Apple donates $5 million to hurricane relief effort

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Hurricane Irma
Satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
Photo: NASA

As Florida braces for one of the biggest hurricanes ever recorded, Apple is reaching into its wallet to help provide aid to victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The iPhone-maker revealed today that it is donating $5 million to boost relief efforts for hurricane victims. The company is also making it easier for iTunes users to pitch in.

“On behalf of everyone at Apple, our hearts go out to the millions of people whose lives have been disrupted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and the many more still bracing for Irma’s impact,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.

Apple backs Hand in Hand’s hurricane relief

Apple’s funds are being sent to Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief. The one-hour TV special will air live on Tuesday, September 12, at 8 p.m. Eastern. The benefit will raise money from people across the country to help victims. A rerun of the benefit will be played on the West Coast on the same day at 8 p.m. Pacific.

“We applaud Hand in Hand for bringing together people from all over the country to help one another at a time when so many desperately need it,” said Cook. “In addition to Apple’s direct contribution to the relief and recovery efforts, we’re making it easy for anyone in the U.S. to make their own donations to Hand in Hand through the App Store and iTunes.”

The event is being put on by Comic Relief USA, the nonprofit group that organizes Red Nose Day and Idol Gives Back. Comic Relief USA will be responsible for collecting the money as well as distributing grants through its Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund.

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