Dr. Phil and Robin ride the rails to spread holiday joy
Bluefield, West Virginia and Tazewell, Virginia echoed with the sounds of the holiday season as Dr. Phil and Robin came to town to kick off the 60th anniversary of Toys for Tots. They traveled by train aboard the Toys for Tots Express, bringing cheer – and gifts galore!
First stop: Bluefield. With help from some friends, the McGraws handed out toys and games to local children and visited the Wade Center, which sponsors the only after-school program in the region. Home fragrance manufacturer Renuzit donated a new 15-passenger van to the Center, plus $5,000 to cover operating costs like gas and insurance. Fender donated 40 guitars, to the delight of the Center’s aspiring musicians.
As the train rumbled east toward the town of Tazewell, spirits were high aboard the Toys for Tots Express. Hundreds of residents came out to meet the train. This time the McGraws handed out toys, games and 1,100 coats donated by Burlington Coat Factory! The Clinch Valley Community Action Center had its game room remodeled by Lowe’s and equipped with 15 new computers donated by Gateway.
Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation Meets the Challenge
In March, Dr. Phil and Robin attended the Stellar Night Gala, where they pledged to contribute $500 for every seat in the Dr. Phil studio audience occupied by a Starlight Starbright supporter. In response, 150 guests attended a live taping of Dr. Phil resulting in an $85,000 gift from The Dr. Phil Foundation.
These funds will be used to support Starlight Starbright’s efforts to help seriously ill children and their families cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment education and family activities.
Dr. Phil Foundation Shares Movie Magic with Children’s Medical Center
Children's Medical Center got a taste of Hollywood in the spring of 2007 with a visit from Dr. Phil to launch a new in-house movie network for patients.
Donated by the Dr. Phil Foundation, the kids’ entertainment system offers the latest box office hits, family favorites and classic movies from various studios including Paramount, Warner Brothers, Disney, Sony and others, which children can watch in the privacy of their own rooms. Movies are also available for viewing in designated public areas of the hospital.
Partnering with the Dr. Phil Foundation to make this project possible was Master Video Systems, Inc., located in Dallas, which donated equipment and services.
Children’s Medical Center, Dallas is private, not for profit, and one of the largest pediatric healthcare providers in the nation. Dedicated exclusively to the comprehensive care of children from birth to age 18, Children’s provides patient care ranging from simple eye exams to specialized treatment in heart disease, hematology, oncology and cystic fibrosis.
Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation honors Robin
Recognized for her longtime dedication to child welfare and devotion to her own family, Robin McGraw was presented the 2007 Heart of Gold Award by The Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. She received the award on March 23 at the Stellar Night Gala, which took place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California and was attended by more than 650 people.
In accepting the honor presented to her by sons Jay and Jordan, Robin said, “I believe that all children deserve to be loved and cared for and that the services provided by the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation to provide relief and support during times of serious illness are vitally important.”
The Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families. The group provides a wide array of both inpatient and outpatient programs designed to enhance a child’s ability to cope with the stress of serious illness.
Westside Children’s Center honors Dr. Phil and Robin with the 2007 Big Heart Award
Children — and preparing them for the future — was the theme on May 7, when over 300 people attended the 4th Annual Westside Children’s Center Cami Ostern Markham Big Hearts luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
In recognition of their strong commitment to the wellbeing of children and families, Dr. Phil and Robin received the prestigious 2007 Big Heart Award.
In presenting the award, Sandy Newton, Emmy Award-winning journalist and anchor with KTVT Channel 11 in Dallas/Fort Worth said that “Dr. Phil and Robin tell it like it is and literally inspire millions of people every day with their deep love and empathy for children.”
Dr. Phil said, “We are pleased to accept this honor and are pleased to be associated with Westside Children’s Center. Children are our future, and each child deserves the opportunity to be raised in a loving, safe and secure environment.” He added, “Robin and I will continue to use the Dr. Phil show and Dr. Phil Foundation to encourage compassionate and innovative solutions to address the needs of all children.”
Established in 1987, the Westside Children’s Center offers services including foster care and adoption, family support services and preservation, early education and affordable childcare.
Toys for Tots Holiday Campaign brings Holiday joy into the lives of children
Donors and viewers from all across America responded with a resounding YES to Dr. Phil and Robin’s involvement in the 2006 Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign by donating in excess of $200,000 to the Dr. Phil Foundation. These donations combined with another $150,000 derived from other sources plus a $2,000,000 in-kind donation from Hasbro brought the total raised as a result of Dr. Phil and Robin’s involvement to $2.3M.
Nationwide, 18.5million toys were distributed to 7.5 million children in 565 communities. Over $34 million dollars was donated to the campaign, an increase of $5 million dollars over 2005.
Dr. Phil Foundation brings music back to a Mississippi school
St. Martin's Middle School, which is located in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
In addition to the loss of their buildings, they also suffered the loss of all of its musical instruments. As a result, over more than half of the school's enrolled students were left without access to quality music programs.
