The Robin Hood Foundation teamed up with iHeartMedia to bring "Rise Up New York!" on May 11, and is set to feature large names such as Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, and Sting, among others.
In Robin Hood's press release, the organizers will be working with local New York television and radio stations to broadcast the citywide virtual telethon next Monday. The event aims to raise awareness and much-needed funds to help The Big Apple in its efforts against the global coronavirus pandemic.
The fundraiser will "bring together New York City's biggest musicians, actors, chefs and more with one common goal: To raise funds for Robin Hood's relief and recovery efforts, deployed directly to the organizations on the frontlines that serve the city's most vulnerable during the current crisis and its aftermath."
One hundred percent of the proceeds will go toward supporting the people's needs - food, shelter, cash assistance, as well as services for physical and mental health, legal needs, and education.
According to the press release, actress and comedian Tina Fey will be hosting the event which will be available on Entercom radio stations, News 12, Spectrum News NY1, Sirius XM, and on CNBC.
Aside from musical performances, other celebrities are scheduled to appear in the event. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio will be a part of the event, together with Chris Rock, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jimmy Fallon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robert De Niro, Trevor Noah, Julianne Moore, David Chang, Bette Midler, Sutton Foster, Barbra Streisand, and Angie Mar. Even the city's football team, the New York Giants, will be represented by its Super Bowl champs Eli Manning, Michael Strahan, Phil Simms, and Justin Tuck are among the star-studded lineup.
Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore said that "New York City is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic," explaining that the crises created a new set of challenges for the millions of its citizens already struggling to make ends meet. Moore then added that "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."
New York's biggest anti-poverty nonprofit has recently created a "Relief Corps," which included celebrities Gwyneth Paltrow and Karlie Kloss, members of its sports teams the Knicks, Rangers, and the Giants. Robin Hood's "Relief Corps" raised funds through arrangements with corporate donors as well as through their own, personal networks.
The press release said that the recent response to the coronavirus pandemic follows the nonprofit organization's 32-year track record of "responding first to deploy checks and provide emergency funds where help is needed most, particularly after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy."
More than a month ago, iHeartMedia teamed up with entertainment titan Fox to release "iHeart Living Room Concert for America." Aiming to help the affected people by supporting local food banks, the live-streamed concert was hosted by Sir Elton John and featured performances from Alicia Keys, the Backstreet Boys, Dave Grohl, and more.
