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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMillionaire uses fortune to help kids in struggling town
http://www.today.com/news/millionaire-uses-fortune-help-kids-struggling-town-1C9373666Harris Rosen went from a childhood in a rough New York City neighborhood to becoming a millionaire whose company owns seven hotels in Orlando, but his self-made success is not his proudest achievement.
Twenty years ago, the Orlando, Fla. neighborhood of Tangelo Park was a crime-infested place where people were afraid to walk down the street. The graduation rate at the local high school was 25 percent. Having amassed a fortune from his success in the hotel business, Rosen decided Tangelo Park needed some hospitality of its own.
Hospitality really is appreciating a fellow human being, Rosen told Gabe Gutierrez in a segment that aired on TODAY Wednesday. I came to the realization that I really had to now say, Thank you.
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In the two decades since starting the programs, Rosen has donated nearly $10 million, and the results have been remarkable. The high school graduation rate is now nearly 100 percent, and some property values have quadrupled. The crime rate has been cut in half, according to a study by the University of Central Florida.
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http://www.today.com/news/millionaire-uses-fortune-help-kids-struggling-town-1C9373666
Tsiyu
(18,186 posts)In the poor Appalachian community where I live, this is one of the things lacking: access to affordable daycare so that parents can work and get ahead.
Rosen, the bejillionaire, understood that very basic, simple need and met it.
Now why cant all the bejillionaires in Congress and Wall Street use their fortunes for good?
Rosen doesn't seem to be suffering from being a giver. Neither would they if they had a clue about how to be actual human beings and not money hoarders.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Because they don't have to.
Our system allows unbridled greed as much as it does noblesse oblige.
IMO, a different system (of taxation, if it must be Capitalism) would be more helpful and more consistent in its help to all of society.
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)I would be so happy to pay taxes (higher even) that supported the PEOPLE of this country: schools, daycare, health care, transportation, infrastructure, etc. But I know that most of our taxes go toward war, corporate welfare, crony pork, etc. My Danish friend always says the Danes know their taxes buy things that matter even though most grumble about how high they are. Here, people must pay for all the basics on top of taxes, so they have every right to grumble.
valerief
(53,235 posts)a certain amount of impoverished people for the wealthy to stay wealthy and get wealthier.
Kber
(5,043 posts)It's amazing what investing in education can do for a community!
surrealAmerican
(11,340 posts)We could be choosing to spend public funds in this way. We could be doing so much good. Why do we not? We are not too poor a nation to look after our own people.