Russell Simmons Joins Pledge To Provide One Million Water Bottles To Flint

Russell Simmons, who last week called for the prosecution of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, is contributing to the recovery effort in Flint.

On Monday, Simmons teamed up with his prepaid debit card company, RushCard, to deliver 150,000 water bottles to local residents. He also attended a town hall meeting about the city's ongoing crisis. During an interview with CBS Detroit, the hip hop mogul and philanthropist empathized the importance of celebrities helping Flint residents:

We want to reach out to them first and let them know … we are trying to deliver bottled water and we are trying to push for change, we have to figure out who is responsible, and negligence is a funny thing -- if you drive your car and you run into a kid by mistake you can go to jail, that's negligence, here is a place where we were aware there was danger, and possibly the governor should be brought up on charges.

Simmons documented his visit by posting photos on his Instagram account.

Visiting residents of #Flint delivering bottled water gifted by @rushcard. Stories I'm hearing are very difficult . We all must support these courageous people. #FlintWaterCrisis. We need a 1 billion dollar overhaul of there system and. Proper nutrition for these children so they will lead a normal life #aquahydrate #rushcard

A photo posted by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on Feb 1, 2016 at 6:43am PST

Just met Nakeyja who is using government provided filters that are totally ineffective, as we tested them ON THE SPOT .. she has 2 children both of whom have lead poisoning. One does not speak at 3yrs old. And the other already tested very positive and has had seizures. The deeper I dig the nastier it gets. #FlintWaterCrisis #aquahydrate #rushcard

A photo posted by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on Feb 1, 2016 at 7:15am PST

Thank you Principal Tate. Inspired by young people who are fighting through horrible situation . They are so knowledgable about what's been done to them and want to live a healthy life. Thank you Classical Academy for letting me visit #FlintWaterCrisis #aquahydrate #rushcard

A photo posted by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on Feb 1, 2016 at 9:18am PST

Thanks to aqua hydrate for helping us out #rushcard. #aquahydrate Back to delivering water to customers then media then maybe I can make flight. If not Whatever

A photo posted by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on Feb 1, 2016 at 11:42am PST

Follow @MichaelSkolnik's TL for lots of photos from our trip to Flint today. I spoke from my heart and told the people that we would not stop until new pipes are built, the poisoned kids are given real nutrition to reduce the risk of sickness later in life and the governor is arrested. #flintwatercrisis

A photo posted by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on Feb 1, 2016 at 12:48pm PST

Simmons joins Eminem, Wiz Khalifa, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Mark Wahlberg as apart of AQUAhydrate's long-term pledge to donate water bottles to Flint until clean water is restored.  

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