Kirk Douglas doubles donation to Skid Row women to $10 million
Kirk Douglas as cowboy Jack Burns in 1962's "Lonely Are The Brave"
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Legendary actor Kirk Douglas doubled-down on his original donation for Skid Row homeless women by pledging a total of $10 million Wednesday.
Earlier this year the 95-year-old award-winning star of films like "Spartacus", "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral", and "Tough Guys" earmarked a total of $5 million for continued support to the Anne Douglas Center for Women at the Los Angeles Mission.
Last night the actor doubled his contribution as the center, named after his wife, was celebrating its 20th anniversary.
“We are beyond grateful for the support the Douglas family has shown the Los Angeles Mission,” Los Angeles Mission President Herb Smith said Wednesday.
On Thursday Smith told Blogdowntown that the Douglas's are "absolutely far and away the biggest individual donors" to the Mission and did not expect them to continue to give in such large numbers so quickly.
"Last year they pledged $1 million, last spring another $4 million," Smith recalled.
"They've been trying to keep [the additional $5 million pledge] a secret," Smith said. "It was a total surprise. I didn't see it coming."
Smith said he expects to meet next week to go over he details of the gift that will secure financing of many programs and services for years to come. "We're just glad he made the pledge," Smith said.
“Thank you for teaching me that caring is sharing,” Douglas told his wife of 57 years Wednesday.
zeMinimalist (@zeMinimalist) on September 13, 2012, at 08:55PM – #1
I wonder if he would still donate this money if the mission was in his backyard.
Jasmijn on September 17, 2012, at 01:06PM – #2
Bravo and thank you.
And I think it's beyond small-minded to make snide comments when someone who has money uses it for a good cause instead of self-indulgence.
John G on September 17, 2012, at 04:02PM – #3
I agree with zeMinimalist.
Throwing money into the symptoms of homelessness will not solve the root causes of homelessness.
This is a touchy issue but the real solution is in prevention, which starts not only from large donations, but promoting families to take the responsibilities for caring for their members.
A B on September 17, 2012, at 06:46PM – #4
It's also a good way for them to get the money out of their estate when tax's come due when both he and his wife kick the bucket.