday, a Canadian telethon will feature entertainers from that country including Celine Dion, Sarah McLachlan, Nelly Furtado, Michael J. Fox and William Shatner, and retired hockey great Wayne Gretzky. "Canada for Haiti" will air on CBC, CTV and Global Television.
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