On the evening of Sept. 25, after finishing my homework, I realized it was 10 p.m. I was not ready for bed, so I stared at my DVD collection, pondering what movie could help me escape my problems.

I chose “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

I always loved this classic western because of the onscreen chemistry of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Newman has a wide range of acting choices from a ballsy prisoner in “Cool Hand Luke,” an alcoholic lawyer in “The Verdict” and a 1951 Hudson Hornet in “Cars.” Every time I watch a Newman film, I somehow get lost in his deep blue eyes. He has eyes with heart and soul.

Over the weekend, I found out Paul Newman passed away. Not only did Hollywood lose one of its best actors, but also an amazing philanthropist. Newman loved lending a hand to those less fortunate. In 1982, he started Newman’s Own food products that would be sold in various supermarkets across the globe. After being in successful films such as “Hud,” “The Hustler” and, of course, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Newman was not hurting for money. He decided that all of the proceeds from Newman’s Own would be distributed to several charities all around the world. Its motto, “Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good,” has fit the company. The donations have helped several charities such as health care research, AmeriCare, aiding refugees in Kosovo and education.

Unlike some celebrities who need a press conference to announce their new charitable donations, Newman refused to do that. He believed people do not have to make a spectacle of doing a good deed but that doing the deed is good enough. He preferred to make charitable appearances privately. In the late ’80s, he started The Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, named after the gang from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” where children with illnesses and their families could escape their problems, doctors, hospitals, and have a chance to be kids. Children with illnesses from all around are accepted and it is free of charge. In 20 years, more than 130,000 children have attended the camps.

As of today, Newman’s Own has donated more than $250 million to various charities. Because of the overwhelming amount, Newman once joked that his food products have grossed more than his movies. But what makes this great is that the people who buy his products are helping others less fortunate, even if they did not know it. The money does not go into Newman’s pocket but into the pockets of charities.

Celebrities need to take a page out of Newman’s book. Instead of flaunting their money and announcing their plans to donate, they need to donate privately and be selfless. Paul Newman did not set out to become even more famous by being generous; he set out to help those less fortunate.

Now, whenever I go to the supermarket, I know that if I purchase Newman's Own products, my money will go to those who need it. If my money is helping to find cures for illnesses or provide food for the homeless, then it makes me feel like a better person. <br/>Whenever I have the chance to watch a Paul Newman film, even though he is no longer with us, I still will be lost in those deep blue eyes.Whenever I have the chance to watch a Paul Newman film, even though he is no longer with us, I still will be lost in those deep blue eyes.
Whenever I have the chance to watch a Paul Newman film, even though he is no longer with us, I still will be lost in those deep blue eyes.