Live Relief 'Concert of Hope' By The Inspiration Network Provides Aid for Over 174,460 Katrina Victims

Live Relief 'Concert of Hope' By The Inspiration Network Provides Aid for Over 174,460 Katrina Victims

Relief Efforts Now Total Over 180 Truckloads and 6 Million Pounds of Life-Giving Supplies

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, Sept. 3rd, The Inspiration Networks pre-empted regular programming across three of its cable networks to broadcast "A Concert of Hope," a live television event to generate critically needed relief supplies and hope for victims of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. The concert raised over $134,000.

"These funds will enable us to send an additional 22 truckloads with over 873,000 pounds of urgently needed supplies to the impacted areas," said David Cerullo, President and CEO of The Inspiration Networks.

The Inspiration Networks and Convoy of Hope have been on the scene in the impacted areas since Sunday, August 28. To date, more than 180 truckloads of ice, water and food have been delivered by The Inspiration Networks and Convoy of Hope, with a total of more than 6 million pounds of life-sustaining relief supplies.

The three-hour "Concert of Hope" telethon was broadcast across INSP, i- Lifetv and Inspiration Network International to 80 Million households in 38 different nations. The program was hosted by David and Barbara Cerullo, and featured Hal Donaldson, President of Convoy of Hope, who provided gripping, first-hand accounts of the human needs and hurricane damage as well as inspirational stories of ongoing relief efforts. Featured guests included many Christian leaders and musical performances by Avalon, Mark Schultz, The Crabb Family, and others.

"We are grateful for the way people have responded to this outcry for help, but the needs still are great," Mr. Cerullo concluded. "We are committed to be there for these hurting people. Contributions still are needed for the ongoing relief efforts."

Mr. Cerullo said that one-hour versions of the "Concert of Hope" program are being made available to cable systems and television stations. "Everyone needs to do whatever they can at a time like this."

Donations are being received at http://www.insptoday.com/ and Box 7750, Charlotte, NC 28241. Proceeds will be designated towards Convoy of Hope (http://www.convoyofhope.org/ ), the humanitarian outreach of the ministry, which established distribution points in affected areas within hours of the disaster.

The Inspiration Networks includes cable television networks INSP-The Inspiration Network, Inspirational Life Television (i-Lifetv), La Familia Cosmovision (LFC) and INI-Inspiration Network International. INSP is carried on more than 2,500 U.S. cable systems serving 22 million households. The network targets the millions who embrace inspirational values. It features original music programs, children's shows, teens' programs, and a variety of respected ministry programming. Since 1990 the cable industry has relied upon INSP for inspirational programming with true diversity and ethnic balance. i- Lifetv is a digital inspirational lifestyles TV network launched in June 1998 now serving over 8.5 million subscribers. It is distinct from INSP. It features programming on marriage, family, finances, and life-enriching programs. La Familia Cosmovision is a digital network that features family- friendly programming for Hispanic families. INI is delivered direct to home (DTH) serving 45 million households in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. INI is a blend of U.S. and European ministry programmers. Also, 50% of INI's schedule is original and exclusive programming with programs for children, teens and the international family.

Based in Springfield, Missouri, Convoy of Hope was founded in 1994. It has received praise for its work from such dignitaries as President George W. Bush, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Chicago Mayor Richard Dailey, Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Clever II, and Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Belton. For more than ten years, Convoy of Hope(TM), a nonprofit organization, has provided resources to organizations and churches to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place. This is accomplished through domestic and international outreaches, supply lines, and disaster response.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Brown 972/267-1111-O 972/762-9696-M

Source: The Inspiration Networks

CONTACT: Mark Brown, +1-972-267-1111, or mobile, +1-972-762-9696, for The Inspiration Networks

Web site: http://www.insptoday.com/ http://www.convoyofhope.org/

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