Editor's note: Este artículo está traducido al español.

A fundraiser that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel started for The Animal Foundation in memory of his bandleader and lifelong friend raised more than $30,000 in less than a week.

An Animal Foundation spokeswoman said donors had given $30,548.26 as of Thursday morning in honor of Cleto Escobedo III. Escobedo grew up in Las Vegas with Kimmel and had led the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” house band, Cleto and the Cletones, since the show premiered in 2003.

“We are honored that Jimmy Kimmel chose The Animal Foundation to honor his friend, Cleto Escobedo,” Animal Foundation spokeswoman Kelsey Pizzi said. “Every donation made in his name will help save the lives of countless animals in need throughout the Las Vegas Valley.”

Escobedo died Nov. 11. He

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