FFN_Swift_Taylor_INI_081016_52144888

Taylor Swift’s image has taken a beating in The Summer of Receipts. While I believe that she is still generally well-liked and supported, there’s no question (in my mind) that there are people around Taylor who are suggesting some kind of shake up in management, PR or more. There’s one part of Taylor Inc. that doesn’t need to be changed though: one of Taylor’s best qualities is her charitable heart – since her earliest days in country, she’s been one of the most charitable stars out there. Even in the midst of the Glorious Tiddlebanging back in July, Taylor took time out to visit sick kids in an Australian hospital. And now this: Taylor has been watching the ongoing tragedy in Louisiana, and she’s decided to donate $1 million to the thousands of flooding victims who have lost everything.

Taylor Swift is donating $1 million to help those in need in Louisiana after floods caused widespread disaster in the state, killing at least 11 people. In a statement to the Associated Press on Tuesday, Swift commented that the people of Louisiana had given her a warm welcome when she began her “1989 World Tour” in the state last year.

“We began The 1989 World Tour in Louisiana, and the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home. The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking,” Swift, 26, said in the statement.

“I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time,” the singer added.

As well as those who lost their lives, thousands of people have been affected by the flooding that ravaged Louisiana over the weekend, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency. More than 20,000 people have been rescued across south Louisiana since the flooding started, USA Today reports.

[From People]

The footage and reporting from flood-ravaged Louisiana has reminded me so strongly of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. One minute, people thought they had escaped the worst of the rain, and in the next minute, flood waters tore through their neighborhoods. I believe Taylor’s motives are true, that she’s motivated by nothing other than compassion. But… of course this helps her image a little bit. Especially since she’s the first major celebrity (that I’m aware of) to donate such an amount, and that she announced it to the AP. By the way, I don’t blame any celebrity for announcing their donations – those kind of announcements raise awareness of the need for private citizens and businesses to donate money too.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
FFN_CAL_Swift_Taylor_080816_52143509
FFN_CAL_Swift_Taylor_Home_080816_52143623
FFN_CAL_Swift_Taylor_Home_080816_52143642
FFN_Swift_Taylor_INI_080916_52144135
FFN_Swift_Taylor_INI_081016_52144888