Beyoncé helped raise over $82,000 for the Flint residents who are still suffering from the city's water supply that has been contaminated with high levels of lead. Over 100,000 residents are said to be affected by the incident.
On Monday, Parkwood Entertainment, the singer's management and entertainment company, presented a check amounting to $82,234 to the United Way of Genesee County to help in the Flint water crisis.
The check was presented by Parkwood Entertainment's Director of Philanthropy and Corporate Relations Ivy McGregor at a Detroit high school during an event. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan is currently supporting one of the high school's turnaround effort.
"We were pleased to announce the collective funds raised through our United Way relationship which allowed fans to donate online to the Flint water crisis at the point of purchasing Beyoncé Formation World Tour concert ticket," said McGregor said.
United Way Worldwide's U.S. President Stacey D. Stewart said they are grateful for the support the singer has given to the affected residents of the Flint water crisis. Moreover, they are grateful for the way the singer has inspired fans to fight for health, financial stability and education of people in their respective communities.
"This partnership demonstrates just how easy it can be to give back," added Stewart.
Beyoncé fans raised the funds. When they purchased tickets to the singer's tour shows, they were given an option to contribute.
Beyoncé's team announced the initiative way back in April. The singer's Detroit concert is part of the three-city tour that has a "signature charity event" element.
The donation will be used to fund faucet mount filters, filtration pitchers, replacement cartridges and "truckloads of water." The United Way of Genesee County has been active in the distribution of filtration systems and bottled waters to the affected residents. The organization has also been providing emergency support services to residents in need.
CrowdRise, a fundraising website based in Royal Oak was part of the team who conducted the Flint initiative. The fans who donated money through the CrowdRise website are given the chance to win VIP tickets to the singer's Formation World Tour.
The entertainment company also announced during the event that 14 high school students will receive college gifts that can help support some of their educational costs. The high school's faculty and principal selected the students who received the educational support.
As another surprise, Parkwood presented the students with tickets to the singer's Formation World Tour run in Detroit.
