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Garth Brooks helps funnel millions to SoCal fire victims
Garth Brooks recently helped to raise more than $6 million which has been earmarked to benefit Southern California wildfire rebuilding and recovery efforts.
The performer--along with several corporate entities including the Los Angeles Times, American Express and Ticketmaster (LiveDaily's parent company)--launched a fundraising campaign in January that was designed to provide aid to fire victims and support the future of firefighting efforts in California, according to a press release.
For his part, Brooks played five record-setting, sold-out concerts in two days at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with net proceeds donated directly to the 2008 Southern California Fire Intervention Relief Effort (FIRE) Campaign. American Express, Ticketmaster and hundreds of other donors came forward with additional contributions, which then were matched by the McCormick Foundation, one of the nation's largest nonprofit philanthropic organizations.
The McCormick Foundation will oversee financial grants which are going to numerous Southern California agencies that provide aid to victims and their families, and to first responders of the Los Angeles and San Diego wildfires. The grants also will provide financial assistance to California firefighting departments and organizations in need of additional or replacement firefighting equipment.
Approximately 70 percent of the grant money will go to San Diego county organizations including regional fire departments, the Burn Institute, Community Housing Works and Save the Children Federation.
Los Angeles county organizations including Habitat for Humanity, family outreach services and area fire departments will receive 30 percent of the grant money.
