The Weeknd donates $1 million to Covid-19 frontline workers in his hometown Scarborough and MusiCares
R&B superstar Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, continues aiding those in need and those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The multi-platinum singer has donated $1 million for coronavirus relief efforts which was divided between two organizations, MusiCares and to the frontline hospital workers of Scarborough Health Network.
According to Variety, The Weekend donated $500,000 on Monday, June 29 to the Scarborough Health Network in his hometown of Scarborough, Ontario. This contribution reportedly comes from the sales of the singer's XO Covid-19 face masks. One hundred percent of the personalized masks' sales was sent to his hometown to aid in the Covid-19 Emergency Fund. The Weekend said in a statement, “I was raised in Scarborough and felt it was important to give back to the community that raised me during the hard times of this pandemic." Tesfaye also thanked his fans on Instagram for purchasing the masks, saying, "Massive thanks to the fans for buying the xo masks and doing your part in helping fight Covid. I promised to match what was sold. We need to keep fighting." He added, "Also a big shout out to everyone in Scarborough!"
With his financial aid to his hometown, The Weeknd also donated another $500,000 to MusiCares, the non-profit organization that has provides health, financial, and rehabilitation resources to musicians during their times of need. Tesfaye's contributions follow a similar donation of $500,000 to bail funds across the United States. On June 2, the 'Blinding Lights' singer took to Instagram to encourage his followers to support the Black Lives Matter movement and make donations. "Keep supporting our brothers and sisters out there risking everything to push for actual change for our black lives," he wrote in the beginning of the post. "Urging everyone with big pockets to give and give big and if you have less please give what you can even if it's a small amount. #blacklivesmatter," he said.
The Weeknd has been engaged in the fight against racism. Earlier this month, The Weeknd, along with Lizzo and John Legend, signed an open letter created by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, calling for police budgets to be cut following the killing of George Floyd, according to NME.