Let’s take a closer look at Jimmy’s Project Hope public service announcements which we described in the book, but included no photos or audio. The disc itself was issued in 1968 as a 7-inch, 33 1/3 RPM record (RS 1968):
It was a one-sided disc prepared by Ron Stone & Company, Advertising, and had five announcements from Stewart of varying lengths – one 60-second, two 30-second, one 20-second and one 10-second. Stewart’s involvement with Project Hope, along with his other volunteer work was highlighted in this article which appeared in the February 2, 1967 edition of The Pittsburgh Press:
Spot #1:
In the 60-second spot, Stewart says:
Take a drop of water. And, then another and another, then another, and pretty soon, if you work at it steadily, you have yourself an ocean. And that’s the way it’s done with Project Hope. Hope brings self-help medical aid and know-how to nations that are long on illness and disease, but short on medical staffs and facilities. Project Hope is an independent, nonprofit organization that relies on people like you for support. Individuals, each contributing to keep the hospital ship S.S. Hope sailing. So, Hope is a lot like a do-it-yourself ocean. Send your contribution. It’s important, do it, do it today. Project Hope, Room A, Washington, DC.
Spot #2:
In the first 30-second spot he says:
Take a drop of water. And, then another and another, and pretty soon, if you work at it steadily, you have yourself an ocean. That’s the way it’s done with Project Hope. Hope brings self-help medical aid to nations that are long on illness and disease, but short on medical staffs and facilities. So send your contributions. Do it today. Project Hope, Room A, Washington, DC.
Spot #3:
The second 30-second spot is different:
The hospital ship S.S. Hope brings self-help medical aid to countries that have illness and disease, but not enough medical staffs or facilities. Hope becomes a dockside hospital where volunteer professionals help train local medical people to treat the ill. Now Project Hope needs your help. Please give whatever you can. It’s important. And do it today. Project Hope, Room A, Washington, DC.
Spot #4:
For the 20-second spot we hear:
Project Hope brings self-help medical aid and training to countries of medical staffs and facilities. Hope volunteers help treat the ill and teach modern medical techniques. Now you can help Hope. Send your contribution to Project Hope, Room A, Washington, DC.
Spot #5:
On the 10-second spot, Stewart doesn’t have enough time to say much of anything:
Project Hope brings medical training and treatment to developing nations, so send your contributions to Project Hope, Room A, Washington, DC.
More than ten years after this release, Stewart was still involved with Project Hope as evidenced by this photo and caption appearing in the July 19, 1979 issue of The Reading Eagle, Reading, PA:
We recently discovered this letter from the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum acknowledging President Nixon’s contribution to Project Hope. The letter is dated 1974. Notice that Mr. Stewart remains listed as a member of the Board of Directors of Project Hope.
