These Celebrities Have Donated Money For Coronavirus Relief
COVID-19 has infected over 180 countries since it was discovered. As patients struggled with the virus, and employees got laid off due to quarantine, celebrities pitched in millions of dollars to help.
Although many of these stars had to cancel tours, shows, and movies, they still worked to lend others relief. Some sent hand sanitizer to medical staff, and one donated $10 million to several charities. Here are all the generous celebrities who have contributed to coronavirus relief and charities.
Dolly Parton Contributed To Vaccine Research
Dolly Parton has donated $1 million to coronavirus vaccine research. According to her Instagram post, she heard that Vanderbilt University was making great strides towards a cure from her friend, researcher Dr. Naji Abumrad. The country star immediately contributed to their efforts.
Parton's post also encouraged others to donate so that the research can continue until scientists invent a cure. Later, she gave words of encouragement to "the first responders, servicemen and servicewomen, and healthcare professionals all around the world" through an Instagram video.
Lady Gaga Performed At A Virtual Charity Tour
For months, Lady Gaga has participated in many charities that aid COVID-19 victims. On April 18th, she performed at the "One World: Together at Home" concert, organized by Global Citizen. The online concert raised $35 million for the World Health Organization.
On March 16, Lady Gaga's beauty line, Haus Labs, announced that they would donate to food banks. They sacrifice 20% of their sales to help food charities in Los Angeles and New York. She's truly working to make a difference.
Kylie Jenner Sent Supplies To First Responders
In mid-March, Kylie Jenner worked to relieve hospital workers in Southern California. She teamed up with her mother, Kris Jenner, and the beauty company Coty Inc. Together, they donated face masks, hand sanitizer, and other tools for health safety.
Kylie spent over $1 million on these hospital supplies. A note that said, "Dedicated to first responders working to support our communities" accompanied every bottle of hand sanitizer. Medical professionals are working hard to keep people safe and healthy, and they deserve relief.
P!nk Got The Virus, Then Donated To Fight It
In March, P!nk and her three-year-old son, Jameson, contracted COVID-19. The two made a full recovery, and afterward, P!nk pledged money to fight the virus. She donated $1 million - half went to the Los Angeles Mayor's Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund, and the other half benefitted the Temple University Hospital Emergency Fund.
P!nk also thanked healthcare workers who exhaust themselves for our benefit. The pop singer called for free testing for all Americans. "People need to know that the illness affects the young and old, healthy and unhealthy, rich and poor," she said.
NFL Stars Raised Over $35 Million
In late April, the National Football League's players, clubs, and owners have raised over $35 million in donations. Their funds benefit the CDC's COVID-19 Relief Fund, the American Red Cross Association, Meals on Wheels America, the Boys' and Girls' Club of America, the Wounded Warrior Project, and many other nonprofits.
"We have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," says Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner. "Now more than ever, we need to unify to stay home and stay strong." The organization will continue to supply relief efforts for victims of the coronavirus.
Suga From BTS Joined Parasite Director Bong Joon-ho
In February, BTS member Suga teamed up with the Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho to support medical staff. The two donated over $164,000 to relief efforts in South Korea. Most went to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, which supplies hand sanitizer and face masks to those in need.
Other charities that received funds included the Korean Medical Association, the Community Chest of Korea, Good Neighbors, and Save the Children. At the time, South Korea had the highest number of fatalities outside of China. Both artists encouraged other celebrities to contribute as well.
Oprah Winfrey Donated $10 Million
On April 2nd, Oprah Winfrey announced that she had donated $10 million toward COVID-19 relief. According to her, $1 million went to America's Food Fund, which is working with the charities Feeding America and World Central Kitchen.
"I know everybody can't donate a million dollars, but I feel like this is the central place to go if you really want to do something," Winfrey said on her latest episode of "Oprah Talks COVID-19." The charities will work to feed the 6.6 million people who have been laid off because of the virus.
Taylor Swift And Ariana Grande Donate To Fans
Pop singers Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande decided to help their fans in their time of need. On March 26th, Swift gave $3,000 to two of her fans who were suffering financially. One was a waitress who lost her job, and the other was suspended from her work for six months.
Meanwhile, Ariana Grande sent fans between $500 and $1,000 through Venmo. As of late March, she has helped over 20 fans survive through their unemployed quarantine. Instead of going through a charity, these singers gave directly to those in need.
Leonardo DiCaprio Raised $12 Million In One Day
Fun fact: Leonardo DiCaprio serves as a co-founder of America's Food Fund. In early April, he launched a specific food fund for COVID-19 victims that raised $12.6 million in one day. DiCaprio teamed up with Apple, Ford, and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs to pull this off.
According to the charity's GoFundMe page, it helps "more than 37 million people [who struggle] to know where their next meal might come from." Other stars, such as Oprah Winfrey, donated $1 million to DiCaprio's charity that helped relieve hunger for low-income families.
