The Artist In You Blog

REMEMBERING ROBIN, Part II: An Invitation

Remembering Robin, Part 2: An Invitation

 “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

His boundless energy was never limited to making us laugh.  

Robin also epitomized and defined the role of philanthropist.

 

Like millions of others, the death of Robin Williams struck a personal blow of sadness and fixation to learn why.  Why did he choose to leave us behind?  With all of that energy we saw and experienced within his legacy of works, many of us were not only stunned and saddened.  Day and night, I watched the news coverage, read the stories, and revisited all of those wonderful moments of his career.

He was a great listener, according to all who knew him.  When the spotlight dimmed, and only when he was alone with one friend, his attention and focus was unmatched.  Yet, like many people, he was incapable of revealing his private pain and suffering.  

He was a giver.  

He invested his incredible energy and talent  to help a variety of causes.  Visiting children’s wards in hospitals,  entertaining US troops in war zones, that frenetic energy which often heightened his performance, inspired others to laugh. 

Robin’s charity work was seemingly as endless as was his talent.   His diverse interests to help others ran the gamut from  health care and human rights, to education, environmental protection, and the arts.

Most widely known for his affiliation with Comic Relief, which was founded in 1986 as a non-profit organization to help America’s homeless, Robin helped to raise over 50 million dollars. .  He also toured the Middle East with the USO, a total of five time, including visits to help raise the morale of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There is more.  There is much more!

Robin Williams supported the following charitable organizations:

Aid Still Required
American Foundation for AIDS Research
Amnesty International
Andre Agassi Foundation for Education
Augie's Quest
Bob Woodruff Foundation
Celebrity Fight Night Foundation
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Comic Relief
David Foster Foundation
Doctors Without Borders
Dogs Deserve Better
Dream Foundation
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Heifer International
Humane Society
International Medical Corps
Keep Memory Alive
LIVESTRONG
Love Our Children USA
Luke Neuhedel Foundation
Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
MusiCares
Prince's Rainforests Project
Prince's Trust
Robert F Kennedy Memorial
Smile Train
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
UNICEF

 Now, it is OUR TURN to follow in his footsteps; to remember and honor Robin Williams by supporting those charitable organizations he cared about and supported!  

"Through the Laughter and the Pain", we LOVED YOU soooooooooooo much!
R.I.P. Robin 
You will never be forgotten.
Thank YOU. 

 "Remembering Robin Williams" Auction is now open.

The auction will run from August 15, 2014 to August 31, 2014,

with proceeds going to Robin's favorite charities

View All Items

 

Invite YOUR friends!

 

THANK YOU!

From All of Us at:

ART 4 GOOD

Wendie Busig-kohn

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

REMEMBERING ROBIN: Part 1

The charity of Robin Williams

How Robin Williams made US troops laugh

Robin Williams: 1951-2014

Robin Williams touched troops with honesty, generosity

REMEMBERING ROBIN: Part 1

 

"I heard a joke once:  

Man goes to doctor, says he's depressed...

says life is hard and cruel.  

He says he's feeling all alone in a threatening world"...

"Doctor says:  Treatment is simple....The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight...Go and see him...That should pick you up!"

The man bursts into tears............................and says:  

"But, Doctor...I AM PAGLICACCI!!

For so many people around the world, it seems like only yesterday that we lost a man who was like a best friend.  He could make us laugh, even when we were down.  He could inspire us in countless ways as he fascinated us with his chameleon like capability to "become" any role he portrayed.

We were stunned.  We were heartbroken.  We were confused.

In the days that followed, although we learned that Robin had been suffering from Depression and was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, it all still seemed unbelievable.

As I always try to do, I looked for a photo to inspire a tribute portrait.  What I discovered was shocking.  Why did I not see it before?  

Rifling through, viewing countless photos on a google search, I noticed that most of the photos of Robin had one common denominator:  There was PAIN IN HIS EYES in almost every photo!

Why had I not noticed this before?

How often had I watched this man perform, bringing the joy of laughter to my heart, not realizing how much he was truly struggling?

Robin's moves were as awesome as his voices.  His manic-like performances, seemless, unexpected, impromtu, original and will always be unforgettable.  

Friends seemed to abound in stepping up to share their fondest memories of Robin, on every media source available.  I'm sure I was not the only one wondering "where were they?".  How did they NOT KNOW that he was suffering so much?

Depression is a very serious illness; one that all of us should aspire to learn more about; to understand more about the symtoms and treatments available.  

Moreover?  Every single person reading this post must admit it....social media and a quick howdy do tweet are not acceptable substitutes for real communication with our friends.  It is far to easy to mask depression and suicidal tendencies by simply sharing something quirkly on a feed.

I have only one personal recommendation:  Let us each take time today to create a "buddy system".  Pick up that phone and call someone that you trust implicitly.  

Create a mutual pledge, promise to each other that if either ever feels so down that he or she is considering suicide, the other will be available day or night to be there for them.   

Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression, Manic Depression need not be a mystery.  

Resources abound to learn more about this disease.  Make time to learn, to understand, and certainly...ASK FOR HELP.

Robin left us one precious gift.  He inspired us to learn more and to reach out and touch others who may be suffering right this very moment.

Thank YOU Robin!

REMEMBERING ROBIN WILLIAMS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Robin Williams, Oscar-Winning Actor and Comedian, Dead at 63 in Apparent Suicide

Robin Williams Suffered From Depression, Representative Says

For A Comic Like Robin Williams, Depression Can Wait 2 Steps Offstage