For the Love of Chocolate!

Oh I said Chocolate!

I have your attention don't I?!

Did you know June is National Candy Month?

In honor of National Candy Month I'm going to tell you how you can do some good just by eating one of these..

That's right.

All you have to do is buy yourself a Hershey's bar and you'll be doing some good.

Not just because it's yummy and ...it's chocolate, but because of this...

Milton Hershey School

If you haven't heard of this yet,

you must keep reading.

I am in love.

Even more so than with chocolate itself.

In 1909 Milton Hershey (founder of the Hershey chocolate company) and his wife Kitty (Catherine) established the Milton Hershey School to help bring children out of poverty, break the cycle, and give them a new start in life.

They couldn't have any children but decided they wanted to do something for children who suffered. The school originally began with orphans.

It now houses children who come from extreme poverty and insurmountable challenges at home.

It is a private school and home for children in need.

They offer an education to grades pre-kindergarten through 12th.

They have a home to live in and house parents to care for them.

They provide for all of their basic needs like free access to medical care, dental care, clothing, and even hair cuts. They offer traditional academics as well as arts courses and sports. They also try to instill in them the importance of community service as they participate in Boy and Girl Scouts.

They aim to build academic skills, character, leadership skills and help them become productive members of society -- breaking the cycle of poverty.

Best of all -- IT IS FREE.

It is reported to cost $75,000 per student per year.

The families pay nothing. Nothing.

In 1918 Milton Hershey set up a trust
to provide for the future needs of the school. He believed in it so much that he gave virtually his entire fortune
(all $60 million)
to the support and sustaining of the school.
Today the Milton Hershey School is the largest shareholder in the Hershey Co.


The school has literally helped thousands of children break the cycle of poverty and give them a new start at life.
You can go here to read and see some of the stories of those who have attended the school.


Does the school really make a difference?
A recent survey/study was conducted about the alumni of the school.


Here are some of the responses:

• 80% of alumni have reported to volunteer for an organization.
• They have devoted more than 457,000 hours of volunteer time per year.
• They have contributed upwards of $10 million dollars in annual contributions to charity.
• And they have created as many as 154,000 jobs.

Oh yeah. They are making a difference.
{One now retired CEO of the Hershey Co. is even an alum of the school.}
To learn more about Milton Hershey and his life you can view a biography in sections by going here.

Part 4 covers the starting of the school.

{But, you'll also learn some really great things about him -- he personally bought roses for his wife everyday while she was suffering from a fatal illness.}

I had no idea such a thing even existed.
Better yet, I had no idea I could contribute.


Every time you purchase a Hershey's product, a portion of the proceeds goes toward fueling this legacy that Milton Hershey started.

So chocolate lovers unite!!
Don't have guilt anymore -- buy some chocolate, share it, eat it, and do some serious good for children who need a new start.


I love it!!


Here is a small clip that I thought really captured the heart of the legacy.


He was one of the world's greatest businessmen.
He was also one of the world's greatest philanthropists.

image courtesy ExplorePAHistory


The decisions he made 100 years ago are still impacting thousands of childrens' lives.


Can ONE person really make a difference?
Oh yes. Just one.
Can't get enough? Go here to read all about his legacy.
Go here to read all about the school.