When most people think about the life of a social worker, they think that they are social individuals. In reality, they sometimes like to hang in the background and nobody really knows much about that. That was the case for Alan Naiman. Most people thought they knew this 63-year-old man but when he passed away, he shook up the community. One thing that people did know about him was that he was unmarried for all of his life and he had no children. He passed away, even though he was only 63.
Alan was known by most people as a thrifty man. He had been known to pinch a penny or two and he would take his saving habits to the extreme. You might even see this when you looked at his shoes. Rather than getting a new pair, he would tape his together with duct tape. Of course, most of us realize that social workers don’t make the highest money of any profession but he was doing OK. When he passed away, people started to recognize why he was so frugal and it really teaches us a valuable lesson.
Alan would do all he could to save money. He would eat fast food instead of eating at a nice restaurant. He was also so moen who bought last minute deals at a deli and worked jos as a side hassle for extra money. He never talked about taking in his brother with a disability or taking care of foster kids.
One thing he did spend money on was a spots car that he purchased after his brother died in 2013. When he died, they knew the truth that he had accumulated $11 million. Every penny of his money was earmarked for charities that helped those who were sick, disabled or abandoned.
Some of those charities didn’t know who he was but others did.
According to Brenda Drennan, founder of the Pediatric Intern Care Center:
“We would never dream that something like this would happen to us. I wish very much that I could have met him. I would have loved to have had him see the babies he’s protecting.”
He gave her origination $2.5 million. It was to help babies why were from another with a chemical dependence. He was caring for a newborn a few years ago when he came in contact with the program. Jessica Ross, the chief development officer was shocked with how committed he was.
“The frugality that he lived through, that he committed to in his life, was for this. It’s really a gift to all of us to see that pure demonstration of philanthropy and love.”
He may not have been very visible with his giving but he has done a lot of good.
