Celebrities are doing everything they can in order to help others amid concerns over the coronavirus.
Kim Kardashian West’s shapewear company, SKIMS, is doing its part by donating $1 million to families affected by COVID-19.
Meanwhile, her sister, Kylie Jenner, and mother, Kris Jenner, have teamed up with Coty to produce hand sanitizers for hospitals in Southern California. The custom hand sanitizer will include a special message for recipients that reads: “Dedicated to first responders working to support our communities.”
Demi Lovato is also helping out amid this crisis. It was announced that up to $125,000 from her Fabletics collection will be donated to WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Lovato and the Kardashian-Jenner family aren’t the only ones giving back during this difficult time. Check out the celebrities and major companies coming out of the pocket to help those in need.
CELEBRITY DONATIONS
Angelina Jolie: On March 25, Jolie released a statement, announcing that she would be donating $1 million to No Kid Hungry. “As of this week, over a billion children are out of school worldwide because of closures linked to coronavirus. Many children depend on the care and nutrition they receive during school hours, including nearly 22 million children in America who rely on food support,” read the statement. “No Kid Hungry is making resolute efforts to reach as many of those children as possible.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger: The former California governor shared that he had helped create a GoFundMe page called the Frontline Responders Fund to provide medical professionals with the critical supplies they need, such as masks, gowns and gloves. The actor also revealed that he had donated $1 million to the fund.
“I never believed in sitting on the couch and complaining about how bad things are, I always believed we should all do our part to make things better,” Schwarzenegger wrote. “This is a simple way to protect our real action heroes on the frontlines in our hospitals, and I’m proud to be part of it. I donated 1 million dollars, and I hope that all of you who can will step up to support these heroes”
Arthur Blank: The Atlanta Falcons owner reportedly donated $5.4 million to the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, a charity that was set up to help those affected in Georgia by the virus.
Bethenny Frankel: The reality star and businesswoman donated $250,000 to the making of N95 masks to be distributed to various NYC hospitals.
She also tweeted, ” CLARIFICATION: in addition to us raising money and donating masks to U.S., hospitals and clinics can contact us to place mask orders for you. People have been gouging and marking these up. We’re manufacturing them straight to YOU. Gov’ts are already partnering with us. Make sense?”
Bruno Mars: The GRAMMY winner donated $1 million to the MGM Resorts Foundation to support MGM employees impacted economically by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ciara and Russell Wilson: The couple shared in a video on their Instagram that they would be pledging $1 million meals to Seattle’s Food Lifeline. They also encouraged others to support their local food bank.
“The world needs us ALL. These are unprecedented times. We are supporting our community in Seattle by donating 1 million meals with Seattle @FoodLifeLine,” Ciara wrote alongside the post. “Rally with us and support your local food bank @FeedingAmerica We can all make a difference together. Let’s all keep the Faith during this difficult time.”
The couple also partnered with Wheels Up on the “Meals Up” initiative and pledged 10 million meals to Feed America.
Demi Lovato: It was announced that up to $125,000 from the singer’s Fabletics collection will be donated to WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Eric Stonestreet: The Modern Family star announced on March 18 that he was donating 200,000 meals to his hometown of Kansas City, Kansas. “I am donating 200,000 meals to @HarvestersORG in Kansas City. Lindsay and I love our hometown and want to help do what we can. I’m only posting this to maybe motivate you to do what you can, when you can, if you can, to help vulnerable families in our community during this time,” he tweeted.
James Taylor: The singer/songwriter and his wife, Kim Taylor, contributed $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to support the institution’s ongoing efforts to battle the the pandemic.
“There is no question that it’s a point of pride for New Englanders to claim the MGH as their hospital – our hospital – and this is especially true today with the threat coming from a new and insidious virus,” he said in a statement. “Kim and I want to be part of this fight. We have been so inspired by the courage and sacrifice of the health care heroes in the trenches who are working so hard to protect us all.”
JAY-Z: The Shawn Carter Foundation (SCF) donated $1 million towards COVID-19 response efforts. The funds will support undocumented workers, the children of frontline health workers and first responders, as well as incarcerated, elderly and homeless populations in New York City and Los Angeles.
Jim Gaffigan: The comedian and his wife, Jeannie Gaffigan, teamed up with Shake Shack to provide healthcare professionals at Mount Sinai Health System in New York free lunch.
Justin Timberlake: The singer is donating to the Mid-South Food Bank in Memphis, Tennessee, hometown.
“This is a crazy time, but remember we’re all in it together,” he said in his Instagram Stories. “Start small and support your local communities by getting food out to those in need.”
