RECENT HUMANITARIAN CONTRIBUTIONS
The worldwide public health and economic crisis has lead to an unprecedented outpouring of charity giving and donations to organizations that are leading the charge against COVID-19. Previously, we have reported on major contributions made by the likes of Google, Lamborghini, The Gates Foundation, Drew Brees, and Penelope Cruz. Each day brings news of yet another notable humanitarian gesture. Here are some recent ones.
Dolly Parton
The beloved country legend recently announced a $1 million contribution to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. The money will go toward the institution’s efforts to find a vaccine for the coronavirus. Parton, who lives in nearby Brentwood, made the contribution in response to an appeal from her friend Dr. Naji N. Abumrad, a professor of surgery at the university’s medical center.
John Teevan
The American Red Cross has warned of a catastrophic blood shortage as a consequence of the pandemic. Many Americans are simply afraid of undertaking the procedure as the virus continues to spread. However, 90-year-old John Teevan of Beevercreek, Ohio refused to let fear or stay-at-home orders deter him from trekking to the community blood center on Wednesday. Incredibly, this is the outstanding citizen’s 200th blood donation.
Tyler Perry
Yesterday the successful filmmaker, actor, and studio head paid for all groceries during “Senior Hours” at 44 Atlanta-area Kroger grocery stores. The gesture prompted tears of joy and celebrations from surprised shoppers. In 2018, the entertainment mogul paid for $410,000 worth of layaway items at two Walmarts in Georgia.
Jack Dorsey
The founder and CEO of both Twitter and Square has committed $1 billion of his assets toward the COVID-19 response. The gift amounts to 28% of the billionaire’s net worth and is the largest individual contribution to date. He announced his plans in a series of tweets indicating that he wants to see the impact in his lifetime.
After we disarm this pandemic, the focus will shift to girls’ health and education, and UBI [universal basic income].
Jack Dorsey
Nike
The multinational sports apparel behemoth and its leaders have so far contributed $17 million to organizations in cities around the world including Portland, Boston, New York, Milan, and Barcelona. Jorge Casimiro, Nike’s Chief Social Impact Officer stated, “We organized ourselves around a global city approach… We saw the need as this thing has progressed and we are going into communities at a much more local level.” Nike has also introduced a 2-to-1 matching program for donations made by its 76,000 employees.
Rachael Ray
The celebrity cook and author is giving $4 million to a variety of nonprofit organizations through her two foundations, The Rachael Ray Foundation and The Yum-o! Organization. Half of that amount will go toward food and nutritional programs via partners including Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, and City Harvest. The other half of the donation will support animal welfare organizations including North Shore Animal League and Big Dog Ranch. The popular Rachael Ray Show has resumed broadcasting with new episodes directly from Ray’s upstate New York home.