CELEBRITIES RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPAN
It’s hard to grasp the destruction that now defines Japan. No one ever imagines that one moment you can be going about your day, life as usual, and in the next instant you’ve lost everything- friends, family, home. This is the hardship and reality that faces this post-quake nation after it was rocked by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake of the coast, triggering a tsunami that left thousands dead.
I visited Japan about a year ago while my friend was living there teaching English. I was struck by the beauty of its landscape and fascinated by its culture. As reports of this quake fluttered across the news and countless first hand Youtube videos began streaming, the world got to see this devastation in a way only new technology could provide.
It’s no shock to me that in LA, a city that hangs under the constant threat of a similar catastrophe, the entertainment industry has stepped up to the plate to raise money to send overseas. More than a month later, the relief efforts are far from over and here are some celebrities lending their star power to a good cause:
Twitter fans who follow Katy Perry received her message loud and clear when she tweeted “Be the change you want to see” and urged followers to text 90999 to make a Red Cross Donation.
Pop-star Lady Gaga is donating 100% of her proceeds from her “WE PRAY FOR JAPAN” wristbands, available in both English and Japanese to the relief efforts, and has raised over $250,000 in the first 48 hours.
Charlie Sheen, who may have lost his mind but not his empathy, announced he would be donating revenue from his upcoming live shows in Chicago and Detroit to help Japan.
Water for Elephants stars Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, alongside fellow actor James Franco and comic book guru Stan Lee are supporting the Yoshiki Foundation of America to raise money to benefit the victims of this natural disaster.
Disney Star Demi Lovato donated $1 million of her own money to the relief costs and urged teens to donate what they could.
Supermodel Petra Nemcova who survived the 2004 tsunami urged supporters to donate to her Happy Hearts Charity to provide help.
It’s nice to see celebrities wielding their star power for a good cause, which is often the case. The list goes on and so should the relief! Visit Redcross.com to see how you can help.
