How Celebrities, Athletes + More Are Giving Back During The Coronavirus Pandemic .
By Rohit Joon , April 8 , 2020
While we all practice social distancing during, the coronavirus pandemic is, in other ways, bringing the world together—just look at the Italian citizens harmonizing in Siena as proof. Some celebrities, athletes and team owners are doing more than boosting morale, though—here’s a look at those who are giving back during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ryan Reynolds + Blake Lively Make A $1 Million Donation
Ryan Reynolds managed to poke fun at his long-suffering buddy Hugh Jackman AND announce that he and wife Blake Lively were making a $1 million donation, to be split between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, in his Instagram post, below. He also called COVID-19 an “asshole” and has since become our new hero.
Bethenny Frankel Is Raising Money + Assembling Sanitization Kits
The “Real Housewives of New York” star Bethenny Frankel announced on her Instagram page that she is “assembling hydration/sanitization kits for thousands who can’t afford the price gouging happening in the sanitization space right now. We have also raised $50k to start our initiative that will provide cash cards for families who can’t afford their children’s lunches if they don’t attend school.”
Justin Timberlake Is Giving Back To His Hometown
“Sexyback” singer Justin Timberlake‘s ability to give back is just as sexy as his songs. He shared that he would be donating to the Mid-South Food Bank in his hometown, Memphis, Tennessee. “This is a crazy time, but remember we’re all in it together,” Timberlake wrote. “Start small and support your local communities by getting food out to those in need.”
COVID-19 Positive NBA Player Rudy Gobert Is Trying To Beat The Disease
According to the NBA, the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, who was among the first celebrities to be diagnosed with COVID-19, is donating more than $500,000 to support the employee relief fund at Vivint Smart Home Arena and COVID-related social services.
Lady Gaga Is Making It Her Business To Help Local Food Banks
Lady Gaga, who has ties to both New York and Los Angeles, shared that she donated 20 percent of her cosmetics company Haus Labs‘ online profits last week to local food banks in both cities.
Stephen & Ayesha Curry Are Serving Up Some Charity
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and his chef/restaurateur wife Ayesha announced that they’re supporting Feeding America as well as local organizations in Oakland, Calif. “It takes a village,” Ayesha wrote on her Instagram page. She’s not wrong.
Justin Bieber Makes An Early Donation To A Children’s Charity in China
Justin Bieber was among the first to put his money where his mouth is, donating roughly $29,000 to the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation, a children’s charity in China, in February. “Watching the news I couldn’t imagine how scary it would be if a new disease was effecting my wife and my family and friends,”the pop star said on Instagram. “China we stand with you as a collective humanity and have made a donation to support. Whether it be this or the fires of Australia we all need to be there for each other. Shout out to my friend @kriswu for the conversation.”
Italian Designer Donatella Versace Is Supporting Her Country
Fashion designer Donatella Versace and her daughter, Allegra, are giving back to the country which, outside of China, has been hit the hardest by the coronavirus, making a donation of $200,000 Euros to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. “In times like this, it is important to be united and support however we can to help all those who are in the front lines, fighting every day to save hundreds of lives,” she said in a statement on her Instagram account.
Sheryl Sandberg Is Leaning In Like Whoa
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, in conjunction with her local Silicon Valley food bank, pledged $5.5 million to launch the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Feeding Families.
Bong Joon Ho and Suga Donate Funds For Face Masks + Sanitizers In South Korea
South Koreans Bong Joon Ho, the director of “Parasite,” as well as BTS member Suga, have both made donations of more than $82,000 to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, according to Newsweek, stating that the funds will reportedly be used to distribute much-needed face masks and hand sanitizers.
The NBA Gives Back To Its Communities
Joe Lacob, the owner of the Golden State Warriors, alongside his players and coaches, pledged to donate $1 million to a disaster relief fund benefitting Chase Center employees who are out of work because of the shortened NBA season. Meanwhile, Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love decided to pledge $100,000 through his Kevin Love Fund in support of the team’s arena and support staff. “Through the game of basketball, we’ve been able to address major issues and stand together as a progressive league that cares about the players, the fans, and the communities where we work. I’m concerned about the level of anxiety that everyone is feeling and that is why I’m committing $100,000 through the @KevinLoveFund in support of the @Cavs arena and support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the suspension of the NBA season,” he wrote on his Instagram page, adding, “I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities.” Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin did the same, saying that he plans to donate $100,000 to the staff at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. New Orleans Pelicans player Zion Williamson will cover the salaries of staff members at the Smoothie King Center in The Big Easy. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo offered up $100,000 as well to the workers at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.
JJ Watt & Kealia Ohai Donate In Houston
Newlyweds JJ Watt of the Houston Texans and his new wife, Kealia Ohai, reportedly donated $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank.
Bill & Melinda Gates Make The Ultimate Donation
Through their Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Microsoft Corporation co-founder and his wife have committed at least $105 million to aid the global response to the novel coronavirus, which will be used to help detect and treat the disease as well as speed up the development of much-needed vaccines.
Chiara Ferragni Stylishly Supports Her Country
Chiara Ferragni and her husband, Italian rapper Fedez, donated €100,000 (about $109,000) to a GoFundMe campaign they started with the intent of helping the overwhelmed hospitals in Italy. The funds will provide for new hospital beds in Milan’s San Raffaele hospital intensive care unit.
Vanessa Hudgens Is All For Feeding America
Vanessa Hudgens has shared that she made a gift to the non-profit Feeding America, and urged others to do the same.