NEW YORK - Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman has helped organize an online auction to raise funds for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Freeman, who lives in the Mississippi Delta, said his property missed the brunt of the hurricane, getting just rain and high winds.

The actor last year helped establish the Grenada Relief Fund in response to the devastation wrecked on the Caribbean island by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

Freeman won an Oscar for his role in “Million Dollar Baby.” His screen credits also include “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Street Smart.”

The Red Cross said Wednesday it has raised $21 million, with nearly $15 million coming from individual donations through the Red Cross’ Web site.

The auction, which also includes corporate-donated items, will open Friday on the Charity Folks Web site, an online auction venue, and run until Sept. 16, it was announced Wednesday.

Items include the opportunity to attend a screening of Freeman’s upcoming film, “An Unfinished Life,” a resort getaway and memorabilia packages from various movies

Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

“It’s sort of well-known that anytime any catastrophe happens anywhere in the world, they can count on the United States for help,” Freeman told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

“Now, charity begins at home, so we call on anybody who has even the thought (of giving) to get beyond the thought and help these people,” the 68-year-old actor said.