Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and wife Blake Lively have joined an array of stars in contributing generously to a disaster relief fund aimed at supporting victims of the recent hurricanes Helene and Milton in the US. The prominent couple has made a significant donation of one million dollars (£765,000) to Feeding America in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida, where it made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm, unleashing wind speeds exceeding 100mph (160kph).
This benevolent gesture from Reynolds and Lively comes hot on the heels of singer Taylor Swift’s announcement of a massive five million dollar (£3.8 million) contribution to the same organisation. Praising the couple’s compassion, Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot lauded their support for the relief efforts that aid people in “rebuilding and recovering” amidst the aftermath of the hurricanes in the southern US region. Babineaux-Fontenot emphasised the crucial role of such donations in providing essential resources like water, meals, and supplies to communities facing profound loss and a prolonged period of recovery.
Meanwhile, country music icon Dolly Parton has personally pledged one million dollars (£765,000) towards the hurricane relief initiatives. Notably, associated businesses under her brand, including the popular Dollywood theme park, have matched this amount for the Mountain Ways Foundation. Additionally, country artist Morgan Wallen has also stepped up by donating 500,000 dollars through the Morgan Wallen Foundation to assist in recovery efforts in east Tennessee and other areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
In a show of solidarity, musicians Keith Urban, Luke Combs, and Sheryl Crow have announced plans for a ‘Concert For Carolina’ event scheduled for later this month, with all proceeds geared towards supporting Hurricane Helene relief operations in the Carolina region. These acts of generosity from Reynolds, Lively, Parton, Wallen, and others underscore the spirit of unity and compassion that shines through in times of crisis, reflecting a collective effort to assist those in need across the affected regions.