Celebrities Donate Millions to Relief

Published January 13, 2015

NBC (search) is holding a celebrity telethon next week with proceeds going to relief efforts in countries affected by the deadly earthquake and tsunami (search) in southern Asia and eastern Africa.

Performers for the Jan. 15 hour-long program haven't been announced yet, but it will be shown on NBC's cable affiliates and USA network. Phone lines will be open during the evening.

It's the latest in the celebrity effort to aid victims. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (search), who filmed "The Beach" on the Thai island Phi Phi, hit by the deadly waves, set up a link on his Web site for others wanting to donate to UNICEF.

Actress Sandra Bullock (search) donated $1 million to the American Red Cross, and a Hong Kong charity show, where local musicians sang "We Are The World," and William Hung (search) of American Idol fame appeared, also raised $6.2 million.

Even as Hollywood steps in to aid, charities say they have received millions in online donations from concerned Americans. The Red Cross has more than $79 million in donations, and Oxfam has received more than $12 million.

The death toll around the Indian Ocean rim from the Dec. 26 killer earthquake and tsunami approached 140,000. Searchers all but gave up hope of finding more survivors, with authorities saying that thousands listed as missing were presumed dead. The world turned its full attention to getting food and water to the living.

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