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Brian Wilson's phone campaign benefits hurricane victims
Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson raised $210,000 to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina during a campaign in which he matched cash donations made through his website and placed personal thank-you calls to each donor who gave $100 or more.
According to J Records, Wilson made more than 500 phone calls during his challenge, which he announced Sept. 22 via his website. The campaign ended this past weekend.
Wilson will continue his hurricane relief efforts "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," according to a press release.
"Christmas has always been a special time for me and my family," said a statement issued by Wilson, who is set to release his first solo album of Christmas music, "What I Really Want for Christmas" on Oct. 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."
Wilson's unusual telephone campaign began accidentally, when he posted a note on his website's message board. A fan questioned whether or not the poster really was Wilson, and challenged the musician to phone him. Wilson agreed, but only if the fan donated to Katrina relief.