PEOPLE – A telethon organized for the benefit of New York charities and hosted by many celebrities raised $ 115 million in pledges on Monday to help the poorest financially after the coronavirus epidemic. In one hour of live, the amount was almost as high as during Lady Gaga’s charity concert which, in mid-April, had lasted eight hours for the benefit of the WHO.
The event was presented by the actress, screenwriter and producer Tina Fey, who unveiled the figure at the end of the program, in tears, she who is not yet known to pour out.
All donations will go to the Robin Hood association, which works with more than 250 associations to fight against hunger and help the poorest find housing or employment.
Since the start of confinement, 831,000 New Yorkers have registered as unemployed, nearly 10% of the population and nearly 18% of the working population.
The amount pledged could increase further, because at the end of this program, entitled “Rise Up New York!” and broadcast on several national and local channels, the operation was still open to donations.
During the program, organized in collaboration with the media group iHeartRadio, several artists performed a song from home, including Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Sting and Billy Joel.
While the latter performed his title “Miami 2017”, which evoked, in 1976, the abyss of New York, the Empire State Building changed colors to the rhythm of the music. “Stay strong New York and put on a mask,” Billy Joel concluded, “and like that you won’t catch shit from anyone.”
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