The One America Appeal, a project started by all five living former presidents, has now raised $42 million in hurricane relief, according to The Hill.
The 501(c)(3) organization was started in September 2017 by former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Efforts were expanded to provide aid to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after they were ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The initiative was announced via a press release from the office of former President George H.W. Bush on September 7. A commercial, titled “Our Friends in Texas,” aired that night during the broadcast of the NFL season opening game. The expansion of efforts was announced three days later.
In October, the organization hosted a benefit concert, "Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal," that featured diverse acts including Lady Gaga, Yolanda Adams, Sam Moore and Lyle Lovett. The concert raised $31 million. Sitting President Donald Trump appeared in a video message with praise for his predecessors. “This wonderful effort reminds us that we truly are one nation under God, all unified by our values and our devotion to one another," Trump remarked.
Having reached the $42 million mark though the contributions of over 110,000 individual donors, the organization stopped accepting donations on December 31, according to its website.
The former presidents and the head of Bush's presidential library recorded a short thank you message recently to bring the campaign to a formal close:
