Meryl Streep has made a charitable donation to save a school, thanks to a tip-off from her fellow actress and Oscar hopeful Viola Davis. Davis reportedly told Streep about the ailing school in Central Falls, Rhode Island and the Iron Lady star ensured that a cheque for $10,000 was made out from her Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts.
The Segue Institute for Learning revealed that the cheque arrived accompanied by a note. The UK Associated Press states that the school's director Angelo Garcia said the note indicated that the cheque was "on behalf of Viola," who was raised in Central Falls. According to the Associated Press report, the Segue Institute has over 200 students, from grades six to eight. Angelo Garcia and Viola Davis grew up together and the school has been trying to raise funds to either buy the building that it's currently located in or alternatively find a new home.
Both Meryl Streep and Viola Davis were nominated in the Best Actress categories at this year's Oscars. Mery Streep won the award, for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. The win came despite Viola Davis having become the bookies favourite to take home the award, for her performance in The Help. In her acceptance speech, Meryl thanked her husband Don and her long-term make up artist, Roy Helland.