Here are some of Alex Trebek’s favorite causes he has supported

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“What we heard from speakers today is that there is always hope,” Trebek said from the podium. He had a lot of hope and support – some 200 family, friends and colleagues joined him, and “Team Alex” quickly became one of the top fundraising teams at the event.

Many fans and former candidates have also rallied to support Trebek. Among them were “Jeopardy!” champions James Holzhauer and Steven Grade, who encouraged viewers to donate to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research, the largest private funder of this research.

The Trebek Family Foundation

In 2011, Trebek and his wife, Jean, created a private foundation, the Trebek Family Foundation, to meet the ever-growing number of requests from charities.

“Once you create a charitable foundation, it becomes easier to give,” Trebek told The Washingtonian the following year. “It brought about a great change.

Below are some of Trebek’s favorite interests that he has supported over the years with his time, his checkbook, or both.

Geography

Trebek has always had a passion for geography. He said he learned the subject by studying atlases and geography books for fun, and even looked forward to medical appointments so he could read National Geographic in the waiting room.

In addition to his “Jeopardy!” Hospitality duties, Trebek also hosted the National Geographic Bee for 25 years. The National Geographic Society, the nonprofit behind the competition, gave Trebek credit for making it a top national show.

“He’s been a great spokesperson for knowing our world and making others care,” said Mary Lee Elden, then executive director of geography competitions, before Trebek’s last bee. in 2013.

Trebek, who grew up in Ontario, also supported the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and its youth competition, the Canadian Geographic Challenge, which he helped launch.

“I love working with young people and seeing how brilliant these young geographers are,” he told RCGS. “All events are geographic. They affect us directly.”

Trebek was a member of the RCGS and recipient of the gold medal. In 2016, the non-profit organization named him Honorary President and, a few years later, renamed its prestigious Geographic Literacy Award in his honor.

“Alex has done so much for geographic literacy during his career,” said John Geiger, CEO of the RCGS. “He has helped inspire thousands of young people to learn more about our country and our planet.”

Movie

Trebek was one of the biggest stars in television, but cinema held a special place in his heart.

He supported the American Film Institute through its foundation and hosted the big sold-out AFI American Cinema Quiz at the Hollywood Bowl in 2011. He and his wife attended AFI’s tributes for Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, Steve Martin and Denzel Washington.

A self-described “classic movie lover”, Trebek especially enjoyed meeting other fans of the genre.

“A lot of us love classic movies, and that’s a good thing,” he told Turner Classic Movies in 2019. (TCM and CNN are both part of WarnerMedia.) Trebek has hosted contests for trivia aboard several TCM cruises, organized screenings at the TCM Film Festivals, and host the 20th anniversary tribute of TCM host Robert Osborne.

Trebek himself has appeared in several films such as “White Men Can’t Jump”, “Rain Man”, “Groundhog Day” and “Charlie’s Angels” in cameo roles.

Musk ox

Trebek’s favorite animal was the muskox, a woolly hoofed mammal native to the Arctic. He said he loved them for their unique and strong family dynamic, and “on top of that I love the way their fur coats wave in the breeze when they run,” he said. “Jeopardy ! ”

In the 1950s, the demand for meat and qiviut (soft inner wool) almost drove the species to extinction. Today, the Musk Ox Development Corporation, operating on Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, Alaska, raises and cares for oxen and promotes the sustainable production of qiviut.

Trebek’s history with the non-profit organization spans over 30 years. He visited the ox farm on several occasions and became one of MODC’s most generous donors. As “godfather of the herd,” Trebek personally signed each honorary adoption certificate sent to his companions.

Mark Austin, executive director of the farm, told CNN affiliate KTVA Trebek looked a lot like his favorite animal: “Heart of a muskox, tough as a muskox.”

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