'Hope for Haiti Now' Has Raised $57 Million ... So Far

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Jan 24th 2010 09:01AM

Organizers for George Clooney's all-star 'Hope for Haiti Now' telethon say the event raised $57 million -- and counting.

"The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with 'Hope for Haiti Now,' and the donations continue to come in," Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, said in a statement released Saturday evening. The group is helping to oversee the funds gathered from the event.

The two-hour telethon aired Friday night on the major networks and dozens of other channels, including MTV, Bravo, and PBS, and was also streamed live online. Stars like Justin Timberlake (pictured), Beyonce, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and more used their presence to encourage donations for Haiti, following a Jan. 12 earthquake that killed an estimated 200,000 people.

The total released Saturday includes money raised by phone, text and the Web. It does not include donations by corporations or via iTunes, where people are able to buy performances of the event for 99 cents each, or the entire album for $7.99. Those funds also go to Haiti relief.

The 'Hope for Haiti Now' CD is the biggest one-day pre-order in the site's history and the new song 'Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)' by Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and the Edge, debuted during the telethon, is the No. 1 single on iTunes.

People can donate via text, phone or through the 'Hope for Haiti' Web site for the next six months. Among the organizations who will receive funds from the telethon include Oxfam America, UNICEF, and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Foundation.

Missed It? Get 'Hope for Haiti' Recap and Videos

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Tags: Hope for Haiti Now

Comments

(58)

Monday 25 January

By dan

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those poor things

By jim williams

nice to see the good christians are writing today, the caring people who pretend to follow the teachings of christ ,but really follow the mantra i got mine the hell with you,,especially if the country is poor and mostly like jesus not white,

By General Swahoozie

Now, I wud like to thanx Mr.Clooney for his raizin that money and wud like to no when I can getz my money - I has wimin and carz to buy. Thanx sucker!!!!!!!

By LizDee

What makes anyone think this 57 million will be used wisely either?
When you are dealing with dictators, and Hollywood seems to love them, the money goes to the dictator and the gov't. NOT the people.

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It will never happen Mike N Heidi.

Acknowledging that we have probelms here would reflect bad on Pres. Obama, and they are not about to expose him. They're in the business along with the media of protecting him to ensure he's re-elected in 2012.
All the homeless and hungry, all the vets "sleeping on the streets" disappeared on Jan 20, 2009, the same way they disappeared on Jan 20, 1993 when Bill Clinton took office.

By April

We need a telethon for America. So many people here are living on the streets, hungry and middle-class people losing their homes

By noel

Its not just the corruption of politians in Haiti. What about the owners of equipement and construction and foods that will gouge money in the reconstruction...like in the U.S. after our
disasters? I contributed because they said more of the money would go to the relief then 10% (I know, you've got a bridge to sell me)I can't understand why so little before it even gets there...I just find it hard to beleive so much has to be spent on administration costs.As to why bother? Set an example, turn the other cheek and watch your back...Millions are spent on lotto tickets and beer without any return on the money.

By Jack

Lmao obvbiously you all have not heard republicans like Andre Bower of South Carolina,or Michelle Bachman saying We do too many hand outs for Americans as it is...So when you all Demand we take care of our own citizens first..Maybe you all should tell that too your republican congressman and women because they do not agree with you all.

By Red White & HUE

Hey Mike: Im from NJ and how about WE ALL do something for OURSELVES??? WE give to those less fortunate only because WE want to..Rush Limbaugh & Pat Roberston both said there checks are in the MAIL....Maybe YOU can get them to send something to YOUR Charity too...Just don't hold YOUR breath waiting for it...

By Lorelai

After watching the telethon on Friday night, I thought to myself:

A) How many of the celebraties dug into their own pockets and donated to the cause?

B) Why didn't they have a telethon for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, The California Wildfires, etc.

C) And exactly how much money will the people who actually need it ever really see? Considering that the Red Cross had their hands in it?

By maria

one word "Katrina"

By tom

I will offer a challenge. If Oprah and the rest of the rich black people will give 10% of their worth to the Haitains then I will to. If Justin and that skank (do anything for publicity)
Madonna along with the rest of the bleeding heart movie stars and singers will, then I will to. When I see these super rich (my stuff don't stink) stars doing this for their time spent, I have an overwhelming desire to spit up.

By Tim

How about all the homeless families in America that can't get jobs because of the declining economy...Where are their fund raiser? There isn't one, another example of America neglecting their own.

Tuesday 26 January

By John

The Haitian government has a track record of lining their own pockets with the aid from other countries. Imagine the number of lives that would have been saved if prior aid had been used to properly construct a hurricane/earthquake proof general hospital in Port au Prince. Maybe this time the aid will be so targeed and construction overseen by a US Construction firm with the proper steel and appropriate concrete. If not I'm afraid the money will simply go to rebuilding a presidential palace, when a double wide mobile is more appropriate.

By rick rossano

How about taking up a collection for the middle class American, we are a dying entity.

By JAN

After seeing all the GLAM at the Golden Globes and the SAG awards it just seems to me that out of all the "Stars" that were there they could each give 1 million.. So my math says on 57 celebs gave 1 million???? They love to beg money from us poor folks but just can't quite donate from their own pocket... Sounds like our government to me..

By Sophia

We have given this county billions and billions of dollars over the years. Where did the majority of it go? Right into the governments pocket, not the people. If you are going to donate, do it through the Red Cross, no where else.

By DABEE

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.

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