The Daily Populous Friday January 17th, 2025 evening edition
Authored by usatoday.com and submitted by ControlCAD

Taylor Swift shared on her Instagram story that she has donated to 10 organizations in the Los Angeles area, which is experiencing widespread wildfire devastation.

"The fires in California have devastated so many families," the singer wrote, "and it's been heartbreaking to see these stories unfold. So much suffering, loss and destruction. As so many people embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organizations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild."

Swift then included the names of 10 funds and foundations:

"These are the organization I've donated to," she added. "If you feel compelled or able to donate, please do."

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She didn't post the amount of money donated.

One of the organizations, Direct Relief, shared a message of gratitude to the superstar shortly after the announcement.

"Direct Relief is deeply grateful to Taylor Swift for her extraordinary generosity and support for its wildfire response efforts," the note from CEO Dr. Byron Scott read in part. "Her compassion and commitment to communities across Southern California impacted by these devastating fires is inspiring."

A series of blazes ripped through the Los Angeles area starting on Jan. 7. Hurricane-like winds initially propelled flames and embers through neighborhoods. The blazes reduced neighborhoods to ash, killed 25 people, scorched more than 40,300 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 homes and businesses, and forced more than 200,000 to evacuate.

According to Cal Fire on Thursday, the Palisades Fire remained at 22% containment and Eaton Fire had 55% containment.

Live updates:Finally 'a much needed break' for wildfire weather concerns in LA.

Although Swift's Beverly Hills property was not in the danger or evacuation zones, her close friends Miles and Keleigh Teller lost their Pacific Palisades house. Miles co-starred in Swift's "I Bet You Think About Me" music video and Keleigh was Swift's date to the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.

Teller posted the last photo of her house. As she pulled out of the drive, she got a picture of white smoke hovering above the roof.

"To everyone reaching out I can’t thank you enough," Teller said in part of her caption. "Your kind hearts have meant the world, I’ll never forget them. Community has come out stronger than I could imagine, pacific palisades I love you beyond measure you are a little slice of heaven, we will come back stronger than ever."

Swift is the latest in a long list of celebrities lending support to the Los Angeles area.

On Monday, Beyoncé's BeyGood foundation contributed $2.5 million. In an Instagram post, the BeyGood foundation said the money would aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes as well as churches and community centers helping those impacted.

On Jan. 9, Actress Jamie Lee Curtis announced on Instagram that she and her family would be giving $1 million to "start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there."

The 2025 Grammys will proceed on Feb. 2 and the awards show plans to raise additional funds.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and board of trustees chair Tammy Hurt sent a letter on Monday to the recording academy members confirming they "launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort last week with an initial $1 million donation to support music creatives and professionals."

Mason and Hurt confirmed the donations had already doubled to more than $2 million in emergency aid.

"This year's show will carry a renewed sense of purpose," the letter added, "raising additional funds to support wildlife relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours."

Swift may be in attendance at the show. She is up for six Grammy awards.

Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.

Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.

GuestCartographer on January 17th, 2025 at 09:23 UTC »

I wish I loved anything as much as this sub loves to hate Taylor Swift donating her money to charity.

HuslWusl on January 17th, 2025 at 06:07 UTC »

These comments are such trash unfortunately. Why can't people just be happy that some billionaire does something good and just for a moment look past the shit they're doing? At least she's doing something, unlike many others.

ControlCAD on January 17th, 2025 at 04:53 UTC »

> Taylor Swift shared on her Instagram story that she has donated to 10 organizations in the Los Angeles area, which is experiencing widespread wildfire devastation.

> "The fires in California have devastated so many families," the singer wrote, "and it's been heartbreaking to see these stories unfold. So much suffering, loss and destruction. As so many people embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organizations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild."

> Swift then included the names of 10 funds and foundations:

> • 211 LA

> • California Community Foundation Fund

> • Direct Relief

> • Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation

> • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

> • Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

> • Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

> • Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation Emergency Relief Fund

> • MusiCares

> • Pasadena Educational Foundation Eaton Fire Response Fund

> "These are the organization I've donated to," she added. "If you feel compelled or able to donate, please do."

> One of the organizations, Direct Relief, shared a message of gratitude to the superstar shortly after the announcement.

> "Direct Relief is deeply grateful to Taylor Swift for her extraordinary generosity and support for its wildfire response efforts," the note from CEO Dr. Byron Scott read in part. "Her compassion and commitment to communities across Southern California impacted by these devastating fires is inspiring."