Ricky Martin Pledges For Puerto Rico On ‘The Ellen Show’; DeGeneres Makes Generous Donation

Singer Ricky Martin stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to help raise awareness about the devastation and destruction left behind by Hurricane Maria on his home island of Puerto Rico. During the episode, aired on Thursday, September 28, Ricky shares his concern with Ellen about Puerto Rico’s state of despair and pleads with viewers to donate money to help the victims who are in need of food, water, and medicine among many other necessities.

The singer also opens up about his family in Puerto Rico and not being able to contact his brother for five days. Ellen encouraged viewers to take action and donate to hurricane relief efforts by visiting www.ellentube.com and www.HandinHand2017.com. Plus, with the generosity of Cheerios and General Mills, Ellen announced they are donating $80,000 to Hurricane Maria relief as part of Ellen’s partnership with the iconic brand to encourage one million acts of good.

During Ellen and Ricky’s conversation on the show, Ellen praised the Puerto Rican singer for his efforts in helping his community: “You are here for something really important and I am so happy you’re here to talk about it with us because boy oh boy, does the world need help right now. But tell everybody what you’re doing,” DeGeneres asked.

Martin went on to pledge for his people in a tear-jerking moment, also thanking Leonardo DiCaprio who joined his initiative and will be donating for Puerto Rico’s relief. “ First of all,” Martin said, “Thank you so much for letting me talk to your audience. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am from Puerto Rico and right now, Puerto Rico is suffering. We were destroyed by a hurricane and it has been very difficult. Right now, there is no water, there is no electricity, there is no food, there is no medicine, there is no diesel for the generators that will make the hospital work.”

The Latin superstar went on, “People are dying. So, as a Puerto Rican, as an American that I am, I am here to ask for your help. We have created a catastrophe fund and I have to say thank you very much because you have been so kind and so generous, but we need more. We need more. A lot of great corporations are working with us to bring love, to bring food, to bring hope to Puerto Rico. Leonardo DiCaprio – I just got off the phone with him and he said ‘Ricky, I want to be a part of this, I want to help you for obvious reasons.’ He’s always at the forefront of everything that has to do with climate change and I’m just very thankful. But, we need your help.”

To help Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin set up this YouCaring page, where you can donate whatever you can. Like Ellen said during the show, “ If everyone gave $1 imagine what that would do.”

The Ricky Martin Foundation team on the ground is already working with the local government, local volunteers and the First Lady of Puerto Rico to provide urgently needed food, water, clothing and medical supplies. Next week, thanks to their corporate partners, they will be sending relief planes full of the most urgently needed supplies, and partnering with Music For Relief and We Care Solar to provide solar suitcases filled with light and hope to the communities, which are literally in the dark.

For the long term, the foundation will partner with Habitat for Humanity once rebuilding is able to start, just like they did after the tsunami in Thailand and the earthquake in Haiti. “Protecting our children and citizens is vital after natural disasters. Without a home or basic human needs, everyone is vulnerable to human trafficking,” the foundation stated.