Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Donate $500,000 to Joplin Tornado Relief

By Christine Fenno Posted Jun 11th 2011 11:09AM

The Jolie-Pitt Foundation announced a donation on Friday of $500,000 to aid recovery efforts in Joplin, Missouri, after a tornado brought death and destruction to the area last month.

"With the devastating loss of 30 percent of the city, the Joplin community faces great challenges ahead," said Brad Pitt. "Having spent much of my childhood there, I know these people to be hardworking, humble and especially resilient."

Angelina Jolie added: "Our hearts go out to the families in Joplin who have lost so much."

The Kansas City Star reports that the couple's donation will benefit the Joplin Recovery Fund.

The tornado that directly hit Joplin in May destroyed miles of the city, including a hospital, in mere minutes. The death toll has topped 150. In the aftermath, victims are now reportedly fighting a lethal fungus stirred up by the twister.

Pitt's ties to Missouri run deep. Born in Okalahoma, Pitt was raised with his sister and brother in Springfield, Mo., attending Kickapoo High School and the University of Missouri. Pitt left the college weeks before graduating to launch an acting career in Los Angeles, where he took odd jobs and acting lessons until fame struck. The actor knows a thing or two about rebuilding after a natural disaster, ever since he became actively involved in designing housing for hurricane-ravaged New Orleans in recent years.

Tags: angelina jolie, brad pitt, brangelina

Comments

(126)

Saturday 11 June

By sylvabugg2

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What difference does it make if what they did was publicized? The point is, they did it and they didn't have to.

By papaknuck1942

Poor Claudia...can't see past the hate. I would imagine that when these two sent their check in, that nowhere on the check did it say: 'please inform the media about our donation'.

You post on a media site...therefore you found out about their donation. You search this crap out...so you're going to find it. I would suppose, had you a 'real' life...this would be of no consequence.

By lisama

It must be nice for you to know Brad and Angelina so well that you can speak for them and think you have it right. Your opinion is just that; An opinion that is made from a base of personal thoughts that don't necessarily mean you are right.

By meshanovaa

If you would take the time to investigate their charity work on google for approximately one minute, you would see that they do a lot of charity that is never publicized. Apparently, Brad and Angelina set up foundations in each child's name for different projects. And, they also support a wildlife foundation, an orphanage, a girl's school, and have been donating money to many other causes, including projects in Missouri. NONE of this makes the news. Only a small portion of what they do makes the news. And, their charity tax records are open to the public--so you can see that they donated some 7 million last year alone.

By Cali

Did you ever consider they did it in hopes other Americans would help out as well? There's always the ones that want to see only negative... I'm proud that someone remembered Americans need help as much as all the other countries.. we often ignore our own backyard to look good for other countries that don't even appreciate it, just expect it... so you go on thinking negatively and you'll never see the good that is right in front of your face..

By Susan

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Maybe by making a public donation , others may be encouraged to do so .

Sunday 12 June

By JoanneVLavender

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Claudia, they have to have the publicity for their donation, otherwise the IRS would never believe that they made one.

I remember Joan Rivers's husband (before he died, of course) was given a credit after one of her TV shows for paying for the gown she wore on the show.

By Carol

Oh, but yes they did! Sandra Bullock donated 1 million just herself, and Taylor Swift raised almost 800k. So these two together, just to be noticed is what I say :?

By DJ

I agree and 500,000. to them is like 50.00 to us. they make 25 mil + per movie each and they always donate it in front of the camera why never annomously

By Larry

How much was your donation Claudia?

By bobby

Its about time someone recognized this disaster which is in our Country .These people really need our help .This Country,the Media,and the people in it are funny we donate billions to Hati but our government and the people of this country turn its back on its own disaster struck people.I wonder why ???????..where ARE ALL THE the other singers,actors,calling for donations and support for our own people.Where is the Media ???I bet if this was a all black town there would constant media coverage ands millions of dollars being donated ...What a shame .....But I want to say thanks to Pitt and Jolie for caring .....

By marysheepdog70

I agree totally with what you said....how easy it is for fellow Americans to foget our own and give nearly endlessly to Haiti...and it's questionable about what has happened to the money sent there, too. I appreciate ANY money donated by whoever can afford it.

By Claudia Cummings

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I gave to the Joplin tornado fund, via REd Cross. Now ,you've made me inform people that I did a good deed for others. I was hoping I could remain nameless. Would you please call the media and ask them to publish my name and generosity? Yes they are willing and able to help those in need..including the need to inflate their celebrity status and egos. Do you really think no other celebrities have donated large amounts of money? Of course they have. They just don't need the publicity. By the way, I'd say the Pitts will be adopting a Joplin child soon, but that would be a lie. They prefer babies they can adopt with ease and without being mentally evaluated. Besides its too boring to adopt an American child. Its also an insult that there are millions of American children in orphanages and Ms. Jolie does not care to do a good enough deed and adopt one of them. The publicity of that wouldn't be satisfactory to her mental instability.

By HRoss

Celebrities who have given large sums to Joplin? Hmm...none that I've heard of. Maybe George Clooney just hasn't had time to gather everyone together for a telethon ala the Haiti relief fund. Wonder when they plan on airing it?
On a side note, I wonder about the "mental instability" of a person who has such disdain for someone they've never met.

By Mely

Seriously, what is your problem? What does it matter that the media is making a big about them donating money? The important thing here is that the people of Joplin are getting the money and help they need. I'm not exactly a fan of either of them myself but I still think it's great of them to donate so much.

Focus on the positive.

Nice to see celebs doing something for others instead of making headlines like others do, with their bizarre behavior. Kudos to you Brad and Angie for being true human beings.

By Pamela

Claudia,

Could it be that your given name is actually Jennifer A., or at least a friend, family member, fan club president or possibly the press agent of said person?
You sure sound like sour grapes to me!

By asuigeneris1

...you mean Chelsea Handles or whatever her name is? O.o

By Manana

Pamela I don't think even Jennifer A. would be as petty as Claudia is being. Maybe she had the hots for Brad when he lived there and he wouldn't give her the time of day?

Problem is Claudia, that no one in the bigger picture has ever heard of you or cares what you do...Jolie and Pitt can set a standard to others possibly with their celebrity, and make donating to Joplin the "in" thing to do.

...you sound like a very bitter person. O.o

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