(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Brian Wilson has raised $210,000 and has made over 500 phone calls through his Katrina donation challenge, which ended on October 1. He organically launched this challenge via his website on September 22 where he stated that he would match all cash donations and would make a personal telephone call to thank each donor giving $100 or more.
Wilson does not intend to stop here. He is currently working on a plan to bring Christmas to New Orleans by organizing an event to include a musical performance while tying in a partner to bring toys and the joy of Christmas to the stricken area of New Orleans. Wilson performed at last year's Jazz festival where he felt an incredible connection with the people, musicians and culture of New Orleans.
"Christmas has always been a special time for me and my family," says Wilson who is set to release his first solo album of Christmas music, "What I Really Want For Christmas" on October 18. "I would love to be able to go down to New Orleans and bring toys and perform for the kids that have lost so much. No kid should be without Christmas."
The Katrina challenge began organically when he posted a note on his message board at www.brianwilson.com and a fan, not believing it was actually Wilson, challenged him to call. Wilson agreed but only if the fan donated to Katrina relief. From this one exchange came Brian's Katrina challenge where he and his wife Melinda decided to match all cash donations, and Brian would call each donor donating over $100. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
