The fires in Southern California were the true meaning of the word disaster. Thousands of acres have burned and an unknown number of people have lost their homes. Due to the location of the fires, many celebrities were affected by the fire, some are seeing their work delayed as many series have temporarily halted production due to the fires, and others have already had to evacuate their homes. Among them this is us Star Mandy Moore and her family.
Although Mandy Moore’s home was not completely destroyed by the fire, it sustained significant damage. But her brother-in-law (musician Griffin Goldsmith) and his family, as well as his parents, also lost their homes in the fires. Like many, the Goldsmith family created a GoFundMe to ask for donations that would help them rebuild and get back on their feet, but now the GoFundMe has become a source of controversy.
Why is Mandy Moore defending GoFundMe?
Mandy Moore updated fans on the fire via Instagram She also used the platform to promote her brother-in-law’s GoFundMe for any fans who might want to contribute. This led some to criticize Moore for asking others to contribute. Some people assume that Mandy Moore, being a famous celebrity, is rich and therefore can help her family rebuild everything on her own. In a response on Instagram, she explained that she helps her family, and that assumptions about her wealth may be largely incorrect. She said…
[For] People ask if we are helping our family or crediting them with some arbitrary amount of money that Google says someone is not helpful or compassionate. Of course we are. Our friend Matt started this GoFundMe and I’m sharing it because people have asked how they can help.
Moore also reminded people that they lost a lot in the fire as well. While most of the Moore house was apparently still standing, they were unable to return there, and another celebrity was helping them.
How Hilary Duff is helping Mandy Moore’s family
According to a post by Moore’s brother-in-law, Mandy Moore and her family welcomed her friend Hilary Duff and her husband, Matt Koma. In fact, Koma is the “Matt” mentioned in Moore’s comment who appears to have suggested creating the GoFundMe in the first place. Goldsmith wrote Instagram…
Our dear friends [Matthew Koma] and [Hillary Duff] I thought it would be wise to set up a gofundme for us to help move forward. Not to mention, they are currently inhabited by my brother’s family. They have taken care of my entire family from the moment this started. I will never be able to thank them enough. This is the kindest thing anyone can do for another. They are the most beautiful, selfless people we have ever known.
The fires were devastating to many people, as Jennifer Garner revealed that a friend of hers died in the fire. It will take a lot of time, and a lot of support for everyone to recover.