Singer Billy Joel has a soft spot for animals, and his donation of all the proceeds from his May birthday concert in Madison Square Garden will help a New York shelter complete its plans for a second-floor expansion.
Beth Stern, wife of Howard Stern, is a spokesperson for the NorthShore Animal League America shelter in Port Washington, New York, and she told Social Life Magazine that Joel’s donation put the building project on schedule.
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“Billy is my hero ... I call him 'Saint Billy.' Because of his huge donation, we are on target to break ground next spring!” Stern told Social Life.
Joel’s concert was held May 9 on his 65th birthday.
Joel is a well-known animal lover, who has supported laws to ban ivory product sales and adopted rescued dogs.
Joel’s donation supports the building of the shelter’s second floor, which will be called “Bianca’s Furry Friends,”
according to the shelter website.
The facility will be specially designed as a Feline Adoption Center and is named in honor of Howard and Beth Stern’s beloved best friend. The addition will also help dogs and puppies by opening up much-needed space on the first floor of the center.
Joel was also in the news this week for serenading his ex-wife, Christie Brinkley, with the tune she inspired, “Uptown Girls.”
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