Yahoo Lifestyle Taylor Swift’s ‘Extraordinary Generosity’ Praised as She Breaks Silence on LA Wildfires
Taylor Swift opened up about how she is giving back to the communities impacted by the wildfires that have been tearing through parts of Southern California in a statement she released this week.
The pop superstar broke her silence on the wildfires on Thursday, Jan. 16, less than 10 days after the two largest blazes—the Palisades and Eaton fires—began burning in the Los Angeles area. The fires forced thousands of people to evacuate, with many residents—including several celebrities—later losing their homes.
“The fires in California have devastated so many families, and it’s been heartbreaking to see these stories unfold,” Swift, 35, wrote in a message shared on Instagram Stories. "So much suffering, loss, and destruction. As so many people embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organizations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild.”
The 14-time Grammy Award winner then shared how she has pitched in to help those in need. “These are the organizations I’ve donated to,” she wrote. “If you feel compelled or able to donate, please do.”
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The “Fortnight” songstress listed and tagged the following organizations and relief funds in her Story: 211 LA, California Community Foundation, Direct Relief, Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund, MusiCares, and Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Eaton Fire Response Fund.
Some of the organizations reposted Swift’s Story on their own Instagram accounts. Direct Relief CEO Dr. Byron Scott also addressed the “Cruel Summer” singer’s contributions directly in a statement that the charity posted Thursday afternoon.
“Direct Relief is deeply grateful to Taylor Swift for her extraordinary generosity and support for its wildfire response efforts,” Scott’s statement began. “Her compassion and commitment to communities across Southern California impacted by these devastating fires is inspiring.
“Amid such profound need, acts of kindness like this are more than a lifeline,” Scott’s statement continued. “They offer hope and strength for the people whose worlds have been forever changed.”
Efforts to contain the Palisades and Eaton fires were ongoing at the time Swift released her statement. The Palisades Fire had burned more than 23,700 acres and was 22 percent contained by Thursday afternoon, while the Eaton Fire had burned more than 14,100 acres and was 55 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
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