Along with his nonprofit organization, Community Organized Relief Effort, the 'Gangster Squad' star partners up with Los Angeles officials in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
- Apr 11, 2020
AceShowbiz - Sean Penn is getting hands-on in supporting the fight against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. While many celebrities contribute to the relief effort by donating money or protective gears, the two-time Oscar winner defied the stay at home guideline to volunteer at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing station in Malibu, California.
In multiple photos making their way online, the "Milk" star could be seen taking upon himself to hand out masks to other people. Rocking a black windbreaker with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) logo over a white graphic T-shirt, he covered his face with a protective mask. To complete his look, he donned gray khakis, a pair of tan hiking boots and a dark cap.
Aside from his CORE staff and volunteers, the actor portraying Mickey Cohen on "Gangster Squad" was reportedly also joined by his 28-year-old actress girlfriend, Leila George.
The 59-year-old's non-profit organization CORE has been running a free testing site for first responders, essential workers and local Malibu residents since March 30. In collaboration with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's office as well as Los Angeles' fire department, they have since provided more than 6,500 free tests, and plan to open new location on Friday, April 10.
Talking about turning CORE's focus back home after years of helping distressed communities abroad, Penn said in a recent interview, "We have an infrastructure in place to respond, and so we decided that we would if we could be value added."
"It's something that we can adapt to very quickly with the training of the Los Angeles Fire Department initially," he added. "And then we're able to take all those firemen and put them back in to serve the people in the way that we need them to."
Garcetti could not be more grateful for the help. Through a statement, he explained, "Getting more people tested will help us get Angelenos the care they need and flatten the curve more quickly to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are working closely with these extraordinary partners to expand access and grow capacity - and we're grateful to everyone who has stepped up to strengthen this work."
