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Well Done – Robin Williams

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We have not forgotten that today is Labor Day.  This is the day that annually we celebrate the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.  So today in celebration of this national holiday we want to highlight a story you probably have never heard about how one American made sure he used his status to bring work and well being to others…

A Little Known Robin Williams Story:

“Years ago I learned a very cool thing about Robin Williams, and I couldn’t watch a movie of his afterward without thinking of it. I never actually booked Robin Williams for an event, but I came close enough that his office sent over his rider.

For those outside of the entertainment industry, a rider lists out an artist’s specific personal and technical needs for hosting them for an event- anything from bottled water and their green room to sound and lighting requirements. You can learn a lot about a person from their rider. This is where rocks bands list their requirement for green M&Ms (which is actually a surprisingly smart thing to do).

This is also where a famous environmentalist requires a large gas-guzzling private jet to fly to the event city, but then requires an electric or hybrid car to take said environmentalist to the event venue when in view of the public.

When I got Robin Williams’ rider, I was very surprised by what I found. He actually had a requirement that for every single event or film he did, the company hiring him also had to hire a certain number of homeless people and put them to work.

I never watched a Robin Williams movie the same way after that. I’m sure that on his own time and with his own money, he was working with these people in need, but he’d also decided to use his clout as an entertainer to make sure that production companies and event planners also learned the value of giving people a chance to work their way back.

I wonder how many production companies continued the practice into their next non-Robin Williams project, as well as how many people got a chance at a job and the pride of earning an income, even temporarily, from his actions.

He was a great multiplier of his impact. Let’s hope that impact lives on without him. Thanks, Robin Williams- not just for laughs, but also for a cool example.”

(Reposted with permission from brianlord.org)

So to this we say WELL DONE Robin Williams…may we all take his example and be as aware of the needs of others and as willing to use our influence to serve them.  Happy Labor Day!

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3 Comments
  1. Linda aka Lulu #

    Wow. Love this!

    September 1, 2014
  2. Allison #

    Fantastic story! I am such a big fan of Robin Williams. He will be missed, it sounds like, for many reasons beyond his sense of humor and zany stage presence.

    September 1, 2014
    • Two Chums #

      Yes he will. I am sorry more people didn’t know about this wonderful side of him before he left us. He is physically gone but the good he did will live on and his light will continue to shine if each of us takes away from his example the opportunity to do whatever we can for those in need. XO

      September 2, 2014

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