Elvis fans worldwide, along with BMG/RCA and Graceland/EPE, responded to the tragic events of September 11 with fund-raising efforts for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. With the fans cheering them on BMG/RCA issued a three-song Elvis CD entitled America the Beautiful with all the record company’s profits going to the fund. Fan club leaders organized fund drives with donations directed to the Red Cross in care of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation - the fans’ idea for making a unified response from the Elvis world. Graceland/EPE also created several patriotically-themed merchandise items with profits going to the Red Cross in addition to donating its retail proceeds from carrying the special Elvis CD in its merchandising operation. Although these efforts continue to generate donations to the Red Cross, the total of all these activities is $321,824.83.