NEW YORK.- A total donation of $2.6 million from opening ticket sales of the film "World Trade Center" will be made to four New York-based charities that honor the memory of those lost in the September 11th attacks and provide ongoing help to their families, it was announced today. The $2.6 million total represents ten percent of the box office receipts for the film's opening five days, from Wednesday, August 9, through Sunday, August 13, from nearly 3,000 theaters throughout the U.S.

As previously announced, fifty percent of the total donation -- $1.3 million -- is being given to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, for the construction of the Memorial's two reflecting pools to be located on the footprints of the original Twin Towers. Another $1.3 million, representing the remaining fifty percent of the total donation, will be shared equally among Tuesday's Children, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center and the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Each of these three organizations will receive approximately $433,000.

The film, directed by Oliver Stone, tells the true story of real life Port Authority Police Officers Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin, who were rescued hours after being buried beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center. The film recounts their courage, follows their families as they wait for word, and shows the heroism of their rescuers. "World Trade Center" is a Paramount Pictures release.