For nearly three decades, acclaimed writer, producer and director Sam Simon has been a loyal advocate for children by supporting Save the Children's top mission priorities, and traveling the world to see the charity's work up close. He met former child soldiers in the mountains of Nepal returning to their communities; farmers in coffee-growing areas of Guatemala learning how to grow healthier food for their families; and children in quake-ravaged Haiti returning to school in a newly built safe classroom.
"You know there are some shocking things," said Simon, recalling his global travels at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., at the end of May. "But I remember kids playing with soccer balls made out of wire and newspaper — and for me to see happiness in the absence of anything that we would consider satisfying, from a material standpoint, was very inspirational, and is something that stays with you."
The Simon Society recognizes generous supporters and emphasizes the importance of giving to the agency's mission by making an unrestricted gift at various contribution levels. Unrestricted gifts give Save the Children the flexibility to apply the donation to help children wherever and whenever the need is greatest.
Through their donations, Society members will follow in the footsteps of Sam Simon. "In my 30 years of giving to Save the Children, I've never put a restriction on my donation," said Simon. "I've always said, 'What do I know about this?' The people that actually run Save the Children would know better than me about what to do with the money."
Simon Society members who donate $10,000 or more will be recognized for their generosity, and will get to enjoy exclusive activities like visiting a Save the Children field program, meeting with senior Save the Children staff, or attending a VIP reception at a Save the Children event. To learn more, or to join the Simon Society, go to www.savethechildren.org/SimonSociety.
Simon announced in July 2013 that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and would be giving away his wealth to his favorite charitable causes, including Save the Children, PETA, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, among others.
To watch Sam Simon talk about his philosophy of giving back and work with Save the Children, click here.
Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protect from harm. We invest in childhood-- every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Media Contacts
Eileen Burke, [email protected], (203) 216-0718
Ajla Grozdanic, [email protected], (203) 251-5859
Related Links:
Save the Children
The Simon Society
Video - http://youtu.be/3fGz1LDzYd8
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140618/119292
SOURCE Save the Children
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