The US reality TV star and socialite said she will match donations of up to an additional £82,000 in a fundraising effort after she watched her Malibu home “burn to the ground on live TV”
The hotel heiress and reality TV icon Paris Hilton has stepped up to aid families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, setting up an emergency fund with an initial personal donation of £82,000.
After witnessing her Malibu residence being engulfed by flames on live television, Paris expressed her deep concerns in a heartfelt statement: “While I’ve lost my Malibu home, my thoughts are with the countless families who have lost so much more – their homes, cherished keepsakes, the communities they loved, and their sense of stability.”
Acknowledging the acute hardship faced by parents during such crises, she said: “As a mum, I can’t imagine the pain and fear of not having a safe place for your babies so I’m launching an emergency fund through my nonprofit 11:11 Media Impact to support displaced families with young children.”
READ MORE: Kenneth Fire in West Hollywood Hills investigated as arson as one person arrested
Hilton is committed to contributing an additional £82,000 to match future donations, calling on others to step forward with contributions as well: “I’m starting with a personal contribution of 100,000 dollars, and will be matching additional dollars raised up to 100,000 dollars more. I am looking for others to donate and match alongside me to do our part.”
Having lost her own home to the Pacific Palisades fire – the largest fire currently wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, with over 21,000 acres already charred – Hilton detailed that the funds would go towards immediate housing needs, financial assistance for affected families, provision of essentials at evacuation centres, and support for local animal shelters.
The day after revisiting the charred remains of her home, Paris Hilton lamented the loss on social media, sharing the depth of her grief: “The heartbreak is truly indescribable,” she posted on Instagram. As California battles the fierce wildfires which have taken at least 11 lives, thousands of firefighters are relentlessly fighting back the flames that have decimated communities and propelled many to escape their homes in panic.
Alongside this harrowing situation, celebrities like US actress Jennifer Garner have been stepping in to assist; she partnered with World Central Kitchen’s founder chef Jose Andres to dish out meals for those affected by the disaster. An emotional Garner, facing the ruins of what once was the backdrop to a 25-year-long chapter of her life, opened up to MSNBC: “I did lose a friend, and for our church it’s really tender, so I don’t feel like I should talk about her yet.”
She disclosed her personal pain, “I did lose a friend who did not get out in time. My heart bleeds for my friends. There are 5000 homes lost, I can write out a list of 100 friends who lost their homes.”
The struggle with survivor’s guilt resonated through her words as she pondered, “I feel almost guilty walking through my house, what can I do, how can I help, what can I offer? ” Meanwhile, other influential figures from Hollywood have leveraged their online presence, urgently circulating evacuation information and donation details while paying homage to the tireless efforts of emergency services and charitable groups.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, have reportedly donated supplies to those affected by the recent weather event, while also encouraging others to open their homes. On their official website, they penned: “If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do.”
Oscar-nominated actress Sharon Stone urged fellow stars to donate to a distribution centre, which led Oscar-winner Halle Berry to clear out “my entire closet” to “help all of the displaced families that are in need of the basics”.
Other celebrities including Oscar-nominated Michelle Pfeiffer and Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause shared their plans to drop off items on Berry’s post, while Jason Oppenheim from Selling Sunset offered free representation to help people find homes. Following the Kenneth fire which forced members of the Kardashian family to evacuate their Calabasas and Hidden Hills homes, matriarch Kris Jenner revealed her family had reached out to their favourite Armenian restaurant to “feed a few fire houses”.
She praised them for whipping up hundreds of individual meals for firefighters, volunteers, first responders, adding on her Instagram story: “Thank you for putting your lives on the line for all of us.”
Kim Kardashian, the daughter of Kris Jenner, has also made a donation to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which provides essential resources to the brave first responders protecting our city. In addition, she made a significant donation of underwear, clothing, and socks to Baby2Baby to assist those displaced by the fires.
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