Willie Nelson Helps Farmers Hit By Hurricane

Friday September 19, 2008 01:05 PM EDT

Willie Nelson

REX C. Curry/AP

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Willie Nelson, a longtime friend of American farmers, announced that his Farm Aid organization will donate $30,000 to help farmers in Texas and Louisiana who were hard hit by hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

The country singer, a Texas native, announced the donations Thursday. The grants include $7,500 each going to the Lutheran Social Services of the South, the Southern Mutual Help Association, the Louisiana Interchurch Conference and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, the Associated Press reports

The Massachusetts-based Farm Aid plans to give further funds to victims as the extent of hurricane damage becomes clearer. Farm Aid, the longest-running benefit concert in the nation, has raised more than $30 million since its first gig in 1985. Nelson has been instrumental in keeping the show on the road.

Its next date is scheduled for Sept. 20 in New England.
– Caris Davis