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introduced "Shelter From The Storm U.S." telethon on Sept. 9 by

recalling an emotional chat she had with her cousin, who was caught up in the

eye of Hurricane Katrina.

DeGeneres was among a host of stars who appeared during the hour-long

multi-channel benefit show, held to raise funds for the hurricane relief

effort.

The comedienne said, "Last week I talked to my 15-year-old cousin, Catherine,

on the phone and I asked her what she thought the rest of us should learn from

what she's gone through and she said, 'Never take anything for granted.'

"When I asked her what she missed the most right now, she said, 'My friends.

I don't know where my friends are.'

"Tonight, let's show people on the Gulf Coast that they have friends all over

the world--friends who care, who understand and are here to give them shelter

from the storm.

Singer/songwriter Randy Newman kicked the commercial-free benefit's live

performances off on an apt note with a stirring rendition of his 1974 tune

"Louisiana 1927," which has been adopted as the unofficial theme for the

hurricane relief efforts.

Other performers included U2, who performed their ballad "One" with Mary J

Blige; Mariah Carey; Neil Young; Paul Simon, who added an uplifting note to

proceedings by inviting a New Orleans Mardi Gras orchestra to perform with him;

country trio the Dixie Chicks; Rod Stewart; Dr John; Foo Fighters, who covered

Creedence Clearwater Revival classic "Born on the Bayou," and retired country

singer Garth Brooks, who teamed up with his fiancee Trisha Yearwood for another

CCR hit, "Who Stopped The Rain."

Meanwhile, celebrities like Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson,

Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, offered words of hope as they urged viewers to

give generously to the cause, and others like Debra Messing, The Rock, Jimmy Smits, Michael Chiklis and Nia Vardalos manned phone lines as donations poured

in from members of the public.

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