Celebrities who are trying to make a difference during the coronavirus pandemic

March 27, 2020

<strong>By Heather Cichowski</strong>
<p>The <a href=/tags/0/coronavirus><strong>coronavirus</strong></a> pandemic persists, but there are many hopeful and kind-hearted stories of people who are helping to make this difficult time a little easier. Celebrities are using their star power and platforms in various ways in the battle against <a href=/tags/0/covid-19><strong>COVID-19</strong></a>. They are donating funds, increasing awareness and trying to boost everyone's spirits.
<p><strong>Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see the celebrities who are doing what they can to bring light and positivity to this difficult time.</strong>
<p>Photos: © Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images, Isa Foltin/Getty Images, Steve Granitz/WireImage

<h2>Liam Payne</h2>
<p>On March 27, <a href=/tags/0/Liam-Payne><strong>Liam Payne</a></strong> announced that he had partnered with the <a href="https://www.trusselltrust.org/">Trussell Trust</a>, a UK charity that helps food banks in need across the UK, to assist with hunger during the COVID-19 crisis. The former <a href=/tags/0/one-direction><strong>One Direction</strong></a> member revealed he will be helping to support over 100 food banks in the Midlands and other UK cities. The aid will provide over 360,000 meals over the next three months!
<p>"No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from: not now, not ever," the singer wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PV-Meg9D7/">Instagram</a>. "I am donating to @trusselltrust and if you can help too then please do… Take care, stay at home and look after one another."
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

<h2>Kylie Jenner</h2>
<p><a href=/tags/0/kylie-jenner><strong>Kylie Jenner</a></strong> is showing support for her local California community. The reality TV star donated US$1 million to aid Los Angeles hospitals with COVID-19 relief and supplies. Her LA-based physician, <strong>Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi</strong>, revealed Kylie's donation on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KiUEKnGgd/">Instagram</a> will go toward purchasing protective gear such as masks and face shields.
<p>Photo: © JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty Images

<h2>Ariana Grande</h2><p>
<a href=/tags/0/ariana-grande><strong>Ariana Grande</a></strong> has been vocal about showing her support to small businesses, charities and fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
<p>The singer has also encouraged fans to support organizations if it is possible for them. On Instagram, the GRAMMY winner revealed she was supporting Feeding America, Opportunity Fund, Give Directly, Croce Rossa Italiana (Italian Red Cross) and the World Health Organizations (WHO)'s COVID-19 Response Fund.
<p>Furthermore, Ariana has reportedly been sending money to fans via Venmo, a mobile payment app, who are struggling in these uncertain times. <a href="https://pagesix.com/2020/03/25/ariana-grande-sending-money-to-fans-hit-by-corona-shutdowns/">Page Six</a> reports she is discreetly sending funds to those struggling in light of shutdowns.
<p>Photo: © Amy Sussman/Getty Images

<h2>Angelina Jolie</h2><p>
<a href=/tags/0/angelina-jolie><strong>Angelina Jolie</a></strong> has pledged to donate US$1 million to children impacted by the coronavirus and school closures through <a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/">No Kid Hungry</a>.
<p>"As of this week, over a billion children are out of school worldwide because of closures linked to coronavirus," the actress said in a statement.
<p>"Many children depend on the care and nutrition they receive during school hours, including nearly 22 million children in America who rely on food support. No Kid Hungry is making resolute efforts to reach as many of those children as possible."
<p>Photo: © Kevin Mazur/WireImage

<h2>Taylor Swift</h2><p>
<a href=/tags/0/taylor-swift><strong>Taylor Swift</a></strong> and her fans have each others' backs. A few of her Swifties have reported that the singer has sent them money after they have been struggling financially after the challenges presented by the coronavirus.
<p>One fan, <strong>Holly Turner</strong>, received US$3,000 via PayPal from the singer after the freelance music photographer and graphic designer wrote on Tumblr that she might have to leave New York City because of the turbulent times.
<p>The grateful fan shared the transfer on <a href="https://twitter.com/ittybittyholly/status/1242925859167768576">Twitter</a>. It featured the message from Taylor: "Holly, You’ve always been there for me. I want to be there for you right now. I hope this helps. Love, Taylor."
<p>Photo: © Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes donated $175,000 with The Shawn Mendes Foundation to SickKids Toronto. The funds will go toward emergency medical resources to combat the coronavirus.

Furthermore, the Canadian singer revealed on Instagram on March 24 that his namesake foundation will also be supporting the World Health Organization's (WHO) COVID-19 relief efforts.
"The @shawnfoundation & I have been working to find ways to best support COVID-19 relief efforts, and to direct our resources to where we can make a difference.

"We've made a donation to @sickkidssvs hospital this week to help support the urgent screening and prevention of COVID-19 in my hometown of Toronto.

"For the next month, all donations to The Shawn Mendes Foundation will go towards SickKids Hospital & relief efforts around the world by the @WHO."

Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage

<h2>Bethenny Frankel</h2>
<p>The former <i><strong><a href=/tags/0/real-housewives-of-new-york-city>Real Housewives of New York City</a></strong></i> star is lending her support to the fight against COVID-19 in various ways.
<p>She is donating one million face masks through her philanthropic disaster relief initiative, <a href="https://www.bethenny.com/about-bethenny/"> bstrong</a>, to aid medical professionals on the front line with the shortage of supplies. Additionally, they are making corona kits, which include gloves, immune boosters, hand sanitizer, hydration kits and more.
<p>"#BStrong has a network of international businesses producing masks. Hospital workers, please talk to your administrators and have them donate to #BStrong with an earmark for YOUR hospital so that you can get these masks ASAP," she wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Cza6_gyFK/">Instagram</a>. "Hospital executives, reach out so we can get you what you need."
<p>Photo: © Dan MacMedan/WireImage

<h2>Rosie O'Donnell</h2>
<p><a href=/tags/0/rosie-odonnell><strong>The comedian's</strong></a>'s one-night Broadway charity show raised over US$600,000 for those affected by COVID-19 via <a href="https://actorsfund.org">The Actors Fund</a>. It's a national human services organization that strives to meet the needs of the entertainment community.
<p>The special show resurrected Rosie's popular talk show from the 1990s. It was livestreamed on Broadway.com and its YouTube channel on March 22.
<p>Broadway has been hard hit by the spread of the novel coronavirus, with many productions being cancelled or postponed.
<p>Photo: © Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

<h2>Rihanna</h2>
<p><a href=/tags/0/rihanna><strong>The pop superstar</strong></a>'s Clara Lionel Foundation <a href="https://claralionelfoundation.org/news/rihanna-donates-5-million-to-fight-covid-19/">announced</a> on March 21 that it was donating US$5 million for coronavirus relief to organizations including The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Direct Relief, Feeding America and Partners in Health. The goal is "to immediately mobilize a broad response working with on-the-ground partners."
<p>The singer started the foundation in 2012 and named it in honour of her grandparents, <strong>Clara</strong> and <strong>Lionel Braithwaite</strong>.
<p>"Over the past five years CLF has been one of the first organizations to respond to some of the world’s most devastating natural disasters, and we’ve seen firsthand the profound and unintended consequences of not being prepared," she said in a statement.
<p>Photo: © Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images

<h2>Ciara and Russell Wilson</h2>
<p><a href=/tags/0/ciara><strong>Ciara</strong></a> and <a href=/tags/0/russell-wilson><strong>Russell Wilson</strong></a> announced in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B92xv75Hdw4/">an Instagram video</a> on March 17 that they would be supporting their Seattle community by donating 1 million meals.
<p>Russell, who plays for the Seattle Seahawks, and his singer wife wrote, "Rally with us and support your local food bank @FeedingAmerica. We can all make a difference together. Let's all keep the Faith during this difficult time."
<p>Photo: © JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty Images

<h2>Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively</h2><p>
The A-list couple pledged an incredible US$1 million to be split between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.
<p><a href=/tags/0/ryan-reynolds><strong>Ryan</strong></a> and wife <a href=/tags/0/blake-lively><strong>Blake</strong></a> made the announcement on social media and encouraged others to get involved, if they were able.
<p>"Take care of your bodies and hearts," Ryan wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B90AS5Cp5QB/">Instagram</a>. "Leave room for joy. Call someone who's isolated who might need a connection."
<p>Photo: © Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

<h2>Donatella Versace</h2><p>
The Italian fashion designer and her daughter <strong>Allegra Versace</strong> have donated €200,000 ($313,000) to the intensive care department of San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. Italy is one of the hardest hit regions by COVID-19.
<p>"Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this disease and to all the doctors and medical staff who have been working heroically non-stop in the past weeks to take care of our loved ones," they wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rz2tHIbEl/">Instagram</a>. "This is when we, as a society, need to stand together and care for one another."
<p>Photo: © Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

<h2>Suga</h2><p>
According to reports, the <a href=/tags/0/bts><strong>BTS</strong></a> member has donated the equivalent of US$83,000 to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. The K-pop singer is a native of Daegu, an area that was heavily affected by the coronavirus.
<p>Photo: © NI/Star Max/GC Images

<h2>Lil Nas X</h2><p>
The <strong><A href=/tags/0/grammy-awards>GRAMMY</a></strong> winner has been helping fans who are self-isolating by offering to send them money via CashApp so they can get food without having to leave their homes.
<p>"Hey guys drop ur cashapp. gonna send some of u some money to go get some food then stay inside," the rapper <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1238223751797301248">tweeted</a> on March 12.
<p>Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage

<h2>Justin Bieber</h2><p>
The Canadian star pledged his support in February to help China with coronavirus relief.
<p>"Watching the news I couldn’t imagine how scary it would be if a new disease was effecting [sic] my wife and my family and friends," he wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hMpJdH5fT/">Instagram</a> on Feb. 13.
<p>"China we stand with you as a collective humanity and have made a donation to support. Whether it be this or the fires of Australia we all need to be there for each other..."
<p>In the video, he announced his donation to Beijing Chunmiao Children's Aid Foundation.
<p>On March 17, <strong><a href=/tags/0/justin-bieber>Justin</a></strong> also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B91qOsWHPnY/">shared a video</a> highlighting "what we can do when we come together."
<p>Photo: © Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

<h2>Justin Timberlake</h2><p>
The pop star threw his support behind his hometown of Memphis by donating to the Mid-South Food Bank.
<p>The organization is preparing special boxes to help out during the battle with the coronavirus.
<p>Photo: © Isa Foltin/Getty Images

<h2>Bill and Melinda Gates</h2><p>
<a href=/tags/0/bill-gates><strong>Bill Gates</strong></a> and wife <a href=/tags/0/melinda-gates><strong>Melinda Gates</strong></a> have committed at least US$105 million via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The money will go to US and international efforts in the fight against COVID-19, including assistance with detection, developing treatments and helping at-risk populations.
<p>Photo: © Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Robin Hood

<h2>Bong Joon-ho</h2><p>
The <em>Parasite</em> director is one of several Korean celebrities who showed his support in the country's fight with the coronavirus. The Daegu native donated more than US$82,000 to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, according to the organization. The funds will go toward hand sanitizer and face masks.
<p>Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images