Bruno Mars Donates $1 Million Toward Water Crisis Victims In Flint, Michigan
Bruno Mars said he is donating $1 million from his Michigan concert to aid those impacted by the Flint water crisis.
The Grammy-winning star told the audience at his show in Auburn Hills, Michigan - about 30 miles from Detroit - that he and his tour promoter, Live Nation, are redirecting funds from the show to the charity The Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
The 31-year-old entertainer said in a statement that he was 'very thankful' to his audience 'for joining [him] in supporting this cause,' which remains a major issue in the community.
'Ongoing challenges remain years later for Flint residents, and it's important that we don't forget our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster.'
In 2014, Flint switched water sources and failed to add corrosion-reducing phosphates, allowing lead from old pipes to leach into the water.
Elevated levels of lead, a neurotoxin, were detected in children, and 12 people died in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that experts suspect was linked to the improperly-treated water.
The That's What I Like artist, who was born and raised in Hawaii, performed during his sold-out 24K Magic World Tour, which kicked off this past March in Belgium, before making its way stateside last month.