Scarlett organises benefit reading for Puerto Rico

LOS ANGELES-Scarlett Johansson is organising a star-studded benefit reading to aid the hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

The 32-year-old actress has recruited her 'Avengers' cast mates including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo to help her raise funds for those affected by the devastating natural disasters in Puerto Rico.

The stars will get together for a special reading of Thornton Wilder's 'Our Town' on November 6, which will be directed by Kenny Leon, and will benefit the Hurricane Maria Community Relief and Recovery Fund.

In a press release, Scarlett said: ''The struggle faced by Puerto Rican residents since their island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria is terribly heartbreaking and has left many feeling hopeless and helpless. ''It is a great privilege to be able to participate in whatever way I can, to provide some relief to those that are struggling to access even the most basic of human needs in the aftermath of this disastrous event.

''Please help me and my co-stars in coming together for a one-time-only extraordinary evening to raise lifesaving funds for a devastated community and to help celebrate the true meaning of community with this unique reading of a great American classic.''

The full line-up of stars expected to attend the event has not yet been announced, but it is believed more friends of the 'Ghost in the Shell' actress will join in. The reading will take place in Atlanta's Fox Theatre, and tickets will go on sale on Monday.

Prices start at $89 per ticket, with the most expensive VIP packages selling for $1,000.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico native Ricky Martin recently said he was ''fighting'' to help those affected by the disaster.

He said: ''What you see on television doesn't do justice to the reality of Puerto Rico. We are still dealing with 4 million US citizens who still have no power, no medicine, no baby formula, no diapers after 15 days since this happened.

''People are dying. I talked to victims who had to bury relatives in the backyard because no help came until after 10 days. It is a nightmare but I want to celebrate because people from all over the world are saying, 'We want to help.'

''I don't sleep, I'm in creative mode trying to see how we can bring love and hope to my people in Puerto Rico. We are alive. Even though we lost everything, we didn't lose hope, we are smiling, and we're fighting for what needs to happen for Puerto Rico to be back to what it was.''

 

 

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