Church Donates “Meet the Mormons” Proceeds to the Red Cross
Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer
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Bishop Gary E. Stevenson speaks at the annual American Red Cross Heroes Recognition luncheon at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 12, 2015. The Church donated all net proceeds from the film Meet the Mormons, which totaled $1.8 million.
Article Highlights
- The Church donated $1.8 million to the Red Cross on March 12—all the net proceeds from Meet the Mormons.
The 2014 film Meet the Mormons proved a crowd favorite across the country with its heartfelt, often humorous glimpses into the lives of several Latter-day Saint families.
Now the profits from the popular flick, which was produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will help lessen the pain of people in need.
On Thursday, March 12, the Church donated the net proceeds from the movie’s theatrical release to the American Red Cross. Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson presented a check for $1.8 million to Cliff Holtz, president of the ARC’s humanitarian services.
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Blair Treu, director of Meet the Mormons; Gary E. Stevenson, Presiding Bishop of the Church; and Cliff Holtz, president of humanitarian services at the American Red Cross, greet each other prior to the Church's donation to the American Red Cross.
The donation was made at the ARC Utah Region’s annual Heroes Recognition luncheon at the Little America Hotel.
Bishop Stevenson said the purpose of the commercial movie was never to make a lot of money.
“The goal of that movie was to bring a greater understanding of who we really are and to let people know how the gospel of Jesus Christ has influenced lives in positive ways,” he said.
The commercial release of the film exceeded expectations, he added. Meet the Mormons earned a spot in the top-10 box office rankings during its opening weekend. The DVD and Blu-ray can be preordered now on deseretbook.com.
“We are absolutely thrilled that this production was received so well,” said Bishop Stevenson.
A thankful Cliff Holtz said the Meet the Mormons donation was just another generous moment in the Church’s ongoing support of the Red Cross that goes back almost a century.
The Utah chapter also presented the Church with its 2015 Outstanding Community Partner Award.
Over the past three decades, the Church and the American Red Cross have partnered on more than 220 projects across the country, benefiting approximately 200,000 people following emergencies. The Church has contributed nearly $10 million in the United States for Red Cross humanitarian projects, according to the Red Cross.