Kirk Douglas Encourages School Children

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Veteran actor Kirk Douglas has blogged about his support of the young people who attend the high school named after him in California.

“A few weeks ago, I made a visit to the Kirk Douglas High School,” he wrote on his MySpace page. "I am proud that they asked to name their school after me. One of my pet projects is to try to inspire young people to at least have a high school education. Then, I try to encourage them to go to college. As a small inducement I give every graduate a $500 check.

“When I spoke to the students I was surprised that they each gave me their personal pledge of what they wanted to do in life to improve our world: from volunteering in hospitals and local schools, to supporting our troops by sending letters and care packages. One student has agreed to help the elderly by volunteering at a convalescent center (I wonder if I inspired him).

“I am proud of the students of Kirk Douglas High School.”

Kirk Douglas is well known for his community work. The 92-year-old holds an annual star-studded event at the Los Angeles Mission every Thanksgiving in which celebrities help volunteers feed the homeless.

He also has a keen interest in improving LA’s playgrounds. Along with his wife, Anne, he established the Anne & Kirk Douglas Playground Award to provide assistance to the Los Angeles Unified School District to enhance their schools’ outdoor and recreational spaces. The award supports and encourages Los Angeles public school communities in creating playgrounds that will be the keystones of campus revitalization and give the city’s children the fulfilling experiences and opportunities they deserve.

To watch a video of Douglas addressing the school, click here.

Kirk Douglas Receives Honor For Playground Work

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kirk Douglas has been honored for his work improving children’s playgrounds across Los Angeles.

The 91-year-old received the Good News Makers of the Year Award with his wife, Anne, at the annual High Flying Fundraiser luncheon held by the Good News Foundation last week.

The Douglases’ interest in improving LA’s playgrounds started in 1997, when Anne Douglas learnt of the deplorable condition of Los Angeles’ public school playgrounds. Along with her husband, Anne established the Anne & Kirk Douglas Playground Award to provide assistance to the Los Angeles Unified School District to enhance their schools’ outdoor and recreational spaces. The award supports and encourages Los Angeles public school communities in creating playgrounds that will be the keystones of campus revitalization and give the city’s children the fulfilling experiences and opportunities they deserve.

Kirk Douglas – who suffered a stroke in 1996 that has affected his ability to speak – volunteers at the Los Angeles Mission every Thanksgiving, and earlier this month spoke to communicative disorder students in Cal State Long Beach about speech therapy, life, show biz and surviving a stroke.

“When you have a stroke, you must speak slowly to be understood,” he said. “And I discovered that, when I speak slowly, people listen. They think I’m going to say something important.”

Douglas will also receive an honor at the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala Dinner on October 22.

Look To The Stars News: Anne & Kirk Douglas Playground Award

Kirk Douglas Encourages School Children

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Kirk Douglas Receives Honor For Playground Work

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