Bethenny Frankel Is Mobilizing Support for Hurricane Florence Relief: "I'm Bracing Myself" (UPDATED)
"These storms are ruthless," The Real Housewives of New York City humanitarian shared.
UPDATE (Sept. 14, 10:32 A.M.): Bethenny appeared on Fox Business Friday, the day that Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, and shared an update on how she's mobilizing support for those affected by the Category 1 storm. "First of all, you have to assess what's going on, so we have people on the ground now because each disaster has different needs," she said.
Bethenny also shared how the desire to help during these emergencies can be infectious. "You just kind of get involved, you pick up a broom, and you just figure it out. And you meet interesting people along the way, most of whom are nurses, teachers, don't have anything. They just feel that they want to make the change, help the change," she explained. "We've seen a lot of craziness with all of these disasters, and people want to find meaning in their lives and just help other people. And that makes it contagious. It really is contagious."
The RHONY philanthropist later took to Twitter to assure fans that all of their donations will make it to those affected by Hurricane Florence. "If you donate to BStrong I guarantee that the relief goes directly to those in need. I pay mine and my staff’s own way & costs & zero bureaucracy," she said. "Just getting sorted now. We need to assess needs."
The original story continues below.
Bethenny Frankel has helped so many people across the continental United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and beyond through her disaster relief effort. Now as Hurricane Florence approaches the United States with potentially catastrophic effects for the Carolinas, The Real Housewives of New York City humanitarian is getting ready to see what she can do to continue to help those in need.
In response to one fan's praise of her relief work in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria last year, Bethenny shared that she's waiting to see how she and her B Strong charity organization can help those who will be affected by Hurricane Florence. "I’m bracing myself to see where #bstrong can help if this is what they’re saying," she tweeted Wednesday. "I think action trumps talk, no pun intended. At least Maria & Harvey taught people that the threat is real. These storms are ruthless."
Bethenny later tweeted that they are "getting prepared" as Hurricane Florence looms. "Our hurricane relief teams are already mobilizing support as we speak FYI. Every storm has specific needs. Will keep you updated," Bethenny shared with her fans. "Info on donating will come soon also. Xoxo Pray."
Bethenny quickly mobilized to help with the hurricane relief effort after Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston last year. She then helped those impacted by a deadly earthquake in Mexico before turning her attention to Puerto Rico, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and neighboring territories following Hurricane Maria. Bethenny shared on Twitter in October 2017 that the initiative had raised "well over a million in planes, cash & donations."
Fans followed Bethenny on one of her relief missions to Puerto Rico in Season 10 of RHONY. She brought fellow New York Housewife Dorinda Medley along for the journey, and she was deeply moved by the experience (clip above). Housewives on both coasts, from Tinsley Mortimer to Ramona Singer to Carole Radziwill to Lisa Rinna, also donated to Bethenny's disaster relief efforts.
Watch Bethenny open up more about her philanthropy during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen last year, below.
