More than $1 Billion raised
for the relief effort of
September 11 attacks,

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. It has been five weeks since the attacks and while donations have slowed, some groups are still reporting steady contributions.

The September 11 Fund based in New York has raised $185.9 million as of Wednesday. Its sister fund, the September 11 Telethon Fund, has garnered some $150 million in pledges from its Sept. 21 "Tribute to Heroes" telethon broadcast by the major television networks.

More than 11,000 checks have been written to help families pay rent, utility bills, mortgages and other expenses. Those families can receive up to $10,000 from that fund, officials said. Non-profit organizations aiding in the relief work are also being supported by the fund, as are businesses directly hurt by the terrorism.

The largest collector of donations has been the American Red Cross, which is at the helm of approximately $500 million in pledges, by far the most it has ever collected for a disaster. About $100 million was raised after Hurricane Georges hit in 1998

After the money starting flowing nationally, the Red Cross set aside $100 million for tax-free gifts to the families of victims. The cash is intended to help the families "grieve in dignity" by paying bills, funeral expenses, rent and mortgages.

Of the Red Cross money collected, 12 to 15 percent is used for administrative and operational costs, such as fueling and servicing its emergency vehicles. Staff members are paid out of non-Liberty Fund accounts. Of the two Sept. 11 funds in New York, the United Way is absorbing the administrative costs, taking money from other parts of its budget, officials said

The generosity towards the victims in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania has raised some concerns from other charities that also rely on contributions. They received some good news this week, however, by way of a survey from Independent Sector, a network of charitable groups.

The survey revealed 70 percent of Americans donated in some way to help the Sept. 11 victims. And of those people, 73 percent said they will contribute the same annual amount - if not more - to the groups they always support. But that means, of course, that more than a quarter will be chipping in less or nothing at all anymore.

Telethon to Benefit Victims of Attacks

(September 21, 2001 ) - The talent lineup for Friday night's telethon benefitting the World Trade Center and Pentagon attack relief funds now includes Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias, Limp Bizkit, Sting and U2.

The unprecedented commercial-free telecast begins at 9 p.m. EDT.

More than 30 television networks have
agreed to air the program simultaneously.

It's being organized by the four largest: ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

CMT: Country Music Television, Fox Sports Net, Hallmark Channel, Turner South and USA were the latest cable networks to join.

Celebrity participants, including Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Dennis Franz, are expected to introduce the musical artists. Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Bon Jovi are among the performers.

Organizers also said a celebrity phone bank to take caller donations has been set up. Participants include Sally Field, Meg Ryan, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone and Adam Sandler.

The special will also be heard on more than 8,000 radio stations.

The Red Cross Reported that the Telethon
has been Pledged $150,000,000.00

In addition, an estimated $128 million was pledged in grants from corporations and foundations not associated with the Red Cross or September 11 Fund, according to the Chronicle. Some of that could be counted by other organizations.

With the tireless dedication of almost 20,000 disaster relief workers, the Red Cross has also provided safe refuge for over 4,000 people in 76 shelters, served 1.6 million meals and snacks to survivors, emergency personnel and stranded travelers throughout the United States. Across the country, American Red Cross crisis, grieving and spiritual counselors have helped 30,000 people deal with the emotional trauma from the tragedies

Actors & Recording Artists Benefits and Songs

Jerry Seinfeld is hoping to raise funds with the sound of laughter. He'll be joined by Bill Cosby, Colin Quinn, Will Ferrell and George Wallace October 8 at Carnegie Hall for "Stand-up for New York," with proceeds going to the Twin Towers Fund and the New York Police and Fire Widow and Children Benefit Fund.

Others hope to raise funds with the sound of music. Diana Ross and Patti Labelle are part of the clan who are re-recording Sister Sledge's 1979 "We Are Family" hit to aid victims' charities.

Part of the proceeds from an all-star version of the Marvin Gaye classic "What's Going On," recorded by U2's Bono and several others -- originally intended to fight AIDS in Africa -- will now go to terrorist-victim charities.

Michael Jackson is getting back into the giving act, hoping to raise $50 million with a benefit song called "What More Can I Do?" Whitney Houston's 1991 version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," recorded at the Super Bowl during the Persian Gulf War, is being re-released by Arista Records. Proceeds from the single will benefit the New York Firefighters Disaster Relief Fun and the New York Fraternal Order of Police.

Willie Nelson has proclaimed that Farm Aid 2001 will help restore farmers' markets destroyed in the World Trade Center attack. And there is help from across the Atlantic in the form of Paul McCartney, who is holding a concert in October to benefit post-attack relief efforts. McCartney's father was a firefighter in Liverpool during World War II.

Britney Spears will donate one dollar from each ticket sold for her upcoming U.S. tour to the children of New York firefighters killed in the World Trade Center attack. Spears hopes to raise $2 million.

Purple Heart and the New Secretary of
Defense Medals given to Victims and
Injured of September 11 Attacks

"These assaults have brought the battlefield home to us," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced Thursday that U.S. military members injured or killed in the Sept. 11 attacks will receive Purple Heart medals.

Civilian Defense Department workers killed or injured in the attacks will get a new kind of medal: The Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom, Rumsfeld said.

Concert for New York City''
has raised more than $30 million

The Concert for New York City'' has raised more than $30 million for World Trade Center relief efforts, and donations are still being accepted.

The running total as of Thursday includes money raised from ticket sales for the Oct. 20 concert, corporate sponsorships, television rights, merchandise sales, and donations made through a toll-free number and the Internet.

The all-star benefit is the highest-grossing event ever at Madison Square Garden, according to the groups that organized the concert: VH1, Cablevision, Miramax Films, and America Online.

Additionally, Columbia Records is releasing a double compact disc from the six-hour concert, which goes on sale Nov. 27, and eBay is auctioning items from the event through Saturday.

``The Concert for New York City,'' which aired live on VH1, featured performances from rock stars including Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, The Who, Billy Joel, and Elton John, and comedy routines from ``Saturday Night Live (news - Y! TV)'' cast members past and present.

Thousands of firefighters, police officers, rescue workers, and their families were in the audience, and some of them were on stage introducing the performers.

All proceeds from ``The Concert for New York City'' are going to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which the Robin Hood Foundation established. So far, the foundation has distributed $4.75 million to groups that are helping victims of the World Trade Center attacks.