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$117M Raised for Charity in Honor of a Home Depot Founder

AP Photo/Steven Senne, File

A fundraising bash honoring the 90th birthday of philanthropist Bernie Marcus, one of Home Depot's founders, has raised more than $117 million for Georgia charities.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Sunday's star-studded gathering at the Atlanta Aquarium, which Marcus built, quickly raised $102 million in pledges. Arthur Blank, another founder of Home Depot and an owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of the MLS, contributed an additional $15 million.

The event drew hundreds, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta's mayor. President Donald Trump sent in a video message praising Marcus.

The paper says the funds will support charities including the Grady Health System's Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center and the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta.

Home Depot is Georgia's largest public company based on revenue, according to the newspaper.