View Full Version : Here is a really touching story about Elvis' generosity
nolvis
10-22-2007, 12:05 PM
Elvis's Legacy of Generosity - He Gave of Himself
As the January 8th anniversary of the birth of Elvis Presley approaches, we think back on the legacy of giving he left behind. There is much documentation of his generous donations to the many charities and organizations that he helped over the years. However, what many may not know is that there are hundreds of stories of his quiet gestures of reaching out to those he saw hurting and in need, without the fanfare of the media or ever expecting more than a smile in return. We share a few of those stories here.
In 1960, Rusty was a five-year-old who was hospitalized and suffering from polio when he met Elvis, who, having broken his finger playing football, waited his turn to see the doctor at a Memphis clinic. In the waiting room Elvis became acquainted with Rusty's family and paid a visit to Rusty's room to cheer him up. Later, he sent a personal note to Rusty reporting on the progress of his broken finger and wishing the youngster well. Rusty died as a teenager, but his mother still cherishes the letter and the memory of the time Elvis took to spend with her son.
Tony was ten years old and receiving cancer treatments in Memphis, having to travel back and forth to his home in Florida, when Elvis heard about him. Elvis mailed him letters and pictures, but what Tony's mother remembers about the days before her son lost his battle with the disease were the phone calls he received from Elvis and how they brightened his day.
There was also the little Indian girl whose family was in a car accident on the way to Elvis's Russwood Park concert in Memphis. Elvis visited her in the hospital and gave her the encouragement she needed to get well.
There is the story of Karen, the little girl with cerebral palsy who became a fan through her nurse, Lena Canada. Karen and Elvis were pen pals until her death at the age of ten in 1963. Ms. Canada was moved to write a book about Karen and Elvis's friendship. The book inspired the 1980 movie "Touched By Love" in which actress Diane Lane played Karen and Deborah Raffin played Lena.
Two penniless girls, Elvis fans from England who were in the USA, had a family crisis when their father died unexpectedly. Elvis heard about the tragedy and quietly arranged for the funeral and transportation to England and back. Later, when they attempted to make a payment on the debt to Elvis, he was overcome with emotion saying that no one had ever tried to pay him back and refused their money, telling them the attempt was more than enough.
Today, many people from around the world from all walks of life can tell a story of how, in some way on some day of depression or pain, Elvis Presley was able to lift them up and to ease their need, whether it be through his recordings or films or seeing him in concert, from meeting him or from receiving financial assistance.
:D(y):king:(y)
EnigmaticSun
10-22-2007, 01:31 PM
The difference with today's celebrities is that Elvis didn't do anything charitable just to get some attention/to get in the spotlights. Elvis was no Pharisee! Like Jesus has said "when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing".. Thank you for the meaningful story you're not getting enough replies for.
Rover
10-22-2007, 01:42 PM
Thank you for posting this, this is great...the world needs more people like Elvis
cameron
10-22-2007, 01:53 PM
I've heard some of those stories. Too bad we can't all do the same.
What I have, I try to share. It's the least any of us can do.
Thanks for reminding us all. :)
EnigmaticSun
10-22-2007, 01:55 PM
I don't think Jesus would want us to give away everything. It's just that if you do feel like giving away something, don't do it just to get the attention - and Elvis knew that. He was an honest guy.
Elvis 1972
10-23-2007, 12:29 PM
Thanks for those wonderful stories Ian. Here is another story from a US newspaper back in 1973.
ELVIS DONATES TO BOYS CAMP
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A $1,000 donation from singer Elvis Presley will help open a camp for needy boys.
State Police volunteers' operate the camp, located at Holden, about 150 miles northwest of here. Monday night burglars looted the camp of supplies which had been donated for six sessions scheduled to start July 15.
Col. Tom Parker, Presley's manager, said in a statement telephoned here from Mobile Wednesday: "Elvis called me after reading about the thieves in the newspaper. He told me to check into this and send them a check and that's what I'm doing."
Parker said Presley helps support boys' camps in other states.
A state police spokesman said progress on the 1973 camp had shut down because of the theft.
"His donation will put us back where we were," he said. "It came as a complete surprise and we think it's just great."
The camp, supported largely by donations provides weeklong outings for 40 children in each session. It also has weekend camping for inner-city youths.
Rita
There are probably countless stories such as this, where he knew he could help- so he did.
Joe Car
10-23-2007, 01:22 PM
Great stories, thanks. One particular story comes to mind. Elvis had read the Memphis paper, ( I believe this was in the late sixties ) and was extremley saddened to read that an elderly crippled African-American woman was in bad need of a wheelchair. He and Priscilla purchased her a gold plated wheelchair. They then went and personally delivered the wheelchair to the lady, which was brought into the house by Sonny West. Elvis picks up the elderly woman, and with tears streaming down his face, places her into her new wheelchair! Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. That was Elvis Presley folks!
