Now that Superstorm Sandy tore through the northeast, focus has shifted to restoring the surrounding areas back to normal. Celebrities have made their presence known as they have lent their hands to those struck by the storm. Alongside them are several well-known organizations also working to raise money.
Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Chelsea Handler and Lady Gaga are just a few of the celebrities who have banded together in efforts to raise money for the victims of Sandy.
“After talking with the team, I am proud to announce that for the four NYC area shows – the Jersey show, the Brooklyn show and two [Madison Square Garden] shows, we are going to donate $1 [for every ticket sold] to Hurricane Sandy relief. Thanks for helping us. #GIVEBACK,” Bieber wrote on his Facebook page on Nov. 8.
Rihanna opened her wallet, donating $100,000 to the Food Bank for New York City, according to mtv.com. “It’s really difficult to see something so tragic going on and not be able to do anything about it,” she said. “There’s nothing you can control, it’s mother nature. It’s really sad what happened here.”
She also announced during a Facebook chat with Bravo’s Andy Cohen that she would be turning her “Unapologetic” listening party at the 40/40 Club into a benefit to help those affected by Sandy. All she asked for from those attending were donations for victims of Sandy.
“Everybody’s asked to donate blankets and bleach … they want cleaning [supplies], brooms, sleeping bags,” she said. “And they get to listen to the album if they donate that stuff.” The pop star also donated a thousand sleeping bags to New York Daily News’ Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort this past Saturday, Nov. 10.
Lady Gaga’s donation was possibly the most outstanding. The New York City native announced on Tuesday, Nov. 6 that she would donate $1 million to the American Red Cross to help with Hurricane Sandy relief according to The Huffington Post.
She shared the donation news with victims of Sandy and her fans through her blog, LittleMonsters.com. “Today I pledge 1 million dollars to New York & The American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief,” she said. “New York is relentless ambition, a drive to succeed, a place where there is a natural pursuit of diversity through compassion. Please accept this gift on behalf of myself, my parents Joe and Cynthia and my sister Natali; with our deepest gratitude New York for raising us. Thank you for helping me build my spirit. I will now help you rebuild yours. Sincerely, Lady Gaga and The Germanottas.”
In addition, other superstars including Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Sting and Bon Jovi collaborated and took an active part in the Coming Together telethon (hosted by NBC’s Matt Lauer) on Nov. 2, which raised $23 million.
New Jersey native Chelsea Handler announced during her show on Wednesday, Oct. 31 that she would be giving a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross for Sandy relief after John C. Reilly challenged viewers to make donations.
“I think it’s good that celebrities want to give back. [But] I think sometimes we just want to throw money at the problem,” said senior public health major Casey Foster. She said that we need to remember the immediate necessities like food, water, and shelter.
Moreover, major corporations and media conglomerates have donated toward the Sandy relief efforts as well. Walt Disney Company donated $2 million to the cause, splitting the donation in parts: $1 million for immediate relief efforts to the Red Cross and $1 million for organizations focused on rebuilding efforts, according to Business Insider. Time Warner and its divisions (Warner Bros., HBO, Turner Broadcasting System and Time Inc.) donated $1 million to Sandy relief efforts, $500,000 to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and $500,000 to other organizations in the tri-state region.
Rupert Murdoch pledged $1 million from News Corporation according to mediabistro.com. “News Corp giving $1 million to help families in NY and NJ badly hurt by Sandy,” he tweeted. “Hope other companies will do the same.”
Crocs, Kellogg’s, StarKist and ConAgra Foods teamed up with Anderson Cooper to raise money for Sandy’s victims. Crocs donated $75,000 worth of shoes and more than $100,000 worth of supplies from bottled water to trash bags to baby items according to andersoncooper.com. Between Kellogg’s and ConAgra Foods, more than $200,000 worth of food was donated to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network, to help with recovery in New York. StarKist donated more than $89,000 worth of packaged and canned tuna to the Broad Channel are in Queens, NY.
Sophomore communication major Katelyn Emanuelson agreed that a continual effort should be made. “They will need continual help to rebuild their homes and their lives and their jobs and get their families put back together,” she said. “I feel like a lot of people go ‘oh I donated this much money’ or ‘I sent this and now I’m done,’ instead of checking to see that everyone has what they need.”
To make your own donation to the Red Cross’ recovery efforts, text “REDCROSS” to 90999.
Kelly St.Onge can be reached at kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com.
always good to see people helping people
That is wonderful to see Celebs giving back and helping after such devastation.BUT what about the animal shelters? They too need alot of support at this time.It may be a time of crisis but DON’T forget MAN’S BEST FRIEND