Bon Jovi and Mariah Carey to Headline Benefit for Coronavirus Relief
In the United States, New York City has been the most visible symbol of the coronavirus pandemic's impact, with 13,319 confirmed deaths as of May 3. What's more, the 1.7 million New Yorkers living in poverty are facing the brunt of the crisis, as jobs have been lost and savings depleted.
Many are looking for ways to help those most affected by the pandemic. The city's largest poverty-fighting organization, Robin Hood is a great place to start: in normal years, the non-profit raises astonishing funds (at its annual benefit last year, 23 people pledged $1 million each to fight poverty in the city). Now, in these unprecedented times, the organization is stepping up even more.
On Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m., Robin Hood and iHeart Radio will host a one-hour virtual benefit, Rise Up New York, that will be broadcast on all local New York tv stations and iHeart broadcast radio stations, nationally on CNBC, and online. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Rise Up New York will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which will provide food, housing, legal services, cash assistance, mental health services, and more to those who need it most during the crisis. The mission is to "inspire 1,000,000 New Yorkers to give $10 each to help their neighbors in need," according to the benefit's website.
The benefit, hosted by Tina Fey, will include appearances by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, Jennifer Lopez, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Julianne Moore, Chris Rock, Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robert De Niro, David Chang, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon, and Spike Lee. Musical performances will include Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Mariah Carey and Sting.
“New York City is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has created a whole new set of challenges for the millions of New Yorkers who already struggled to make ends meet,” said Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore, a frequent speaker at Town & Country's annual Philanthropy Summit. “This is a moment where we must all come together and rise up together as a community in support of our neighbors and in support of one another.”
The event is just the latest digital fundraiser in support of organizations helping those affected by the epidemic, and follows in the foot steps of the Global Citizen concert on behalf of the World Health Organization and a birthday bash for the composer Stephen Sondheim for Artists Striving to End Poverty. (A comprehensive list of organizations that need support now is here.)
Tune in on Monday May 11 at 7 p.m. and donate to the fund anytime at the link below.
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