Millionaire Disney Actress Defends Creating GoFundMe For Son’s Baseball Team

In 2010, a new website was launched called GoFundMe. GoFundMe allowed people to start campaigns to help them raise money for various things. Strangers could donate to help people with things like celebrations, medical bills, schooling, and more. In the nearly 15 years since its launch, GoFundMe has helped thousands of people, raising more than $9 billion.

GoFundMe can help those who truly find themselves in a tough financial situation. But one Disney actress is standing up against a ton of backlash for creating one to help her son.

Alyssa Milano, well-known to fans for her role as Phoebe Halliwell in the TV series Charmed, has a 12-year-old son who absolutely loves baseball. He plays on a team that is hoping to take a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, where they will also compete in a tournament. The trip will cost approximately $10,000 — covering uniforms, travel costs, and dues for the rest of the families with boys on the team.

Alyssa Milano Charmed

Many found Milano’s GoFundMe completely tasteless. GoFundMe is considered a place where people who are truly struggling financially can go for help. Milano’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million. She is also married to a successful Hollywood talent agent — Dave Bugliari — who is also worth millions of dollars.

My son’s baseball team is raising money for their Cooperstown trip. Any amount would be so greatly appreciated. You can read more about the team and make a donation here:

People were shocked that Milano would ask strangers to donate money, when she could easily cover the cost of the trip herself.

“Imagine being so out of touch that you ask your followers to contribute money to your child’s trip when you have a net worth of 10 million dollars,” one user wrote. “This is gross. Pay for it your own damn self. #AlyssaMilano #gofundme.”

Despite the backlash, Milano defended the GoFundMe, saying that she had already paid for a number of things for the team.

I’m getting media inquiries about whether I have financially contributed to my son’s baseball team.

I’ve paid for uniforms for the entire team and coaches, thrown bday parties and sponsor any kid who can’t afford monthly dues.

The kids also do fundraising themselves—car washes, movie nights, and many other fun things!

Thank you to all who have contributed to the gofundme! You’ve made things easier for these boys and their families.

Milano did receive some support, but received further backlash when she made the comment that she would pay for the entire team if she could.

It’s unreal, right away, just because you’re an actress, people think you have to fund the entire thing. There’s not a damn thing wrong with your doing this. It’s a great example for the kids to see you as Alyssa the Mom, not Alyssa the actress. This world is overrun with/Karens!

Commenters pointed out that she has been on several incredibly successful television shows — Charmed, and Who’s The Boss? — which ran in syndication for years and netted the actress millions.

You absolutely could… I’m not saying you should or need to but to come on here and say you can’t afford this is ridiculous… while not knowing your financials my guess is you make more then enough money in a week to pay for this entire trip… Spare us the you would if you could.

Milano has worked with Disney for decades, making a number of notable appearances. She voiced Angel in the 2001 film, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure. She also portrayed Scarlett Rosetti in the Disney animated series Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil. Milano has also made appearances in the hit ABC shows, Castle and Grey’s Anatomy.

At the time of publication, Milano’s GoFundMe has surpassed its $10,000 by just over $1,000.