Neil Diamond 'Sweet Caroline' for Boston: Singer Donates All Proceeds to Victims (VIDEO)
The Boston Sox have a tradition of playing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" at every home game. That tradition hasn't gone unnoticed by the singer himself, who has now promised to donate all proceeds from the song to One Fund Boston.
There isn't really any connection to the Brooklyn born artist's song and Boston, but the Red Sox have been playing it at home games for more than a decade. And now the song will have a more patriotic meaning to Boston than ever. One Fund Boston was established earlier this month to help support those victims most affected by the Boston bombings. Thus far, the organization has raised over $25 million.
Despite the extraordinary amount raised in such a short amount of time, some are still concerned that there will not be enough funding to cover the expense of procedures that many victims will require. Over 170 people were injured during the tragedy; the cost for just one amputee victim could be over $250,000, one report claims.
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But support continues to pour in, including efforts made by celebrities like Diamond. A Nielsen sound scan reported that sales for "Sweet Caroline" have spiked 597 percent since the bombings; over 19,000 tracks. Diamond has pledged the proceeds from those sales to One Fund Boston.
His generosity has been met with appreciation from fans, many of whom referred to him as a "class act."
"Neil Diamond is an American music icon," one fan wrote. "He has once again shown the class that has millions of fans continuing to attend his concerts and buy his cd's. There are many artists out there who could learn from his example."
Tim Gens, executive vice president of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, has said that cost is not currently a factor that is being considered while caretakers do their best to provide the best treatment to the victims of the bombings.
"It's an extraordinary shock to so many individuals. The hospitals are working very hard to make sure that each family gets the support they need. Billing is not an issue they're addressing right now," he told the Huffington Post.
