Amazing outpouring of talent around the world allowed donors to speak to stars, Canada raises $18.8 million

It was gut wrenching two hours that had everyone in tears Friday night during the Hope for Haiti Telethon. Between actors telling the story and the best talent around performing, it was a great but tough show.

Amid that, the Israeli team rescued another man, 21 years old, yesterday from rubble.

George Clooney said: “The Haitian people need our help. They need to know that they are not alone, they need to know that we still care.”

Madonna singing "Like a Prayer" in Hope for Haiti

More than 100 artists participated in the 2 hour show. No final tally has been given of the funds raised.

Canada had its own telethon before the US one with “superstars Celine Dion, James Cameron, and Michael J. Fox.” The Canadian telethon raised $9.4 million which the government of Canada matched making the night’s tally $18.8 million for Canada.

The mood was grim and sombre until the end when Haitian national Wyclef Jean jumped up beat from Rivers of Babylon to Yele. He got a joyful groove going that had feet tapping.

“Enough of this moping man, let’s rebuild Haiti, let’s show ’em how we do it where we come from!” Jean shouted after singing the slow song “Rivers of Babylon,” with a Haitian flag around his neck.

He segued into the joyful tune “Yele” with an island beat, as musicians danced around him, singing the refrain: “Earthquake, we see the earth shake, but the soul of the Haitian people will never break!” MSN

Someone called in with $5 and got to speak to Stevie Wonder. True, a minister was on the phone with Steve Spielberg. Starts like Jack Nicholson, Mel Gibson, Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts were taking the phone calls with donations. It was amazing.

There were lots of great performances which we will try to collect and post. Madonna’s performance of “Like A Prayer” was lifted to the heights by a mass choir that backed her with great power and conviction.

Anderson Cooper was broadcast directly from Haiti. Cooper and Dr. Gupta from CNN have become media heroes of this crisis. Watching Dr. Gupta care for the newborn brings me to tears. We’ll try to find that video and post it as well.

It’s not too late to donate, so check out the links at the top of our front page for both US and Canadian authorized charities who can help the people of Haiti. We especially want to thank artists Wyclef Jean who brought attention to the crisis from the first moments and has dedicated himself to the need of his home country.