NEW YORK – “Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief,” a one-hour TV special on Sept. 12 that featured performances and appearances from a long roster of concert, film and TV stars, raised $44 million in less than one day for those affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and more than $55 million in all. The event was organized by a team led by production manager Scooter Braun, many of whom were also involved in quickly mobilizing and organizing the “One Love Manchester” benefit with Ariana Grande in the U.K. It was organized in response to Hurricane Harvey but expanded to include Irma victims as well.
Celebrities showed up to perform or take calls in New York, Nashville, San Antonio and Los Angeles for the event, which was broadcast live in the eastern U.S. and tape-delayed in the West.
Among those taking calls were Justin Bieber, Barbra Streisand, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Jamie Fox, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lupita Nyong’o and Jay Leno. Others sending in video appeals for help included Beyonce, Will Smith and Dwayne Johnson.
Stevie Wonder kicked off the music with a rendition of “Lean on Me” backed by a gospel choir, followed by Usher and Blake Shelton, who sand “Stand By Me.” Dave Matthews sang “Mercy,” and “Despacito” singer Luis Fonsi and Tori Kelly sang “Hallelujah” together.
From Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, Brad Paisley, Demi Lovato, Darius Rucker and CeCe Winans performed “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Performers in San Antonio included George Strait, Robert Earl Keen, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert and Lyle Lovett.
Organizations benefitting from the TV special include the United Way of Greater Houston, Rebuild Texas Fund, ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Best Friends, Direct Relief, Save the Children, Feeding Texas, Feeding Florida, and the Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief.
The broadcast’s A-to-Z list of musicians, actors and film and TV stars who appeared on the show, or performed, or provided special messages of support, included Trace Adkins, Malin Akerman, Jason Alexander, Lily Aldridge, Anthony Anderson, Beyoncé, The Black Eyed Peas, Bun B, J Balvin, Elizabeth Banks, Justin Bieber, Dierks Bentley, Bobby Bones, Julie Bowen, Wayne Brady, Connie Britton, Sterling K. Brown, Luke Bryan, Steve Buscemi, Cassie, George Clooney, Andy Cohen, Stephen Colbert, Sean “Diddy” Combs, David Copperfield, Chace Crawford, Terry Crews, Billy Crystal, Lee Daniels, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Old Dominion, Drake, Hilary Duff, Jeff Dunham, Jourdan Dunn, Brett Eldridge, Charles Esten, Sara Evans, Jimmy Fallon, Rascal Flatts, Luis Fonsi, Jamie Foxx, Josh Gad, Jennifer Garner, Richard Gere, Eddie George, Selena Gomez, Amy Grant, Pastor John Gray, Josh Groban, Savannah Guthrie, Tom Hanks, Marcia Gay Harden, Angie Harmon, Taraji P. Henson, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Kate Hudson, Dwayne Johnson, Joe Jonas, Catherine Zeta -Jones, Tori Kelly, DJ Khaled, Nicole Kidman, Gayle King, Karlie Kloss, Karolina Kurkova, Matt Lauer, Jay Leno, Kings of Leon, Jared Leto, Eva Longoria, Matthew McConaughey, Eric McCormack, Tim McGraw, Nicki Minaj, Kip Moore, Tracy Morgan, Lupita Nyong’o, Norah O’Donnell, Gerardo Ortiz, Brothers Osborne, Brad Paisley, Chris Paul, Jon Pardi, Tyler Perry, Dennis Quaid, Questlove, Jeremy Renner, Julia Roberts, Robin Roberts, Craig Robinson, Ray Romano, Kelly Rowland, Darius Rucker, Adam Sandler, Travis Scott, Ryan Seacrest, Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, Maria Shriver, Michael W. Smith, Will Smith, David Spade, Gwen Stefani, Michael Strahan, George Strait, Barbra Streisand, PK Subban, Cole Swindell, Wanda Sykes, Miles Teller, T.I., Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Chris Tomlin, Meghan Trainor, Wilmer Valderrama, Sofia Vergara, Kerry Washington, Marlon Wayans, Bruce Willis, Chandra Wilson, Charlie Wilson, Oprah Winfrey, Cece Winans, Rita Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Young and Zion.
For more information, and to make a donation, go to www.handinhand2017.com.
