Miley Cyrus, Leonardo DiCaprio Pledge Over $1 Million to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims
They are among the sea of stars who are stepping up to help those affected by the natural disaster.
Recovery efforts for the victims of Hurricane Harvey are getting some major contributions from some of the biggest names in show biz, who have stepped up to help relief efforts. Miley Cyrus, who founded the Happy Hippie Foundation, announced on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show on Wednesday that she is donating $500,000 to the cause. She tearfully opened up about her desire to help on the show, sharing, "I'm really happy to help any way that I can."
On the same show, Ellen presented a donation for $1 million dollars from Walmart. She has previously donated $50,000 to efforts. According to TMZ, the donation will do to a fund started by NFL player J.J. Watt, which has already received over $10 million in donations.
Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged $1 million through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The contribution was made in connection with United Way Worldwide's United Way Harvey Recovery Fund, which "will distribute 100 percent of donations for recovery in the affected areas, community by community, in the months and years ahead."
In a statement to E! News, United Way Worldwide President and CEO Brian Gallagher said, "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Leonardo DiCaprio and his foundation. Responding to Hurricane Harvey requires the best of all of us — and that's what this gift represents. United Way's Harvey Recovery Fund will provide much- needed help for the communities along the Gulf Coast where lives have been changed forever."
Meanwhile, Jamie Foxx has announced plans for a Hurricane Harvey telethon, slated to take place on September 12. "Just wanted to let everyone in Texas know, we got you," he shared. "From a fellow Texan, my heart goes out. My prayers go out. September 12 we have a telethon that we're doing. We'll give you more details, so we can raise as much money as we can for everybody down there." He also revealed that he's donated $25,000 to GlobalGiving.
Entertainment Tonight reports that a slew of stars are reportedly involved with the event, including Reese Witherspoon, Blake Shelton and Michael Strahan, among others. In the Instagram announcement about the telethon, Jamie revealed that more details about the event were forthcoming.
To help with hurricane relief, call 1-800-258-6000, text GIVE to 80077, or visit HandInHand2017.com.
