Social Worker Who Would Patch Own Shoes With Duct Tape Leaves $11 Million Estate To Children's Charities

May 13, 2019 by apost team

Being a social worker is a selfless career that requires great emotional and mental resilience on top of round-the-clock commitment.

Even though social workers may want to detach from their work from time to time, working so closely with children in-need means you're never really off-duty.

For Alan Naiman, social work was more than just a career - it was his entire life's purpose. But no one ever suspected that the quiet, solitary Naiman was a great philanthropist.

According to NBC Connecticut, the incredibly modest man lived a simple life with little luxuries; he drove a sensible car, didn't eat at fancy restaurants and bought his groceries and clothing from the same store. He even wore the same pair of shoes for so long that he patched them together with duct tape. Although his generosity and passion for the underprivileged shone through in his work, no one could have imagined the incredible gift Naiman would leave behind when he passed away.

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A graduate of the University of Washington and University of Puget Sound, Naiman had worked various roles throughout his life, including a bank teller and various positions for the Department of Social Services.

He grew up with an older brother who suffered from a developmental disability, which shaped his perspective on the world and its inhabitants.

Naiman had a sympathetic heart that inspired him to become a foster parent, mentor children and become a member of Child Protective Services. He loved to help children in need and dedicated his life to his work, never having any offspring of his own or even getting married.

Naiman was known by coworkers and friends alike as a loner who appreciated the simple things in life, which is why no one ever could have guessed what he left in his will.

Although he had spent his entire life working a full-time career and living modestly, Naiman wasn't struggling or lost. He had a purpose this entire time, and his life's greatest mission wasn't revealed until he died at age 63 from cancer. In his will, Naiman revealed that he had a major fortune of $11 million, and he was donating all of it to children in need.

Naiman broke up his wealth to donate to various charities in his home state, most of which had served an important part of his work at some point in his life. The first recipient was Treehouse foster care, which received $900,000. The organization had been a part of Naiman's life as a foster parent; he often took children there to pick out supplies.

Treehouse's chief developmental officer, Jessica Ross, expressed her gratitude in a statement.

“The frugality that he lived through, that he committed to in his life, was for this," she said. "It’s really a gift to all of us to see that pure demonstration of philanthropy and love." 

Naiman left $2.5 to Pediatric Interim Care Center, which specializes in treating drug-addicted babies. The center had helped Naiman years ago when he found a baby in desperate need of help. The center was extremely grateful for Naiman's generous donation, but lamented that he won't be able to see how many lives he'll be improving with his contribution.

“I wish very much that I could have met him," founder Barbara Drennan said. "I would have loved for him to see the babies he's protecting."

Something tells us Naiman knows how much his money will make a difference, and it's that knowledge that fueled his self-discipline and frugality throughout his life. He knew that while he was on this planet, he could work and make a difference as well as save his income to make an even bigger impact once he was gone. Through all the good he did, Naiman shocked everyone with his demonstration of selflessness and philanthropy after his passing. While he may no longer be here, the impact of his generosity will live on for years and generations to come thanks to the many children's lives his money helped save.

Have you ever heard a story of unexpected kindness that warmed your heart? Tell us your heart-warming and inspirational stories - and make sure to pass this along to your friends and family to make their day!