With the coronavirus shutting down businesses and bringing medical systems all over the world on the brink of collapse, some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry are stepping up and using their influence, talents, and personal resources to provide help and hope where they can. And so far, all their efforts have made a huge impact especially on the lives of those who are in need the most during this crisis.
Let’s take a look at what some of our favorite stars are doing to give back in the time of Covid-19:
1. Lady Gaga
Together with Global Citizen and the World Health Organization (WHO), Lady Gaga staged an eight-hour livestream benefit concert which raised $127M to help with relief efforts related to the pandemic. Out of the said amount, WHO’s efforts to develop a vaccine for the virus, Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund, will receive $55.1M and the rest will go to various charities including food banks and housing providers. Prior to the said concert, the pop star also raised $35M to provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) to healthcare workers. And as if that’s not enough, her makeup brand, Haus Laboratories, is also donating to both the L.A. Regional Food Bank and Food Bank for New York City.
2. Shawn Mendes
In addition to donating to WHO’s relief efforts, the Stitches hitmaker, through The Shawn Mendes Foundation, donated $175,000 to Toronto-based facility The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) to help them combat the coronavirus and provide efficient care not just to their patients, but to their staff as well.
3. Oprah Winfrey
The TV legend donated $10M to help Americans cope with the effects of the pandemic. Out of her generous donation, Oprah has pledged $1 million to support America’s Food Fund. She says in an Instagram post, “I believe that America’s Food Fund will be a powerful way to make a difference for our neighbors in need and am committing $1M to this fund to support those facing food insecurity.”
4. Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel
So far, this power couple has donated more than $10 million to various Los Angeles-based charities and organizations to help provide relief in this turbulent time, including Allies for Every Child, Homeboy Industries, Koreatown Youth Community Center, Proyecto Pastoral, and the Venice Family Clinic.
5. Jay-Z and Meek Mill
Understanding that inmates need protection from the virus too, Jay-Z and rapper Meek Mill, donated more than 100,000 surgical masks to be distributed to various prisons and jails across the country.
6. Dolly Parton
Choosing to help battle the root of this crisis, country legend and philanthropist, Dolly Parton, has donated $1M to Vanderbilt University to help fund their research for a cure to the coronavirus. She said on Twitter, “My longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad, who’s been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years, informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure.”
7. Cardi B
Grammy winner, Cardi B, has partnered with Fashion Nova to donate $1,000 every hour to families who are most affected by the crisis. Overall, she is donating $1M towards this effort.
There are a lot of other celebrities and influential private individuals who are extending a helping hand to help others cope with the effects of this pandemic. We encourage everyone to take a cue from them and provide assistance where we can.
