Posted on 09/04/2005 8:47:31 AM PDT by veronica
TUPELO, Miss. -- Bestselling writer John Grisham and his wife will contribute $5 million US to a relief fund they established this week at a Tupelo bank to help Mississippians rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
"We don't normally publicize gifts. It's something we keep extremely private," Grisham said Friday during a conference call with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and officials with BancorpSouth.
"But in these very, very rare circumstances -- this tragic time -- we hope the gift will get some attention and inspire other people to contribute money and help our fellow Mississippians on the Gulf Coast," said Grisham, who maintains a home in Oxford, Miss.
The Grishams will deposit the money at BancorpSouth in Tupelo. The bank will then handle all money for the effort, named the Rebuild the Coast Fund Organization.
Bank chairman and CEO Aubrey Patterson said during the call that he is "absolutely convinced it will stimulate others to reach deep in their pockets" and make a contribution.
Grisham, a former state legislator, said the fund will assist Mississippi residents and businesses.
"When you make charitable contributions, you realize you can't save the world, so you find a small area you can go into and hopefully do some good and do it with your own money and you're own sweat and you see the results," he said. "You can't spread yourself too thin."
The next step, Grisham said, is to hire a small staff to evaluate the hundreds -- perhaps thousands -- of requests for aid. The couple hopes to initially employ coast residents who have lost their jobs and are familiar with the area.
He termed the process of evaluating people's needs a huge challenge and said that it will take time.
"I wonder how many of these homes are uninsured, how many are insured, and how big a gap there is between insurance and loss, he said. "Let's help plug those gaps."
Rebuild the Coast Fund: http://www.RebuildTheCoastFund.org
Contributions also can be made at any BancorpSouth branch; or by sending a check or money order to BancorpSouth, c/o Rebuild the Coast Fund Inc., P.O. Box 789, Tupelo, MS. 38802 or Rebuild the Coast Fund, P.O. Box 4500, Tupelo, MS. 38803. Make checks payable to: Rebuild the Coast Fund Inc.
Was Oxford MS hit? I wonder how the Faulkner related buildings are.
That's upping the Anti to the Hollywood elite.
Good night that's a lot of money from a single individual. God Bless him.
Flags now at half staff for the late Chief Justice.
He's stepping up to the plate. I wonder if anyone else saw the blubbering Celine Dion on Larry King last night. She only gave 1M. She could do better.
I hear Michael jackson has offered to take in young white boys.
ouch
I saw on tv where one of the Wiliams sisters (tennis) was going to donate $100 for every ace she hit. There will also an auction of a pair of diamond earrings she wore at an event. Excuse me, but she has earned a lot more than that and could give more IMHO! Shoddy giving at best for a big time celeb.
"That's upping the Anti to the Hollywood elite."
I heard that Nicholas Cage gave $1 million.
I think I could handle all those aces for crying out loud.
It's up to rich people how much they give - it certainly isn't up to us! Some of you Freepers sound like ... I can't bring myself to say it ... Hillary Clinton.
I just think it was peculiar giving and she got some airtime for it. So now folks will be watching to see how many she hits and folks who go to the auction will bid to give to the relief. Hey, sell the earrings, figure out a figure on what you can afford and just give it! Forget the publicity! That's all I am saying.
She's giving $100 for ever ace she hits for the rest of the season. That could add up, plus she's auctioning off a pair of HUGE DIAMOND EARRINGS. Shoddy? How much have you given?
BTTT & FYI.
Bless his heart and Brett too
I hope they don't get any overdrafts
Amen bump!
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