Through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, the Oscar-winning actor makes a $1 million contribution to the newly announced United Way Harvey Recovery Fund.
- Aug 31, 2017
AceShowbiz - Leonardo DiCaprio is joining a list of celebrities who have pledged donations to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, "The Revenant" actor has donated $1 million to the newly established United Way Harvey Recovery Fund.
The newly established fund that was announced by United Way Worldwide on Wednesday, August 30 "will distribute 100 percent of donations for recovery in the affected areas, community by community, in the months and years ahead." The $1 million from DiCaprio's foundation represents the inaugural donation to the fund.
"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Leonardo DiCaprio and his foundation," United Way Worldwide President and CEO Brian Gallagher said in a statement. "Responding to Hurricane Harvey requires the best of all of us–and that's what this gift represents." He continued, "United Way's Harvey Recovery Fund will provide much-needed help for the communities along the Gulf Coast where lives have been changed forever."
Terry Tamminen, CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, added, "We hope others will step up and support the United Way and other organizations."
In the past, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has donated to recovery efforts following the 2004 tsunami, the Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Harvey, which struck Texas at peak intensity on August 25, has caused at least 31 deaths and economic losses which are estimated to range from $10 billion to $160 billion. FEMA director Brock Long called Harvey the worst disaster in Texas history. By Wednesday night, Hurricane Harvey has been downgraded to a tropical depression.
Previously, Kevin Hart challenged fellow celebrities to donate to the hurricane relief efforts after he pledged $25,000 to help those affected by the storm. The Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Chris Brown, T.I., DJ Khaled, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Young and Jared Leto were among those who have responded to the challenge.
Beyonce Knowles is working with her pastor to help the victims, while Sandra Bullock has donated $1 million to American Red Cross to help families affected by the storm hitting Houston.
