The star-studded “Hand in Hand” telethon for Hurricane Harvey and Irma victims has garnered more than $44 million since it aired live Tuesday night, organizers said.
A total of $14 million was raised during the hour-long special – aired on all major networks — in which more than 130 celebs like George Clooney, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Leonardo Dicaprio and Justin Timberlake worked the phones to reel in donations.
The benefit, which aired across broadcast, cable and digital platforms, was organized by Houston rapper Bernard “Bun B” Freeman and music manager Scooter Braun to aid those impacted by the deadly hurricanes.
In the hours that followed the telethon, $30 million was donated.
Legend singer Stevie Wonder kicked off the show with a cover of the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me.”
Getty Images“We’ve come together today to love on the people that have been devastated by the hurricanes,” Wonder said ahead of the song. “When love goes into action, it preferences no color of skin, no ethnicity, no religious beliefs, no sexual preferences, and no political persuasions. It just loves.”
He added: “As we begin to love and value our planet… anyone who believes that there is no such thing as global warming must be blind or unintelligent. Lord, please save us all.”
The telethon aired from New York, Nashville and Los Angeles.
Those who wish to donate still can at handinhand2017.com or by calling 1(800)258-6000.
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