Rihanna Supports Homeless Veterans With Her ‘Amazing Heart, Time, and Energy’
Rihanna has been known for her down-to-earth persona for years, even as she came to dominate the music industry as a young girl from Barbados. As someone who’s often in touch with everyday people, Rih also makes sure to pay it forward to those who need it.
Rihanna values philanthropy
Over the years, Rihanna has shown her support for several important causes and issues in the world. Throughout the presidency of Donald Trump, for example, she was an outspoken opponent of the president’s words and actions and emphasized the importance of immigrants like her in America’s story.
Even in the early days of her career, Rihanna used her voice to spread awareness about important issues. In 2006, she created her Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children In 2018, she and other public figures drew attention to HIV/AIDS by designing clothing for H&M’s Fashion Against AIDS line. And in 2008, she was a part of the song “Just Stand Up!,” which was performed alongside other stars in the Stand Up to Cancer television special that raised $100 million for cancer research.
Rihanna helps out veterans
In early 2022, Rihanna extended a helping hand to homeless veterans in Los Angeles. She stopped by the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus to show her support for those who served and were now without a roof over their heads.
Activist Sennett Devermont shared a photo on Instagram of the two together in the parking lot of the VA. “Thank you @badgalriri for pulling up with all the love and support and most importantly your ears to listen to veterans,” he said, thanking her again for her “amazing heart, time, and energy,.”
Another video posted by the Always Film the Police foundation on Instagram featured a veteran who was over the moon about meeting Rihanna, whom he called “the greatest singer on Earth.”
“She donated clothes, food and she cares about the veterans. United States Army veterans, US Marine veterans, Air Force veterans, Navy veterans. She cares about all the veterans. She cares about us and she showed it,” he said. “She’s going to take care of business.”
The caption emphasized AFTP’s gratitude. “Despite all circumstances of how veterans are treated sleeping in tents on asphalt or tiny sheds on land they should call a home, I can say hope and joy was spread to the veterans,” the post read. “The authenticity of actually caring and listening was beyond the amazing supplies that @badgalriri donated. Rihanna made that happen when she visited the vets today. Honored to have been witness to this!”
The Clara Lionel Foundation has been supporting people throughout the pandemic
Philanthrophy has been a big part of Rihanna’s public life over the past decade. In 2012, she created her nonprofit organization, the Clara Lionel Foundation, which gives money to various important causes around the globe.
Throughout the pandemic, for example, CLF donated $5 million to various organizations supporting underserved communities from the U.S. to Malawi. Working with Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee, World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and more, CLF supported underserved communities as well as healthcare workers with its donation.
