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Albert Lexie

Thank You For Making Albert an "All-Star Among Us"

Thank you for making Albert one of the 30 “All Stars Among Us” who will be honored at the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on FOX. The campaign — organized by Major League Baseball and PEOPLE magazine — recognizes individuals who are serving the community in extraordinary ways.

Mr. Lexie will be featured in a special pre-game ceremony July 13, beginning at 8 p.m., at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. This is a wonderful honor for Mr. Lexie who is extremely generous to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Learn more about the recipients of the "All Stars Among Us" contest.

Albert's Story

Albert Lexie, 67, of Monessen, has been shining shoes at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC since 1982. Just about every Tuesday and Thursday, Albert leaves his home at 5:50 a.m. to arrive at Children’s at 7:25 a.m. to begin shining shoes.

Through the years, he has given all of his tips – more than $150,000 – to the Free Care Fund, which ensures that all Children’s patients receive the medical care they need regardless of their families’ ability to pay. What makes this gesture so awe-inspiring is that Mr. Lexie only earns about $10,000 a year.

At age 15, Mr. Lexie built a shoeshine box in high school shop class. Today, he makes shoes sparkle for $3 a shine. Usually, customers give him a little extra for “my kids,” as Mr. Lexie calls them.

During the last 28 years, he has donated all the tips he has earned from his shoeshine business to Children’s Hospital’s Free Care Fund. Mr. Lexie refers to the patients and children at Children’s as “Albert’s kids.” You can help Mr. Lexie to collect donations by leaving a tip for Albert's kids.

Mr. Lexie has received several awards over the years for his 28 years of charity work, including:

An Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the organization’s Western Pennsylvania Chapter in 2001
A 1997 Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Citizen
The Donora Rotary honored Lexie with a Community Service Award for his donations to Children’s Hospital
2006 National Caring Award given by the Caring Institute, and inducted into the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans
The Foundation for a Better Life, with billboards honoring his charity work.

In addition, Lexie has also been on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Jane Pauley Show, and the CBS Evening News.

Last Update
July 23, 2010

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