Stars step up for Harvey relief

celebrity hurricane harvey reliefg

When tragedy strikes, Americans know how to come together. From endless lines of supply trucks and Red Cross buses full of volunteers to the “Cajun Navy” and tireless first responders, Americans have descended on southeast Texas to help those in need after Hurricane Harvey. Hollywood has shown up too. In most cases, stars have come out with little fanfare, leveraging their celebrity to increase donations or make connections. One of these helpful stars is Texas native, Jensen Ackles. You may know him as one-half of the lead in the long-running TV drama, Supernatural.

Ackles is stuck in Vancouver filming on location, but that hasn’t stopped the star and his family from lending a hand … and asking others to do the same. He and his family are asking for donations to a charity he co-founded with fellow Supernatural player, Misha Collins. As of this writing, their combined effort has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. This includes a personal donation of $50,000 directly from Ackles.

Speaking to CNN about his friends and family in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Ackles said, “I’m not there; I’m not able to do anything physically… But I’m here, and what I can do is rally this incredible community that has been growing for more than a decade now, and I can try to harness some of that power and use it for good.”

Ackles, of course, is far from the only star out there helping Houston and other flood-devastated areas of Texas. DJ Khaled has offered $25,000 to kickstart a charity campaign. When announcing this effort, Khaled spoke about his experience during and after Hurricane Andrew, which devastated South Florida back in 1992.

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart offered $50,000 in aid fund, challenging his Hollywood pals Steve Harvey, Dwayne Johnson, Justin Timberlake and Kim Kardashian to follow suit. The Kardashian clan seriously upped the ante on that bid by promising $500,000 to the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Many wondered when they would hear from one of Houston’s most famous exports: Beyonce. The uber-star told her hometown newspaper that she is in the process of “Implementing a plan to help as many as we can…” This announcement was followed by social media posts indicating that her personal charity, BeyGOOD will collaborate with several local charities in order to help directly by working through groups on the ground in the city.

These are just a few of the big-name stars of stage and screen who have spoken out, challenged friends and stepped up to help when needed.

About Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian is the Founder and CEO of 5W Public Relations. He is an experienced leader in the public relations industry with over 20 years of experience. Ronn Torossian has been named as Public Relations executive of the year by the American Business Awards, and has run countless award-winning Public Relations programs.

Ronn Torossian CEO

Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian is the Founder and Chairman of 5WPR, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the United States. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America’s most prolific and well-respected Public Relations professionals. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company’s growth, overseeing more than 275 professionals. With clients spanning corporate, technology, consumer and crisis, in addition to digital marketing and public affairs capabilities, 5WPR is regularly recognized as an industry leader and has been named “PR Agency of the Year” by the American Business Awards on multiple occasions. Throughout his career, Torossian has worked with some of the world’s most visible companies, brands and organizations. His strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, Metropolitan Magazine’s Most Influential New Yorker, a 2020 Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, and a recipient of Crain’s New York 2021 Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Torossian is known as one of the country’s foremost experts on crisis communications, and is called on to counsel blue chip companies, top business executives and entrepreneurs both in the United States and worldwide. Torossian has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly on CNN & CNBC, is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer, and has authored two editions of his book, “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations,” which is an industry best-seller. A NYC native, Torossian is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and active in numerous charities.

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