She does a lot of charity events
For Murphy, it isn’t all just about being in front of the camera or up on stage. According to A&U magazine, Murphy has been an AIDS activist for many years, including volunteering, fundraising, and participating in benefits. Not only is she an AIDS activist, she delivers meals through Meals on Wheels, raised money after Hurricane Katrina, spoken out against bullying, is a Childhelp Celebrity Ambassador, and raised money for cancer patients, among many other very worthy causes she’s supported. If only all celebrities, former child star or otherwise, could spend as much time supporting charitable causes, the world would be much better off.
She’s an autism advocate
Thank you @WhiteCastle for donating $5 to @autismspeaks for everyone who tweets #WC4Autism #AutismAwareness #autismspeaks #Advocate pic.twitter.com/XqO6aGilF9
— Erin Murphy (@Erin_Murphy) May 25, 2017
Murphy is the mother of six children, one of whom was diagnosed with autism. Since then, she’s become even more involved, specifically in autism awareness. She’s done autism walks as well as a PSA on behalf of Actors for Autism and involvement in a number of events and fundraisers. “I was involved with autism charities before Parker was born and then obviously once he was diagnosed, I put that as my focus,” she told Fox News. “I go to board meetings, I volunteer. I speak at events. I think it’s important to be there for other parents who have questions. It’s one of those disorders that have become so prevalent.”
She’s worked as an alpaca rancher
Don’t let the title fool you. Though Murphy has always wanted to be a rancher, the reason she became one was because it was yet another way to give back, which seems to be her modus operandi. “Our family first got involved with alpacas as a form of pet therapy for our little boy with autism,” she said on her blog in 2012. “As parents of a child with special needs, we were also thinking of a long term career option for our son, since animals are his greatest love.”
It’s unclear based on the website for the Tranquil Veranda Ranch whether Murphy is still in the business of alpaca ranching, but there’s no doubt she was able to help people with her vision along the way.