Alan Niemann was known among his colleagues and friends as a very humble and unassuming man who didn’t spend a lot of money. He is also portrayed as a recluse who never married and had no children but devoted his entire life to his work as a social worker.
Knowing that these guys don’t really make a lot of money, his friends didn’t think he was overdoing it every time he chose to glue his tattered shoes back together instead of buying a new pair. However, no one could imagine the real reason behind this man’s frugal lifestyle until he lost the battle to cancer at just 63 years old. His secret gives a whole new meaning to the old adage “It’s the quiet people you need to look out for”.
Whenever someone invited him to dinner, he chose fast food rather than a nice place to sit, and even waited outside the grocery store at closing time to get cooked meals at a lower cost. . That’s how much he cares about his spending habits.
However, being considered a ‘miser’ by some did not overcome the fact that Alan Niemann was a very special person who was aware of the hardships of vulnerable children, which his disabled brother rarely spoke about. He even took care of children who needed a home when he was younger, and they seem to be the reason for his frugal lifestyle.
When Alan left this world, he left something behind. To everyone’s surprise, this man managed to save a great fortune during his lifetime. He sacrificed a life of luxury and plenty just to have enough for a number of charities helping the poor, sick, disabled and abandoned children.
The amount he set aside was $11 million. Every penny of that money ends up in the right place.
Many organizations that received some of Alan’s money didn’t even know him. But he knew how much they needed someone to do everything in their power to make their difficult life easier. According to CTV News, Barbara Drennan, founder of Temporary Child Care Center, said:
“We never dreamed of something like this happening to us. I wish I could have met him. I wish I could have shown him the children he protects.”
Barbara’s organization received $2.5 million. This special organization helps newborns and children of drug-addicted mothers to break free from chemical dependency. She remembers talking to Alan on the phone about a problem while he was still working as a social worker, but she never met him in person. She only knew that he was the most generous man ever.
He left $900,000 to the Three House foster care organization which looked after the children he once cared for. This organization provides children in need with toys, clothing, school supplies and other necessities. Jessica Ross, Director of Development at Treehouse, couldn’t believe a man could be so committed to serving a higher mission:
“The austerity he experienced and engaged in in his life was for that. It is truly a gift to all of us to see this pure display of philanthropy and love.”
Alan will forever be remembered for the life he lived and the incredible reason behind it. A man with a heart of gold puts the happiness of others at the top of his list of priorities in life.
Too bad he was not recognized during his lifetime. Although he is no longer with us, his work will live forever.
