A very brief story. Some of you will recall that my sister Bev used to work closely with the actor Paul Newman in establishing his camps for kids with cancer and other dangerous illnesses. I previously wrote of her experiences when she set up a camp in Ireland. Years ago a camp was to be established in Florida. The actor Burt Reynolds volunteered to solicit funds for the project. After a long, long, time nothing was happening; funds were not coming in.
Bev reported this to Mr. Newman and in response he gave her the phone number of General Schwarzkopf. In less than an hour the good general had obtained more than enough money for the project. His technique was simple and effective. He would call some mover or shaker and say,
"This is Norm Schwarzkopf. Here is the project we're funding....Need a decision right now. Are you in or out?" And the money flowed like a mighty river.
A different bit. Bev was sitting with Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward in the lounge of a restaurant in Ireland going over the events of the day. Then Newman said, "Bev, you are going to join us for supper." But my sister declined explaining that she had to return to the camp to make sure the kids got tucked in for the night. Newman turned to his wife and with, I am sure, a twinkle in his famous blue eyes said, "Joanne, do you realize this is the first time in my life I have invited a lady to dinner and have been refused!"
May both Mr. Neuman and General Schwarzkoph be enjoying the rewards of having lived such generous lives.
An Exercise In Name Dropping
- Quick Steel
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 16953
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Lebanon, KY
Re: An Exercise In Name Dropping
Great stories. Reflects on your Sisters character that she thought of the kids first. Quality Lady.
- TwoFlowersLuggage
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 8:18 pm
- Location: Stuck in traffic on a highway in Southern California
Re: An Exercise In Name Dropping
I wish I was half as good a human being as any of the people in your story.
"The Luggage had a straightforward way of dealing with things between it and its intended destination: it ignored them." -Terry Pratchett
- Quick Steel
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 16953
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Lebanon, KY
Re: An Exercise In Name Dropping
Me too.
- Paladin
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 11409
- Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:20 am
- Location: Near Austin, Texas, between a Rock and a Weird Place
- Contact:
Re: An Exercise In Name Dropping
What a good story and your sister will be included in those enjoying the rewards of her labors and generosity at some point.Quick Steel wrote:A very brief story. Some of you will recall that my sister Bev used to work closely with the actor Paul Newman in establishing his camps for kids with cancer and other dangerous illnesses. I previously wrote of her experiences when she set up a camp in Ireland. Years ago a camp was to be established in Florida. The actor Burt Reynolds volunteered to solicit funds for the project. After a long, long, time nothing was happening; funds were not coming in.
Bev reported this to Mr. Newman and in response he gave her the phone number of General Schwarzkopf. In less than an hour the good general had obtained more than enough money for the project. His technique was simple and effective. He would call some mover or shaker and say,
"This is Norm Schwarzkopf. Here is the project we're funding....Need a decision right now. Are you in or out?" And the money flowed like a mighty river.
A different bit. Bev was sitting with Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward in the lounge of a restaurant in Ireland going over the events of the day. Then Newman said, "Bev, you are going to join us for supper." But my sister declined explaining that she had to return to the camp to make sure the kids got tucked in for the night. Newman turned to his wife and with, I am sure, a twinkle in his famous blue eyes said, "Joanne, do you realize this is the first time in my life I have invited a lady to dinner and have been refused!"
May both Mr. Neuman and General Schwarzkoph be enjoying the rewards of having lived such generous lives.
P1010374.JPG
Ray
Paladin
God Bless the USA
Please visit my store SWEETWATER KNIVES
"Buy more ammo" - Johnnie Fain
"I'm glad I ain't scared to be lazy." Augustus McCrae
God Bless the USA
Please visit my store SWEETWATER KNIVES
"Buy more ammo" - Johnnie Fain
"I'm glad I ain't scared to be lazy." Augustus McCrae
- Quick Steel
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 16953
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Lebanon, KY
Re: An Exercise In Name Dropping
Thank you Ray, you are so right. In recent days she is creating a recovery house for addicts with classes for highschool GEDs, parenting skills etc. Her group is close to closing on the house and property for this. Should be decided by next week. So kindly keep her work in your prayers. Plus she spends a couple of hours, almost daily, with the ladies at the local jail which is a work in which many of the local churches of all denominations participate . I knew spending my retirement years with her would be fun...we tease each other a lot..but did not realize how humbling it would be.