I was watching an HBO special of Joe Louis, a onetime boxing champion, and the financial burden imposed upon him that he was never able to sustain or get from under. It was an outright betrayal by a government whom he loved and served in WWII.

Frank Sinatra came to his aid and paid for his hospital and medical
expenses that included heart surgery when the Champ was down and out. FS was an amazing and compassionate individual. I knew of Bob or Ray Eberly, onetime band singers, Sugar Ray Robinson, Boxing Champ, Lee J. Cobb and I'm certain many others he generously helped. When he was interviewed why he helped Joe Louis, Frank said he knew him for 35 years. It brought tears to my eyes. FS never forgot his roots and friends in need.

Frank

[mptiritilli]

Sinatra was very generous, I have seen on TV and read in many publications that Sinatra donated over 1 BILLION dollars in his life. And he did it with no publicity, he did it from his heart. One story I read a few years back that sticks with me was Sinatra was watching the news around Christmas time and saw a family on tv with little kids and their house had burnt down and all the presents were destroyed. Sinatra sent a check to the family so they would be able to get toys for the kids for Christmas and money to help the family out. Unfortunately the media never talks about that side of Sinatra, but we all know what an amazing man he was.

[Oren]

I've been meaning to watch that OnDemand. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ace917]

I was talking with one of Sinatra's road managers one afternoon. He said Frank would grab a local paper and sit down for a little quiet time in his hotel room. If he saw a hard luck story, he'd point it out and ask the manager to take care of it. It happened all the time, and it was always anonymous.

[voice1]

Good stories about people never make the news. Bad stories sell copy.

Human nature isn't always a wondrous thing.

Perry Como related to a friend...I have to dig up the story....that Frank was so generous that it made all of the Italian singers look good. Como commented that keeping up with Frank was bankrupting him. It was in a casual conversation, not published.

And Sinatra was the biggest tipper in whichever town he was in. On the night I met him in '81, Jilly Rizzo was handing hundred dollar bills out to pay for their tickets. "Frank wants you to see the show on him". I know this because I got 2 of those bills from Jilly that night. He was wearing a "Dodgers" type jacket that read "Sinatra" on the front.

I saw Frank five times that week, twice as his guest. The next night they taped his MDS Telethon appearance. My mother and I sat 2 row center. He was a very generous man on all levels...not just the "those in need" stories. He was a kind spirit who was always thrilled that people would put a week's pay aside to see him in some cases. I think it kept him humble....as humble as he could be. When I met him, I was struck by his humility and his focus on me....he seemed genuinely interested. I loved the man.

[Night Stranger]

Frank's generosity never ceases to astound me. Aside from Bob Hope, I don't think there has ever been a more charitable celebrity.

[Nancy]

You are forgetting about Jerry Lewis. He is the leader.

Some earlier threads:

Listed below are some of the charities Frank Sinatra supported:
Some Things Frank Did
Frank's Random Acts Of Kindness
The Charitable Sinatra
The Kindness of Frank Sinatra
Acts of Kindness

And from The Sinatra Treasures book by Charles Pignone, check out Chapter 12: "Mr. Anonymous" (pp. 166–175).

From Nancy's book online:

NOVEMBER 20, 1983: "The Variety Clubs All-Star Party" for FS was taped at NBC studios in Burbank and was produced by Paul Keyes. It was announced that all the funds Dad had raised for Variety Clubs International over the years had made it possible for them to build a wing at the Seattle Children's Orthopedic Hospital called the Sinatra Family Children's Unit for the Chronically Ill. Cary Grant, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas and many more headliners attended, honoring Frank Sinatra's music and humanitarian works. With words written by Paul Keyes, Richard Burton movingly acknowledged the man called "Mr. Anonymous":

"I have never sung song with Frank Sinatra. Never acted with him, shared his stage nor been a member of an orchestra under his baton.

"We are, however, old friends of some thirty years and I have risen to my feet to applaud his blazing artistry, at numerous charity performances raising countless millions for the victims of the world.

"Frank is a giant. Among the givers of the world, he stands tallest. He has more than paid rent for the space he occupies on this planet, forged as he is from legendary loyalty and compassion carefully hidden...hidden because he has ordered it. Mr. Anonymous you have asked to be; Mr. Anonymous you shall be called. At risk of further offending you, I appear as the herald of grateful multitudes who have opened those unexpected envelopes...special-delivering answers to their prayers...those awakened by late-night phone calls which remedied their problems only on condition they share your covenant of secrecy...those who were surprised by signed checks with amounts not filled in...those performers down on their luck, who suddenly landed that role they never expected and still don't know whom to thank...and for untold beneficiaries of the caring and kindness of this splendid man who truly is his brother's keeper. And they are legion...those whose lives took a turn for the better...because of this man.

"A street corner poet burnt to the bone with the fury of his own ambition. Hoping someone would notice you. And they did notice you, Maggio. Thank you, Blue Eyes. God bless you, Mr. Anonymous."

[Rhodalee]

G-D bless Frank, the world is a better place for his existence. I cannot imagine a world where there was no Frank Sinatra -- can you?

[PatrickC]

Originally Posted by voice1

And Sinatra was the biggest tipper in whichever town he was in. On the night I met him in '81, Jilly Rizzo was handing hundred dollar bills out to pay for their tickets. "Frank wants you to see the show on him". I know this because I got 2 of those bills from Jilly that night. He was wearing a "Dodgers" type jacket that read "Sinatra" on the front.

Great story, Rick!

[Gary]

The apple doesnt fall far from the tree.

Great story Rick.

[SinatraFan]

Nice stories, everyone!

Originally Posted by Rhodalee

G-D bless Frank, the world is a better place for his existence. I cannot imagine a world where there was no Frank Sinatra -- can you?

I can't either, Rhoda.

Yes, that is right Frank Sinatra made this world a much better place.

He had a kind and generous heart. He read about people who were destitute in the paper and would send anonymous cheques. He was an angel to many people, we were lucky to have lived during his time and he blessed us with all his music and talent and his kind spirit.

[PatrickC]

Originally Posted by voice1

...Jilly Rizzo was handing hundred dollar bills out to pay for their tickets. "Frank wants you to see the show on him". I know this because I got 2 of those bills from Jilly that night. He was wearing a "Dodgers" type jacket that read "Sinatra" on the front.

Does anyone else want to see these Dodger-style jackets with "Sinatra" on the front get made after reading Rick's post? I'd wear it proudly!

[Ace917]

Another anecdote... I'm not sure I ever posted this one.

Frank left the restaurant one night, gave the parking attendant his tag, and waited for his car. When it showed up, he asked the valet what was the biggest tip he'd ever received. The valet said, "A hundred dollars, sir." So Frank doubled it and gave him two hundred.

As he got into the car, Frank asked the valet, "By the way, who was it gave you the one hundred?"

"It was you, sir, just last week."

[AR86]

Frank Sinatra with his Voice and his Heart made this world a much better place.
We have the fortune to listen him and have this forum for write the emotions that he makes us try.
Thanks Mr. Sinatra and Thanks Nancy!!

[Oren]

Originally Posted by Rhodalee

G-D bless Frank, the world is a better place for his existence. I cannot imagine a world where there was no Frank Sinatra -- can you?

Absolutly not. The world needs more people like Frank Sinatra. It would be a better world for sure.

[SinatraIsLove]

I really needed these stories today. My heart has been kind of down, and this was just the right pick-me-up.

Thank you, all...

And thank you, Mr. Sinatra.

[Night Stranger]

Originally Posted by Nancy

You are forgetting about Jerry Lewis. He is the leader.

Yes, how could I forget Jerry?!