In anticipation of the November 14 DVD release of The Perfect Storm, Warner Home Video will honor the men and women who risked their own lives to save those lost and stranded at sea, and those who worked tirelessly to rebuild the ravaged New England coast. To raise awareness for the round-the-clock bravery of the American Red Cross, Warner Home Video has launched of an international “Tell-a-Friend” e-mail campaign. The e-mail message and “The Perfect Storm” Web site will provide a way for the public to help the American Red Cross disaster relief programs.

Every time the e-mail is passed along, Warner Home Video will donate 5 cents, with the ultimate goal of raising $50,000 for the American Red Cross, which provided assistance and shelter to more than 3,000 families in need during the infamous storm. It is anticipated that more than 1 million people from around the world will receive the electronic message. The results will be tracked by marketing company @Once, who designed and launched the campaign. Supporters can access the e-mail at: www.perfectstorm.com/email.

The donation, generated from the e-mail, will be presented to the American Red Cross on November 13 during a celebration of the heroes involved in the devastating storm. “The Perfect Storm” cast and Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci are expected to join Warner Home Video in honoring the United States Coast Guard and Air National Guard, as well, for their tireless dedication to the protection and rescue of countless lives.

Warner Home Video will also make $25,000 donations to both the United States Coast Guard for the benefit of the New England coast and, on behalf of the Air National Guard, to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship fund for children of special operations men and women who died in the line of duty.

Additionally, a portion of the donation will go to the establishment of a memorial for Air National Guard Technical Sergeant Rick Smith, who lost his life during the rescue mission to save those aboard the sailboat Sartori. Accepting the contributions will be the real Coast Guard and Air National Guardsmen depicted in the film. These men will also perform a helicopter search-and-rescue demonstration similar to the real-life scenario featured in the film.

We salute the men and women of the Red Cross, The Coast Guard, The Air National Guard, and Warner Brothers for generating funds and awareness for these organizations. Please visit the site and send a few E-mails out to some friends.