Do you remember your school janitor?

If you go on Google and type in “Ronald James Read” you will find an American janitor and gas station attendant. 

Ronald was born in rural Vermont. He was the first person in his family to graduate high school.

Ronald fixed cars at a gas station for 25 years and swept floors at JCPenny for 17 years. 

He bought a two bedroom house for $12,000 at age 38 and lived there until he died, 52 years later.

So why on earth did Ronald make International headlines in 2014? (the year he passed).

2,813,503 American died in 2014.

Fewer than 4,000 of them had a net worth of over $8million when they passed away. 

Ronald was one of them. 

In his will the former janitor left $2million to his step children and more than $6million to his local hospital and library. 

But where on earth did he get all that money? 

Ronald saved what little he could and invested in stocks. 

His tiny savings compounded.

Decade after Decade. 

Into more than $8million. 

From janitor & gas station attendant. 

To investor & philanthropist. 

Ronald made a decision..

the kind of person he was going to be and the kind of life he was going to live. 

Some believe philanthropy is reserved for a special few. 

That this type of generosity is reserved for a select group.

When instead, this type of generosity is available to all. 

For us. For you. For me. 

For anyone who picks themselves. 

Now, the next time you see a janitor, what will you think?