An Exercise In Name Dropping
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 8:28 pm
A very brief story. Some of you will recall that my sister Bev used to work closely with the actor Paul Newman in establishing his camps for kids with cancer and other dangerous illnesses. I previously wrote of her experiences when she set up a camp in Ireland. Years ago a camp was to be established in Florida. The actor Burt Reynolds volunteered to solicit funds for the project. After a long, long, time nothing was happening; funds were not coming in.
Bev reported this to Mr. Newman and in response he gave her the phone number of General Schwarzkopf. In less than an hour the good general had obtained more than enough money for the project. His technique was simple and effective. He would call some mover or shaker and say,
"This is Norm Schwarzkopf. Here is the project we're funding....Need a decision right now. Are you in or out?" And the money flowed like a mighty river.
A different bit. Bev was sitting with Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward in the lounge of a restaurant in Ireland going over the events of the day. Then Newman said, "Bev, you are going to join us for supper." But my sister declined explaining that she had to return to the camp to make sure the kids got tucked in for the night. Newman turned to his wife and with, I am sure, a twinkle in his famous blue eyes said, "Joanne, do you realize this is the first time in my life I have invited a lady to dinner and have been refused!"
May both Mr. Neuman and General Schwarzkoph be enjoying the rewards of having lived such generous lives.
Bev reported this to Mr. Newman and in response he gave her the phone number of General Schwarzkopf. In less than an hour the good general had obtained more than enough money for the project. His technique was simple and effective. He would call some mover or shaker and say,
"This is Norm Schwarzkopf. Here is the project we're funding....Need a decision right now. Are you in or out?" And the money flowed like a mighty river.
A different bit. Bev was sitting with Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward in the lounge of a restaurant in Ireland going over the events of the day. Then Newman said, "Bev, you are going to join us for supper." But my sister declined explaining that she had to return to the camp to make sure the kids got tucked in for the night. Newman turned to his wife and with, I am sure, a twinkle in his famous blue eyes said, "Joanne, do you realize this is the first time in my life I have invited a lady to dinner and have been refused!"
May both Mr. Neuman and General Schwarzkoph be enjoying the rewards of having lived such generous lives.