Bruno Mars has decided to use the proceeds from his sold-out concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills last week to help Flint in its time of need. The singer announced that he will donate $1 million “to aid the residents of Flint and their ongoing water crisis.”
Although he paused the concert in order to make the announcement, fans were appreciative of Mars’ generosity.
“I’m very thankful to the Michigan audience for joining me in supporting this cause,” Mars said in a statement released by promoters after the concert. “Ongoing challenges remain years later for Flint residents, and it’s important that we don’t forget our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster. As people, especially as Americans, we need to stand together to make sure something like this never happens in any community ever again.”
According to The Detroit News, the funds were redirected to The Community Foundation of Greater Flint. This foundation gives aid and assistance to families affected by the water dilemma.
Mars is not the only celebrity to donate. Actor Matt Damon co-founded Water.org, which is dedicated to bring clean drinking water to the residents. Pearl Jam pledged $125,000 to the United Way of Genesee County, which covers Flint and its residents. THe band even asked friends and family to donate an additional $175,000 total.
“One hundred percent of donated funds are used for Flint community projects and no administrative fee is assessed,” the band wrote on its website.
Meek Mill, a Detroit native, donated 60,000 bottles of water to the cause; Big Sean, another Detroit native, pledged $10,000.
“In recognizing the great work that the Community Foundation of Greater Flint Michigan has been doing, it is my hope we can help by raising the money needed to ensure that the children who have been hit the hardest receive the care that they need today and well into the future,” Sean said.
But perhaps it is Eminem’s partnership with Wiz Khalifa, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Mark Wahlberg that rivals Mars’ donation. The trio donated approximately 5,000 cases (1 million bottles) of water to the Flint water crisis.
Cher also donated over 180,000 bottles to the crisis, saying in an interview with Billboard that the “felt like [she] needed to do something” for Flint.
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