96-Year-Old Dick Van Dyke Buys Coats and Personally Drops Them Off For People in Need
His latest act of kindness just proves what we already know - Dick Van Dyke has a heart of gold.
Dick Van Dyke is undoubtedly the stuff of Hollywood legends. His career has spanned more than seven decades and he has won numerous awards, including 5 Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, AND the Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award.
And while we love him on-screen, it's who he is off-screen that makes him a true LEGEND.
Dick Van Dyke is Caught in an Act of Kindness That'll Warm Your Heart
It's no secret that Van Dyke is one of the good guys. And his latest low-key humanitarian effort is just further proof of why we love him.
He was recently photographed at a store buying a cartload of red plaid winter coats for people in need. Not only did he purchase the coats but he also made sure that they got where they needed to go.
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After loading them into his vehicle he then proceeded to personally drop them off at a local non-profit organization — the Malibu Community Labor Exchange.
Every year, the nonprofit center helps match thousands of people looking for work with potential employers. It also just so happens to be on Van Dyke's list of favorite charities to support.
This Isn't the First Time Van Dyke Has Worked With The Non-Profit Organization
Just a couple of weeks prior to this Van Dyke was caught on camera outside the Malibu Centre. This time, however, rather than handing out jackets, he was handing out $5 bills to the unemployed people standing in line.
“Whenever I have some fives I come by,” Van Dyke, told the Daily Mail. “You can’t do it all the time, though,” he joked.
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One of the center's employees called him "an angel from God," but Van Dyke, humble as always, just shrugged it off.
He's been periodically popping by the Labor Exchange since 2021 when he was first spotted handing out wads of cash to job seekers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Maybe it's because he knows a thing or two about being down on his luck.
Dick Van Dyke Has His Own Rags-to-Riches Story
Before his career took off, he and his first wife, Margerie Willet, struggled financially for years. At one point he had just $30 in his pocket. And while those days are long behind him, it's obvious that they've left their mark.
Van Dyke has been caught in numerous acts of giving back to his community over the years, including a 20-year stint (and counting!) as a regular volunteer at a homeless shelter called the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles.
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He's also the national spokesperson for the Reye's Syndrome Foundation. He became involved with the organization after his granddaughter, Jessica Van Dyke, died from the disease in 1987, at just 12 years old.
Additionally, he is the spokesperson for the Cell Therapy Foundation, whose "mission is to advance adult stem cell research by supporting the discovery of new medical therapies for a wide range of diseases including heart disease, cancer, and more.
Why Spreading Love and Cheer is So Important to Dick Van Dyke
Van Dyke was recognized for his humanitarian efforts in 2014. He was awarded the Prince Rainier III Humanitarian Award by the Princess Grace Foundation. The prize honors artists in theatre, film, and television who give back to their communities.
But he's not here for the awards.
He believes that helping others, creating community, and loving people are what gives life purpose and meaning.
He wrote about his thoughts on the meaning of life in his 2016 autobiography, My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business:
"I didn't know the answers, but I could feel that the things that gave life meaning came from a place within and from the nurturing of values like tolerance, charity, and community."
Values which he obviously lives out today and hopefully, for years to come.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.