Golden Globes Donate Unclaimed Gift Bags to Military Families

Golden Globes Donate Unclaimed Gift Bags to Military Families

Hollywood Reporter

By Lesley Goldberg

06.06.11

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, organizers of the Golden Globe Awards, have donated $275,000 worth of gift bags to The Fisher House, a not-for-profit organization assisting military service members and their families.

Spearheaded by HFPA president Philip Berk, the donations first started four years ago and have included more than 500 unclaimed gift bags from the Golden Globe Awards, with each valued at about $500.

“We wanted to do something worthwhile with the unclaimed bags and have gotten 25 to 50 letters from people who have received the bags saying that it was something special,” Berk told The Hollywood Reporter.

With about 1,300 people attending the Globes every year, many of the gift bags go unclaimed and Berk saw the opportunity to do something worthwhile.

Berk first had the idea about five years ago after seeing a segment on 60 Minutes about The Fisher House. He then approached the organization that was founded in 1990 by philanthropist Zachary Fisher and his wife, Elizabeth, and the donations began shortly thereafter.

“When I approached them, they said it would be a wonderful gesture,” Berk noted.

Berk is optimistic that any left over gift bags from the Globes will be donated to the organization going forward.

“What little we do is absolutely miniscule in importance compared to the sacrifice they have made; we’re trying to do a small bit to show our appreciation for the servicemen,” he noted.