Gerianne
10-23-2007, 02:09 PM
He was a wonderful human being.
presley31
10-23-2007, 03:01 PM
Thanks for posting.
SeeSeeRider777
10-23-2007, 03:47 PM
Wow! No celebrity today would do that. I have never seen a superstar of his caliber care so much about people.
nolvis
10-23-2007, 04:47 PM
:DThank's alot for the really nice responses everyone!!! There has never been anyone more giving than Elvis that's for sure!!!:D(y):king:(y)
I recall in 75 or 76 Jerry Lewis was doing his telethon and Elvis was in the hospital and he called in to donate $5,000 to MDA. He just wanted to help. I think Frank Sinatra announced the donation and he then told Elvis to get well. Anyone else recall this?
Lisarose
10-23-2007, 10:20 PM
There was Elvis' generous monetary donation to the Actors Guild, which was accepted by Barbara Stanwick. Not quite sure what that organization does, I think it helps to provide medical attention to those actors who are out of work or struggling to stay in the industry. At the time, Elvis' donation was the largest single donation made by anyone. While actors claim to take care of their own, apparently that stops at the checkbook. My apologies if my cattiness offends, just a little angry at the way some folks in Hollywood treated Elvis.
Latte
10-24-2007, 02:31 AM
These stories keep me going and give me hope remembering there was someone like Elvis on this earth.
velasca1
10-24-2007, 05:55 AM
These are wonderful stories. Thanks so much for sharing these. Through all of Elvis' faults (we're all human and please don't look in my closet), this is who he really was.
These are great.
thank you for starting this thread.
poormansgold
10-24-2007, 06:05 AM
He was a wonderful human being.
That's is the true, He is wonderful man, that have big heart, we forget things about him and that MM give ther time to help few people..
that's I have to said.
Tom
:king:
Getlo
10-24-2007, 02:36 PM
Elvis's Legacy of Generosity - He Gave of Himself
In 1960, Rusty was a five-year-old who was hospitalized and suffering from polio when he met Elvis...
Tony was ten years old and receiving cancer treatments in Memphis...
There was also the little Indian girl whose family was in a car accident on the way to Elvis's Russwood Park concert in Memphis....
Two penniless girls, Elvis fans from England who were in the USA, had a family crisis when their father died unexpectedly....
Had to be a party-pooper here, but what are the sources for these stories? Fan magazines? Where did you get this information please?
nolvis
10-24-2007, 05:47 PM
:DThe Jerry Lewis telethon story is really wonderful to hear about as well as all of the others mentioned on this post!!!!!:D(y):king:(y)
Diane
10-24-2007, 06:31 PM
Well for one Getlo, the announcement on the Jerry Lewis telethon and I'm sure if you dig enough you will find more proof of the other stories.
There shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that Elvis was a caring giving person and that his good qualities far outweighed his faults....we should all be able to say the same about ourselves.
Diane
Getlo
10-24-2007, 10:54 PM
There shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that Elvis was a caring giving person
I do not doubt that at all, and my questioning of the sources for these feel-good stories shouldn't be taken as doubting Elvis' generosity.
Even the most casual of fans knows that about Elvis.
I recall reading that JD Sumner and the Stamps appeared on a TV telethon in the mid-seventies (the Jerry Lewis one maybe?). Elvis called in and said he'd double his donation if JD and the boys jumped in the TV station's pool. And they did.
Anyone else recall this at all?
EnigmaticSun
10-25-2007, 05:40 AM
I recall in 75 or 76 Jerry Lewis was doing his telethon and Elvis was in the hospital and he called in to donate $5,000 to MDA. He just wanted to help. I think Frank Sinatra announced the donation and he then told Elvis to get well. Anyone else recall this?
Interesting story. This MDA telethon still exists - I know it by Billy Gilman's appearances. I do know Jerry Lewis has been active for so long. He recently sparked some controversy by saying "illiterate faggot" on television, LOL!
I never knew about this story. Ah well, I suppose people such as Elvis or Johnny Cash are part of a dying breed, like people who can name all 50 states - but I don't like what I see. These artists were so honest and real in comparison..
rickb
10-25-2007, 06:36 AM
nice stories
rick
Jailhouse-Rocker
10-25-2007, 11:35 AM
Wow! No celebrity today would do that. I have never seen a superstar of his caliber care so much about people.
i completely agree!! i have not seen a celebrity today who has done the generous things that Elvis has.
SeeSeeRider777
10-25-2007, 12:48 PM
The celebrities of today should take a lesson from Elvis.
