By Jasmine Lam

Staff Writer

  After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, several celebrities are rallying to come together to raise funds for the victims.

  Popular figures that have decided to help include former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Jimmy Carter, talk-show host Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Lopez, and Bethenny Frankel.

   NBC reported that the former presidents hosted a concert called, “Deep from the Heart: The One America Appeal” on Oct. 21 at Texas A&M’s Reed Arena in College Station. All proceeds from the event went towards relief efforts.

  The former presidents have also launched the One America Appeal, a fund dedicated to supporting recovery efforts from hurricanes that have heavily affected surrounding areas.

  On Sept. 28, Colbert announced on his show that for every celebrity that tweets a photo of themselves from their pubescent years using the hashtags #PuberMe and #PuertoRicoRelief, the Colbert Americone Dream Fund will donate money towards the relief. Over 30 celebrities have participated in the campaign and on Oct. 7, Colbert announced that the fund was able to raise a million dollars.

  Actress Bethenny Frankel flew to Puerto Rico alongside four planes filled with supplies and has raised more than $15 million in funds and donations.

  “What am I going to do? Go to sleep? I can’t un-know what I know now,” Frankel told U.S. Weekly, “I haven’t been sleeping.”

  Artist Beyonce Knowles also teamed up with artist J Balvin and DJ Willy William and released a remix of the popular Latin song, “Mi Gente.” Knowles announced on her Instagram that she will be donating all revenue the song produces to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean islands, and Mexico. She also included a link to her own relief fund for those who want to directly donate to the cause.

  Rapper Pitbull, otherwise known as “Mr. Worldwide,” lent his private plane in order to transport cancer patients to the U.S. so they can continue to receive treatment.

   Artists Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony created the alliance, “Somos Una Voz”. They hosted a concert alongside other artists such as Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, DJ Khaled, Demi Lovato, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gwen Stefani, and Kim-Kardashian West. on Oct. 14. Together, celebrities raised $35 million and donations can still be made by going directly to their website.

  “As an artist my responsibility is only to what inspires me,” stated artist Lin Manuel Miranda, “But as a citizen, these are not normal times and it’s all hands on deck.”