The Dr. Phil Foundation, in collaboration with Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, donated $62,000 in September 2006 to enable the school to fully restore the music program. "What we did here was more than replace instruments," said Dr. Phil. "We helped restore the hopes and dreams of children, letting them and their families know there is someone out there who still cares."
The contribution from The Dr. Phil Foundation was used to purchase a variety of musical instruments and address the need to give young people increased access to the arts.
Dr. Phil and Robin drop into Chicago
The stars were shining bright the evening of November 5th, 2006 when Dr. Phil and Robin made a surprise visit to help raise funds to benefit CASA of Lake County, which provides services to abused and neglected children.
Addressing the 400 attendees, Dr. Phil voiced his unconditional support of efforts to advocate for the health, safety and best interests of abused and neglected children.
Dr. Phil auctioned off two gift packages consisting of VIP tickets, signed books from him and Robin, airfare, hotel accommodations and a tour of the world-famous Paramount Pictures Studio for $22,500, which the DR. PHIL Foundation then matched with a contribution of $22,500 for a total of $45,000.00!
Dr. Phil Foundation Makes Music in Detroit
In September 2006, The Dr. Phil Foundation contributed $7,500 to YouthVille Detroit, a specially-designed center serving kids, ages 11-19.
The center, located in the central city area of Detroit, provides young people a variety of development activities in technology, music, dance and the arts. Among the music program offerings are the opportunity to sing in choral ensembles, compose and record electronic music and perform existing and original works. However, to elevate their music program to an optimal level, the center badly needed musical instruments.
The contribution from The Dr. Phil Foundation was used to purchase a variety of musical instruments and address the need to give young people increased access to the arts.
Dr. Phil and Friends Rock New Orleans to benefit the first responders
Even though rain was pouring down, the enthusiasm of nearly 5,000 people gathered in the New Orleans arena the evening of August 10th could not be dampened.
Dr. Phil and his son Jay hosted the event, which featured a star-studded lineup of entertainers who donated their time and talent -- Allen Toussaint, Brian McKnight, Jeff Foxworthy and Brooks and Dunn. Also appearing were the New Orleans Sainsations. The charity concert raised funds to benefit the Katrina First Responder Teams in New Orleans -Police, Fire and EMS.
It is estimated that 80% of these men and women lost their own homes as a result of this tragedy. The goal of the benefit was to put money directly into the pockets of these brave men and women. Funds raised will be used to help with back-to-school needs for their children and any other immediate needs they may have.
The event received significant corporate support from JC Penney, who was Title Sponsor, Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas, Harrah's Entertainment, Paramount Television and Sean Peyton, Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints and his wife Beth.
Dr. Phil Foundation Continues Support Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Lives were unalterably changed when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast last fall. Even with the significant and generous outpouring of assistance from across the country, families, many of whom were forced to re-locate, remain in need of assistance.
In response to these needs, The Dr. Phil Foundation contributed $25,000 to the Bush-Clinton Disaster Relief Fund. This contribution was presented to former President Bush during a telethon that aired January 26th on local Houston television station KPRC. The hour-long event raised more than $300,000 to assist families forced to relocate to Houston.
Children's Defense Fund Beat the Odds Program
With the goal of supporting young people who are "beating the odds" and continuing to work hard, demonstrating academic excellence and giving back to their community, the Foundation contributed $50,000 to the Children's Defense Fund. The donation was presented to Marian Wright Edelman at the CDF's 2006 Scholarship Luncheon, which more than 500 community leaders in Houston attended on March 8th.
Foundation Supports Members of the Armed Forces and Their Families
On March 18th, the Dr. Phil Foundation participated in a celebration to welcome home 6,000 military personnel from Iraq and to thank them and their families for their service to the nation. The day-long festivities included performances by a variety of musical groups as well as an appearance by cheerleaders from the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL.
Dr. Phil expressed his deep gratitude to the troops and their families for their sacrifices and devotion to duty. In recognition of their service, the Foundation distributed 100 VIP tickets along with several copies of Dr. Phil's books, all personally signed by Dr. Phil, to members of the audience.
General Robert W. Cone, commander of Ft. Irwin, presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Phil and Robin for their support and participation in this special welcome home celebration.
Dr. Phil Foundation Helping Kids
April 14th was a milestone day for the Dr. Phil Foundation, which contributed $190,000 to four organizations: The Treehouse Foundation, Camp to Belong for the benefit of Zakiya Kidd, TYME (Teach Youth Motivate and Empower) and the Urban Entertainment Institute. Three of the recipients provide services to disadvantaged children and to youth in foster care as well as those who have been emancipated. The Urban Entertainment Institute (UEI), based in Los Angeles, is an inner-city music program offering classes in dance, music, theater and the arts to at-risk and economically disadvantaged youth.
In addition to the cash contributions, $90,000 of in-kind contributions including toys, games and musical instruments went to these organizations.