Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Rainbow Light]

"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.

This and many other instances shows the thoughtfulness and caring that Elvis showed to others during his lifetime.

[Rainbow Light]

Bringing this topic thread back to the front for others to read who have not been able to check out as yet.

[Rainbow Light]

Charitable Endeavors
Elvis Presley was famous for giving away Cadillacs, cash and jewelry, often on the spur of the moment. But, the true depth and breadth of his generosity and community involvement is not so widely known.

In 1961, Elvis gave a benefit concert at Bloch Arena in Hawaii that raised over $65,000 toward the building of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. The resulting publicity gave new life to the fund-raising effort, which had, by then, lost its momentum. The memorial opened a year later.

Audience tickets for his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii television special and its pre-broadcast rehearsal show carried no price, as each audience member was asked to pay whatever he or she could. The performances and concert merchandise sales were a benefit raising $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in Hawaii.

Each year, for many years, Elvis gave $1,000 or more to each of fifty Memphis-area charities, but also continually made many other charitable donations in Memphis and around the country.

Most of Elvis’ philanthropic endeavors received no publicity at all. Throughout his adult life, for friends, for family, and for total strangers, he quietly paid hospital bills, bought homes, supported families, paid off debts, and much more.

Elvis' legacy of generosity continues through the work of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, which is the philanthropic branch of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and the creator of the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Memphis. The tradition of giving also continues through the work of the Elvis fan clubs worldwide, most of which are heavily involved in charitable endeavors in Elvis' memory.

[MaryInTheMorning]

His GENEROSITY much like his LOVE was un-ending and abundant!!

[Rainbow Light]

500% agreed!!!

[Wanda June Hill]

Goodmorning to you! I have a flock of about 40 quail, top knots waving like fans, stracthing like chickens and chattering away picking up the birdseed I put out for them. Such cheery little crreatures-happy and get along so well. we humans can take a lesson from their life styles-they have little discord between them-even the seperate covey's join together to eat and drink and be merry. wjh

[MaryInTheMorning]

Good morning to you as well! Sounds like a happy little bunch for sure! We humans could most DEFINITELY learn a lesson from them Wanda!

[Blue Moon]

Just the other day I saw my apt manager's two little dogs chasing quail on a neighbors yard. Both the dogs and the quail were fast! It was funny to watch, though I'm sure the quail did not appreciated being chased. The dogs didn't kill any of the birds. I think they enjoyed the chase more than anything else. They are so happy with the simple things in life.

[Wanda June Hill]

I sometimes think it would be great to be a dog or a cat-depending on who they might belong to of course and based on ours maybe? They are content to lay at our feet, smile happily if they get patted on the head or their name spoken in praise or greeting. They greet us with delight even if we've just been gone for 15 minutes! And equally so if it's been hours...and they eat the same food day after day and seem to enjoy it. ???? I buy Vitabone for them (it's all natural) and they are delighted to get a half of one or a whole one depending on the time of day. And they get up and haul their carcasses down the 12 steps three times a day to "supervise" feeding the horses etc; and never complain - in fact are "mortally wounded" when we tell them to stay in the yard in the shade! It must be great to be a dog. The one outside cat we have left who is now 12 years old, comes down with us just like one of the dogs every time as well. He has finally begun to come inside the house and stay where it's cool and no flies bugging him after all these years. Maybe it's his age and he's beginning to trust more. He was a wild cat when we first saw him-young and a cayote hot on his heels. wjh

[Amanda Viola]

Yes, many times I wonder too about the wonderful lives some animals have when setting a relationship with certain humans, living near them and loving them in return of their love and care. Mine, many cats and dogs along the years, had always a beautiful open space to dwell (with some few exceptions from when I was not living in the country side yet), I tended to leave them freedom enough to wander around -mostly when they wanted to; almost never I tied them, some of them travelled with me to better places, which seemed almost impossible to accomplish...

Yet, each one of them had its little share of pain for one reason or another, a suffering I could not spare them of, that probably made them wiser, just like the humans.

[Rainbow Light]

Thank you both Wanda and Amanda for sharing the love of precious animals and pets that you both have, many others here in ELC including myself can relate to the touching words you have spoken here!

[Amanda Viola]

[Elvis'SweetSweetSpirit]

[Rainbow Light]

[MaryInTheMorning]