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: ET has learned that the power couple donated $1 million to the New York Governor’s office for coronavirus relief efforts. The contribution will reportedly go towards the purchase of urgently needed ventilators. In addition, some of the funds are being allocated to WIN, an organization that runs 11 women’s shelters in NYC.
Kristen Bell: The actress is giving back by teaching her two daughters the importance of charity. She and her family donated $150,007.96 to No Kid Hungry so that the organization could “send out even more grants to schools and community groups working to feed kids during the #COVID19 outbreak.”
Bell then elaborated as to why it was such a specific amount. “The reason the number is odd, is because when my kids overheard me making the donation, they asked if they could also donate the money from their piggy bank,” she told her Instagram followers on Wednesday, March 18. “I couldn’t have been prouder to add that extra, and important $7.96.”,
Lizzo: The “Truth Hurts” singer-rapper sent food to several hospitals to treat those working at the facilities. She’s also encouraging fans to donate to the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Mark Wahlberg: The actor’s family restaurant, Wahlburgers, bought lunch for Beaumont Hospital workers in Michigan on Saturday, March 28. In an Instagram video, the actor also shared that Wahlburgers got a donation of iPads for patients to communicate with their families and caregivers that they sent out.
Rihanna: The R&B singer’s Clara Lionel Foundation announced on March 21 that it donated $5 million to the COVID-19 rapid response efforts in the United States and across the globe. The funds will support local food banks serving at-risk communities and the elderly in the United States, acceleration of testing and care in countries like Haiti and Malawi, as well as the mobilization of resources and additional capacity and support for Native communities. It will also fund protective equipment for frontline health workers and diagnostic labs, the establishment and maintenance of intensive care units, and acceleration of the development of vaccines and other therapies across the globe, among others.
“CLF is supporting on-the-ground partners working on the frontlines of disaster response especially those focused on protecting and serving marginalized communities – helping the most vulnerable in the United States, the Caribbean and in Africa prepare for what is to come,” a statement read. “Over the past five years CLF has been one of the first organizations to respond to some of the world’s most devastating natural disasters, and they have seen firsthand the profound and unintended consequences of not being prepared.”
On March 26, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed on Twitter that Rihanna is also generously helping the state. “I want to thank @rihanna and the Rihanna Foundation for donating Personal Protective Equipment to New York State. We’re so appreciative of your help and that of so many others who have stepped up,” he wrote.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively: The couple made a substantial donation to helping those struggling to access meals during the coronavirus pandemic. The actor took to Twitter to announce the $1 million donation to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.
In an accompanying photo, the actor explained why he and his wife were making the donation, then joked about his celebrity pal and sometimes rival, Hugh Jackman. “Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families,” he wrote. “Blake and I are donating $1 million to be split between FEEDING AMERICA and FOOD BANKS CANADA. If you can give, these orgs need our help.”
“Take care of your bodies and hearts,” he continued. “Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection. (Hugh Jackman’s # is 1-555-😢-HUGH.)”
In addition, Lively and Reynolds also reportedly donated $400,000 to New York hospitals.
Steph and Ayesha Curry: The basketball pro and his wife are helping to keep hungry mouths fed during the global crisis. In a video posted on Twitter, the couple explained that they have partnered with a food bank to help provide a million meals to Oakland students who can no longer attend school due to shutdowns.
“Oakland is closing schools bc of COVID-19. We support this decision but are concerned a/b the 18,000+ kids that rely on school for 2+ meals daily,” the athlete captioned the video. “@eatlearnplay is donating to @ACCFB to ensure every child has access to the food they need.”
Taylor Swift: The singer has reached out to several fans who are struggling financially amid the outbreak to lend a helping hand, in the form of several thousand dollars.
Vanessa Hudgens: The actress made a donation to Feeding America, sharing a screenshot on her Instagram account.
CELEBRITY INITIATIVES
Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner: Amy Adams joined Instagram to help children struggling due to school closures across the country surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
“I’ve decided to finally join to shine a spotlight on kids across the country who need our help and support during this difficult time,” Adams wrote on her new account. “My friend @jennifer.garner and I are launching @SAVEWITHSTORIES – a spot to watch your favorite celebrities read your favorite children’s books. We are galvanizing as a community to support a new fund for a combined effort between SAVE THE CHILDREN and Share Our Strength’s NO KID HUNGRY (and a big thank you to our founding publisher, Scholastic♥️).”
Contagion Cast: The stars of the 2011 movie, including Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Jennifer Ehle, have teamed up with scientists from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health to share evidence-based information about COVID-19 so that we can all better protect ourselves and our community.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=b9gRf3L5QMU%3Ffeature%3Doembed
Kevin Bacon: The actor is taking advantage of his association with the parlour game, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” to launch a social media campaign to encourage social distancing.
