Latest news with #benefitconcert
Fox News
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Strait to the Heart' organizer touts 'over $5 million' raised for Texas flood victims
Concert organizer Tom Cusick joins 'Fox Report Weekend' to share his experience helping Texas flood victims by creating a benefit concert with legendary country artist George Strait.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Celebrity Chefs Join Musicians To Speed Up Rebuild In Maui, Hawaii
Mick Fleetwood (center) of Fleetwood Mac talks with actor and cultural advisor Vene Chun at last year's music and food benefit for survivors of 2023 Maui wildfires. J. Anthony Martinez Photography As a restoration group completes a plan to rebuild historic buildings damaged by tragic wildfires two years ago in Maui, world-class chefs and professional musicians have announced benefit concerts in two cities to accelerate rebuilding in Lahaina and provide food for needy residents. The Maui Music + Food Experience kicks off Aug. 15-16 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and moves to Chicago Nov. 7. Performers at the Maui resort will include Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers and Bernard Fowler. Six top chefs will cook, including Los Angeles-based Gabrielle Chappel, a winner of Fox's Next Level Chef TV program, and Ryan Von Smith, who finished third at the World Master Chefs Competition in China. Chef and musician Naiwi Teruya peforms in Maui at last year's music and food benefit for survivors of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. J. Anthony Martinez Photography Last year's Maui Music + Food Experience raised $250,000 for Lahaina survivors. Maui resident Mick Fleetwood, the drummer of Fleetwood Mac, and Billy Cox of the Jimi Hendrix Experience were among the performers. Two of Fleetwood's businesses, a restaurant and a retail store, were destroyed in the wildfires. The music and food benefits this year are expected to attract 1,500 people and aim to raise another $250,000 through ticket sales, auctions and donations at the events. 'Money raised in the Maui Music + Food Experience goes to programs for Maui residents affected by the fires, including a hot meal program, and the new Maui Youth Music Program for young people in the fire-affected areas,' says Gary Grube, the founder of the Hua Momona Foundation in Lahaina. The nonprofit foundation sponsors the music and food events. Grube expects proceeds this year to help provide 10,000 hot meals and ukuleles and instruction to 50 young musicians. The wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023, were caused by high winds and dry weather, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 'These wildfires affected approximately 1,550 parcels, 2,200 structures and were one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in at least the past 100 years,' the EPA's website says. The Associated Press reported that 102 people were killed. 'The injuries and loss of life from these fires are staggering,' a three-author 2024 study published in the American Journal of Public Health said. 'Early recovery efforts have already unveiled anxiety, depression and survivor's guilt, which, when added to the colonial, historical and intergenerational trauma already present in this community, may result in higher substance misuse and suicidal ideation.' Besides concerns about the physical well-being of survivors and their families, 'there was estimated overall damage of $5.52 billion,' the study said. 'Historic structures such as the Old Lahaina Courthouse and Heritage Museum with its historic artifacts and the Waiola Church as the final resting ground for early royal family members no longer exist. Other landmarks, such as a 150-year-old banyan tree where many generations created memories, are still in danger.' The Lahaina Restoration Foundation, according to the The Maui News, is nearly finished with its master plan for rebuilding the Old Lahaina Courthouse, the Lahaina Prison, the Baldwin Home and the Master's Reading Room, Seamen's Hospital, Plantation House and Hale Aloha. Theo Morrison, the Lahaina Restoration Foundation's executive director, said the exterior of the buildings will look the same as they once were, but the interiors may change. Morrison, according to The Maui News, said she looks forward to the Lahina harbor being accessible to boaters and visitors in the future, because 70% of visitors participate in ocean activities. Pro golfer Collin Morikawa (center) and his wife Kat do volunteer work last year at Hua Momona Farms, which next month presents a music and food festival that aims to help Maui residents affected by 2003 wildfires. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images) PGA TOUR
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
'FireFraud!': Palisades resident rips benefit concert organizers for missing relief funds
Pacific Palisades resident Rachel Darvish criticizes FireAid for their handling of benefit concert funds after victims have yet to receive aid.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
California wildfire victims left wondering where $100M went following FireAid benefit concert
