Lady Gaga recently surprised an evacuation centre in California by stopping by with pizza and coffee.
It’s easy to get caught up in judging celebrities’ every move when they’re all over social media living their best lives, but it’s also easy to focus on the superficial things.
Which is why it’s so refreshing to see someone use their fame to make people’s lives better.
The singer posted to her Instagram story yesterday (November 13) showing her getting ready for World Kindness Day, encouraging her followers to do something for someone else – no matter how small.
She said to the camera:
Today is my favorite day of the year – it’s World Kindness Day. I encourage you all to do one act of kindness even if it’s for yourself.
And she didn’t stop there. For her act of kindness, she decided to surprise people who have evacuated their homes in California due to the wildfires that have been tearing through the state.
She then went on to say:
I’m on my way now to a shelter in California to be with the people who have evacuated their homes. It’s one of my acts of kindness for today and I encourage you to do the same. Be kind.
Wildfires have hit both northern and southern California; the northern blaze is the ‘Camp Fire’, while the southern fire is called the ‘Woolsey Fire’.
The Camp Fire has officially become the deadliest single wildfire on record for the state after it killed 42 people and destroyed more than 7,100 homes and businesses, particularly in the town of Paradise, the Independent reports.
In southern California, the Woolsey Fire has burned through at least 91,000 acres, destroyed 370 structures, and killed two people.
Thousands of people in the state have been ordered to evacuate the area, with many sharing pictures on social media of missing loved ones and homes which have been destroyed.
According to the Daily Mail, Lady Gaga was forced to evacuate her Malibu home last Friday when the fires spread along the California coast.
So when she arrived at the Red Cross shelter at Pacific Palisades High School in Los Angeles, she could relate to those who had evacuated and extended her sympathies.
According to the Daily Mail, she told those in the shelter:
I extend my love… I know we do not know each other, but I love you. This is an emergency, but you are not alone.
The Just Dance singer reportedly spent about 90 minutes at the shelter, taking photos, handing out gift cards, and singing to the crowd.
Firefighters are currently doing some incredible, relentless work to contain the fire. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating events.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help those impacted by the fires – donate here.
If you are affected by the California fires, please visit Cal Fire for up to date information about evacuation centres and containment.
A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).