Hurricane Harvey

Celebs step up with donations for Hurricane Harvey relief: Kevin Hart calls out stars to join in

Kevin Hart pledged $25,000 to the Red Cross.

Courtesy of ACL Live

Flood-inducing rainfall and devastation: Houston has been battered by Hurricane Harvey with more severe weather on the way. While celebrities from Demi Lovato to Houston native Beyoncé have tweeted their love for Houston during these trying times, several famous names are taking it up a level, expressing their concern and also pledging funds to help relief efforts. A special shout-out to the celebs below, who are donating funds to help those in need.

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart not only pledged $25,000 to the Red Cross, but called out fellow celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake to do the same:

I'm calling this the Hurricane Harvey Relief Challenge....Lets go @therock @beyonce @chrisrock Jay Z Dave Chappelle @jerryseinfeild @iamsteveharveytv @justintimberlake #HurricaneHarveyReliefChallenge #prayforhouston .....I am getting a link together now people. Help me help Houston....

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on

Aug 27, 2017 at 4:07pm PDT

DJ Khaled accepted Kevin Hart's challenge, donating $25,000 to hurricane relief efforts:

HOUSTON TEXAS my prayers are wit you! I just sent 25k your way to help all the families in need 🙏🏽 @kevinhart4real I accepted your challenge pic.twitter.com/EgCjyT8IKV

— DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) August 29, 2017

In the tweet below, Chris Young sends prayers to Houston. Moreover, the country singer pledged $100,000 to the Red Cross and set up a Go Fund Me page for hurricane relief. You can donate here.

Prayers out to everyone in Houston and surrounding areas. Be safe out there family. #HurricaneHarvey

— Chris Young (@CY24_7) August 27, 2017

Drake, who is in London, said he is working with local relief groups to help:

We are currently overseas in London and all I can think about is how devastated I am as I look at images of the damage Hurricane Harvey has caused. I am praying for the safety of all those affected. Houston has truly been a home to me over the last 8 years. Myself and @futuretheprince are working with local relief groups to aid and assist the people of Texas in anyway we can and in the most immediate way possible. I also want to thank all the men and women of service and volunteers for their courageous efforts to help people in need. I encourage everyone to do what they can to assist the people of Texas knowing whatever effort you can make to help will go a long way.

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

Aug 28, 2017 at 2:13am PDT

Cher tweeted her love for Texas on August 25. In a second tweet on August 27, the icon posted that she will donate funds to help reunite shelter and relief animals with their owners:

SENDING ❤️& PRAYERS 🙏🏻TO
ALL TEXANS‼️Lived in Galveston & Burleson,🎤Toured🌟State For 50yrs.🎥Silkwood In Dallas. HAVE LOVED ONES IN TEXAS💋

— Cher (@cher) August 25, 2017

Texans will Get Through This.Texas 🙌🏻is special in my❤️Since 8.Will make donation 2 help Rescue & Shelter TX animals til
Reunited W❤️'d 1's

— Cher (@cher) August 27, 2017

Lady Antebellum donated merchandise proceeds from their show in Dallas to relief efforts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by #HurricaneHarvey. pic.twitter.com/HBihHtqUcL

— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) August 28, 2017

Texans star J.J. Watt has set up a fundraiser to help the Houston community via the YouCaring crowdfunding site.

It's extremely difficult to have to watch the events of Hurricane Harvey unfold on TV and not be able to get back to Houston to help with the recovery efforts. I've set up a fundraiser so that we can raise as much money as possible to help our communities and the families of our great city rebuild. Any donation that you can spare, no matter how large or small, no matter what city or state you live in, is greatly appreciated. We will come out of this stronger than ever. www.YouCaring.com/JJWatt #TexasForever

A post shared by JJ Watt (@justinjames99) on

Aug 27, 2017 at 2:19pm PDT

celebrities

in the navy

What to know about Fleet Week as it sails into Houston for the first time

Courtesy of Fleet Week Houston

The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, will be in Houston this week.

For the first time ever, Fleet Week is sailing into Houston. Held Wednesday, April 15 through Wednesday, April 22, the weeklong event will bring four military vessels and more than 1,000 active-duty servicemembers to Houston.

One highlight will be the opportunity for Houstonians to tour four ships — USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21), USS St. Louis (LCS-19), and USCGC Edgar Culbertson (WPC-1137) — all of which will be docked at the Houston Ship Channel. In addition, dozens of other events will take place at schools, museums, parks, and more.

While the week includes dozens of events and celebrations, these seven are a good start for Houstonians who wish to participate in the festivities.

Wednesday, April 15

Parade of Ships at Seawolf Park, Galveston

Watch the parade of ships into the Houston Ship Channel to kick-off the inaugural Fleet Week Houston, and welcome the more than 1,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who will be participating in the week-long festivities. 7 am.

Thursday, April 16

Fleet Week on the Plaza at The Plaza at Avenida Houston
The free concert will feature performances by Houston’s beloved The Suffers, Navy Band Southeast, and special guests. In addition to the performances, attendees will find food trucks, games, photo ops, and more. 6 pm.

Saturday, April 18

Fleet Week Houston Aviation Exhibit at the Lone Star Flight Museum
Ellington Airport and the Lone Star Flight Museum will offer visitors an up-close look at a variety of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. It includes both modern and historic planes. 9 am (9 am Sunday).

Fleet Week Expo at Post Houston
This event allows civilians to experience the visiting sea services through entertainment, talks, and demonstrations. It is also the beginning point for the buses taking people to ship tours. Performances on Saturday include a Marine Corp brass quintet (10 am), Chris Castaneda (12 pm), Julia Byers (2 pm), and Vetted (4 pm). On Sunday, the performers include David de la Garza (10 am), Sara Van Buskirk (12 pm), Navy Band Southeast – Jazz Combo (2 pm), and Vetted (4 pm). 10 am (10 am Sunday).

East End Block Party
Held at the Navigation Esplanade, the event includes live music, Luche Libre wrestling, and barbecue. 3 pm.

Sunday, April 19

Exhibition at Sylvan Beach Park (La Porte)
Designed for military buffs and anyone looking for adventure, this event showcases some of the military’s elite capabilities. Events and demonstrations include a hovercraft landing, Coast Guard Search and Rescue operations, Navy band performances, dog demonstrations, and hands-on displays with military equipment and technology. 10 am.

Monday, April 20

Fleet Week Street Festival and Drone Show at Main Street (Seabrook)
Market and food vendors, including artists, merchants, and veteran-owned businesses, will sell products. Then, a patriotic-themed drone show celebrating the 250th birthday of both the Navy and Marine Corps will light up the sky. 11 am.

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Group tours of the visiting vessels for companies, youth groups, civic organizations, and others are still available. Contact Jay Cope at 504-957-6305 or jay.a.cope.civ@us.navy.mil for more details.