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Heroes

95-year-old Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke spotted handing out cash to job seeking strangers

95-year-old Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke spotted handing out cash to job seeking strangers
via Gage Skidmore / Flickr

Dick Van Dyke has always been known for being an affable, warm-hearted man in a business that's often defined by the difficult and self-absorbed. Lately, he's developed quite the reputation of being incredibly youthful for the ripe old age of 95.

Recently, he was captured singing "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from his film of the same name at a deli.



Two years ago, he was captured dancing in a department store.

Here's Van Dyke dancing to "Step in Time" from "Mary Poppins" at 90.


Dick Van Dyke Dancing age 90www.youtube.com


Van Dyke is best known for playing Burt the chimney sweep in Disney's 1965 classic "Mary Poppins" but has had a long, storied career which includes his groundbreaking '60s sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and the films "Bye Bye Birdie" and "A Night at the Museum."

In his memoir "Keep Moving" he says that the love of dance has kept him young. "If I am out shopping and hear music playing in a store, I start to dance," he writes. "If I want to sing, I sing. I read books and get excited about new ideas. I enjoy myself. I don't think about the way I am supposed to act at my age — or at any age."

Van Dyke is impressing people again, this time with his generosity, although he probably didn't want anyone to know. On Tuesday afternoon he was caught by a cameraman handing out wads of cash to job seekers at the Malibu Community Labor Exchange in Los Angeles.

According to its website, The Malibu Community Labor Exchange is "a community-created nonprofit organization that provides an organized and supportive place for the people of Malibu to hire and be hired, creating opportunities for the unemployed to build independence and self-sufficiency through work."

Malibu is an extremely affluent beachside community that's known for being a laid-back enclave that caters to celebrities.

Van Dyke stunned the job seekers by pulling up in his car and passing out cash to the people waiting in line.

The actor's generosity comes at a time when many are experiencing hard times due to the COVID-19 virus.

It's unknown how much money that he handed out, but photos taken at the Labor Exchange showed the recipients were excited to see him. The actor wore track pants, sneakers, a green fleece jacket, and a kiss-patterned face mask for protection.

Van Dyke is no stranger to giving back to the community. For over 20 years he has worked as a volunteer at Los Angeles' century-old shelter, The Midnight Mission. He has also been a spokesperson for the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation and the Cell therapy Foundation.

Recently, Van Dyke has worked as a consultant on Disney's "Wandavision" which plays homage to "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He's also recently appeared in "Mary Poppins Returns" and the TV series "Kidding," alongside Jim Carrey.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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