Loretta Young: Selfless Servant and Humanitarian

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Loretta Young Humanitarian

"If you have enthusiasm, you have a very dynamic,

effective companion to travel with you...

Loretta Young a women of deep moral convictions, was a quiet and tireless humanitarian for countless philanthropic organizations. During her lifetime, she raised money and volunteered her personal time to a wide array of organizations. Her genorosity and humility extended into the worlds of education, medicine, the homeless and children's needs.

Although Loretta Young's charitable activities were extensive throughout her career, she never sought recongnition or acknowledgement of her time and efforts even though these endeavors occupied a tremendous portion of her free time. Despite her hectic production schedule with The Loretta Young Show, she always managed to find the time in her schedule to lend her talents and an attentive ear to those less fortunate than herself.

Religious and moral questions had long concerned Loretta Young. Known in the indusry for her religious faith and work on behalf of Catholic charities, the stories she selected for production in the Loretta Show offened mirrored her own beliefs and carried upbeat messages about family, community, and personal conviction.

In the 1970's Young moved to Phoenix to live with the nuns at St. Joseph's Hospital, aiming to create a program for underprivileged children. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she volunteered to help homeless women and the mentally ill on skid row. She gave money to Catholic charities and presided over dazzling fund-raiser balls, dressed in flowing gowns and sparkling jewels.

Those who were touched by Loretta Young's generosity remember her unfailing and never ending desire to make a difference in the world.

Loretta Young & The Hollywood Canteen

Loretta Young pictured here was one of the first Hollywood stars to volunteer at the Hollywwod Canteen. The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California between October 3, 1942 and November 22, 1945 as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas. Even though the majority of visitors were U.S servicemen, the Canteen was open to servicemen of allied countries as well as women in all branches of service. The serviceman's ticket for admission was his uniform and everything at the Canteen was free of charge.

Loretta Young & Father Peyton

In 1945, the same year WW II was ending, only 5000 homes had TV sets. Father Patrick Peyton persuaded Mutual Broadcasting Company to give him a free half-hour to pray for and support families. America was at war and Father Peyton believed that world peace ultimately depended on peace in the human heart and in the family. He recruited Loretta Young and Bing Crosby and the family of five brothers who died on the same ship during WW II to pray on air. More than 300 stations picked up the show. Some of the stars Father Peyton featured on “Family Theater of the Air” included Jimmy Stewart, Natalie Wood, Lucille Ball, Gregory Peck, Vincent Price and Gary Cooper.