Chelsea Handler Donates $1 Million To Puerto Rico Relief Efforts
Chelsea Handler is keeping her word.
After announcing her politically motivated decision to quit her Netflix show Chelsea, the talk show host took to Twitter on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 to present her first move as an activist — a massive donation to Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts. "I just gave 1,000,000 dollars to Unidos Por Puerto Rico," Handler wrote, while calling out conservative leaders. "Where r ur donations, Koch Bros. Mercers, @realDonaldTrump? Day 1 of activism."
I just gave 1,000,000 dollars to Unidos Por Puerto Rico. Where r ur donations, Koch Bros. Mercers, @realDonaldTrump? Day 1 of activism.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) October 19, 2017
As Nicki Swift previously reported, Handler announced her show's cancellation on Wednesday, Oct. 18. "Like so many across the country, the past presidential election and the countless events that have unfolded since have galvanized me," she wrote on Twitter. "From the national level down to the grassroots, it's clear our decisions at the ballot box next year will mark a defining moment for our nation."
"For these reasons, I've decided not to return for another season of Chelsea, and instead devote as much time as I can to becoming a more knowledgeable and engaged citizen and to focus on projects that have significance to me," Handler continued. "My goal is to be better informed, raise my voice, and participate in a more meaningful way."
"I want to travel the country...and gain a better understanding of our political divide," she added. "I have joined forces with EMILY's List to elect more women to public office, register people to vote, and campaign for candidates who are fighting for women's rights."
The comedian isn't the only celebrity making profound efforts to provide aid to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. In early October, Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda released "Almost Like Praying," a star-studded charity single featuring the likes of Jennifer Lopez, who also donated $1 million to relief efforts, Marc Anthony, and Gloria Estefan. Its proceeds benefited the Hispanic Federation.
Miranda also participated in Stephen Colbert and Nick Kroll's #PuperMe campaign, which raised over $1 million. Meanwhile, Beyoncé joined J Balvin and Willy William on their "Mi Gente" remix in late September. Its funds have been distributed to several natural disaster relief organizations.