Taylor Swift has personally donated $1 million to the disaster relief fund of the recent floodings in Louisiana that have claimed the lives of at least 11 people in the state over the weekend.
On Tuesday (August 16th), the 26 year old singer released a statement to the Associated Press pledging the sum in support of those impacted by the historic rainfall in Louisiana that began last Friday. In the release, she explained how her fans in the southern state provided such a great start for her massive 1989 World Tour last year.
Taylor Swift has donated $1 million to the effort to help victims of the flooding in Louisiana
“We began The 1989 World Tour in Louisiana, and the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home. The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking,” said Swift.
The flooding is among the very worst in the state’s history, with floodwaters damaging at least 40,000 homes over the course of the last five days. Over 30,000 people have been rescued, with more than double that number applying for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the state’s Governor John Edwards’ office.
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On Sunday, President Obama issued a disaster declaration and pledged federal aid for the beleaguered state. Now, Swift is urging those with the financial resources to help to do so.
“I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time,” the ‘Shake It Off’ singer’s statement finished.
Swift has donated to many causes over recent years, ranging from pledging $50,000 to a young fan with cancer to pay for medical bills to giving $250,000 to fellow pop star Kesha in an ongoing legal battle to extract herself from a recording contract.
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