By You know her for her pop hits, country-ish music, and aching ballads of lovers come and gone, but Taylor Swift is also making a name for herself as a philanthropist. Having spent most of her life in Tennessee, Swift and her mother, Andrea, just gave $50,000 to a woman who lost her husband to COVID-19.
It’s a heartwarming story about looking out for your fellow Tennessean during times of need.
A Devastating Loss
Vickie Quarles’s husband, Theodis Ray Quarles, passed away from the disease just a week before Christmas, leaving her five children without a father. Her friend, DeQuanda Smith, started a GoFundMe page to help support the family, writing:
“While so many families have lost loved ones in 2020 for various reasons, this one reminded me of the unexpected loss of superstar NBA champion, Kobe Bryant. Except the MVP of this family of five daughters is Theodis Ray Quarles.”
Smith also writes that after Theodis experienced difficulty breathing, Vickie couldn’t go with him in the ambulance due to quarantine protocols.
But “Little did she know that this would be her final engagement with her best friend. She later received a call from the hospital that Theodis had succumbed to this awful virus.”
The money will be used to support the family as Vickie tries to raise her five daughters on her own.
Smith ends the description with, “I am confident that their father, Theodis Ray Quarles, will be smiling from heaven when his little teacher, doctor, CEO, nurse or entrepreneur makes her mark in the world.”
A Memorable Donation
The family set the goal for the campaign at $50,000. After three months of collecting donations from some family and friends, things quickly escalated when Taylor Swift and her mother donated $50,000 to the page, instantly helping them surpass their goal.
Since the story broke, dozens of donations have been pouring in. The family has now collected over $63,000.
Vickie Quarles was more than ecstatic over the donation, writing:
“Words cannot express how incredibly grateful I am for all of the kind and caring people who have made donations in support of me and my 5 daughters. I would like to especially say thank you to Andrea and Taylor Swift for your thoughtfulness and generosity from our home state of Tennessee. I appreciate the sweet personal note, it warmed my heart. The road ahead will definitely not be the same without Theodis but with each day I am humbled and anchored in hope that I can continue to raise the girls to be as compassionate and caring as all of you. Thank you so very much.”
This isn’t the first time the pop star has donated money to people in need. Back in December, she gave $13,000 to two women facing eviction due to the pandemic. One woman was reportedly making just $200 a month on unemployment and could no longer afford to live in her home in Detroit, MI.
She also gave $30,000 to a woman in the U.K. who couldn’t afford to go to college. Victoria Mario, who described herself as a “black woman with a dream,” created a GoFundMe last year for $53,000 to pay for tuition at a prestigious math college in England after acing her exams.
In that case, Swift left a personalized note that said, “Victoria, I came across your story online and I am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turn your dreams into reality. I want to give you the rest of your goal amount and good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor.”
Thankfully, someone as famous and busy as Taylor Swift is still has time to pursue inspiring stories online. It’s been a tough year for millions of people, but some generous celebrities are trying to lighten the load.
