Michael Jordan Donates $2 Million to Hurricane Florence Relief

One celebrity is taking serious action when it comes to Hurricane Florence relief.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan has pledged $2 million to relief efforts following the destruction of Hurricane Florence.

Jordan has deep connections to North Carolina, one of the states most heavily affected by the storm. He is an owner of the basketball team the Charlotte Hornets, and he was raised in the city of Wilmington.

“You gotta take care of home,” Jordan, 55, told The Charlotte Observer about his decision to help out.

He continued, “Wilmington truly is my home. [I] kept thinking about all those places I grew up going to … and the deaths — it was so sad about the babies [that died, including one in Gaston County]. You don’t want to see any of that anywhere, but when it’s home, that’s tough to swallow.”

Jordan’s $2 million includes $1 million for the American Red Cross and another $1 million for the Foundation for the Carolinas Florence Response Fund.

The former is providing food and shelter to victims of the storm, while the latter directs funds to nonprofits that help North and South Carolina relief efforts.

“People need to understand this will not be a week-long process. This is going to have a huge disruption on people’s lives — not for 10 days, but for years,” said Jordan.

He added, “I hope people understand the importance of this and direct their attention to making things better. It’s going to take a lot of performance all over.”

“People need to understand this will not be a week-long process. This is going to have a huge disruption on people’s lives — not for 10 days, but for years,” said Jordan.

Jordan’s Hornets have also helped out in relief and recovery efforts. The team is reportedly putting together disaster food boxes this week, and they will donate profits from a new T-shirt — which reads “Carolina Strong” — to hurricane relief efforts.

It’s tough to find positive pop culture stories these days. Celebrities have become so politically motivated and pushy in their beliefs that major events like the Emmy Awards inspire few positive reactions.

This effort by Jordan and his team, though, show that celebrity and success can be influenced for major good.

Telling a joke at the expense of the president on a Hollywood stage will effect very little change in the world, but using one’s wealth and public platform to help people rebuild their lives will inspire massive change.

To see more on Jordan’s massive donation, check out the video below: