This hurricane season has changed the lives of so many people. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria destroyed the infrastructures of several cities and has displaced thousands from their homes. Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, and yet some parts of Puerto Rico still haven’t received FEMA aid. It’s been a month of hurricane nightmares.
Several organizations and individuals have rallied to the aid of hurricane survivors. Celebrities in particularly have donated both their time and resources. Here is what celebrities are doing to help survivors of Hurricane Harvey. Celebrities are also helping Hurricane Maria survivors. But there is another group, the most prestigious group in the world, who have also banned together to assist with hurricane recovery. The five living former presidents have joined together in the One America Appeal for Hurricane Relief.
On Saturday, October 21, 2017, the former presidents made a joint appearance at a benefit concert. This was an impressive event. There were several celebrity performances. But the most important performance had to have been by Lady Gaga. I absolutely love her artistry, and I am increasingly becoming a fan of what she represents off-stage. At the benefit concert, Gaga announced a joint effort between her Born This Way Foundation and the One America Appeal to establish a mental health and trauma recovery fund for hurricane survivors. Mental health awareness is important to Gaga. Last year she released an open letter sharing her experience with mental illness. (Gaga’s personal letter) The mental health and recovery fund is a personal way for Gaga to contribute to hurricane relief and I applaud her for being intentional in her giving.
If you want to give to help hurricane survivors, I recommend that you give to this effort. We have to make sure that we support mental wellness. The recovery process for hurricane survivors is going to be long and hard. I am sure that there will be thousands of people who will suffer from depression and PTSD. Let’s keep all impacted in our prayers, especially Puerto Rico. And as always, let’s press on together!
Here are two of my favorite performances by Lady Gaga!
This post is dedicated to the memory of Betty Jean Fuller Young… you are loved and remembered!