Bette Midler, Debbie Harry, Michael Kor's Care For NYC

Actress Bette Midler and her famous celebrity friends such as Blondie's Debbie Harry and Designer Michael Kor's gathered this week even after super storm Sandy to raise money to rehabilitate New York City's green areas.

In 1995, New York City experienced a revolution that would change its landscape – quite literally – forever… and for the better. Returning to the city that helped launch her celebrated career, famed entertainer Bette Midler found many of its streets, neighborhoods and parks consumed by a sea of litter and years of neglect.

"I was so upset; I didn't sleep for weeks... People were throwing their garbage out the window, leaving their lunches on the ground. Finally, I realized I needed to actually do something – even if it meant picking up trash with my own two hands." Bette Midler, from an interview with Good Housekeeping Magazine

And, that she did. A figurative force of nature in the entertainment world, The Divine Miss M also proved to be a literal force of nature in protecting and preserving New York City’s public spaces and parks. Initially recruiting friends and family, Bette set about removing garbage from Fort Tryon Park and Fort Washington Park in Upper Manhattan. What began as a grass roots effort led to her founding the non-profit New York Restoration Project (NYRP).

Watch below as NYC's golden hands speak about their efforts.