Several celebrities have donated large sums of money, while other have used their platforms to promote charities assisting in recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
The devastating storm ripped through Houston, Texas, over the weekend, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and destitute. In the aftermath, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have pitched in to help those in need.
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart took to social media Monday to announce his “Hurricane Harvey Relief Challenge.”
“I’m going to start a real challenge. I’m challenging all of my celebrity friends to follow my lead and donate $25,000 to the Red Cross,” the Jumanji star said in an Instagram video, imploring “simply anybody right now who’s in a powerful position who can impact this issue through social media. Let’s really try to save some lives.”
Pop superstar Chris Brown accepted Hart’s challenge, responding in a Twitter video that he would donate $100,000 to relief efforts.
“Kevin Hart, I accept your challenge,” the “Pill and Automobiles” singer said. “We need to come together. I’m donating $100,000. So man, this is for everybody in Texas, the relief and everything. I implore and encourage everybody else, who can change and make a change for this, to please donate and help out.”
Hart’s Jumanji co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced a $25,000 donation to the Red Cross and said his companies would also donate money.
Rap super-producer DJ Khaled responded to Hart’s challenge, donating $25,000 “to help all the families in need.”
Country singer Chris Young pledged to donate $100,000 to those affected. He also launched a GoFundMe initiative to further assist victims.
“I’m worried about the people there — my friends, family and neighbors — and I want to help,” Young, who owns a home in Houston, wrote in an Instagram post.
Country group Lady Antebellum donated proceeds from the merchandise sales at its Dallas, Texas, concert on Saturday to relief efforts. The band, currently on its “You Look Good Tour,” was scheduled to play in Houston. “We are so sad to have to cancel our show in Houston tonight,” the band tweeted on Sunday. “All of our merch proceeds will be going towards hurricane relief funds.”
The Kardashian and Jenner women have donated $500,000 to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, Kim Kardashian announced on social media Tuesday. “Houston we are praying for you!” the model and reality star wrote on Twitter.
Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez and her boyfriend former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez both donated $25,000 to recovery efforts.
Houston native and pop megastar Beyoncé released a statement to the Houston Chronicle: “My heart goes out to my hometown, Houston, and I remain in constant prayer for those affected and for the rescuers who have been so brave.”
The singer said “I am working closely with my team at BeyGOOD as well as my pastor to implement a plan to help as many as we can.”
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Rockport, Texas, on Friday as a Category Four hurricane. The storm has since claimed at least 15 lives, ravaged the state, and has left millions battling hunger and deadly flooding.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday for a briefing on the state’s efforts to rescue victims of the storm.
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @JeromeEHudson