As Florida and the Southern United States grapple with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a group of high-profile celebrities from music, sports, and film have stepped up to provide critical support for the relief efforts. Donating over $8 million, stars like Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton are leading the charge to help impacted communities rebuild.
On Wednesday, Feeding America expressed their gratitude to Taylor Swift, who donated a staggering $5 million to aid hurricane relief efforts across Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee. The Cat. 3 storm caused widespread destruction as it approached Florida, and Swift’s donation will go toward providing essential food, clean water, and supplies for affected families.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous $5 million donation to Hurricanes Helene and Milton relief efforts,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “This contribution will help communities rebuild and recover. Together, we can make a real impact.”
Swift’s friends, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, also joined the cause, donating $1 million to Feeding America. The power couple’s longstanding support of the organization has helped provide critical supplies to communities in crisis.
Dolly Parton has also been instrumental in the relief efforts, donating $1 million to Mountain Ways Foundation, which provides immediate relief to the East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and Appalachian regions. Her contribution was matched by her Dollywood Foundation and related companies, bringing her total donation to $2 million. Parton has emphasized the importance of giving back: “God has been good to me, and so has the public. If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m always willing.”
In addition to these major donations, country star Morgan Wallen helped raise $500,000 for the American Red Cross, while rock legends Metallica contributed $100,000 through their All Within My Hands Foundation, supporting World Central Kitchen and Team Rubicon.
Football legend Tom Brady made a contribution as well, donating $100,000, which was matched by Give with Gopuff for a total of $200,000. Brady encouraged people to continue supporting their neighbors during these trying times, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Keep those impacted by these storms in your prayers. Stay safe, and stay strong, Florida.”
At least 215 people are known to have died as a result of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene since it made landfall in Florida. More than half of the deaths were in North Carolina, where several feet of fast-moving water destroyed entire communities.
Hundreds are still missing, and officials have reported difficulties in identifying some of the dead. If you would like to help donate to survivors of Helene and Milton, several organizations, including the Red Cross and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, are seeking assistance from the public.