Tyler Perry, who previously announced his $1 million donation to relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey, also had a truckload of supplies delivered to people in need. And he surprised a struggling mom after seeing coverage of her plight on television.
“This is about helping people,” he said during a recent Facebook Live video, during which he discussed the monetary donations. He said he would donate $250,000 each to Lakewood, the church where Joel Osteen is senior pastor, and to the relief efforts coordinated by Rudy Rasmus, pastor of St. John’s Church and co-founder of Bread of Life. The remaining $500,000 will be donated to other charities once he’s had time to vet the operations, Perry said.
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“I’ve been burned in the past,” he said. “If you want to give, make sure you’re giving to people that are giving monies to the people that need it.”
Perry followed up his monetary gifts with a massive shipment of diapers and baby wipes (You can see a video clip of the supplies here) and reached out to help a woman named Iashia Nelson, who was rescued from floodwaters. Perry worked with a local car dealership and arranged for Nelson to receive a new ride.
“I never had a new car in my life!” Nelson said as she was handed the keys. “I’m going to try not to cry anymore. I’m so overwhelmed with emotions.”
Hurricane Irma is bound to create more need. If you feel called to help, Perry suggests doing some research first.
“I would challenge you to find someone who has boots on the ground,” he said. “It’s the immediate response that’s needed.”
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