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Fictional Fundraiser Provides Real Life Support to Red Cross
“All My Children” Storyline Integration Raises Funds & Awareness for American Red Cross Disaster Relief Efforts
Written by
Leigh-Anne Dennison
, Staff, RedCross.org
Monday, February 06, 2006 — Will Erica Kane’s Mardi Gras Gala fundraiser for the American Red Cross go off without a hitch or will disaster strike? The ABC Television Network and the American Red Cross are hoping viewers will not only tune in but will dial in to support the organization.
During February Sweeps, actress Susan Lucci’s character Erica Kane on ABC’s “All My Children” will show her support for the American Red Cross. Storyline integration of a man-made disaster at a fictional fundraiser truly blurs the line between fantasy and reality as the show – and the show within the show – encourages the daytime drama’s real life audience to make financial donations
to the American Red Cross.
“All My Children” airs weekdays at 1 p.m. ET
on the ABC Television Network.
(Photo Copyright © 2006 American Broadcasting Companies/Yolanda Perez)
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The line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred on the daytime drama as a fictional fundraiser for the Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund hosted by Pine Valley’s own Erica Kane, portrayed on ABC’s “All My Children” by Emmy award-winning actress Susan Lucci, provides real life support to the Red Cross.
A Mardi Gras-themed benefit gala hosted by Kane and attended by Pine Valley’s elite as well as the character’s fictional talk show, "New Beginnings," encourages Kane’s guests and viewers – along with Lucci’s real life audience – to call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcross.org to make a donation to the Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.
The storyline integration – and we include a small “spoiler warning” here – will include an explosion in connection with Kane’s gala, according to an ABC press release issued last month. The ensuing aftermath of this man-made disaster will require the disaster response services of Pine Valley’s local Red Cross. Thus, not only will the show encourage donations to the Red Cross, it will offer viewers a glimpse at the way the volunteer-driven organization operates in times of disaster.
Nearly six months after Katrina struck, the ongoing struggle of those devastated by the worst hurricane seasons in U.S. history is still top of mind. The show’s Mardi Gras Gala pays tribute to the residents of New Orleans and the many other cities along the Gulf Coast that faced the destructive force of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Julie Hanan Carruthers, executive producer of “All My Children,” indicated that the show is proud to team up with the Red Cross, supporting its National Disaster Relief Fund during the airing of Kane's Mardi Gras ball on the ABC daytime drama.
“It is a fulfilling and unique endeavor to combine the storylines and character familiarity of ‘All My Children’ with an interactive and legitimate American Red Cross fundraising event for our viewing audience,” said Carruthers. ”We hope to inform and encourage everyone watching to continue their financial support of those who are in need of assistance through the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Tune in to All My Children to be a part of this very special experience.”
While the disastrous hurricane season looms largest in the minds of the public, and the Red Cross continues delivering aid and services to storm survivors, the organization’s disaster relief fund goes far beyond hurricane relief. The fund helps the victims of thousands of disasters across the country year-round.
Last year the Red Cross responded to more than 73,000 disasters. Because the Red Cross honors donor intent, donations made to the organization for hurricane relief are used for just that; they are earmarked specifically for the hurricane response. While the hurricane relief operations were large in scale, scope and expense, there were also other disasters striking during and immediately after the hurricanes that affected families and communities across the country.
“Red Cross disaster services for the victims of the wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma or the series of tornadoes that struck the Midwest could not wait until the workers and volunteers had finished helping hurricane survivors,” said Kara Bunte, manager of Development Communications for the Red Cross. “They couldn’t wait for news coverage to generate awareness and begin the flow of donations specifically for those disasters. The Red Cross had to rally more resources to begin relief operations immediately.”
In addition to these highly publicized disasters, there are the small or “silent disasters” that don’t necessarily make headlines, such as house fires, to which local Red Cross chapters respond on a daily basis. These fires can significantly impact not only the family but entire communities and require financial and human resources.
Thanks to the generosity of its contributors, the Red Cross has just recently announced that it believes it has sufficient funds through donations and pledges to cover the nearly $2.116 billion estimated cost for its response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, but there are always other disasters and more work to be done to prevent, prepare for and respond to them. Maintaining a balance in the Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund ensures that the organization is ready and able to respond to disaster whenever and wherever it may strike.
“We are so grateful to ABC, The Walt Disney Company and everyone associated with the production of ‘All My Children’ for their support of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund,” said Julie Thurmond Whitmer, Director of Celebrity and Entertainment Outreach for the Red Cross. “Not only does this type of storyline integration help raise money, it helps raise awareness about the type of work the Red Cross does and the resources needed to help us respond to natural and man-made disasters.”
Of course, the choice of what to fund is always up to the donors. In addition to the National Disaster Relief Fund or a designation for a specific disaster relief operation, viewers can choose to have their financial contributions stay within their own communities by selecting “Local Red Cross” when making their donation. Or, they may choose to donate to “Where It is Needed Most.”
Whatever fund fans select when contributing to the Red Cross and for whatever amount, those making donations by phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS on or before Feb. 12 will receive a “thank you” message from Lucci.
“All contributors should know that they have the undying gratitude of the Red Cross and those it serves,” said Whitmer.
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