We could revert to the old saying – really, no pun intended – but what type of birthday gift do you get for someone who would say “I don’t need anything.” That’s the challenge I am having as I contemplate while I scratch my ever-increasing balding head trying to figure out what to get my dear friend David Foster who is celebrating 75 years. Wait! The guy has a full head of hair. Very impressive, for his age. Maybe, I could get him a comb. Gold-plated, too, with his name. But, no. I think I can do better than a comb.
The issue remained on what to get him. With the big birthday concert held on November 3rd at The Hollywood Bowl showcasing some of the world’s biggest musicians, many of whom were discovered by David, I wanted to give him something, maybe, he could use for the big show.
Still, my mind was blanking. And I think it’s because David is so giving. The David Foster Foundation is certainly a testament to that: all because of a young girl receiving an organ transplant in Los Angeles. The small girl had just one request. Not a trip to Disneyland, or a trip to the beach. She just wanted to see her sister, who was back in Victoria, B.C – David’s hometown.
When he heard about that, he flew the sister down to Los Angeles and saw the magical reunion of the two sisters. That was the first chord of the David Foster Foundation which only got stronger from the beginning in 1986. Now in its 38th year, the song is still strong, gaining with every family it helps … every dollar raised to help young families with non-medical expenses as their child goes through the transplant process. But David being David, doesn’t only focus on his own charity.
He helps.
Whenever, and wherever, he’s asked.
Some of my good friends, also friends of David, have shared some wonderful stories of David. One of them, retired golf professional Bill Penny, met David in 1984 at the Edmonton Country Club that hosted the Wayne Gretzky Golf Classic. One of Bill’s golf assistants, Norm Jackson, was trying to quit smoking. David overheard this and said he would call Norm, every Friday at 10:30 a.m. to ask him how he was doing with his desire to butt out – forever. Norm didn’t think he’d ever hear from David. But he did: every Friday, right on the button at 10:30 a.m.
Within a few months, Norm, with David’s help, quit smoking. David also likes to see others in the spotlight while he is behind the scenes. Bill tells the story of hockey star Wayne Gretzky’s 30th birthday party in Beverly Hills. David asked Bill to sit on the piano bench. David positioned himself so low that he couldn’t be seen when Wayne entered. Then, David asked Bill to make the motions of playing the piano while David tickled the ivories from his secret location.
I have numerous stories like this. Far too many to share here, but two, really, stand out: in 2019, I celebrated 40 years in the newspaper business and launched Cam’s Crew, inviting friends to record my writing for a podcast. I sent David an email, asking him if he would be interested in voicing for The Crew. He replied within hours and sent back two audio files within two days. And then, three years ago, I shared a personal challenge. Again, within days, David offered a solution – and, his idea sticks with me until today.
So: the question still remains – what should I get David Foster for his milestone birthday? Upon reflection, the answer is quite obvious. There is but one thing the DFF needs so it can help a young child needing an organ transplant. But those precious cheques cannot be processed if there are no organs available to be transplanted. So perhaps everyone reading this can do two things: sign our own organ donor cards and ask seven friends – celebrating David’s birthday – to sign their donor cards.
What do you think?
Need a pen?
Happy birthday, old friend!
