With the devastating Hurricane Harvey storm that swept through Houston recently, actor and comedian Kevin Hart took to Instagram on Sunday on a serious note. Hart challenged his celebrity friends to join him in donating $25,000 to those affected by it.
“I think we’ve participated in a lot of challenges on the internet. Some meaningful, some meaningless, but we’ve all done ’em,” the actor and comedian said in his video. “At this point, I’m going to start a real challenge.” He then called on actors and comedians including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Steve Harvey, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld and artists Beyonce and Jay Z to donate to the Red Cross.
“When you do it, you all should tag somebody else,” he added.
The following Monday, Hart made another video calling on different celebrities to donate and announced that he would donate $25,000 more to help Houston. “Simply anybody right now who’s in a powerful position who can impact this issue through social media. Let’s really try to save some lives,” he said.
Hart has also created a donation website, which has so far accrued over $800,000 for the cause.
In response to Hart’s video, Johnson, artists Chis Brown and Diddy made videos accepting Hart’s challenge and encouraging others to donate as well. Brown donated $100,000, and Johnson and Diddy donated $25,000. In his video, Johnson encouraged those in Houston to “stay strong and hold onto the faith.”
“Regardless of race and politics, we all want to step up to the plate do everything we can to help our brother and sister and families in need,” Johnson said in his own video.
Beyonce has also pledged to do her part to help Hurricane Harvey Victims. “My heart goes out to my hometown, Houston, and I remain in constant prayer for those affected and for the rescuers who have been so brave and determined to do so much to help,” she said in a statement to the Houston Chronicle.
“I am working closely with my team at BeyGOOD as well as my pastor (Rudy Rasmus at St. John’s in downtown Houston) to implement a plan to help as many as we can.”
Hurricane Harvey– one of the biggest storms to come to the U.S– has so far left thousands displaced and up to 30 dead, the NYT’s reported. While the storm is said to have calmed down Houston’s mayor imposed a curfew on Tuesday between midnight to 5 a.m so that rescue teams could search and get around without interference.
Featured Image via Flickr/The National Guard
