The “The Office” star has partnered with nonprofit Alice’s children to provide PROM tickets to students from six high schools at Altadena.
With the prom season getting full-fledged for teens across the country, actor Steve Carell is paying it forward to Southern California students affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
The 62-year-old is a nonprofit organization that recently collaborates with Alice’s children to provide financial support to children and students in need, and this year he sent over 800 high school seniors from the Altadena area to the prom.
“All seniors, this is Steve Carell with a very special announcement,” the actor began with a video posted to the charity’s Instagram page.
“I work with a great Virginia-based charity called Alice’s Children. And Alice’s children wanted to let you know they’d pay for all your prom tickets, and if you’ve already paid for your prom tickets, they’ll refund you for your prom tickets.”
The charity plans to cover the cost of the six high school PROMs at $175,000, as the average ticket for the event costs between $100 and $150 each.
“That’s pretty good,” the comedian joked. “Enjoy. Enjoy the prom, and this is Steve Carell. Think briefly, everyone.”
In a statement to the Associated Press, Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice’s children, said donations can’t come at a better time and can elevate spirits at events, a ritual of passage for many.
“Going to prom has to be a celebration. We wanted to help make a big night a little easier for older people whose lives have been turned upside down by wildfires,” he said.
“Hopefully this will allow students to relax and enjoy after a devastating year.”
The “Office” star is not the only celebrities to raise awareness about wildfire relief efforts, as actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson donated $1 million to five organizations last month.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, a resident of Pacific Parisades, one of the most violent hit areas from the January fire, led the charges. She also pledged $1 million in January to support “our great cities and states and the great people who live there.”
Eton Fire burned over 14,000 acres Altadena And after the flames erupted on January 7th in the Pasadena area, nearly 10,000 structures were destroyed, many buildings on school campuses, leaving many students without classroom attendance, according to Cal Fire.
Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom estimated that total economic losses from the wildfire could exceed $250 billion and asked Congress to approve nearly $40 billion in relief assistance at the time.
