Lady Gaga donates $1 million to the Red Cross

Pop star Lady Gaga has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Sandy in her native New York.

The post-tropical cyclone wrecked havoc along the East Coast last week (begs29Oct12), leaving millions of people without power and many more seeking higher ground as floods threatened to destroy homes.

The Bad Romance hitmaker was vacationing in Puerto Rico when the storm hit, but she vowed to lend a hand to residents in New Jersey and the Big Apple, where the singer was raised and first got her start, upon her return.

Now Gaga has made good on her promise after cutting a hefty cheque to the relief agency in a bid to help aid workers and those worst hit pick up the pieces.

In a post on her official Little Monsters website on Wednesday (07Nov12), she wrote, "Today I pledge 1 million dollars to New York & The American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief. If it wasn't for NYC: the Lower Eastside, Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn, I would not be the woman or artist that I am today.

"New York is relentless ambition, a drive to succeed, a place where there is a natural pursuit of diversity through compassion. Please accept this gift on behalf of myself, my parents Joe and Cynthia, and my sister Natali; with our deepest gratitude New York for raising us. Thank you for helping me build my spirit. I will now help you rebuild yours."

Lady Gaga isn't the only star to give the organization a big boost over the last few days - last Friday (02Nov12), Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel, and Jon Bon Jovi helped raise an estimated $23 million for the company during a star-studded telethon.