Pennsylvania 30 years cleaned shoes to collect $ 200 000 for sick children

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Albert Lexi polished his shoes to shine at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Every week, thirty years in a row, three dollars per pair. In October, 2018, Albert died, leaving behind a valuable legacy.

Photo: UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, CNN Video Screenshot

Lexi passed away earlier this month at the age of 76. The story of this man is remarkable because of what he did with a substantial amount of money that he collected over three decades of shining shoes, says CNN.

Albert donated the entire amount - more than 200 thousand dollars - to a fund that helps sick children.

“I think Albert is a symbol of philanthropy and generosity,” hospital President Chris Gessner told reporters. “He is the kind of special person that people around the world hope for.”

He earned only three dollars for a couple

Lexie began working at the Pittsburgh Hospital in 1982. Twice a week, he left his home on 5: 50 in the morning and took a bus to Pittsburgh from his small town, Monessen, Pennsylvania, on a two-hour journey.

His earnings were very modest by American standards - 10 thousand dollars a year. But Lexi sent all his money to the Free Care Fund. This fund helps both insured and uninsured children get the health care they need.

He was "especially focused"

Photo: UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, CNN Video Screenshot

Gessner, the president of the hospital, said that he first met Lexi 18 years ago when he accidentally came to a meeting where many people were without shoes.

“I noticed that half the people were without shoes. When I asked what was going on, they said, “It's Albert. He's in the hallway polishing his shoes."

“He was especially focused on helping sick children,” Gessner added. “He was in business. He was a man, a happy man, but he was very focused on shining shoes to help children.”

He received awards for generosity

Lexie was awarded the Jefferson Medal as an outstanding citizen in 1997, an Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2001 and the National Caring Award of the Institute of Nursing in 2006.

In the 2010 year, Lexi became one of the 30 winners of the 2010 Major League Baseball of the year in the All Stars Among Us nomination.

In 1999, his hometown proclaimed “Albert Lexi Day” and the administration of the Allecheni district presented him with a lifelong bus ticket.

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