VIDEO: Watch NBC's Hurricane Sandy Benefit 'Coming Together' Online! Nearly $23 Million Raised

The American Red Cross and NBCUniversal announced today that "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together," a live, one-hour benefit telethon, generated nearly $23 million in support of victims impacted by Hurricane Sandy. A record number of individual donations by phone, text and online were accepted by the American Red Cross during the 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. time period beginning on Friday, November 2, 2012. The volume of website and phone traffic exceeded previous benefit telethons in support of the American Red Cross over the last five years.

Hosted by NBC "Today" anchor Matt Lauer, the live telethon featured performances by Christina Aguilera (NBC's "The Voice"), Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel,Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler as well as appearances by Kevin Bacon, Jimmy Fallon (NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"), Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and NBC News' BrIan Williams.

Performances included: Jimmy Fallon with Steven Tyler and Bruce Springsteen on vocals and Billy Joel on piano for a rendition of "Under the Boardwalk;" Christina Aguilera of "Beautiful;" Jon Bon Jovi of a medley of "Who Says You Can't Go Home" and "Living on a Prayer;" Billy Joel of "Miami 2017;" Mary J. Blige of "Living Proof;" Sting of "Message in a Bottle;" Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of "Dream On;" Bruce Springsteen of "Land of Hope and Dreams."

The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-HELPNOW or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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