'Ultimate Gift' movie's private screening includes red carpet, paparazzi

More than 500 Southeast Missouri residents were among the first in the country to see the premiere of "The Ultimate Gift" on Thursday.

The movie told the story of how people can give back to the world instead of take something from it.

"It's a movie that delivers the important message that the value of our lives is not measured by what we have as much as by what we give," said Trudy Lee, president of the Southeast Council on Philanthropy.

The private screening of the movie was presented by the philanthropy council, an organization made up of more than 25 not-for-profit organizations in Southeast Missouri who collaborate in an effort to advance philanthropy through education, training and networking.

Those who were invited to the screening walked a red carpet, complete with paparazzi, into Cape West 14 Cine.

"These people are truly the stars in Southeast Missouri," Lee said. "Our community is filled with people who make a difference every day" to the not-for-profit organizations and those who rely on their services.

"The Ultimate Gift," which is based on a book written by Jim Stovall, tells the story of a wealthy man who passes away and leaves his grandson a large inheritance. But rather than giving the grandson the money, he assigns him 12 tasks -- which the grandfather calls gifts -- to teach his grandson the meaning of life.

Upon the completion of the different tasks, the young man learns the gifts of life include gratitude, friends, learning, dreams and love, rather than money and wealth.

Wayne Smith of Cape Girardeau left the theater with an appreciation for the movie's lesson. "It was fantastic," he said. "There are many lessons to be learned, and everyone draws a lesson from the movie that's important to them."

The "Ultimate Gift" was an inspirational movie, said Martha Bender of Cape Girardeau.

"It was a story of how we should all really live our lives," she said. "It taught of how important family is, and how important it is to give of yourself."

The "Ultimate Gift" will be released to theaters nationwide March 9.

"Those who embraced the message of the movie can truly impact charities and ultimately, strengthen our Southeast Missouri communities," Lee said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

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