Save the Children announced yesterday a new global philanthropic community called the “Simon Society,” named after Emmy Award-winning co-creator of “The Simpsons” and long-time children’s benefactor, Sam Simon.
Credit/Copyright: Richard Parks for Save the Children
“Sam is incredibly compassionate and caring about children,” said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children. “In his own understated way, he has made a world of difference for many children over the years through his philosophy of giving back to those in need. We are honored to name our new giving society after him.”
For nearly three decades, acclaimed writer, producer and director Sam Simon has been a loyal advocate for children by supporting Save the Children’s top mission priorities, and traveling the world to see the charity’s work up close. He met former child soldiers in the mountains of Nepal returning to their communities; farmers in coffee-growing areas of Guatemala learning how to grow healthier food for their families; and children in quake-ravaged Haiti returning to school in a newly built safe classroom.
“You know there are some shocking things,” said Simon, recalling his global travels at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., at the end of May. “But I remember kids playing with soccer balls made out of wire and newspaper — and for me to see happiness in the absence of anything that we would consider satisfying, from a material standpoint, was very inspirational, and is something that stays with you.”
The Simon Society recognizes generous supporters and emphasizes the importance of giving to the agency’s mission by making an unrestricted gift at various contribution levels. Unrestricted gifts give Save the Children the flexibility to apply the donation to help children wherever and whenever the need is greatest.
Through their donations, Society members will follow in the footsteps of Sam Simon. “In my 30 years of giving to Save the Children, I’ve never put a restriction on my donation,” said Simon. “I’ve always said, ‘What do I know about this?’ The people that actually run Save the Children would know better than me about what to do with the money.”
Simon Society members who donate $10,000 or more will be recognized for their generosity, and will get to enjoy exclusive activities like visiting a Save the Children field program, meeting with senior Save the Children staff, or attending a VIP reception at a Save the Children event. To learn more, or to join the Simon Society, go to www.savethechildren.org/SimonSociety.
Simon announced in July 2013 that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and would be giving away his wealth to his favorite charitable causes, including Save the Children, PETA, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, among others.
