At a sold-out show at the Palace of Auburn Hills, five-time grammy award winning artist Bruno Mars made the announcement that he’s donating $1 million to relief efforts in Flint, Michigan.
“I’m very thankful to the Michigan audience for joining me in supporting this cause,” Mars said in a press statement. “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.”
The Hawaiian-born Mars is currently on his 24K Magic World Tour. His album, “24K Magic,” recently achieved double platinum status, meaning that it has sold two million copies.
Live Nation, who promotes to tour, and Mars are supporting The Community Foundation of Greater Flint with proceeds from the Saturday show.
Flint has been dealing with lead issues in their water since a controversial 2014 switch from the Detroit water system. The new system did not take corrosion-reducing measures, so the old pipes leeched lead into the drinking water.
Lead is a neurotoxin and many children in Flint were affected. There also was a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.