(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Hard Rock International is joining the relief efforts for victims of 2005 Hurricanes including Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States, through a benefit concert and in-cafe "Crank It Up" program to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Both Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Cafe Biloxi and Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans properties and staff were among the many severely affected by the natural disaster.
On September 6, Velvet Revolver will perform a benefit concert at the Hard Rock Live concert venue in Orlando. They were originally scheduled to play the opening concert at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi on September 9. One hundred percent of ticket and bar sales from the show, presented by Hard Rock Live, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando and Real Rock 101.1, will be donated to help the people of Biloxi and New Orleans through the American Red Cross. Hard Rock staff has donated their time, and many Hard Rock partners are chipping in for the evening, including Diageo Spirit of Americas, Rolling Rock, FreshPoint Inc. (fresh produce distributor), CSC Security and Doubletree Hotel in Orlando. Tickets are $45.
"Many in the Hard Rock Family from staff to guests have been greatly impacted by this catastrophe, and our prayers and thoughts go out to them," said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO, Hard Rock International. "We want to utilize our global network of locations to help raise funds for relief efforts, from a benefit concert to 'Crank It Up,' we encourage all our guests and staff to get involved."
To help other Hard Rockers, Hard Rock International has also established an internal pledge program, where staff from Hard Rock properties worldwide can offer to monetarily assist their fellow employees. Hard Rock International will match all employee donations. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
