Pearl Jam, Jack White, Big Sean Latest To Support Flint During Water Crisis
FLINT (WWJ) -- People and groups from around the country have been throwing support behind the people of Flint after it was found that the city's water supply was contaminated by lead.
The latest to chip in and help bring drinking water to Flint are Seattle rock band Pearl Jam and Detroit natives Jack White and Big Sean.
White, former White Stripes frontman and Detroit business owner, and his Third Man Records store in Midtown is offering a 20 percent off discount for customers who bring in a gallon of water to the Detroit location. Until Monday, those who donate also have the chance to win a special movie box set.
Third Man is crowdrising for Flint! Donate & learn about what you could WIN! (hint: it'll keep you happy for 5 YRS!) https://t.co/fyRr8CHMM6
— Third Man Records (@thirdmanrecords) January 23, 2016
We've expanded our water drive for #Flint to include online donations. Every $13 you donate at… https://t.co/5J5G1V5OAK
— Third Man Records (@thirdmanrecords) January 23, 2016
Pearl Jam announced Friday that the band would be donating $300,000 to the United Way of Genesee County's Flint Water Fund. $125,000 will come from the band and $175,000 will come from other partners in the music industry. The grunge band also launched a crowdsourcing campaign online that will benefit the Flint Child Health and Development fund.
[MORE: Read the latest on the Flint water crisis]
Big Sean also started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the people affected by the crisis. He tweeted his disapproval of the job Gov. Rick Snyder has done in response to the crisis.
#HealFlintKids https://t.co/hxBAM6L8FS
— Sean Don (@BigSean) January 22, 2016
This is not a natural disaster, this is not a mistake, this is clearly some real dirty work going on! unacceptable! Explain Governor? #Flint
— Sean Don (@BigSean) January 19, 2016
Flint residents are being urged to stay away from drinking and cooking with tap water after elevated levels of lead were found after the city switched its water supply from Detroit water to the Flint River in 2014.
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver declared a state of emergency in December after new blood test results showed that 21 children and nine adults had elevated lead levels in their blood. Test results also showed that lead levels in the water are lower now than they were over the summer, before Flint switched back to Detroit's water supply in October.