Warner Bros. recording artist Blake Shelton presented Gov. Brad Henry and Project Rebuild with an $100,000 check to assist Oklahomans impacted by recent severe weather and flooding.
September 7, 2007 — Blake Shelton donated $100,000 to disaster victims in Oklahoma Wednesday, and he says he expects to do the same next year.
Blake presented Gov. Brad Henry with a check that will go to Project Rebuild, a public-private partnership aimed at repairing and rebuilding homes damaged in natural disasters. The money was raised at the second annual Raindance benefit that Blake held in his hometown of Ada to raise money for Oklahomans in need. Last year, the funds assisted victims of Oklahoma's historic wildfire season. This year, the money will help Oklahomans recover from record rains and flooding.
"I am so proud that my fellow Oklahomans came through another year and supported Raindance to make it the success that it was," Blake said.
Gov. Henry echoed Shelton's comments. "Oklahomans have the biggest hearts in the world, and Blake Shelton is living proof of that," he said. "I want to thank Blake, his fellow Raindance participants and the Project Rebuild volunteers for their generous efforts. As Oklahomans rebuild and recover from this year's flooding, this donation will provide a much-needed helping hand."
Blake said he plans to hold another benefit next year but hopes his next check will be for $1 million. "Oklahoma is just prone to natural disasters," he said. "We'll be talking about something else next year."