CNN Hosts Telethon to Raise Money for Gulf Disaster

Posted Jun 21, 2010 by Walt Belcher

Updated Jun 21, 2010 at 09:54 AM

  CNN plans a two-hour special telethon from 8 to 10 tonight to raise money for relief efforts in the Gulf oil disaster.

  Larry King will host “Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help” to benefit assistance in the Gulf region done by the United Way, National Wildlife Federation and Nature Conservancy.

King will be joined by celebrities Justin Bieber, Ted Danson, Cameron Diaz, Kathy Griffin, Chelsea Handler, Randy Jackson, Kerry Kennedy, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny McCarthy, Tim McGraw, Alyssa Milano, Edward James Olmos, Victoria Principal, Robert Redford, Ian Somerhalder, Sting, Melania and Ivanka Trump, and Pete Wentz.

CNN anchors Anderson Cooper, Soledad O’Brien, Kyra Phillips and Rob Marciano will file reports.

Also, Ryan Seacrest will host an online “Social Suite.”

Before and during the broadcast, CNN is encouraging people to participate social media platforms to help spread the word, have conversations and share ideas about people help.

CNN is asking viewers to user Facebook profile photos in support of the Gulf and post messages about how they are helping with the environmental disaster.

On Twitter, CNN is encouraging people to tweet to the celebrities by using the hashtag #CNNHelpGulf.