The unprecedented Texas weather due to Winter Storm Uri has left millions of Americans in a state of emergency without power, heat, and basic supplies. CNN reported that “nearly half of Texans remain under boil-water advisories as water scarcity and freezing temperatures continue.” According to The Dallas Morning News, freezing temperatures of the Texas winter storm caused a horrific 133 car accident earlier this week, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Across the state, Texans have seen damages to their homes and businesses due to bursting water pipes.
During times of uncertainty, it’s natural to feel powerless or scared––but there is always good to be found, even when things are scary.
We turn to this quote from Fred Rogers:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Rogers was right. Here are just a few of the celebrity helpers using their power for good during times of hardship.
Beyoncé
Houston native Beyoncé’s Ivy Park line dropped today, but she’s still finding time to do some good amid the devastation of the Texas Winter Storm Uri. Beyoncé’s charity BeyGOOD partnered with Adidas and Houston non-profit Bread of Life to help Texas residents who were affected by the deadly winter storms.
The partnership is committed to providing financial relief for Texans, up to $1,000 per resident. Texas residents can sign up for assistance here.
Alyssa Milano
Celebrity activist, actor, and producer Alyssa Milano is regularly sharing resources and ways to help with the Texas winter storm on both Instagram and Twitter, plus nightly check-ins asking for Texans to share how they’re doing:
Ok, Texas! How are you tonight? Need to hear from you. ❤️
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 19, 2021
Milano also attempted to use her platform to reach out to Ted Cruz about the government’s mismanagement of the crisis:
While @tedcruz was flying to Cancun @BetoORourke was actually in Texas making wellness-check- phone-calls.
I know this because I was on the zoom—also making calls— and watching him work his ass off for his fellow Texans.
We need more leaders who lead from a place of love.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 18, 2021
President Joe Biden
POTUS Joe Biden declared states of emergency in the states affected by the winter storms, including Texas and Oklahoma. Biden authorized FEMA to provide generators and supplies to the affected communities as well, getting on the phone with Texas governor Greg Abbott to determine how else the federal government can support the state during this difficult time:
Tonight, I called Governor Greg Abbott to discuss the ongoing situation in Texas and identify ways we can support the state’s recovery from this storm. I made clear to the Governor that I’ll work relentlessly to get his state what they need. pic.twitter.com/UBwH8DMep2
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 19, 2021
Biden also retweeted resources for Texans without heat, urging them to call 211 or go to http://tdem.texas.gov/warm to find a warming shelter near them.
Matthew McConaughey
Actor and Texas native Matthew McConaughey tweeted his prayers and support: “I am sending prayers of resilience and the humanity of the helping hand out to all Texans that are struggling with the freeze.”
He said he has reached out to Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Austin Urban League, and BGCAustin to help support on-the-ground efforts, and encourages his Twitter followers to do the same.
I am sending prayers of resilience and the humanity of the helping hand out to all Texans that are struggling with the freeze.
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) February 17, 2021
McConaughey and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott are also providing meals to individuals and families at a Dallas weather shelter.
Opening an emergency weather shelter for nearly 1,000 homeless individuals in Dallas at the Convention Center has been our most difficult task. But we are thankful and encouraged that @McConaughey and @dak are sending support to purchase meals for the individuals and families.
— OurCalling (@ourcalling) February 18, 2021
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
After helping to raise over $2 million in aid for Texas nonprofits, U.S. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is flying down to Texas this weekend to visit with Houston congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia to highlight what’s happening on the ground.
We’ve now raised $2 MILLION in relief for Texans & are adding more orgs.??
I’ll be flying to Texas today ✈️ to visit with Houston rep Sylvia Garcia (@LaCongresista) to distribute supplies and help amplify needs & solutions.
Let’s see how far we can go: https://t.co/4PQkp4gG9v
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 19, 2021
AOC notes that “charity isn’t a replacement for good governance, but we won’t turn away from helping people in need when things hit the fan.”
Kacey Musgraves
Singer Kacey Musgraves designed a CRUZIN’ FOR A BRUZIN’ t-shirt, calling out politician Ted Cruz’s decision to escape to Cancun with his family. Musgraves is donating all of the profits to Texans in need.
*makes “CRUZIN FOR A BRUZIN” tees
* donates profits to Texans in need— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) February 18, 2021
The Slow Burn singer is not afraid to speak out against Cruz. As Musgraves says, inspired by the lyrics of her hit song, “Texas is cold, I can be cold.”
According to her Friday Instagram post, Musgraves is already halfway to her $100K goal for Texans in need.
Now through Sunday, you can buy the shirt here with proceeds going to Feed The People Dallas, Casa Marianella, and the American Red Cross of Central & South Texas.
