80 years ago today, on May 11, 1946, the first CARE Packages® arrived in war-torn France. Outside: a label with a name. CARE is an acronym for Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe. Today,
@careorg is led by the extraordinary Michelle Nunn (and formerly led by the extraordinary Dr. Helene Gayle) both dear friends and mentors of mine. CARE is one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations, reaching millions of people across over 100 countries. And it all started with that first shipment, when ordinary Americans reached across an ocean to help rebuild one box at a time. I believe the CARE Package® is one of America’s greatest achievements; a quiet act of generosity. As beloved former Secretary of State Madeline Albright used to love to say, when referring to something as quintessentially American “It’s as American as Apple Pie and the CARE Package”.
80 years later, my creative company
@fullglowcreative is producing a documentary about this remarkable chapter in American history. We’re telling the origin story of the CARE Package® through the eyes of some of the people, then children, who received those very first boxes; and whose lives were transformed forever by what arrived. This film is about the power of generosity and what’s possible when ordinary people reach out to help strangers in need.
As America and the world reflect on who we are, and where we have been, during this 250th anniversary it’s a great time to tell this story. We are shooting in Vienna and New York, and we’re honored that CARE International has opened its extraordinary archives.
The film is directed by
@keelantw , and we have a terrific crew including producer
@loloheimer , cinematographers
@alejandrored and
@pauliuskontijevas , and two brilliant Executive Producers, Academy-Award®-winning filmmaker
@d.junge and best-selling author, journalist, and Emmy Award®-winning EP
@richardwolffedc who are helping to guide this project.
80 years ago, Americans sent boxes across an ocean to people in need. Today, we will hear living proof that small acts of care create ripples across generations. It’s a remarkable American story, and we’re honored to tell it.
