Star Power Celebrities and Sports Stars Use Their Platforms For Good

Star Power Celebrities and Sports Stars Use Their Platforms For Good

In times of crisis, fans turn to their favorite celebrities for a guiding light and glimmer of hope. With their sizeable audiences and powerful online platforms, celebrities and public figures can spread messages of safety and kindness, while advocating for important causes.

As the world takes strides to return to normalcy, high-profile celebrities continue to use their notoriety to raise awareness for and donate to charities and programs that are still fighting the spread of the virus. From large donations of money and meals, to organized benefits and fundraisers, these celebrities are showing their heroism in a multitude of ways.

Golf Stars Go Head-To-Head Against Superbowl-Winning Quarterbacks

Golf stars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson went head-to-head against Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in a golf match for coronavirus relief. WarnerMedia's Turner Sports said the event was a TV ratings hit, with sports-starved fans turning up in droves for the telecast of the event on the nation's Memorial Day holiday weekend. In the match, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods and twice Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning held off a late challenge to beat five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady one up at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. According to Turner Sports, the charity match, which raised more than $20 million for COVID-19 relief, was the most-watched golf telecast in the history of cable television. The PGA Tour is expected to resume action with the upcoming Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, scheduled on June 11-14.

Tina Fey brought to tears by Rise Up New York telethon

Over on the east coast, Tina Fey was visibly overwhelmed by the success of the 'Rise Up New York' telethon, which raised money for coronavirus relief efforts in New York City. Prior to revealing the eye-watering amount raised through the event, Tina said: "I am told that the number of donors is well over 100,000 people from kids with piggy banks to million-dollar gifts. "No matter how big or small, they all share that spirit of generosity, and in the end, that is how we'll win." When it was revealed that as much as $115 million had been raised through the telethon, Tina appeared to be genuinely shocked, asking, "Is this real?" Visibly moved by the public's response to the pandemic, she added: "Okay ... $115 million. We did this. You did this. We are difference makers. $115 million, what a great day for New York." "Thank you to everyone who gave and gave and gave from all over the world. There's so much more to do."

Paris Hilton’s family donate $10M towards Covid-19 relief efforts

Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton-Rothschild’s family have donated $10 million towards coronavirus relief efforts.

The Hilton hoteliers are giving $5 million towards healthcare clinics in Los Angeles to fund personal protective equipment, including hand sanitizer, testing kits, and other expenses related to developing and implementing a COVID-19 response plan to care for individuals experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. As well, $5 million will go towards countries in Africa, where the healthcare systems are not up to standard.

A press release added that “about half will go toward protecting the homeless population in Los Angeles, with the other half focused on helping African countries prepare for a pending outbreak.”

The money is coming from The Hilton Foundation - which was launched in 1944 by the late Hilton Hotels founder, Conrad N. Hilton, Paris and Nicky’s great-grandfather.

Ciara and Russell Wilson donate a million meals

Over in Seattle, Ciara and Russell Wilson are donating a million meals to their local food bank.

The couple hopes to "make a difference" to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic by teaming up with Seattle Food LifeLine and urged others to follow their lead.

In a video shared on the couple's social media pages, the 31-year-old NFL player said: "This worldwide pandemic coronavirus is changing the world second by second, minute by minute.

"People are losing loved ones. The elderly and the young. The people in between. You think about people losing jobs -- even in Seattle.

"What we've decided to do is partner up with our local food bank, Seattle Food LifeLine, and we're gonna donate a million meals and hopefully make a difference."

“We want to encourage everyone out there to join us in whatever way that you can, big or small. Everything makes a difference. Everything that we do together makes a difference. Together, we will conquer this tough time we are going through," Ciara added.

The 'Level Up' singer - currently pregnant with her second daughter - went on to encourage their followers to continue practicing "social distancing".

She said: "We have faith, we want to encourage everyone out there to keep the faith and practice social distancing."

Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila deliver 110,000 masks to rural Texas hospitals

Back in the U.S, Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila turned delivery drivers to hand out 110,000 masks to rural hospitals in their home state of Texas.

The 50-year-old actor has been doing his bit to help during the coronavirus pandemic. He and Camila teamed up with truck

company Lincoln to provide hospitals with some much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

Alongside an Instagram snap of himself and Camila in their Lincoln, which was loaded up with boxes, Matthew wrote: "Thanks to @lincoln for donating 110 thousand masks - me and @ camilamcconaughey hitting the road to get em to rural hospitals in need across Texas."

It's not the first time the couple has helped out during the worldwide health crisis, as they have previously donated 80,000 masks to frontline workers in Austin, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Speaking about that donation in April, Camila told People: "Matt and I were able to get approximately 80,000 masks, and it's a combination of surgical masks and KN95 masks that will be distributed between Austin and New Orleans, where they were getting hit pretty hard as well.

"It was important for us to make sure that here in Austin, not just the hospitals got them, but also the police department and the fire department as well. At this moment, we've got to find ways to help both sides because they're all on the front line right now, and we can't afford to lose any of them."

Hugh Jackman Passes the Mic to Health Experts

Online, Hugh Jackman has joined the #PassTheMic initiative as part of the ONE campaign. Jackman, among other celebrities like Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker, will be turning their social media accounts over to health experts to inform fans about the on-going pandemic.

The move is part of the #passthemic initiative from the ONE campaign, giving experts a platform to share their perspectives on the Covid-19 crisis and discuss why they believe a global response to the pandemic is crucial for eradicating coronavirus.

Hugh Jackman is also helping out people in need through the mental health organization Gotcha4Life, where he has been an ambassador since 2017.

The 51-year-old Australian revealed during a recent interview with News Corp Australia he's been working with pal, Gus Worland, who founded the non-profit, which is "dedicated to taking action and having a positive outcome on mental health".

"I've learned so much from being on the board, and we are planning on more of those talks. Gus has been incredible," Hugh shared. "It's something we really need to pay attention to in the world and Australia, a lot."

"Our need to look after each other, not just financially and physically, but mentally is a priority," Hugh continued. "There's a lot of loneliness out there, and this only adds to that."

—Reuters