NBC’s Benefit Concert Raises $23 Million For Hurricane Sandy Victims

NBC raised close to $23 million last week during its celebrity telethon for victims of Hurricane Sandy. The network hosted a commercial free concert on Friday night featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Christina Aguilera. All of the money will be donated to the Red Cross.

American Red Cross Chief Marketing Officer Peggy Dyer said:

“We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring of support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy.”

The Telethon, called “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” was hosted by TODAY co-anchor Matt Lauer. In addition to musical performances from Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Steven Tyler, Christina Aguilera and Mary J. Blige, the telethon also featured appearances from celebrities like Tina Fey, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny DeVito and Brian Williams.

Jimmy Fallon, who performed his show without an audience the night after Sandy devastated New York, said:

“New Jersey was hit really hard. Some beaches were destroyed. Boardwalks were torn apart. But they will be rebuilt.”

Before singing The Living Proof, Mary J. Blige said:

“My prayers go out to everyone who was affected by the hurricane. Things are gonna get better, so please hang in there, be strong and have faith. And please, everybody watching tonight, give something, anything. Every penny counts.”

The NBC benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy is over but the Red Cross is still accepting donations. You can donate at RedCross.org , by calling 1-800-HELPNOW, or you can donate $10 by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.

Here’s a video of Billy Joel performing Miami 2017 from the charity concert on NBC.