If you can touch one soul in your lifetime, you would leave a permanent footprint in that person’s life. And you probably wouldn’t know it. Then there are those who go the extra mile and some more, leaving behind a legacy that proves to the world how love still exists in its purest form.
A man named Alan Naiman passed away at 63 in January of 2018.
He was a social worker but before that, had a lucrative banking career. What struck others most was his comically frugal lifestyle. Alan preferred cheap restaurants, old cars, and preferred to buy clothes at grocery stores. He would use duct tape on his shoes and would cut cost everywhere he could.
Saving money was a game for him.
Family and friends always thought of it as a cheaper way of living but behind that image of Alan was his personal mission that would blow away everyone he knew, and soon, even complete strangers.
He inherited some money from his parents, then saved every penny he could. He spent most of his years working with children in social services. Kids who were abandoned, disabled, and lost. The experience left a permanent mark on Alan’s heart.
He left quite a sum to local charities.
11 million dollars. You read that right. The amount left his family and friends baffled. Workers at the local charities were stunned. The frugal Naiman who could spend a day without spending a single dollar had that much amount to give away. And he did it because he cared so much for the children.
Mary Monahan, Alan’s friend, said,
“I think everyone was shocked, I mean really shocked that he had so much money to give away. I guess he thought he had what he needed, and a lot of other people didn’t have what they needed. The kids that came into care got into Alan’s heart.”
She goes on to recall Alan saying,
“My gift is going to be bigger than their annual budget. It’s going to blow them away.”
Alan was unmarried and childless. He devoted his life to his older brother, Daniel, who had a developmental disability which may have influenced him to have a different perspective on life. And though he had no kids of his own, he loved all the others.
Six organizations were recipients of Alan’s legacy.
Westside Baby, Make-a-Wish Alaska and Washington, Childhaven, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Treehouse, and Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic. As news of the generous donor spread, people began to see the kindness of that once frugal man who spent most of his life alone.
When Alan got diagnosed with cancer, he put all his traveling plans aside and began to research on charities. He could have splurged on expensive cars since he loved them, but his mind went to the children. In his heart, he knew what he wanted to do.
Jessica Ross, Chief Development Officer for Treehouse, said,
“For someone to live their life the way Alan did — and then leave a legacy like this to so many worthy organizations — is an inspiration. We’re so thankful to be a part of this. What a generous, loving man”
Other recipients were his parents’ Catholic church and Disabled American Veterans.
And because of this man’s selfless act, so many others are now able to go to school, get their medication, eat better, and sleep better. Alan knew his time was up and he chose to leave a little act of love which in turn have touched countless lives and inspired many others to do the same.
Another friend of Alan’s, Shashi Karan, said that Alan was actually excited to think about how much good his donation would do when the time came. He was excited for it even though he would never live to see that day. Such was Alan’s heart.
Watch the story of Alan Naiman’s philanthropy in the video below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family
