Star-studded Hurricane Sandy telethon raises $23 million

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Mary J. Blige and Jon Bon Jovi were among the performers appearing in the "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together" fundraising telethon Friday (11/2), an effort that organizers claim generated a record number of donations by phone, text and online.

Jimmy Fallon, Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel performed "Under the Boardwalk," while Mary J. Blige belted out "Living Proof" and Sting tackled "Message in a Bottle." Other performers featured during the one-hour NBC-sponsored benefit, hosted by "Today" anchor Matt Lauer, included Christina Aguilera and Joe Perry, as well as appearances by Kevin Bacon, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and NBC News' Brian Williams.

Nearly $23 million in contributions to the Red Cross was collected over the course of four hours via text, phone and online, according to a press release.

"We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring of support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy," said American Red Cross Chief Marketing Officer Peggy Dyer. "Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how the American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need, and we urge the public to continue to give."

People can continue to contribute to the Red Cross relief efforts by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-HELPNOW or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.