Alex Trebek's family has donated his 'Jeopardy!' wardrobe to charity

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Alex Trebek's family has donated his 'Jeopardy!' wardrobe to charity
The game show host died on November 8, 2020 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
  • Alex Trebek's family has donated part of his "Jeopardy!" wardrobe to The Doe Fund charity.
  • The donation includes 14 suits, 58 dress shirts, 300 neckties, and 15 belts, among other items.
  • Trebek's son Matthew said he knew his dad would be "totally on board" with the donation.
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Clothing worn by the late "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek has been donated to charity by his family.

According to a "Jeopardy!" press release, the clothes, which were a part of his show wardrobe, were donated to the New York City-based nonprofit organization The Doe Fund. They will be given to participants of the charity's reentry program "Ready, Willing, and Able" to be worn for job interviews.

The donation included 14 suits, 58 dress shirts, and 300 neckties, among other items such as polo shirts, sweaters, dress shoes, and more.

Trebek's son Matthew has long been a supporter of the charity which provides services for men who have previously struggled with addictions, homelessness, and incarceration.

When asked what he wanted to do with his dad's "Jeopardy!" suits by producer Rocky Schmidt, a longtime friend of the host, he immediately thought of The Doe Fund.

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Speaking with Insidewink, Matthew said: "Their flagship mission, 'Ready, Willing, and Able' was something I knew my dad would be totally on board with."

"My hope is that the confidence someone might feel in wearing one of my dad's suits and ties will help them land a job, and more importantly, will help them realize that they are not alone," he added.

In a photo posted to the official "Jeopardy!" Twitter account, Matthew is seen packing the clothes alongside the show's costumer, Steven Zimbelman.

Speaking about the impact of the donation so far, Harriet Karr-McDonald, president of The Doe Fund, told Insider: "The generous donation of these stylish suits will help the men we serve, who are often uncomfortable and unfamiliar with promoting themselves as part of an interview process, regain their confidence."

Insider spoke with a scheme participant who received items from the donation and said he felt like he was "walking the red carpet" when he first wore one of the suits.

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Receiving items such as cashmere sweaters, from brands like Gucci and Armani, he added, "They have done a tremendous thing by donating these clothes. I feel important, and I'm pleased. I'm very pleased."

Alex Trebek's family has donated his 'Jeopardy!' wardrobe to charity
Trebek hosted "Jeopardy!" for 36 years.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

The longtime game show host died at the age of 80 on November 8, 2020, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019. Trebek was the face of "Jeopardy!" for 36 years, spanning over 8,200 episodes.

His last show, which was filmed a week before he died, aired on Christmas Day.

"During his last day on set, Alex extolled the virtues of everyone opening up their hands and their hearts to those who are suffering," Mike Richards, executive producer of "Jeopardy!" said in the press release.

"Donating his wardrobe to those who are working to rebuild their lives is the perfect way to begin to honor that last request," he added.

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Alex Trebek's family has donated his 'Jeopardy!' wardrobe to charity
Trebek with his son Matthew, who said that the donation would be something his dad would be on board with.Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic via Getty Images

In a Thanksgiving episode that aired last year, Trebek said: "You know, in spite of what America and the rest of the world is experiencing right now, there are many reasons to be thankful."

"There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbors, and that's a good thing," he continued. "Keep the faith, we're gonna get through all of this, and we will be a better society because of it."

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