Washington — XM Satellite Radio is launching “XM Nation: Operation Helping Hand,” an effort to raise funds to support the American Red Cross disaster relief fund in the wake of four devastating hurricanes that have struck the United States in the last seven weeks.
Due to hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, the Red Cross is mobilizing the largest feeding, sheltering and human resources deployment effort in response to a natural disaster in its history. But the Relief Funds sources are nearly depleted.In response, XM will broadcast on-air appeals to contribute to the Red Cross via the XM Web site.
XM’s effort will culminate with a fund-raising drive to be broadcast on XM Live (XM Channel 200) Oct. 8-9. Artists and XM talent supporting the effort include Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Willie Nelson, Bob Edwards and talk radio duo Opie and Anthony. The show will also feature highlights of concerts recorded at the XM Performance Theater, here. Several other XM channels will urge listeners to make donations during the broadcast for a total of 36 hours of programming on XM.
“We are calling on the XM Nation to help the Red Cross provide relief for the thousands of people whose lives were impacted by the recent hurricanes,” said Hugh Panero, president and CEO of XM. “The recovery effort is going to take months and cost many millions of dollars, and the Red Cross deserves all the help it can get.”
