What’s up guys, it’s Sussan Mourad with Clevver News, and the late Naya Rivera’s
Glee co-stars have found a way to honor her memory this holiday season by carrying on
her annual tradition of giving back.
While fans and celebrities are still mourning the tragic loss of Naya Rivera earlier this
year, her Glee co-stars have taken it upon themselves to keep her tradition of giving
back during the holiday season.
Entertainment Tonight caught up with Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz about their efforts
in creating a GoFundMe campaign to carry on Naya’s tradition as Jenna explained QUOTE,
“Yeah so Naya actually, at Snixxmas, the party that she threw every year, would kind
of turn it into a toy drive.”
She went on to explain that Naya worked with many different organizations and was always
“very giving” on how she would give back to the community this time of year, adding,
“Alexandria House was something that she had found more recently and kind of flew under
the radar with it.
She would volunteer her time, she also raised funds for them earlier this year with her
son Josey.”
The entire cast of Glee, including Kevin, Jenna, Dianna Agron, Heather Morris, Chord
Overstreet, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch and many others, created a video for “A Snixxmas
Charity Drive”, where they discuss Naya’s dedication to LA’s Alexandria House, which
provides housing and services to women and children affected by homelessness.
She also previously revealed that volunteering at this nonprofit with Josey was “the biggest
blessing,” which is why it was important for her fellow castmates to carry on the tradition.
She not only raised funds and donated, she also volunteered her time.”
“And now more than ever, it’s important that we keep the Snixxmas spirit alive!”
“Though we can’t throw a big fabulous party this year, we can still give back.”
“We will all be making a donation in Naya’s name to Alexandria House.”
As of this morning, the cast has surpassed their initial fundraising goal of $50,000
with a total of $83,000 going toward their new goal of $100,000.
Last week, Kevin tweeted the news, thanking fans for their charitable efforts, saying
QUOTE, “YOU DID IT! 50k in less than 11 hrs w/ 2k + donors w/ an average donation
of $24.
No donation is too small & no donation is too big.
Thank you so much for helping us get here so quickly!”
The holidays this year surely won’t be the same, but the cast is determined to honor
Naya’s legacy and bring some cheer back into this world as she did.
Jenna also opened up about how the cast has been leaning on one another since Naya’s
passing in July, saying QUOTE, “I'm not gonna lie, the last five months.... on top
of the pandemic is losing a friend...it's like, it's tragic and devastating you know.
It definitely took a toll on us all and shocked us to our cores.
And so it's been hard and not a day goes by that I don't think of her and that we don't
think of her.”
She added that one thing the group always knew about Naya was that she never brought
a ton of people into her circle, which proved that the quality of her friendship toward
her tight-knit group was always very known.
Jenna added, “The quality of her friendship, the loyalty, when she had your back, you know
she had your back.
And so to me it was always knowing she would make us laugh and she had our back.
You had like a safety net of Naya behind you and underneath you, and she just meant the
world to us.”
As for Josey, it seems he’s getting into the holiday spirit as best he can with the
help of his father, Ryan Dorsey.
Ryan took to Instagram to share this sweet photo of the two decorating the Christmas
tree together with a bittersweet caption, “Happy holidays to all.
You, you, and even you, all of ya.
Hope you get nothing but happiness.
Except you.
I'm talking to you, 2020.
#F***2020.”
As this holiday season continues in full force, it’s already difficult enough not being
able to see our loved ones this year, so just remember to call them up, give them virtual
hugs and never stop telling them how much they mean to you.
But before you go, be sure to let me know all your thoughts on Naya’s costar’s incredible
way of honoring her memory this holiday season right down here in the comments.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, you can find me on Instagram @Sussan_Mourad, bye guys.