Skip to content

Going Green

Tom Hanks Day 2011

by Andy Tillett 28 Mar 2011
Tom Hanks Day 2011

International Tom Hanks Day took place on Saturday (26.03.11), to raise money for Lifeline Energy.

People around the world paid homage to the 'Forrest Gump' actor with screenings of his films, printing T-shirts and, in Chicago, US - where the idea was originated - a raffle of autographed memorabilia.

The star himself has been involved with the event for the last four years, donating personal effects to be auctioned and promising to match donations made to the charity Lifeline Energy, which works to improves the quality of the lives of vulnerable populations through dependable and environmentally friendly technologies.

Tom Hanks Day was established by Kevin Turk, who admits it wasn't originally a serious event, but just him and his friends printing T-shirts of their favourite star.

He told CNN: ''It literally started as a joke. But all of a sudden people were calling and emailing and said they wanted a shirt.''

Tom Hanks day went to the next level in 2007, however, when Kevin received a hand-typed note from the star.

It read: ''Dear Kevin Turk and the Assembled: You people have all either lost your minds or your jobs. Both?''

Accompanying the letter was a set of autographed posters, waffle irons from Tom's film 'The Ladykillers' and green baseball jerseys.

Other memorabilia he has sent for auction has included his ''favourite bologna recipe, with 20-pound logs of bologna and the recipe of how to fry it, three minutes on either side.''

Tom Hanks day raised $1,265 in 2010, but will hopefully increase donations this year, after the actor agreed to match all sums up to a value of $10,000 given to Lifeline from the Chicago area.

When asked why he picked Tom Hanks in particular, Kevin explained: ''He's just a genuine person and it certainly comes off in his movies and interviews. Our goal is that everybody feels good about it and that's why Tom Hanks Day works.''


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armp