EnigmaticSun
10-25-2007, 01:38 PM
Thank God I'm not a celebrity. What is a celebrity anyway? I don't even consider Elvis that way.. It's true that most people would recognize him, but to me the human being is so much more important.
Interesting story. This MDA telethon still exists - I know it by Billy Gilman's appearances. I do know Jerry Lewis has been active for so long. He recently sparked some controversy by saying "illiterate faggot" on television, LOL!
I never knew about this story. Ah well, I suppose people such as Elvis or Johnny Cash are part of a dying breed, like people who can name all 50 states - but I don't like what I see. These artists were so honest and real in comparison..
Yes it goes back to the late 40s It was not televised then- but Jerry Lewis with then partner Dean Martin began raising money for it. It was first nationally televised in 1966. It raised 63.8 million this last Labor Day.
EnigmaticSun
10-25-2007, 04:38 PM
As persons, I can't get along with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (I think). But it's interesting to see which artists have appeared on those shows. I saw a clip with Jerry Lewis singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" - he doesn't have that much voice, but it's a nice song. I would have loved to see/hear Elvis do it for the telethon back then.
Billy Gilman is now serving his fifth term as the 2007 National Youth Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.. sigh - I wonder how long he will stay active for it. He's not doing well (I mean his health).
As persons, I can't get along with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (I think). But it's interesting to see which artists have appeared on those shows. I saw a clip with Jerry Lewis singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" - he doesn't have that much voice, but it's a nice song. I would have loved to see/hear Elvis do it for the telethon back then.
Billy Gilman is now serving his fifth term as the 2007 National Youth Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.. sigh - I wonder how long he will stay active for it. He's not doing well (I mean his health).
Well Jerry Lewis has always ended the telethon singing "Youll Never Walk Alone" but he is mainly known as a comedian/writer/director. Naturally he can not sing it as well as Elvis-but he sings it because a kid with Muscular Dystrophy asked him to sing it in 1952 at the first real telethon. Jerry has been raising money for MDA for 55 years and has raised $1.46 billion in that time. Jerry is now 81 years old and had quite a career.
IMO Jerrys voice is not the important thing-its that he does it for the kids who can not walk-who want to hear it.
TC_of_EAP
10-26-2007, 12:33 AM
Thank you so much for sharing these stories. There are so many and even more aren't known to the larger public ! Elvis did much in quiet without anybody except the people concerned took knowledge.
I heard that he'd wish to visit more sick people, people in need etc, but he couldn't due to this celebrity status. It's would have always changed into a publicity stand and he didn't like that ! He also sent lots of $$ incognito, nobody knew where the money came from !
Me I always saw and see his caring, loving side, his big heart and thought of the other. If he had faults it's human, isn't it ? He never did something to hurt someone deliberately. Drugs and I mean medicamentation can alter the best person, and that happened to Elvis. How sad that today's people take it as his real character :-(
Each time I listen to a live album tears dwell up hearing him paying attention to the folks who wished to reach him, 'be careful, hon,' 'don't push, folks, so that nobody gets hurt,' 'don't do that, you gonna get hurt' -there are numerous examples like that !
And tell me now who of today's performing artists takes care of his fans in ways Elvis did ???????
Like someone said before, realizing that Elvis existed gives me so much hope any time I feel I despair.
In this vein, best to y' all !
Rover
10-26-2007, 01:02 AM
Elvis was so great...Was there a lot of gossip about his charity role??
marijaep
10-26-2007, 01:15 AM
Elvis was so great...Was there a lot of gossip about his charity role??
I'm not sure about gossip :hmm: No, I don't think so. IS there something to be gossiped about? lol
Imagine how much more he gave in private, not in front of the public eye.
And TC_of_EAP is right, you should hear him saying to the girls to calm down so nobody will get hurt :lol: - It's nearly in every concert lol, so you have probably already heard :D
Getlo
10-26-2007, 03:26 AM
nice stories
Unfortunately, that's all these ones are ... stories. Unless the original source can be listed.
We all know the verified stories of Elvis' generosity ... the donations to various charities every year, buying that car for Mennie Person (a black lady down on her luck) ... these events have been well documented. Too many to mention.
Elvis absolutely deserves every credit for each generous act he committed. But not for the ones he didn't.
cameron
10-26-2007, 05:06 AM
........I'm sure if you dig enough you will find more proof of the other stories.
There shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that Elvis was a caring giving person and that his good qualities far outweighed his faults....we should all be able to say the same about ourselves.
Diane
There's just as many "good stories" out here as there are "bad ones".
IF one cares enough to look. ;) You're right, Diane.
Nicole Presley
10-26-2007, 05:28 AM
What a nice story! Very sad. :'(
SleepyJack
10-26-2007, 08:13 AM
It`s a nice feeling reading these....The world was a much nicer place with Elvis in it.