Rihanna's Charity Provided $5 Million In Relief
In 2012, Rihanna established the Clara Lionel Foundation, which provides education on emergency response preparedness across the world. Eight years later, her nonprofit gave $5 million to COVID-19 victims. The money went to the World Health Organization, Direct Relief, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee, and Partners in Health.
The funds mobilized response teams, fed the hungry, and gave Native communities resources to fight the virus. Later, Rihanna teamed up with Jay-Z to donate another $1 million (combined $2 million) to low-income families struggling with quarantine.
Kristin Bell Received Help From Her Kids
The star of The Good Place contributed to food banks with help from her two children. In March, Kristin bell donated $150,007.96 to No Kid Hungry. The organization helps community groups and school grants feed children who are impacted by COVID-19.
Bell's daughters, five-year-old Delta and six-year-old Lincoln, contributed what they had saved up in their piggy banks. Adorably, they gave up an "important 7 dollars and 96 cents" to feed hungry kids, according to Bell's Instagram post. She's raising her kids right!
Once Again, Harry Styles Gave To Charity
Harry Styles is well known for donating the money that he receives from tours. So it's no surprise that the singer is combating the pandemic. On World Health Day, he released a line of shirts that say "Stay Home. Stay Safe. Protect Each Other." All proceeds from these $26 shirts went to the World Health Organization.
The charity benefits the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, also backed by the UN. Styles said in a statement, "In times like these, it is more important than ever to remember the power of people."
Jimmy Fallon Joins The Fight
On March 15th, Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon posted on Twitter that he donated to Feeding America. He did not say how much he donated. Fallon aimed to help "our most vulnerable populations - children who are losing the one meal they may rely on per day, our friends and family who are facing job issues, the elderly, and low-income families."
Fallon also encouraged others to contribute to Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund. On a special edition episode of the Tonight Show, he highlighted the charity and encouraged audience members to donate.
Justin Bieber Aided China When They Needed It
Justin Bieber aided COVID-19 victims back in February. At the height of the outbreak in Wuhan, the 26-year-old popstar contributed $29,000 to the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation. The nonprofit sent food to kids affected by the virus.
"I know it's a very scary time in your country right now," Bieber said in an Instagram video. "But my prayers and support go out to you guys. You guys are amazing." He also shouted out to Kris Wu, the Canadian-Chinese actor, who may have contributed or encouraged him to donate.
Russell And Ciara Wilson Worked Independently
While the NFL works collectively to collect donations, Seattle Seahawks player Russell Wilson contributed independently with his wife, Ciara. In March, the couple promised to fund one million meals for Food Lifeline. The nonprofit provides meals to over 300 foodbanks across America.
In an Instagram video, the couple announced their donation to Food Lifeline, and they also encouraged everyone to stay home. "Everything that we do together makes a difference," Ciara said. "Together, we will conquer these tough times we are going through."
Justin Timberlake Fed Families In Tennessee
In March 2020, Justin Timberlake donated to the food banks of Mid-South community in western Tennessee. Since many people have lost their jobs during the pandemic, these charities will keep them and their families fed. Timberlake tweeted about the food bank and tagged Feeding America, a nationwide hunger-relief charity.
"This is a crazy time, but remember we're all in it together," the singer-songwriter tweeted. "Start small and support your local communities by getting food out to those in need." If you go on Feeding America's website, you can choose which area to donate to.
George and Amal Clooney Supported Many Charities
The Hollywood power couple George and Amal Clooney have provided relief for many people. According to their representative, the couple donated $1 million to several charities. Some went to the Motion Picture and Television home, of which George Clooney is on the board of directors.
Other charities they helped include the National Health Service, Lebanese Food Bank, the Lombardo Italy Region, the SAG-AFTRA FUND, and the Los Angeles Mayors Fund. That's tens of thousands of dollars pledged to six different charities, all of which aid people affected by COVID-19.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Gave $1 Million
The famous Hollywood couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively announced that they are donating $1 million to food banks. In mid-March, the actors posted a link to their fundraiser on their social media. They vowed to split the donations between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.
"Though we must be distancing ourselves to protect those who don't have the opportunity to self-quarantine, we can stay connected," Lively wrote on her Instagram. The actors also encouraged their followers to stay safe and make time for themselves.
Angelina Jolie Supported Hungry Kids
Since schools have closed, some children don't receive as much food. Angelina Jolie donated $1 million to No Kid Hungry, which sends meals to these children. In a statement, she brought up that one billion children are out of school, and many of them need help to eat lunch.
"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," she said. No Kid Hungry later tweeted thanks for Jolie's support.
NBA Players Supported People Who Are Out Of Work
Although the National Basketball League season got suspended, basketball players haven't stopped working. Professionals such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Blake Griffin, and Rudy Gobert have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to employees of businesses who otherwise would receive little to no income.
Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks sent $100,000 to Fiserv Forum, a multi-use arena in Wisconsin. Utah Jazz player Gobert donated $200,000 to the employee relief fund at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The money will keep the businesses afloat and provide relief for their employees.
