Celebs give back amid the coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down major Hollywood productions and big festivals such as Coachella. Movie releases have been postponed, theatres, clubs and many schools have shut down temporarily in many parts of the world. This has financially impacted many people working for these sectors, including many others.

But despite such apocalyptic scenes, these celebs have been making a positive impact and giving back to those in need.

Ciara and Russell Wison: The singer and NFL star donated one million meals to the Seattle-based food banks supported by Food Lifeline.

Lady Gaga: On March 16, the pop star’s cosmetics company Haus Labs announced its plan to donate 20 percent of its online profits from the previous week to local food banks in Los Angeles and New York City.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively: The couple pledged $1 million to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

Justin Timberlake: On March 15, the singer announced that he is donating to the Mid-South Food Bank, which helps people assemble and deliver non-perishable food to families in need, in his hometown of Memphis

The Golden State Warriors: Ownership, players and coaches of this basketball team based in San Francisco, pledged to donate $1 million to a disaster relief fund benefiting Chase Centre employees impacted by the loss of NBA games.

Rudy Gobert: The NBA team Utah Jazz’s player Rudy Gobert is donating more than $500,000 to support both the employee relief fund at Vivint Smart Home Arena and COVID-related social services, according to the NBA. Rudy Gobert became the first player in the NBA to contact the virus.

Donatella Versace: Versace’s chief creative officer and her daughter Allegra Versace Beck have donated 200,000 euros to the intensive care department of San Raffaele hospital in Milan, Italy. The country is the second hardest-hit country after China, where the virus originated.

Justin Bieber: In February, the pop star pledged to donate 200,000 RNB ($29,000) to the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation, a children’s charity in China, to help with the coronavirus relief efforts.

Sheryk Sandberg: In partnership with her local Silicon Valley, Calif. food bank, the Facebook COO pledged $5.5 million to launch the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Feeding Families.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 28th, 2020