One Shine at a Time, Shoeshiner Raises $100,000 From Tips for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Yahoo.com ^ | 2/28/06 | unknown

[beyond the sea]

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 28 -- Shoeshiner Albert Lexie has achieved a remarkable milestone, raising more than $100,000 for the Free Care Fund at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh by donating tips from his business over the last two dozen years.

Children's held a ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, to recognize Lexie's commitment to the patients of Children's. Physicians, nurses and other staff from the hospital, as well as friends from throughout western Pennsylvania, were on hand for the celebration.

Following comments by Roger A. Oxendale, president and CEO of Children's, and Steven G. Docimo, MD, chief of Pediatric Urology -- both regular customers of Lexie's -- the shoeshiner was given a plaque commemorating his achievement. A second plaque will be placed in the hospital.

"It is inspiring to see what Albert has achieved through his hard work, generosity and dedication to the patients and families of Children's," Oxendale said. "Even after nearly a quarter of a century, Albert remains motivated by one thing: to help families in a time of need. We're humbled by his achievements and proud to honor this milestone he has reached."

Lexie, a 64-year-old Monessen, Pa., resident, has been shining shoes at Children's since 1982 and accepting tips from customers on behalf of "his kids," as Lexie refers to the patients at Children's. Charging $3 per shine, Lexie donates all tips to Children's Free Care Fund, which ensures that all children receive medical care, regardless of a family's ability to pay.

At age 15, Lexie built a shoeshine box in high school shop class. He now uses that same box to shine shoes at Children's every Tuesday and Thursday. On those days he makes the trip by bus from his hometown to Oakland, leaving home at 5:50 a.m. and arriving at the hospital at 7:25 a.m. In addition to shining shoes at Children's, Lexie travels to Salomon Smith Barney in Pittsburgh and the business districts of Charleroi, Donora, Monessen and Monongahela to offer his services. His yearly income is only about $10,000, and he donates roughly $10,000 a year to the Free Care Fund.

Lexie was recognized in 2001, receiving an Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the organization's Western Pennsylvania Chapter. In 1997, he received a Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Citizen. He also has been recognized by several Rotary organizations in the Monongahela Valley.

[beyond the sea]

One of Albert's friends, Jonathan Finder, put it best when he said, "Albert makes you think of the song about how a mole can chew down a mountain," "He has donated tens of thousands of dollars, one pair of shoes at a time."

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

The Albert Lexie Website

Albert began his shoe-shine career about 40 years ago, when he built a shoe-shine box in shop class. He has shined shoes in the business districts of the Mid-Mon Valley and in the Pittsburgh area for many years. He travels from store to store in the cities of Monessen, Charleroi, Donora, and Monongahela to serve his 50 regular customers (Albert refers to them as "buddies").

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he travels by bus to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, from his home in Monessen. Since 1981, Albert has donated over $100,000 of his hard-earned tips to the hospital's Free Care Fund.

The Free Care Fund provides financial assistance to children who need medical treatment but whose families do not have adequate health insurance or the financial means to pay for it.

[beyond the sea]

From: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_48/b3910406.htm – 11/29/04

The 62-year-old, who lives on just $10,000 a year, e-mailed President George W. Bush recently to ask if he could shine the President's shoes. He is still waiting for a response. "He'd probably give me a $100 tip," muses Lexie.

C'mon G.W. ;-)

................. ping

[martin_fierro]

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[beyond the sea]

"There are times my shoes don't need shining, but I get them shined because it's Albert," says Perry Roofner, the hospital's director of facilities."

"He stands for something that the hospital tries to represent ----- charity."

Great story.

[mysterio]

Wow.

[Marine_Uncle]

His rewards await him in heaven.

[Supernatural]

Yeah, the dude is from where I live and has been doing this for many years. He's kind of slow witted, almost retarded. But he has done more good that most people will in their lifetimes.

Nice thread.

[Fudd Fan]

Just wondering why you pinged me to this.

[beyond the sea]

You're on my Steeler/football ping list.

I thought you might like to hear about something nice like this, but if I was wrong or if you wish off that list, please let me know.

:-)

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"I thought you might like to hear about something nice like this..."

Thanks.

Albert is quite a model for us all.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

[beyond the sea]

Oh yes........... great scene. One of my all time favorite movies!

****

Tommy: Just don't go busting my balls, Billy, okay?

Billy Batts: Hey, Tommy, if I was gonna break your balls, I'd tell you to go home and get your shine box. [to his friends]

Billy Batts: Now this kid, this kid was great. They, they used to call him Spitshine Tommy.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Refreshing to read a positive story for a change. Go Albert!

[jennyjenny]

I'm not sure why I was pinged either. Am I on your Steeler/football ping list for some reason?

[Lurker]

Wow what a great story. Thanks for sharing it.

L

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

He found his true calling, didn't he? Some people will NEVER find it. This man has it in spades. God bless him.

[AGreatPer]

Monessen is no easy trip by bus to Oakland. This man is amazing. And, how can anyone live on $10,000 a year.

[Supernatural]

My heart goes out to the man. A simple shoe shiner shows up a lot of people with his years-long good deeds at great sacrifice to himself.

[Supernatural]

Monessen is a very cheap place to live. Housing and groceries are cheap. Way cheaper than most places in the entire U.S.