Wikimedia CommonsBig-hearted actress Sandra Bullock has pledged $1 million to the Red Cross relief effort to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The 53-year-old Oscar winner has been a long-time Red Cross supporter and the humanitarian organisation has now officially confirmed the generous donation.
Elizabeth Penniman, Vice President of Communications for the American Red Cross told People magazine:
Having someone like Sandra Bullock make this kind of commitment, it helps bring people together and open their hearts and be even more generous.
Every time there's a major disaster in US, Sandra Bullock gives $1 million. 9/11, Katrina, etc and now she's given $1 mil to Harvey relief
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) August 30, 2017
The devastation caused by the deadly storm means supplies and shelter are urgently needed for thousands of Americans, with 6,000 people having been displaced from their homes.
At a time of widening political divisions in America, Bullock hopes people will put their differences aside in the wake of the natural disaster:
There are no politics in eight feet of water.
There are human beings in eight feet of water.
"there are no politics in eight feet of water, there are HUMAN beings in eight feet of water" sandra bullock about #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/Bn45Oz6uex
— best of sb (@bestofbullock) August 29, 2017
Fans have responded to Sandra’s caring donation and inspirational message with renewed admiration for the Miss Congeniality star.
One person tweeted ‘we don’t deserve Sandra Bullock’, while another described her as being a ‘class act’:
Sandra Bullock is beautiful on the inside too.#HelpforHouston
— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) August 30, 2017
"Sandra Bullock" did wonderful thing & gave 1MIL 2 #Houston Red CRoss. if 1k ppl did that = 1BIL and THAT would only be small % of $ needed
— billy kravitz (@wilkravitz) August 30, 2017
"Sandra Bullock" Is a real heroine. Put her in a superhero costume!
— Phillipa Charlotte (@QueenPhillippa) August 30, 2017
The charismatic and much-loved star explained how she’s ‘grateful’ to be able to use her platform to lend a hand:
I’m just grateful I can do it,
We all have to do our part.
Watch a KHOU reporter flag down rescuers during Hurricane Harvey to help save a man:
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It’s always reassuring to see kindness prevail during times of tragedy and destruction.
Let’s hope Sandra’s story will inspire others to use their wealth and privilege for the greater good.
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.