$115 million raised in Robin Hood's 'Rise Up New York' telethon
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Robin Hood, New York's largest poverty-fighting organization, and iHeartMedia joined together with New York television and radio stations to air a citywide "virtual telethon" Monday night.
Actress and comedian Tina Fey, who hosted the special announced that $115 million was raised.
The one-hour special, simulcast on stations, including ABC7, featured performances from New York-Area based superstars, including Billy Joel, Mariah Carey and Bon Jovi.
"Thank you, thank you," said a tearful Fey, the host of the Rise Up New York! event Monday evening.
"Our city is under attack, but we've been here before," Robert De Niro said. "In the last 20 years, both 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. You can take your best shot but you cannot break our spirit."
The one-hour benefit was presented by the New York-based poverty fighting organization, Robin Hood, and iHeartMedia.
Robin Hood said all the donations will provide support for food, shelter, cash assistance, mental health, legal services and education.
"If you had breakfast today, you are better off than 2 million of your neighbors who woke up hungry," Fey said.
Mariah Carey performed her 1992 song "Make It Happen." She sang while her backup singers and pianist performed on separate screens to the upbeat tune.
"We can make it through this together," Carey said.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, Ben Platt and others performed a rendition of Frank Sinatra's classic song "New York, New York."
Lopez introduced PS22 Chorus, a collection of New York elementary school students who sang Andra Day's "Rise Up."
"New York, I know your strength," said Lopez, a New York native.
Spike Lee shared encouraging words that sports would return someday soon. Streisand and Audra McDonald showed the same optimism about New York City's Theater District coming back "stronger than ever" after being closed due to the pandemic lockdown.
New York Giants greats including Strahan, Eli Manning, Phil Simms and Justin Tuck announced an opportunity through a sweepstakes for one fan to play a game of touch football with the players in their own backyard and get a Super Bowl ring. The winner of the sweepstakes and three friends will have a chance to play against the players.
Other musical performances included Sting's "Message in a Bottle" and Bon Jovi's "It's My Life."
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
COVID-19 Help, Information and Resources
UPDATES
Grieving the lost: Tri-State residents who have died
RELATED INFORMATION
Share your coronavirus story with Eyewitness News
Stimulus check scams and other coronavirus hoaxes
Coronavirus prevention: how clean are your hands?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Total count of NYC COVID-19 cases based on patient address
