Hand In Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Relief Telethon
ATLANTA (Sept. 5, 2017) – Habitat for Humanity’s response to Hurricane Harvey will get a boost as one of six beneficiaries of “Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Relief” telethon that will air nationally on Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 8-9 p.m. EDT. The telethon will feature some of the nation’s biggest stars coming together to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Funds raised for Habitat for Humanity will go directly to support the organization’s response to Harvey.
“As tens of thousands of Texans and Louisianans return home to salvage belongings and begin to rebuild, they need our support more than ever,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “The entertainment community is stepping up in a big way, and Habitat is proud to partner with these artists as we start down the long road to recovery.”
The telethon will include appearances by stars including George Clooney, Jamie Foxx, Karlie Kloss, Beyoncé, Matt Lauer, Rob Lowe, Matthew McConaughey, Norah O’Donnell, Dennis Quaid, Julia Roberts, Kelly Rowland, Adam Sandler, Ryan Seacrest, Michael Strahan, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon with more to be announced. The telethon will air nationally on ABC, CBS, CMT, FOX and NBC, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
As part of its response to Hurricane Harvey, Habitat has begun deploying Mobile Response Units and Disaster Corps volunteers to the region to begin rapid assessments. There are about 30 local Habitat for Humanity offices throughout the parts of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana affected by the storms. With their help, Habitat for Humanity International is assessing the shelter and housing needs in areas impacted by the hurricane and developing response options.
In addition to long-term housing repair and construction, Habitat’s response includes organizing volunteers and resources to help with the cleanup of homes damaged by wind and flood waters. Construction plans will be determined after evaluations and will depend on the level of support received from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.
Habitat for Humanity has been responding to disasters since 1997 and to date has helped more than 230,000 families in 52 countries through its disaster response work. Following Hurricane Katrina, Habitat organizations along the Gulf Coast built more than 6,000 homes and removed debris and cleaned more than 2,500 homes in preparation for rehabilitation. Habitat also mounted responses to Hurricane Sandy, tornadoes through the South and Midwest, and earthquakes and typhoons overseas.
More information on Habitat for Humanity’s response to Hurricane Harvey can be found here: habitat.org/hurricane-harvey.
More information on the telethon can be found at HandInHand2017.com.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
