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17/11/2025 10:43 am
Milton Hershey knew what it felt like to fail. He went bankrupt twice and by 30 was broke, in debt, and living with his parents. Most people would have quit. Milton tried again.
By 1900, he had built the Hershey Chocolate Company, a town for his workers, and a life with the love of his life, Kitty. They had everything—except children.
Instead of giving up, in 1909 they founded the Hershey Industrial School, a real home for orphaned boys. When Kitty died in 1915, Milton didn’t stop. In 1918, he gave the majority of his chocolate company to the school. Every bar sold would now fund children’s education.
Today, the Milton Hershey School serves over 2,000 students completely free, providing housing, meals, healthcare, education, and college prep.
Milton never had biological children, but he became a father to thousands.
Every Hershey bar isn’t just sweet—it’s part of a century-long legacy of hope and love.
17/11/2025 10:45 am
What a class act this man was; we could use many more like him these days.......
17/11/2025 11:37 am
Thanks for this David!!!
Fate played a hand more than once in Milton's life. "In 1912, the Hersheys were booked to travel on the maiden voyage of the British luxury liner RMS Titanic. They canceled their reservations at the last minute due to business matters requiring Hershey's attention."
And talk about a fitting legacy to such a wonderful human being; "At the Hershey School, there is a bronze statue of Milton Hershey with an orphan boy wrapped in his arms. Below the statue are these words: "His deeds are his monument. His life is our inspiration."[18]"
17/11/2025 12:24 pm
Thanks David, what a great story.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
17/11/2025 2:44 pm
17/11/2025 2:58 pm
I’ve loved Hershey bars for as long as I can remember; 10 squares of delicious chocolate for one nickel!
at least that was the price back in the 1950s…
This post was modified 5 months ago by David Vandermeer
David Vandermeer
Corinth, Texas
17/11/2025 3:26 pm
David, I knew this but I forget it...thanks for jogging my memory.
John Bono
North Jersey
17/11/2025 8:14 pm
what a story David, thank you. Dont mind admitting I'm a little misty eyed
