By Yuriy Andriyashchuk
Hip-HopVibe.com Staff Writer
Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and deaths continue to rise in the world as people are practicing social distancing and self-isolation more to prevent the spread of the virus along with avoiding catching it. Many wealthy celebrities are donating a lot of money in for relief efforts and now, Rihanna and Jay Z are the latest to do so.
Rih and Hov are donating $1 million each through their respective charitable foundations. Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation will be donating this million in grants along with Jay’s Shawn Carter Foundation. Among the recipients of the funds are undocumented workers, children of frontline health workers and first responders, and incarcerated, elderly and homeless populations in both New York City and Los Angeles.
CLF have been on the move lately in regards to generous donations over the past week as they also donated $5 million in grants to on-the-ground partners on the frontlines of this pandemic who are protecting “vulnerable and marginalized communities in the United States, Caribbean and in Africa.” Among the new organizations who will help people through these donations are the Mayor’s Fund for L.A., Fund for Public Schools, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the New York Immigration Coalition. Among the goals of the funds are: Offering daycare, learning materials, food and supplies for the children of frontline healthcare workers and first responders, providing learning materials for the over 20,000 children and youth learning in shelters and virtual mental health support for parents, and ensuring child-care centers are clean, have smaller clusters of children and that all personnel are protected.
“There are a number of populations who are especially vulnerable during this pandemic — those who are undocumented, incarcerated, elderly and homeless, as well as children of frontline health workers and first responders,” said Justine Lucas, Executive Director of the Clara Lionel Foundation. “Now more than ever, we need to support organizations prioritizing the health and rights of these individuals.”
Gloria Carter, CEO and Co-Founder of the Shawn Carter Foundation, also released a statement on behalf of their generous donations.
“In times of crisis it is imperative that we come together as one community to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to critical needs: shelter, health, nutrition and education. The only way to get through this pandemic is with love and action.”
CLF’s Diamond Ball in September will sadly be postponed though. This event is held every year to raise money for charities in throughout the Caribbean. Last week though, Rihanna bought BB$1.4 million (US $700,000) worth of ventilators for Barbados.
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