Following his death at age 83, it has been revealed that something that started as a joke made $250 million for charity.
Robert Forrester, Vice-Chairman of Newman’s Own Foundation said that Newman’s Own food company began as a joke in his basement 20 years ago, but as it became more and more successful, Newman kept his word and gave away all the profits to charity.As a result, charities such as Hole In The Wall camps thrived from the money and hundred and thousands of children were benefactors of Newman’s generosity.
"Paul Newman's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all,” Forrester wrote.
"Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one's life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance.
"An exceptional example is the legacy of Newman's Own. What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly-respected, multi-million dollar a year food company. And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds US$250 million.
"While his philanthropic interests and donations were wide-ranging, he was especially committed to the thousands of children with life-threatening conditions served by the Hole in the Wall Camps, which he helped start over 20 years ago. He saw the Camps as places where kids could escape the
fear, pain and isolation of their conditions, kick back, and raise a little hell. Today, there are 11 Camps around the world, with additional programs in Africa and Vietnam. Through the Camps, well over 135,000 children have had the chance to experience what childhood was meant to be.
"In Paul's words: "I wanted to acknowledge luck; the chance and benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in the lives of others, who might not be allowed the good fortune of a lifetime to correct it."
"Paul took advantage of what life offered him, and while personally reluctant to acknowledge that he was doing anything special, he forever changed the lives of many with his generosity, humor, and humanness. His legacy lives on in the charities he supported and the Hole in the Wall Camps, for which he cared so much.
"We will miss our friend Paul Newman, but are lucky ourselves to have known such a remarkable person."
Paul Newman was one of the big screen’s greatest actors. His movies included ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, “The Sting”, “The Towering Inferno”, “The Color Of Money” and “The Verdict”.
His most recent part was the voice of Doc Hudson in ‘Cars’.
Newman died after a long battle with lung cancer. He was married to actress Joanne Woodward for more than 50 years. They couple had 5 children.
Joanne and the children were by his side at the time of his death
If you would like to support the Hole in the Wall Camps, please visit www.HoleInTheWallCamps.org
