As I write this post, Hurricane Irma is pummeling Naples, where my parents and sister live – and decided to stay and ride out the storm. The storm forced evacuations all over the state and left lots of folks stranded, including actress Kristen Bell, who is in Orlando filming the movie Like Father. The 37-year-old actress, staying at the Swan and Dolphin resort at Walt Disney World (nice digs), got some emergency supplies prior to the storm, posting a shot with her survival haul on Instagram. In the accompanying caption, she said, “We didn’t have the option to leave so here we are. Just doing our best and trying to stay positive but cautious, and trying to help those who need help prepping.”
Kristen did more than try to help, she put her money where her mouth was, getting accommodations at her hotel for the family of her Frozen co-star, Josh Gad. Josh hails from Hollywood, Florida, which is just north of Miami. His family, including his parents, brothers, sister-in-law, and niece and nephews, found themselves stranded in Florida as Irma approached. With hotel rooms at a premium, Kristen was able to get them settled in at the Swan and, to say Josh was grateful is an understatement.
The actor, who most recently appeared in Beauty and the Beast, posted a photo of Kristen with his parents. He gushed in the caption, “They don’t make them like this girl. Thank you Kristen. You are truly an angel sent from above.” In a tweet, he reiterated the sentiment, adding, “you are an angel. I adore you.”
Not only did Kristen offer Josh’s family shelter from the storm, she also helped raise the spirits of her fellow Irma refugees by providing a little entertainment. She posted a picture to Instagram, calling out the musical skills of a local law enforcement representative and another volunteer, adding the caption, “When youre #singinginahurricane, your volunteer back up dancers can & will steal the show.” It sure looks like the cop is having a blast.
I lived in Florida for the majority of my life, and I never had to deal with a direct hit from a hurricane. This one is no joke, but I think it’s great that Kristen is doing what she can to help out and keep people’s minds off of the storm. She is truly a princess. I wish she could go check up on my folks though. Stay safe, Florida.
Photos: WENN.com, Getty Images
Praying your family stays safe, Corey.
Very nice of Kristin to help others and entertain people to keep their minds off what is happening.
Sending my best wishes to your family and every affected by Irma.
This was absolutely lovely. I also grew up and Florida and always said that tampa was one of the luckiest cities around as we’ve never been hit. The eye of the hurricane was over my city last night and I’ve never been so helpless. Seeing acts like this makes my heart happy
Corey – I’m in Southwest Miami and while we were spared the direct hit, we got the bands off the eye wall. 24 hours of non stop rain and winds, 6 of which had cat 1 winds with even stronger gusts. Irma was relentless and tough. Longest day of my life.
But we got through and your family will too. I’m sending all my positive energy to them. Please keep us posted.
No power now, but cell service so I came over to Celebitchy for some much needed levity before facing the task of pick up.
Not a bit surprised at Kristen’s good deeds. She seems to be a truly kind and caring person.
Hope everyone in Florida and their loved ones are OK.
‘I love her and there isn’t a doubt in my mind if you asked her, she’d check on your family or pets or cherished scrap books when able. One of those little miss sunshine friends we all need at least one of.
She’s truly as amazing as she seems,
Love her too! Hope your family is safe and sound, my in-laws have a home on a canal in Cape Coral, never have I heard Cape Coral mentioned on the news until Saturday morning and then I heard it mentioned several times. Thank goodness they are snowbirds and are here in Indiana. I could not stop watching the footage and I am sending good thoughts and ready to send $$ to those in Key West, one of my favorite places on earth…it does not sound good for the Conch Republic.
Not surprising, everyone knows Veronica Mars is a marshmallow. 😉
EVERYONE!!! I just got a text from my sis who says our fam in Ft Myers is ok!!! No power – they have a generator, though, for a little while on a loan, and it is working!!! They moved about 15 years from NorCal to Florida, my sis says auntie says, “I will take an earthquake any day.” Just wanted to share, so happy they are safe, praying all of you in the area, folks with folks in the areas, stay/be safe.
So happy for you and your family.
This storm was so intense! !