“I’m technically only six degrees away from you,” he said in a video posted to his social media accounts, announcing a new challenge to reveal why you’re staying home by using the hashtag #IStayHomeFor and then tagging six other people to get them to do the same. “…So if you’re home too like me, post a video or photo with a sign like mine, telling who you are staying home for and ask six friends to do the same.”
Reese Witherspoon: The actress launched #ShineOnAtHome, in collaboration with YouTube’s #StayHome #WithMe campaign, where she will be joined by some of her favorite experts in health, wellness, finance, food, and more over the next few weeks.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eSZCeOONGJQ%3Ffeature%3Doembed
COMPANY DONATIONS
Coty: Kylie Jenner, and mother, Kris Jenner, have teamed up with the beauty company to produce hand sanitizers for hospitals in Southern California. The custom hand sanitizer will include a special message for recipients that reads: “Dedicated to first responders working to support our communities.”
Crocs: The company is donating shoes to healthcare workers for the initiative they’re calling A Free Pair for Healthcare.
Netflix: The streaming service created a $100 million relief fund to help members of the entertainment community who are now unemployed and without work amid the pandemic, Variety reports. The majority of the funds, per the streaming service, will go toward supporting laid-off crew members.
“The COVID-19 crisis is devastating for many industries, including the creative community. Almost all television and film production has now ceased globally — leaving hundreds of thousands of crew and cast without jobs,” Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement per the magazine. “These include electricians, carpenters and drivers, many of whom are paid hourly wages and work on a project-to-project basis. This community has supported Netflix through the good times, and we want to help them through these hard times, especially while governments are still figuring out what economic support they will provide.”
Pressed Juicery: Free juice for medical professionals! “We’re humbled to have the opportunity to help provide on-the-job nutrition to support those who are fighting on all types of front lines including food banks, police officers, & vets to keep us safe 🏥 Since this weekend, we’ve donated cold-pressed juices and shots to @chocchildrens, @malibucoastanimal, @uclahealth, @childrensla, @lapdhq, & West Hills Hospital ER, and will be giving to @lafoodbank and Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital this week! 👏🏻We’re working through your nominations as fast as possible and hope to be able to share the nutrition with many more to come!” the company said on their Instagram.
SKIMS: Kim Kardashian West’s shapewear company is donating $1 million to families affected by COVID-19.
“To support mothers and children in need during this time, SKIMS is committed to donating $1 million to families affected by COVID-19. On Monday, [March 30], we’re restocking the collection we first launched with, and in doing so, are able to help bring relief to those affected by this pandemic,” Kardashian West said in a statement. “…Our six-month anniversary has fallen in the middle of a global crisis so more than ever, it’s our responsibility to give back and do what we can to help others.”
Sweetgreens: The salad shop gave back to those working at a hospital in Philadelphia. “The nurses of 7C at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital have been working around the clock to care for people during the ongoing crisis. Free greens is the least we can do to say thanks,” they shared on Instagram.
Starbucks: The coffee franchise announced that it will be serving up free coffee, iced or hot, for first responders and healthcare workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic through May 3. This goes for all police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital and medical staff and medical researchers.
TV SHOWS AND MOVIE DONATIONS
The Resident: The Fox medical drama took advantage of the break in production on season three due to the outbreak to donate some much-needed supplies to a local hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where the show is filmed.
“To the entire team @theresidentonfox, thank you for this incredibly generous donation of #PPE from your set, including gowns, masks, gloves, and all the things our healthcare workers need to provide safe care for our community during #COVID19,” Karen Law, a rheumatologist at Grady Memorial Hospital, posted on Instagram.
“Yesterday, I had a serious discussion with the residents about how, though supplies are low, a magical shipment of masks is unlikely to arrive. And yet, a magical shipment of masks DID arrive, in the form of this very generous gesture. This kind of community support means so much to our #frontlineproviders who are making many sacrifices to staff our hospitals and care for our community,” she explained, before giving another shout out to the series. “Thank you, @theresidentonfox and @foxtv for being helpers. We needed this kind of good news today.”
ABC’s Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy: Station 19 donated some of their N95 masks to the Ontario Fire Department after hearing that they were out and recycling the masks that they had. They also donated some N95 masks to the firehouse to Los Feliz – Station 35 in Los Angeles, California. Grey’s Anatomy followed suit and donated some medical supplies.
NBC Chicago Series: ET learned that Universal Television/Wolf Entertainment’s donated supplies (masks, gowns, etc.) to hospitals in need.
For more on how celebrities are giving back, check out these musicians who are performing free-to-stream concerts from their homes!
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