Sunday, February 10, 2008

Stephen King's Haven Foundation


Yesterday I posted a few thoughts on random acts of kindness (on my Newsdive blog). I learened last month that Stephen King has started The Haven Foundation, which can also be accessed through King’s website.

The Haven Foundation exists to help writers who have been impacted by illness, accident, or natural disaster (and King makes special note of the plight of those in the area impacted by Katrina). As many of us in the area know, New Orleans had a thriving population of freelance writers and artists, some of whom never recovered or were forced to relocate.

If writers qualify, The Haven Foundation offers grants up to $25,000 per year. King has always been a man who lent his name to fostering literacy and the arts (such as libraries in Maine). I applaud him for trying to help freelance artists who struggle to make ends meet. He said words to the effect that he will never have trouble putting food on the table, but he worries about the books of others.

The Haven Foundation certainly qualifies as an act of kindness in my book. It is part of a larger awareness that education in the U.S. is not just about math, science, and test scores. Rather, it is also about fostering poetry, music, painting, and all the arts. Until this awareness becomes more widespread, schools will continue to reinforce cultural poverty.

Picture: Public Domain

14 comments:

Monique said...

Hi Billy, thanks for visiting and that lovely comment.

Stephen King is indeed doing a wonderful thing, like The Grateful Death who set up a foundation for the homeless I believe. Have you heard of the Over The Wall Gang? Paul Newman set that one up. It's a free holiday for terminal ill Children (often their last). Also for their carers who at times are so terribly exhausted.

Your blog is very interesting and I will visit soon again.

Lana Gramlich said...

Although I'm not big on Stephen King (his endings annoy me to no end,) I admire his benevolence in this. Nice that he hasn't "forgotten the little guy."

virtual nexus said...

I was struck by King's own life story when I read 'On Writing;' not totally surprised he's stepped out in this direction. Also glad he's mentioned New Orleans - we gained the impression on TV that top level support after the disaster was thin on the ground to say the least.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing thing to do. It reminds me of the old patronage days. It's nice when society remembers the importance of art and doesn't make it so difficult to create. King has my respect for doing his part in being the patron.

WH said...

Monique, you're welcome! And yes, I heard of Newman's many philanthropic enterprises. He's great!

Lana, lately SK has disappointed me, although I was once a huge fan. He has one out, Kanga Key, which I will wait to hit the bargain shelf :)

Julie, ON WRITING was very moving where he talked of not having enough money for his child's antiobiotics. And yes, governmental support for Katrina was, and is, thin. The city is still struggling bad. In FDR's time, an army would have been dispatched to help with rebuilding.

WH said...

Jason, I always wondered what King did with those sixteen million buck advances :) I'm sure it's much more than we know. His foundation certainly earns my respect.

SandyCarlson said...

Billy,
That's an uplifting post. Let's hear it for King and this generous, affirmative gesture. It certainly recognizes the importance of the arts in recovery of any kind.

God bless.

Charles Gramlich said...

That's a very nice thing for King to do. I'm going to tell a few friends who struggled a lot more than I did after Katrina about it. Thanks for the link.

WH said...

Amen, Sandy. I hope he can help quite a few.

Charles, you're welcome. I hope you can pass it along to someone who needs a lift.

writtenwyrdd said...

Thanks for sharing this info, Billy. I hadn't heard about the Kings doing that (and I live just up the road, so to speak.)

WH said...

You're welcome, Written. And tell Steve and Tabitha hi LOL. (I'm envious!)

Sarah Hina said...

I'm going to go check this out, Billy. Thanks for the link!

WH said...

You're welcome, Sarah!

Tina Trivett said...

I'm a King fan. This is such a wonderful thing he is doing. Arts supporting the Arts. Bravo to Mr. King.