Chandler, U.S.A. — A USA Today article has reported a telethon put on to raise funds for Hurricane Sandy victims brought in $23 million. The telethon, presented by the American Red Cross, aired on NBC earlier this month. Christian Weems, an active participant in community service efforts, made note of the generosity of her fellow Americans.

According to the news piece, New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi were featured performers during the telethon. Popular recording artist and star of the hit NBC television program The Voice Christina Aguilera was also featured. Matt Lauer of the station’s wildly successful morning show Today, hosted the event. Nightly News anchor Brian Williams also stopped by.

In addition to its featured performers, the article noted the telethon provided viewers the opportunity to take in a variety of musical acts. New Yorker Billy Joel, along with rock band Aerosmith and R&B artist Mary J. Blige entertained the crowd. Saturday Night Live alum and current television stars Tiny Fey and Jimmy Fallon provided comedic relief.

Christian Weems was heartened to hear of the telethon’s overwhelming success. She has a good deal of community service experience under her belt, including the organization of a relief effort following Hurricane Katrina. After that storm devastated much of New Orleans and its surrounding areas, she spearheaded a drive to make hygiene kits for citizens. The people of her hometown Chandler, Arizona, donated supplies that resulted in the delivery of 2,500 kits.

In statement about the most recent relief efforts, Christian commented: “What an amazing testimony of the goodwill of people and the positive impact we can have when we pull together during a time of crisis. Let us not forget that more help is still needed in many of the areas that were damaged most by Sandy and that these communities will need help for years to come.”

The article also highlighted appearances were made by actors Kevin Bacon, Whoopi Goldberg and Danny DeVito as well as comedian Jon Stewart.

In 2005, the broadcast company held a similar telethon to solicit donations for Hurricane Katrina victims. The article noted that show brought in $40 million worth of support.

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This past November, AT&T employees and retirees were recognized during the AT&T Pioneers celebration of its 100th year anniversary in Boston. The Tennessee Pioneers/Greater Nashville Pioneer Council were awarded with the Pioneers Centennial Award during the Pioneers Centennial Celebration and Annual Meeting.

The Tennessee Pioneers/Greater Nashville Pioneer Council were one of six Project Excellence Health and Human Services winners, selected from hundreds of award submissions from Canada and the United States.

“The Nashville community came together in many ways to help those in need,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “I had never seen anything like the volunteer spirit shown during our flood recovery, and I commend the volunteers with AT&T Pioneers for the national recognition they received for their hard work. I am grateful to all involved who helped restore Nashville to the beautiful, thriving city it is.”

“Mayor Karl Dean served as an inspiration to us all during those trying times,” said Hands On Nashville Executive Director Brian Williams. “Following his lead, we were all compelled to act and help our fellow community during the historic flood.”

During the May 2010 floods in Nashville, AT&T Pioneers acted quickly and began providing relief even before the rising waters crested. Among the first to respond, Tennessee Pioneers quickly began pitching in to provide emergency shelters with water, food items, blankets, toiletry items, diapers, baby food and other staples.

“It is quite an honor to be recognized as one of six Project Excellence winners at the Pioneers Centennial Celebration,” said Melinda Davis, 2011 AT&T Tennessee Pioneers Chapter President. ”The Pioneers worked tirelessly to help those in need in response to the May floods, and I am proud our team was able to help so many in the Nashville-area and all of Middle Tennessee.”

The Greater Nashville Pioneer Council also lent critical support to its sponsoring company, working with AT&T to create and execute a plan to provide mobile phone access and calling cards to area shelters. Pioneers also staffed satellite mobile phone banks to provide victims a means to contact their families for several weeks until assistance was no longer needed.

AT&T Pioneers, Life Members and Partners reported a total of 1,251 hours for disaster relief in connection with the Nashville floods.

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