Jonathan Van Ness
Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness let fans know they are safe, urging their followers to donate to mutual aid funds if able:
Reese Witherspoon
Hollywood celeb Reese Witherspoon asked her followers to join her by supporting causes like Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid and BIPOC-led abolitionist collective Mutual Aid Houston that are aiding the communities in need:
Over 4 million homes are without power in Texas. These families need our attention. Sharing some resources of organizations helping the community. Please join me in supporting if you’re able: @feedtheppldfw @atxfreefridge @DFWmutualaid @mutualaidhou
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 18, 2021
Chrissy Tiegen
Self-proclaimed “de-motivational speaker” Chrissy Tiegen is well-loved for her lack of filter on Twitter, but her tweets aren’t always stream-of-conscious tidbits. The Hollywood celeb put a call out to her 13.7 million Twitter followers to share good ways to help Texas:
please list some good ways to help Texas here – for me and for all of us:
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 17, 2021
David Henrie
Wizards of Waverly Place actor David Henrie extended his support to families with kids in need of somewhere to stay. Him and his wife have offered to pay for hotel stays.
Texas. If there’s anyone out there with little kids who are suffering and can’t afford a hotel please let me know, my wife and I will take care of it. Praying for you Texas.
— David Henrie (@DavidHenrie) February 18, 2021
Henrie also chatted back to some people asking for help including a pregnant woman named Alondra.
If anyone lives near Brownsville, Tx and can connect with Alondra to deliver her some meals, I will pay you for your times and FaceTime with you to thank you. https://t.co/lQ5pcx83tG
— David Henrie (@DavidHenrie) February 18, 2021
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington listed ways to help Texas residents by donation, volunteering, spreading awareness, and of course, prayer.
Celeb pal Viola Davis reshared Washington’s post, too, along with this quote in honor of the late novelist Toni Morrison’s birthday, which feels especially relevant right now:
James Van Der Beek
Entertainment Tonight reported that Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek shared a series of videos on his Instagram Stories urging his followers to donate to food banks and reach out to anyone they may know in Texas.
He shared a post on his Instagram saying:
“Super grateful for the utilities that we have working today, have a whole new appreciation for the ones that aren’t, and thinking much more strategically about self-reliance than I ever have before.”
Bethenny Frankel
Real Housewives star Bethenny Frankel is using her non-profit BStrong in partnership with disaster relief non-profit Global Empowerment Mission to distribute emergency aid to Texans across the state.
Frankel shared several updates, saying to her fans “YOU have literally been the heroes in all of these disaster relief efforts, digging deep when it’s hardest to do so. #thisisacrisis within a crisis.”
So far, BStrong and Global Empowerment Mission have a goal to transport $540,000 in aid, remaining super transparent with her followers about how exactly donations will be used:
Jenna Bush Hager
Texas native and TODAY co-host Jenna Bush Hager recently shared some additional ways to help people affected by the storm including donating food, clothing and water to the Salvation Army. She told her TODAY with Hoda & Jenna co-host Hoda Kotb that the last few days have been “really, really difficult” as she caught up with family and friends from Texas.
We are sending our love to Texas as residents there battle power outages and freezing conditions. pic.twitter.com/wpp8rS4eOV
— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) February 18, 2021
Hager also shared on Instagram ways to help, using the hashtag #LoveThyNeighbor, which according to TODAY, is being used to support the Austin Area Urban League in helping people with shelter and hotel rooms.
Dr. Tiffany Moon
Real Housewives of Dallas star Dr. Tiffany Moon is actively working to house over 100 displaced women and children from a Dallas shelter:
Other Hollywood celebrities showing their support amid the dangerous Texas weather include Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, and Patricia Arquette.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Texas ??? pic.twitter.com/TmO9HEzvAR
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) February 18, 2021
My sincere Prayers going up for everyone in Texas. Stay strong.
??♥️— LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) February 18, 2021
Very worried about elders living alone in Texas right now.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) February 18, 2021
Yogi, Youtube star, and Texas native Adriene Mishler shared ways to support in an Instagram post, saying that “I don’t even know where to begin but my homestate is hurting hard right now and we so appreciate your attention and help.”
Bravo host Andy Cohen extended his thoughts and concerns to Texans on Twitter, mentioning journalist Dan Rather in his tweet. Dan Rather responded that “a full community effort is needed for help.”
Thanks, @Andy. Don’t worry about me. I’m coping and okay. But many of my fellow Texans are in far more dire circumstances. A full community effort is needed for help. And we need accountability for why this happened in the first place. https://t.co/dAIOrqfY0E
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) February 19, 2021
You can be a helper, too. Check out this CNN article for ways to help Texans right now.
More Like This: These NFL players use their star power to make a difference
It’s refreshing to see big names like Beyoncé and Kacey Musgraves use their power and privilege for good. Be a part of the good in Hollywood in your very own neighborhood with our app (coming soon!) that gives you a whole new way to buy movie tickets––in seconds. Follow us on Instagram for more feel-good Hollywood stories.
