LOS ANGELES (AP) – Actor Steve Carell is sending high school students from Southern California to the prom for free, affected by the turbulent wildfires in Los Angeles.
The “Office” actor and comedian said in an Instagram video Tuesday that he was working with Alice's children's charity to pay for PROMs at six high schools in Pasadena.
“If you've already paid for your prom ticket, they'll refund you for your prom ticket. That's pretty good,” said Carell.
Fires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed more than 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures, killing at least 29 people in the Pacific Palisade and Altadena regions of northern Pasadena. It also burned school campuses and overturned the lives of thousands of students and parents who were scrambling to find classrooms for their children to go.
Alice's children will be participating in the annual passage dance for their alumni, donating roughly $175,000 to more than 800 students. Tickets usually range from $100 to $150 each.
“Going to the prom must be a celebration. We wanted to help make a big night a little easier for older people whose lives have been turned upside down by wildfires,” Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice's children, said in a statement. “Hopefully this will allow students to relax and enjoy after a year of demonic humiliation.”
An Instagram video posted by John Muir High School, one of the award-winning schools, shows students applauding and cheering for him as they were surprised by Carrell's announcement during the school's rally.
Another recipient includes Abeson Charter School. Aveson Charter School has a campus for students from kindergarten through fifth grades, and has been damaged and the buildings from sixth to 12th grade are unavailable.
Last week, Carell took part in a star-studded “Skate for La Strong” hockey tournament to raise money for fire relief.
Finally, the actor states: “Enjoy, enjoy the prom. And this is Steve Carell.”
