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Stars Unite In Emotional Haiti Telethon

   VOA News 22 January 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   In  this image released by Hope For Haiti Now, Wyclef Jean performs at
   "Hope  for  Haiti  Now:  A  Global  Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on
   Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in New York.

   Celebrities   from  the  entertainment  industry,  sports,  media  and
   politics  took  part  in  an  emotional, multi-network telethon Friday
   night to raise money for earthquake victims in Haiti.
   The  two-hour  commercial  free  program, "Hope for Haiti Now," opened
   with  images  of  Haitians affected by the quake, followed by a somber
   musical reflection of the tragedy by singer Alicia Keys.
   Actor  George  Clooney,  one  of  the  show's  hosts, said Haiti is "a
   tragedy  that reaches across all borders and all boundaries."  He also
   said  that  at  the  core of every religion is the belief that we take
   care of one another.
   Academy-Award  winning  actress Halle Berry made an emotional plea for
   help,  and  singer  Bruce  Springsteen  dedicated  the song, "We Shall
   Overcome"  to Haiti. Singers Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Taylor Swift,
   Christine  Aguilera and Stevie Wonder were among the many entertainers
   who performed on the show.
   Haitian-born  musician Wyclef Jean led program segments from new York,
   while  CNN  journalist  Anderson  Cooper  participated  from  Haiti to
   provide reports from the stricken region.
   The telethon included musical performances by Jennifer Hudson, Madonna
   and  Sting,  along  with  Justin  Timberlake and Dave Matthews.  Bono,
   Beyonce, Jay-Z,  Rihanna and Coldplay joined the telethon from London.
   Former  U.S.  President Bill Clinton, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and a
   host of Hollywood stars appeared as well.
   Viewers  will  be  able  to  donate  for Haiti relief by phone or text
   message and a Web site, www.hopeforhaitinow.org.  The program is being
   streamed online.
   Money  raised  will support the work in Haiti of groups such as Wyclef
   Jean's  Yele  Haiti  Foundation,  Oxfam  America,  Partners in Health,
   UNICEF and the American Red Cross.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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