Celine to the rescue

[Amonester]

Dion to give $1 million for Katrina victims
By CP

<snip>

MONTREAL -- Pop mega-star Celine Dion will donate $1 million US to help the victims of hurricane Katrina, which ravaged several southern U.S. states this week.

The money, offered by Dion and her partners Concerts West/AEG and Dragone, come from the receipts of her Las Vegas show, A New Day, her publicist said in a statement yesterday.

...

Dion joins a lineup of entertainers providing aid to the hurricane victims.

Meanwhile Toronto's Jane Bunnett and Richard Underhill are among more than a dozen musicians gathering for a jazz concert to raise money for victims of hurricane Katrina.

<...>

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Entertainment/Weekend/2005/09/02/1199219-sun.html

Merci Celine et tout le monde! (and everybody!)

[KT2000]

1. She's a sweetheart

thank you Celine

[Amonester]

3. I wish she would donate more (but I thank her for giving 1 M).

More on that:

Wilkinson, Dion to join Jerry Lewis on Monday
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 13:45:28 EDT
CBC Arts

Canadian singer Colm Wilkinson will appear on the annual Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon Monday. Wilkinson joins fellow Canadian Celine Dion in the annual Labour Day appeal.

This year's telethon will also include fundraising appeals for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Wilkinson starred for more than four years in the Toronto production of Phantom of the Opera, picking up a Dora Mavor Moore award.

He will perform Everything is Alright from Jesus Christ Superstar with Latin star Rocio Banquells.

...

cbc.ca:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/09/02/Arts/jerry_lewis20050902.html

[RaRa]

2. I'm sickened

by corporate Amerika. I've seeing famous individuals (sorry, I don't "celebrate" these folks) giving $1 million. Not chump change, but realistically, not breaking the bank for them. But, I am applauding them, really. Then there's companies like my husband's that are raking in the cash, and will really be doing so since the energy bill passed, and they're offering $1 million. That's it. Oh, AND, it's $500 for every $250 from their employees. Fuckers. The CEO himself could afford $10 million and it wouldn't hurt him. I'm sure we'll donate something, even though we're in the red every month. Jesus, if I had real money I'd love to give it. What's wrong with people? Walmart's giving $15 million? Just because it helps, doesn't mean it still isn't shamefully inadequate. This whole catastrophe REEKS of racism. I'm boiling mad and I'm white!

[Amonester]

4. I wish I had an answer, but I want to say a big majority are not

racist at all (don't get me wrong: I am also mad at those who are).

I just want to share some positive info about things to come (and hope they will help ALL the victims (if they can help):

More from cbc.ca:

Celebrities fundraise for Hurricane Katrina victims
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 20:01:01 EDT
CBC Arts
The first telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina will broadcast Friday night.

The hour-long, commercial-free telethon will include Louisiana natives Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, country singer Tim McGraw, and his wife Faith Hill of Mississippi. Mike Myers, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Goodman and Hilary Swank will pitch for donations between the songs.

A Concert for Hurricane Relief will air at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. After it ends, Stone Phillips will report on the hurricane's aftermath for Dateline.

More telethons are planned for later this month on MTV and BET.

...

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/09/02/Arts/telethons_start20050902.html

Thanks a million for EVERYBODY of good faith who will work to rally the US and the world in rescue and relief efforts.

[CBHagman]

5. I know. Seeing what happened boggles the mind.

I can scarcely believe that people were literally dying in front of the TV cameras. Can this be America?

But I do want to help, have started helping in small ways, and want to see the people of the Gulf through this as much as possible. What they are going through is unimaginable.

[Amonester]

6. Natural disaster can happen anywhere, anytime, but

the consequences of this atrocious one could have been foreseen (and most of them prevented) if those who are paid to do the job had something else in their mind than to get richer everyday, at the expense of the people who pay them to really protect them.

Clearly, this is not what they do. :cry:

And that has got TO CHANGE.

[BiggJawn]

8. Eli Lilly is sending drugs.

Including Insulin and refrigeration, since existing stocks are ruined.

And Celine's not even an American. Thank you!

[anitar1]

12. Author John Grishim [sp?] pledged 5 mil. n/t

[Olney Blue]

7. Thank you, Celine....

every little million helps!

[kevinam]

9. very generous...

I can't say I am a fan of Celine Dion. Her music does nothing for me. However, this is a very generous donation. Yea, maybe she is worth $200 zillion, but this money can do much much good. If I hear on the TV and radio daily, every penny helps. A million dollars worth of pennies is great. Thank you Celine Dion, if I end up in Vegas, I might check out your show. Frankly, I wish I had that million to load a damn truck with food and water, and go there myself. The people down there are in the most horredous situation a person could imagine. Hell, I can't imagine an hour or two without something to drink, nevermind days in that heat and humidity.

Kevin.

[stevans_41902]

10. I hate it when people criticize celebrities for giving...it seems no matte

how much someone gives, someone says that they should have given more! I am not a fan of Celine's music, but I doubt she is doing this as a publicity stunt and $1 million will help a lot.

[rman]

16. When i donate, it's not all over the news -

but relatively speaking, me giving $1 is the same thing as a billionair giving a million. It really is small change, relatively speaking.

And we can only guess how many billionaires are out there, who figure they don't have a million to spare. Not to pass judgement on Celine, but remember that for the most part these are the same people who do support tax-cuts for the rich.

[Blue Belle]

11. I'm not fan of Celine Dion, but....

after watching her on Larry King, I was very impressed. She was very passionate about getting help for the people trapped by this Hurricane and slammed the government for sitting on their hands. She said that she doesn't care about getting any kudos for donating a big check to this cause, she wants to get these people help. Tears were rolling down her face, and it really threw Larry King off for a second. No matter what you think of her music, she really has her heart in the right place.

[fishwax]

13. I was impressed with her on Larry King Live as well

not a big fan of hers either, but damn it was hard not to be moved by her passion and sincerity in that interview. Larry kept trying to direct her to some softer angle, but she wouldn't be swayed from stating her piece.

[BobbyinPortland]

14. she's one of the best voices in the world

and now she's showing she's got one of the biggest hearts.

I love it when they get bitched at for talking politics and then praised by the same people when they give incredible amounts of money.

[Blue Belle]

15. Crooks and Liars has Celine's interview up on their site...

in case anyone would like to see it.