Joe Car
10-26-2007, 08:37 AM
I do not doubt that at all, and my questioning of the sources for these feel-good stories shouldn't be taken as doubting Elvis' generosity.
Even the most casual of fans knows that about Elvis.
I recall reading that JD Sumner and the Stamps appeared on a TV telethon in the mid-seventies (the Jerry Lewis one maybe?). Elvis called in and said he'd double his donation if JD and the boys jumped in the TV station's pool. And they did.
Anyone else recall this at all?
I definitely remember Ed Enoch I believe, in an interview, telling this story. If I recall correctly, it was from the video He Touched Me, ( though I might be mistaken ). It was the Jerry Lewis telathon, and they did jump into the pool. At first they thought it was a gag, until J.D. or somebody got on the phone with Elvis, sure enough it was him, and they all dove in.
Donut
10-26-2007, 01:25 PM
I definitely remember Ed Enoch I believe, in an interview, telling this story. If I recall correctly, it was from the video He Touched Me, ( though I might be mistaken ). It was the Jerry Lewis telathon, and they did jump into the pool. At first they thought it was a gag, until J.D. or somebody got on the phone with Elvis, sure enough it was him, and they all dove in.
Yes, JD Sumner īs daughter tells the story in the dvd He Touched Me.
marijaep
10-26-2007, 01:44 PM
Yes, JD Sumner īs daughter tells the story in the dvd He Touched Me.
That documentary is GREAT!
Donut
10-26-2007, 01:48 PM
That documentary is GREAT!
Yes I like it very much too.
Unfortunately, that's all these ones are ... stories. Unless the original source can be listed.
We all know the verified stories of Elvis' generosity ... the donations to various charities every year, buying that car for Mennie Person (a black lady down on her luck) ... these events have been well documented. Too many to mention.
Elvis absolutely deserves every credit for each generous act he committed. But not for the ones he didn't.
My source for the story on Elvis and the Telethon-is me.
I watched it when it happened on TV in the 70s.
Getlo
10-26-2007, 04:21 PM
My source for the story on Elvis and the Telethon-is me.I watched it when it happened on TV in the 70s.
I was referring to the stories noelvis wrote in the first part of this thread.
There is no evidence to suggest any of these yarns happened.
And no, the Touched By Love story is based on a couple of letters from Elvis to this girl, nothing more than that.
I was referring to the stories noelvis wrote in the first part of this thread.
There is no evidence to suggest any of these yarns happened.
And no, the Touched By Love story is based on a couple of letters from Elvis to this girl, nothing more than that.
Do not know how old you are-but being a little older there are many things I recall happening or things I have heard along the way about Elvis which I could never give a source for-other than my own memory.
Heres a part of a story I ran across on the net from the "Decatur Daily"
writer: Ronnie Thomas
Throughout his all-too-brief career, an untold number of stories circulated about Elvis Presley's generosity to friends and strangers.
The legendary rock 'n' roller once read a newspaper article about a high school senior who said she would have to drop out of school and get a job to support her ailing grandmother and guardian.
One night not long afterwards, the girl answered a knock on the door. A man handed her a substantial amount of money.
"Mr. Presley said to tell you to finish high school," the man said. "And he reminds you that this is an anonymous gift."
After Presley's death in Memphis on Aug. 16, 1977, she gave up the secret.....
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/livingtoday/060817/elvis.shtml
EnigmaticSun
10-30-2007, 03:26 PM
Well Jerry Lewis has always ended the telethon singing "Youll Never Walk Alone" but he is mainly known as a comedian/writer/director. Naturally he can not sing it as well as Elvis-but he sings it because a kid with Muscular Dystrophy asked him to sing it in 1952 at the first real telethon. Jerry has been raising money for MDA for 55 years and has raised $1.46 billion in that time. Jerry is now 81 years old and had quite a career.
IMO Jerrys voice is not the important thing-its that he does it for the kids who can not walk-who want to hear it.
I didn't mean to discredit Jerry Lewis. It's just that for some reason (personality-wise) I don't think we'd ever be the best of friends.
I know he's older now and I've seen him on Youtube. I saw him curse (illiterate faggot) and in another clip sing the song. His voice is okay with me, the most important thing is that these songs are not being forgotten. If Billy Gilman could help him deliver a version of "You'll Never Walk Alone", that'd be nice.
I'm sorry to go off-topic. I know it's about Elvis and we've already seen some rather moving stories. Too bad Elvis never got to sing on the MDA telethon, but on the other hand he did help out a lot of people. "Aloha From Hawaii" was a show to benefit those in need and I remember he did a show in 1975 to help out victims of some natural disaster, unless I'm very much mistaken.
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