why Willie is cool

And it isn't just for writing all those songs...

Country music star Willie Nelson has donated $40,000 to Vancouver, the town where he sold some of his first records a half-century ago.

Vancouver received the $40,000 check three weeks ago. On Wednesday, the city turned over $15,000 each to the Humane Society of Washington and the Boys and Girls Club.

In addition to aiding local charities, Nelson's donation originally was intended to help defray the costs for the city's 150th anniversary of its incorporation.