INGLEWOOD, California (Reuters) — The annual WE Day California took place on Thursday (April 27) with music stars Selena Gomez, Alicia Keys, Jessie J and Demi Lovato among others hitting the early morning blue carpet.
The California event is part of 17 events taking place in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom in an initiative which encourages young people to pursue causes which give back to society. The event itself is not ticketed or open to the public but places are given based on the charitable work individual young people do.
Gomez has been a guest at the event five times and while talking to reporters admitted, “I think it’s so beautiful and it’s so fun and they’re enjoying what they’re doing. They do a lot more than I’m doing and it makes me feel like I need to be doing some more.”
WE Day is the brainchild of brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger who founded the initiative after being unable to find charities they wanted to take action with.
According to a news release by the organization, since 2007, the event has raised $79 million for more than 6500 organizations.