Photo: Alessio Botticelli/GC
Bethenny Frankelis pouring herself intoHurricane Florencerelief efforts — all while mourning the loss of her on-off boyfriendDennis Shields.
“The work I am doing for hurricane relief is a good outlet, but I’m trying to not get too immersed and not avoid thegrieving processand feeling,” theReal Housewives of New York Citystar, 47, tells PEOPLE. “I am going through an emotional storm and must go through and not around it.”
“People are suffering way more than I am,” she adds. “People have helped me get through my despair with their love and inspiration and now it is my turn.”
Shields wasfound deadof asuspected overdosein his Trump Tower apartment on Aug. 10. He was 51.
Now, Frankel says the New York City-based bankerinspired her in her ongoing work for hurricane relief. (She helped victims ofHurricane Mariain Puerto Rico andHurricane Harveyin Houston, Texas, through herB Strong Disaster Relief programand is now aiding victims of Hurricane Florence through the foundation.)
“He embraced and applauded everything I did and cheered me on from the sidelines,” she says.
RELATED VIDEO:Bethenny FrankelTalks Puerto Rico Relief & Her #BStrong Initiative
Though the hurricane is over, flooding remains a threat, and Frankel says her volunteers are assessing which areas need the most help as they go.
Frankel says she reached out to 10 female celebrities —Sia,Christina Aguilera,Kelly Ripa,Katie Couric,Lea Michele,Lisa Rinna,Erika Girardi,Maria Menounos,Kyle RichardsandErin Andrews— and every one of them agreed to help right away, using their platforms and influence to inspire others to pitch in. According to Frankel, they raised about $125,000 as Frankel chartered a plane to bring supplies to those in need.
On Tuesday, Frankel says she’s bringing her 8-year-old daughterBryn— who also raised relief money with her classmates — to help on the ground in North Carolina.
source: people.com
