Arts & Entertainment
See It: Stars Declare 'Brooklyn For Life' In Coronavirus Video
Actor and Brooklynite Jeffrey Wright enlisted the help of his famous friends to raise $1 million for hospital workers' meals.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — The coronavirus crisis brought together a cavalcade of celebrities — in video form — to declare one thing: "Brooklyn For Life!"
And as much as Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Daniel Craig, Taj Gibson and others love Brooklyn, they're not idling singing the borough's praises. They hope to help raise $1 million in donations to pay for front line Brooklyn hospital workers and first responders' meals as the coronavirus ravages the community.
Actor Jeffrey Wright, a Brooklynite currently starring on HBO's "Westworld," helped launched the effort. He enlisted the help of more than a few famous friends, all of whom hailed from Brooklyn at one point or another, to spread the word and appreciation.
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"We started Brooklyn for Life! out of love for Brooklyn and out of solidarity with our neighbors," he said in a statement. "This is home. The hope is that Brooklyn emerges from this global pandemic as strong and as beautiful as she was before COVID, and our community is coming together to make that happen. The video tries to celebrate that and express gratitude for those on the frontlines of that effort."
Thanks to @JFreeWright and everyone helping us support our frontline workers in Brooklyn. Because in Brooklyn, you're #BrooklynForLife! Right @ChrisRock, @BKBMG, @JimmyKimmel, @RosiePerezBklyn, @TajGibson, @AnselElgort, @Lupita_Nyongo, @_Maxwell_, @GoFundMe?? Spread love. pic.twitter.com/AuhJ9wOdZy
— Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) April 24, 2020
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The effort started small on March 25 after Wright heard Vito Randazzo, owner of Graziella's Italian Restaurant, invited customers to deliver pizzas to Brooklyn Hospital in Fort Greene, according to a release. Their efforts ramped to from 200 meals at one hospital to 2,500 a day to facilities across the borough, the release states.
The expansion was aided by the office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a near-ubiquitous presence in coronavirus efforts across the borough.
The Brooklyn For Life GoFundMe initially set a $10,000 goal, but Wright expanded the goal to $1 million so all the participating restaurants can prepare up to 200 meals a day for delivery, among other efforts.
Wright's friends on the video are:
Daniel Craig, Spike Lee, Ansel Elgort, Chris Rock, Jimmy Kimmel, Lupita Nyong'o, Rosie Perez, Mahershala Ali, Michelle Williams, Michael K. Williams, Erykah Badu, Meshell Ndegecello, Maxwell, Harvey Keitel, Peter Dinklage, Carmen Ejogo, Taylor Schilling, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Giamatti, John Turturro, Ethan Hawke, Steve Buscemi, Fisher Stevens, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Anthony Ramos, Annabelle Sciorra, Wyatt Cenac, Debi Mazar, Garrett Temple, Caris Le Vert, Joe Harris and Taj Gibson
More information about the GoFundMe and participating restaurants can be found here.
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