‘Idol Gives Back’ Raises Nearly $45 Million

This year’s “Idol Gives Back” special raised almost $45 million for child hunger and health charities in the United States and Africa, organizers said on Friday. Elton John, Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood were among the stars who performed on last Wednesday’s live special. Two previous editions of “Idol Gives Back,” in 2007 and 2008, raised a total of around $140 million from donations. Some 18.3 million Americans watched the show last week, which was scaled down partly because of the recession. The $45 million is expected to rise when proceeds from iTunes sales are added, Fox said. The money raised will be shared between the Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.