Duhamel visit, concert aid flooded ND hometown
MINOT, N.D. (AP) - September 4, 2011
Images of flooded Minot neighborhoods appeared on large video
screens as Duhamel, 38, spoke on stage about the city's recovery
efforts in between performances from Minneapolis-based rockers
Charlz Newman and headlining act The Black Eyed Peas. His wife,
Fergie, is a Black Eyed Peas member.
The concert at the State Fairgrounds in Minot was sold out, with
more than 12,000 tickets going for $100 each. Duhamel said money
from the Minot Rising show and a recovery fund will help buy
materials for people rebuilding their homes.
The 38-year-old Minot native, who stars in "Transformers: Dark
of the Moon," thanked his mother, Bonny Kemper, for helping
members of their family and others who were affected by this
summer's flood.
The record Souris River flooding temporarily forced about 11,000
people from their homes and damaged about 4,100 houses and hundreds
of businesses. The home where Duhamel grew up and his sister and
her family's home were severely damaged. The middle school he
attended remained submerged to its roofline for nearly a month and
will likely be condemned.
Duhamel also met with flood victims and toured a Red Cross
shelter during his visit to Minot over the Labor Day weekend.