Shawn Mendes donated $175,000 to provide The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in his hometown of Toronto with emergency medical resources to combat the coronavirus. And he's counting on his fans to keep it up.
He made the major monetary contribution alongside The Shawn Mendes Foundation so SickKids can buy much-needed medical supplies and equipment during the recent pandemic while continuing its efficient care of current patients, their families, the hospital staff and the overall community.
"We are so grateful to Shawn and The Shawn Mendes Foundation for their continued support of SickKids Foundation and our hospital here in Toronto," said Ted Garrard, CEO of the SickKids Foundation, in a statement obtained by Entertainment Tonight Canada. "This generous and timely donation will assist our hospital with increased efforts in prevention and screening of COVID-19."
Furthermore, the Canadian singer-songwriter announced via Instagram on Tuesday (March 24) that for the next month, he will funnel all SMF funds to aide both SickKids and the World Health Organization's (WHO) coronavirus relief efforts.
"The @shawnfoundation & I have been working to find ways to best support COVID-19 relief efforts, and to direct our resources to where we can make a difference," read Mendes' post. "We've made a donation to @sickkidssvs hospital this week to help support the urgent screening and prevention of COVID-19 in my hometown of Toronto. For the next month, all donations to The Shawn Mendes Foundation will go towards SickKids Hospital & relief efforts around the world by the @WHO."
The 21-year-old launched his eponymous charity in August 2019 to inspire and empower his wide-reaching fanbase to learn about and act on global causes they're passionate about. SMF collaborated with SickKids on one of its first campaigns and ended up raising $1 million upon its Aug. 28 launch date.
Read Mendes' Instagram message below.
