Blake Lively - Ryan Reynolds

Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock (Licensed)

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively donate $1 million to coronavirus relief

The couple ups the ante.

 

Nahila Bonfiglio

Internet Culture

Posted on Mar 17, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic

The Daily Dot is committed to filtering the noise every day as COVID-19 seizes the internet’s attention worldwide. We bring you stories on everything related to the viral pandemic, from the state response to social media fallout, and all the technical flubs, emerging social trends, and disinformation in between. READ MORE ->

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are upping the ante when it comes to coronavirus relief.

On Sunday, the couple announced that their recently acquired cell phone company, Mint Mobile, is providing free service to new and existing customers during the COVID-19 epidemic. Now they’ve raised the bar even higher, announcing Monday their intent to donate $1 million to non-profits in the U.S. and Canada.

Reynolds made the Mint Mobile announcement via his Twitter page. According to the post, “all current & new” Mint Mobile customers will be provided “free unlimited high-speed data add-ons” through April 14.

He followed the announcement with yet another yesterday evening. “COVID-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families,” the Instagram post begins. “Blake & I are donating $1 million to be split between FEEDING AMERICA and FOOD BANKS CANADA. If you can give, these orgs need our help.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B90AS5Cp5QB/

“Take care of your bodies and hearts,” the post continues. “Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection.”

Below, in true Reynolds comedic fashion, he even added in a fake phone number for Hugh Jackman. Apparently, if you’re looking to speak with Wolverine, you just need to dial 1-555-(sad face emoji)-HUGH.

Today, several major cities including Los Angeles and New York intend to essentially shut down. Major gathering areas like movie theaters, restaurants, and museums all closed their doors last night with little idea of when, precisely, they will re-open.

More cases of COVID-19 crop up globally every day. As of Tuesday morning, more than 182,400 people have been infected worldwide. The virus has claimed more than 7,000 lives since it first cropped up in late 2019.

The help Lively and Reynolds are offering could make a huge difference to the millions of people whose lives have been upended by the virus. The addition of that classic Reynolds wit is merely a perk.

READ MORE:

H/T Comicbook

Share this article
*First Published: Mar 17, 2020, 9:23 am CDT