CELEBRITIES
Stars, athletes answer ‘All In’ call
With factories closed, tens of millions out of work and a recession looming because of the coronavirus pandemic, athletes, teams, entertainers and business leaders are donating prized possessions in response to a challenge to feed families suddenly in need.
The “All In Challenge” was started by Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin, and some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment have answered the call.
The impressive roster of A-listers offering prizes includes quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton and Eli Manning; musicians Justin Bieber, Meek Mill and Robin Thicke; actors Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Hart and Matthew McConaughey; director Martin Scorsese; TV hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Ryan Seacrest; TikTok stars Charli and Dixie D’Amelio; basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson; Chicago Cubs infielder Anthony Rizzo and retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez; and several NFL, NHL and NBA teams.
“I had two goals from the second this popped in my mind,” Rubin said. “The first was to feed as many people as possible. It was such an important cause and need. The second thing was, I love a good come together to have every athlete and actor come together, the sports and entertainment worlds coming together. To me, that is incredibly special.”
Rubin said all the money raised will go directly to one of four organizations that feed the hungry: Feeding America, Meals On Wheels, World Central Kitchen and No Kid Hungry.
The CNN anchor made the announcement on the network Wednesday night during an interview with his brother, New York Gov.?Andrew Cuomo.
“Cristina now has COVID(-19). She is now positive. And it just breaks my heart,” Chris Cuomo said. “It is the one thing I was hoping wouldn’t happen, and now it has.”
Cuomo has continued to appear on air and has documented his health struggles. He had quarantined himself at home in New York and said he was staying in the basement to make sure his wife and children did not get it.