Alex Trebek's 'Jeopardy!' wardrobe donated to charity

By Stephen Iervolino

Video by Chris Cirillo

Hundreds of pieces of clothing that made up the late Alex Trebek's wardrobe are being donated for a good cause.

The wardrobe articles from the late "Jeopardy!" host were donated to The Doe Fund, a charity that provides, "work, housing, vocational training, continuing education and comprehensive social services to underserved Americans with histories of addiction, homelessness and incarceration."

Trebek lost his battle against pancreatic cancer last November. He was 80.

Much of the collection donated by his family and the quiz show -- 14 suits, 58 dress shirts, 300 neckties, 25 polo shirts, 14 sweaters, 9 sports coats, 9 pairs of dress shoes, 15 belts, 2 parkas and 3 pairs of dress slacks, specifically -- will be given to the organization's Ready, Willing and Able program.

The program provides clothing for those who need to look their best for job interviews. The donation came at the suggestion of Trebek’s son, Matthew.

Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Matthew Trebek and Jeopardy! Costumer, Steven Zimbelman, pack Alex Trebek’s wardrobe for donation to The Doe Fund.

Trebek's widow, Jean, shared a note about the significance of the donation -- and Matthew's contributions -- on Tuesday.

"I sincerely appreciate my son, Matthew, and his great idea to donate his Dad's suits to @thedoefund," she wrote. "I had never heard about this amazing organization until Matt brought it to my attention… it truly is so wonderful. It warms my heart to know that Alex’s suits will be donated to such an important cause."

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In a press release from "Jeopardy!" Productions, Mike Richards, the executive producer of the show, also shared, "During his last day on set, Alex extolled the virtues of everyone opening up their hands and their hearts to those who are suffering. Donating his wardrobe to those who are working to rebuild their lives is the perfect way to begin to honor that last request."

Harriet McDonald, president of The Doe Fund, expressed how useful Trebek's donation will be in another statement.

"We are so grateful for Jeopardy! and the Trebek family's commitment to lifting up the most vulnerable among us," she shared. "The men in our career training programs are always in need of professional attire, so they can shine in their job interviews and work with confidence once they're hired..."

Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Trainees from The Doe Fund’s “Ready, Willing & Able” program, (r-l) Michael Smith, Joseph Calhoun and George Thomas, receive donated wardrobe items worn by the late Alex Trebek.

Grieving the recent loss of her husband and the founder of the charity, George McDonald, Harriet McDonald also noted, "This generous gift honors the legacies of both men, and I know they're smiling down on us."