Miley Cyrus Raises $200,000 for Homeless

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Miley Cyrus set out to raise awareness for youth homelessness Sunday at the MTV VMAs, and she was successful.


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According to The New York Times, Miley's fundraising campaign for My Friend's Place, a Los Angeles organization that supports homeless young people on the streets, raised $200,000 in just two days.

After stirring up twerking controversy at last year's VMAs, Miley used the media attention this year for social good. She brought a homeless young man named Jesse Helt to the awards show on Sunday and when she won Video of the Year for "Wrecking Ball," she gave him her acceptance time to speak out on his experiences as a homeless young person.

He said, "I am accepting this award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving, lost and scared for their lives right now. I know this because I am one of these people."


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Helt's public acceptance drew even more media attention when news surfaced that he is currently wanted in the state of Oregon.


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Miley was quick to respond on Twitter with this message.

On Miley's Facebook page, she says how people can get involved and that donors will be entered to win a trip for two to her Rio de Janeiro show on Sept. 28 for the full VIP experience.

Even Chelsea Handler got involved on the last episode of Chelsea Lately last night. She said she would be donating to My Friend's Place and that everyone should donate to Miley's favored charity.


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Miley's focus on My Friend's Place is an example of how celebrity activism can generate a substantial amount of money quickly for a good cause, and she says "this is just the beginning" for her.

Watch Miley giving her time to speak to Jesse at the 2014 MTV VMAs.