Charity Billboard

Even after nearly a quarter of a century, Albert remains motivated by one thing: to help families in a time of need.”  Roger Oxendale, Children's Hospital President and CEO

Every Tuesday and Thursday for the last thirty years, Albert Lexie has left his home at 5:50 in the morning to travel ninety minutes by bus to the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, so he can shine shoes in the hospital’s lobby. He uses the very same shoeshine box he built in high school shop class when he was only fifteen years old. Albert charges $3 per shine and donates all his tips to the Children's Free Care Fund, which ensures that all children receive medical care, regardless of a family's financial ability to pay for it.

Since 1981, Albert has donated over $100,000 of his hard-earned tips to the Children’s hospital. His annual income is only about $10,000 and he donates approximately $10,000 a year to the hospital.

Albert is a remarkable example of the value of charity—he truly is an everyday hero.