The star-studded benefit concert that raised more than $100 million dollars for wildfire victims in California is itself under fire for how the money was spent. "I have not seen any benefit from the FireAid money, and I am very involved here and neither have my neighbors," said David Howard, who lost two homes in Pacific Palisades. FireAid billed itself as "a benefit concert for wildfire victims." Aside from music by the likes of Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry and Olivia Rodrigo, the five-hour show featured multiple stories from victims of the Altadena and Palisades fire who'd lost their homes. "My house is gone," Altadena fire victim Mark Jones told the audience. Six months later, Jones told Fox 11 in Los Angeles he expected someone to reach out and provide help, but that didn't happen. Did Jones believe he would receive money? "I did, and I am sure with most Altadenians. The fire aid was for us. So, we figured where is the money? Where is it going?" Fox News asked that question Wednesday of FireAid and the Annenberg Foundation, which helped put the concert together. We have yet to receive a response, but officials acknowledged receiving our inquiry. The FireAid website says the concert raised an estimated $100 million designated for "direct relief". During the concert, host and actor Miles Teller told viewers "all the money raised will go directly to people who need it now and long-term efforts to build it back." That was echoed by host and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who said, "Go to the website and give what you can. All the money will go directly to people who need help in the short term and the long-term effort to get this city back on its feet." But last week, in a statement to the Fox affiliate in Los Angeles, the charity said, "FireAid does not have the capability to make direct payments to individuals and that was never the plan. We partnered directly with trusted local reach communities in need." Fox News contacted more than 70 of those non-profits. Some replied. Others declined. Some are well known like the Boys and Girls Club, YWCA and Meals on Wheels. Others are more obscure or promised to help specific ethnic groups or artists. One that promoted "self-determination in the Latino community" vowed to use their FireAid grant to create "a more humane and democratic society by responding to the needs and problems of disenfranchised people." Another claimed to use natural helpers or 'promotores' to "cultivate egalitarian relationships based on trust and respect." At least $6.5 million in donor money also went to the County of Los Angeles. All told, FireAid says it has granted $75 million so far to 188 non-profits. The remaining $25 million should go out in August and will focus on "long-term wildfire mitigation, environmental resilience, and sustainable rebuilding," according to the group. The LA Times this week published an extensive piece on FireAid funding, contacting 100 non-profits receiving aid. It said the money provided a lifeline to many groups, allowing them to provide food, shelter, mental health services and animal care. So who exactly who is responsible for how the money is spent? That's not entirely clear. The Annenberg Foundation helped organize the concert but claims only an advisory role in how the money is spent. An Annenberg spokesperson says spending decisions are made by the FireAid Advisory Committee made up of respected philanthropists. They make recommendations to the FireAid Board of Trustees. It includes several executives from the LA Clipper basketball team, a businessman and wife of a prominent media executive. While there is no evidence of fraud, California Congressman Kevin Kiley wants U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate "where these donations went and who benefited." We asked fire victim David Howard if the thought that was necessary. "100%," he said. "No question. We need to get to the bottom of where the money is going. A lot of money is going to non-profits in a lot of different areas and it's not going to where it needs to."
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Plainfield, N.J. flood victims to get some relief, thanks to benefit concert. Here's more on how you can help.
Two devastating storms earlier this month wreaked havoc on communities in Plainfield, New Jersey. On Sunday, a benefit concert was held to help flood victims. City officials say the money will help those who have lost their homes and have no insurance. The sounds of music at Plainfield High School was uplifting and a much-needed tune as people filed in with their hearts full of warmth and their wallets open. City officials say so far they have raised more than $65,000 for victims of the July 3 and July 14 storms and flooding that killed four people and left a path of destruction, inundating homes and streets and taking down trees. With that came the arduous process of cleaning up and the strain on the city workers tasked with doing it. Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp didn't have an estimate how much damage was caused, but said city leaders are getting ready to pass an emergency resolution to get $5 million to reimburse the city for expenses incurred. "So much damage, and so, there's a lot to be made. And we know that the flood insurance isn't gonna cover most of the damage. And in some cases, most people don't have much choice, and that's why we need to have these kinds of people and the legislation that sends them to know that is local, local, right, local legislation," Mapp said. Those who showed up to help weren't just from Plainfield but from all parts of New Jersey and even Pennsylvania. There were current residents and even some who have moved away but came back to lend a hand. "Insurance doesn't cover everything. I've never been in a studio where there was a death. Funerals are expensive, so if I can help by giving a couple of dollars to help the family, even though I don't live here," former Plainfield resident Renee Sterling said. The concert was scheduled to end at 8 p.m, but you can still donate after on the city's official website.
