Afterhis homewas partially damaged due to the Woolsey Fire — one of three wildfires that have forced thousands of California residents to evacuate from their homes this month —Gerard Butlerhosted a fundraiser to help fund the rebuilding process throughout the state.
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Noam Galai/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images
The event was hosted at the home of Butler’s girlfriend, Morgan Brown.
In a clip from Butler’s speech shared on the Foundation’s Instagram Stories, the 49-year-old actor spoke about how hard it’s been for parents in the area to try and “explain to their kids what happened to their home.”
“We’re here tonight to try and remedy that situation,” Butler said. “Thank you all so much for coming.”
When it came time for Penn to take the stage, the Oscar-winning actor praised all of the brave firefighters “who saved our homes” and “who risked their lives” in the process.
Fellow guest, jewelry designer Loree Rodkin, wrote on Instagram that the foundationhad raised almost $2 millionand that 100 percent of that tremendous sum would “go to the victims of this tragic fire.”
“We love you Van! Thank you for singing tonight to help the Malibu community at a fundraiser for the wildfires supporting @malibufoundation. I remain your number one fan,” she wrote, before adding an extra special thank you to Foxx.
“Thank you also to Jamie Foxx for singing back up,” she added.
During the night, Thicke also took to the stage to perform a rendition of “Stand By Me.”
RELATED VIDEO: Drone Footage Shows Devastation of California Wildfires
Just hours after the fundraiser, the Malibu Foundation shared some uplifting news about the Woolsey Fire on Instagram.
As of Saturday morning, the blaze, which has burned through 8.362 acres was82 percent contained.Cal Firealso reported the same information.
In addition to the Woolsey Fire, the Hill Fire, located near the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks — the site of thetragic mass shooting— has burned through thousands of acres after erupting last Thursday. The blaze is now 100 percent contained, according toCal Fire.
Over in Northern California, the Camp Fire remains only 55 percent contained. During a news conference on Friday, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea confirmed that thedeath tollfrom the blaze had increased to 71, according tomultiple local news outlets.
In addition, the number of missing people in California’s most deadly and destructive fire is now 1,011. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed.
To help victims of the California wildfires, visit theLos Angeles Fire Department Foundation, theCalifornia Fire Foundationand theAmerican Red Cross, for more information.
source: people.com
