Ian Somerhalder has made several trips home to his native Louisiana recently to help bring more awareness and attention to the BP oil spill, the terrible and long lasting ecological devastation and the plight of the families who depend on the gulf for their livelihoods. The star of The Vampire Diaries has made a PSA for the local organization St. Tammany’s Humane Society who are caring for pelicans dying from the toxic mess BP has let loose in the region. What also has the actor concerned is the lack of attention this man made disaster has received from his fellow actors in Hollywood, who have the ability to help bring the focus and money to any area in critical need.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” the actor admits. ”And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. I think a telethon is a good way to funnel money into these channels…We need to set one of those things up to really paint a picture of exactly how much devastation is here.

“This is ground zero right now,” Ian adds, as he surveys more of the devastating effects of the spill in the region. “I’m looking at this slick of oil. I’ve been watching pelicans die…This place is going to need money, that is the bottom line–money in the right hands to replant these marshes.”

Far too much time has passed, but a telethon is (finally!) on it’s way. CNN’s Larry King and American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest have put together a show that will air at 9PM EST on Monday June 21st and Somerhalder has signed on. Ted Danson, Lenny Kravitz, Chelsea Handler, Robert Redford, and Sting are among the celebs appearing. The Nature Conservancy, The United Way and The National Wildlife Federation will receive the benefits of the event.

Here is a rundown of the links you need to make a donation:

Larry King and CNN’s donation page is here.

The National Wildlife Federation’s gulf spill donation page is here.

The United Way’s gulf coast spill response page is here.

The Nature Conservancy updates and donations are here.

Finally, follow Somerhalder on his twitter as he updates about the plight of the region.

[image: Marta Szczeniak/WENN.com]

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