Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Snowbird]

I've just been clearing out my in-box before it exploded, and came across a newsletter that I received from elvis.com earlier this year. It mentions a few of Elvis's many acts of kindness so I thought I would share it with you. My apologies to those of you who may have read it before....

"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."

[maia]

Thank you for posting these, Snowbird. Some of them I had not heard before. Please continue to share with us whenever possible. It is my dream to see this forum GROW in an expression of spirit and unity between those who are seeking their spirituality and feel Elvis to be a big part of that process for them.

[miracle]

Hey snowbird,

Thank u very much for sharing this,... it feels good, and it gives me the strength to carry on because I believe that is what I have to do, helping children.
Have a very nice and prosperous 2006!
.............and let the light be your guide.

Nikki
Boechout, Belgium

[Snowbird]

Hi Maia, Nikki and everyone. Happy New Year! Thank you for your positive comments about my previous post. Why is it that over the years we have all heard of numerous stories regarding Elvis's generosity and kindness but when asked to recount them, it's impossible to remember details and/or sources of information? Is old age the culpret?
However, while looking over some old magazines recently, I found an article that again highlighted Elvis's kindness. It was about Elvis's record producer and discussed his ill health due to kidney failure. In October 1972, Elvis arranged and paid for a kidney transplant for Felton Jarvis - another fact that was not widely highlighted in the media at the time. In an interview, Felton once said, "... to be associated with Elvis is the greatest thing in my life. I once told him I liked the watch he was wearing. He took it off and gave it to me. He is a great person. I don't think anyone will ever equal Elvis."
In a back issue of Elvis International Magazine, this statement was backed up by Glen D Hardin who said, "Elvis was so generous you had to be careful around him. If you said you liked something he'd turn around and give it to you."

If I come across any more stories, or remember ones from the past, I'll share them with you here.

[Rainbow Light]

So great to hear and read of all the acts of kindness that Elvis did and all the charitable donations made in his lifetime too, more than so many can count or remember. Thank you Snowbird for starting this topic off!

I believe he also paid for singer Jackie Wilson's hospital bills when he fell sick. Elvis was a great admirer of Jackie's style of singing and I have seen a picture of them together.

There were so many things over the years that Elvis helped with and gave just SO much of himself in whatever he did or gave to people in need. His generosity is legendary and was a true humanitarian, loving and caring for people in need.

Sue

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi,

Glen Hardin was right saying you had to be careful what you said around Elvis, he even gave the clothes off his back to people-and he used to go out at night looking for homeless men and if he found any, he gave them money and often drove them to places to buy them food, and he'd have something to eat with them. His Uncle Travis said once he came home with some man who looked and smelled as if he had been sleeping with hogs-Elvis took him in the house, let him shower, gave him some of his clothes and then took him to a motel and put him up. for how long I don't know, but that was one lucky guy-he was wearing Elvis' clothes! That was my 15 year old at the time daughter's comment. Wjh

[Rainbow Light]

That is something else! Elvis tried so hard and did his best to live by the principles and words of the Lord Jesus. What you mentioned reminds me of the words Jesus spoke: When I was hungry you gave me food, when I was in prison you visited me etc.

I don't know the exact quote (as is evident! and obviously not blessed with Elvis' memory skills!) but he always tried to live by the principles he had been taught since childhood to consider other's needs, realising they might need help in some way or other. This was a special quality in Elvis that shone out and touched so many others including ourselves of course!

[renenutet]

I love Elvis so much. He was such a nice person. There aren't any words just to explain how great he was.
Wish I could tell him in person.

[Lighthouseseeker]

THIS IS OUR ELVIS..GOD BLESS HIM..

[Rainbow Light]

Yes, indeed he was and is, in memory and our love, so precious for all he did and gave to the world. Not just because of his talent but of himself, his heart and soul!

[Rainbow Light]

There are many incidents relating to Elvis that show his loving, caring and generous nature.

A couple more include: Elvis paying all the expenses for two British girls who, while out in America to see Elvis in concert, lost their mother. He got to hear of this and paid for plane tickets, burial expenses, and for any incidentals they might need until they were able to return to Los Angeles. They offered to reimburse him, but he refused to even hear of it.

When a fan had been involved in an accident out in the street, Elvis was so very caring and kind, wanting to know what had happened then talking to the girl, concerned to see if she was ok. Fortunately, nothing was broken, but at the time she was understandably shook up. Elvis talked to her very quietly, letting her know that he was there with her and also her friends were there with her too. When the ambulance arrived he took time to explain all what happened and what was needed.

Who else would do this for their fans? None I can think of to hand, that's for sure!

[renenutet]

There's no one like him !!!

[maia]

Actually, Princess Diana did that as well. She stayed with a man who had a heart attack on the sidewalk. The photo shows her down on her knees in her expensive clothing holding his hand.

Then there was the lady who dropped her groceries all over the sidewalk. She had had a hard day and was very weary. No one was around and she was attempting to gather all the items back up again. Suddenly a car stopped, a woman got out and began to help her pick up the groceries. It was Princess Diana.

I tell this here, as I would sooo have wished these two could have known each other (as I stated in a previous post somewhere).

[Rainbow Light]

Absolutely, Maia! Princess Diana was such a special lady, caring and giving. She did so much and gave so much to so many people and brought happiness and joy to their lives. Elvis and she would have got along very well, I'm sure.

[Barbara Lea]

I READ A STORY FROM SOMEONE THAT IS A MEMBER OF ANOTHER GROUP, THAT I'M IN. SHE SAID THAT IT WAS AROUND 1974. WHEN SHE WAS 11 YEARS OLD, SHE LIVED WITH HER PARENTS BEHIND GRACELAND. SHE SAID THAT ONE HOT MEMPHIS DAY HER AND A GIRLFRIEND OF HERS, DECIDED TO GO FOR A WALK, SO AS THEY WERE WALIKING. THEY CAME UP TO WHERE THE CORRAL WAS BEHIND GRACELAND, AND THEY SEEN SOMEONE RIDING A HORSE. WELL AS THEY WENT BY THEY SEEN SOMEONE AT THE CORRAL GATE MOTIONING FOR THIS GIRL AND HER FRIEND TO COME OVER THERE, WELL TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT IT WAS VERNON ELVIS'S DAD. HE SAID THAT THE 2 GIRLS SURE LOOKED HOT AND WOULD THEY LIKED TO COME IN FOR A COOL DRINK OR SOMETHING, WELL WHEN THEY GOT INSIDE OF GRACELAND ELVIS CAME IN. HE MADE BOTH GIRLS SOME ICE CREAM AND SAT AND WATCHED A DISNEY MOVIE WITH THEM. THIS GIRL EVEN HAD HER BIRTHDAY PARTY AT GRACELAND, WHEN THIS GIRLS GRANDMA WAS SICK IN THE HOSPITAL ELVIS SENT HER ROSE'S HE EVEN WENT AND VISITED HR GRANDMA IN THE HOSPITAL, IT JUST AMAZES ME HOW ELVIS NEVER KNEW A STRANGER AND NEITHER DID HIS DAD. THEY BOTH WERE ALWAYS WELLING TO SHOW KINDNESS, AND TO HELP THERE FELLOW MAN OR WOMAN OR CHILD. FOR THE LOVE OF ELVIS!! BARB!!