Florida Hurricane Relief Fund Announces Fundraiser at Universal

Florida Hurricane Relief Fund Announces Fundraiser at Universal

John Entwistle Foundation, Rick Derringer and Leading Musicians to Donate to the Fund, Red Cross

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Managers of the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund announced today that the John Entwistle Foundation, Rick Derringer and leading musicians are organizing a benefit concert on February 5 at Universal Orlando to benefit the Fund and Red Cross Disaster Relief. The Foundation, named for the late bassist of rock band The Who, will join forces with Rick Derringer and Universal Orlando to present the concert, called Musicians 4 Disaster Relief. The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund was established by Governor Jeb Bush to help Floridians affected by the 2004 hurricanes with needs not met by federal, state and insurance assistance.

Performers will include Rick Derringer, Michael Bolton, former Allman Brother's guitarist Dickey Betts, Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night, Loverboy, Kool and the Gang, Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander from Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Mark Farner, Twisted Sister, Jacob's Loc and TorQue, which features former members of The John Entwistle Band.

"Nearly six months from the beginning of the devastating 2004 hurricane season, Floridians still have a long way to go toward recovery," said Liza McFadden, president of the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation that manages the Fund. "It is helpful and comforting to have the John Entwistle Foundation, Rick Derringer and the many musicians working with them to ensure Floridians are not forgotten."

The foundation, whose headquarters is in New York City, also has a chapter in southwest Florida. "This concert will help many people in need, which is what our foundation is all about," said Steve Luongo, excecutive director. "We focus our attention on many different areas of philanthropy, including musical education for underprivileged children, medical research and animal welfare. When Rick approached us to work on this worthwhile cause, we didn't hesitate."

The John Entwistle Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to continuing the philanthropic work that John Entwistle did in his lifetime with The Who, The John Entwistle Band and as an individual. Luongo, Entwistle's longtime friend and band mate, started the foundation with the Entwistle family to help preserve a great musical legacy and carry on Entwistle's good work. Advisory board members include rock stars Peter Frampton, Leslie West and Roger Glover. Also on the board is best-selling author Jennifer Blake and Sopranos and West Wing actress Melissa Marsala. The John Entwistle Foundation is 501 (C)(3), organization. For more information, go to http://www.johnentwistle.org/ .

To date, the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund has received just over $19 million in monetary donations. Allocations from the Fund are based on FEMA filings, with the hardest hit Florida counties during the 2004 hurricane season receiving the greatest percentage of funds. Allocations from the Fund are being made in phases to help communities, many hit multiple times, assess unmet needs on an ongoing basis as restoration progresses. All donations to

the Fund are tax-deductible. For more information, or to donate, go to http://www.flahurricanefund.org/ , or call 1-800-825-3786.

Contact:
Fonda Anderson, Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, 727-821-2056
Steve Luongo, John Entwistle Foundation, 239-482-6880



Source: Florida Hurricane Relief Fund

CONTACT: Fonda Anderson, Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, +1-727-821-2056,
or Steve Luongo, John Entwistle Foundation, +1-239-482-6880

Web site: http://www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org/
http://www.flahurricanefund.org/
http://www.johnentwistle.org/


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