T. Denny Sanford generously gave $400 million to a hospital system in South Dakota to improve children’s health.
Sioux Falls, SOUTH DAKOTA -
T. Denny Sanford is making every
effort to die broke. He knows that
he can’t take the billions he’s earned with him, so he’s giving
his money away.
Sanford donated $400 million to the
Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health
Systems in South Dakota. He hopes
to help make the hospitals state-of-the-art research centers
for children’s health. The donation will also create more than
9,000 jobs. The hospital is renamed Sanford Health.
“My primary interest is helping sick, disadvantaged, abused
and neglected children,” Sanford said. The 71-year-old man
made his billions in the financial industry. He is the founder
of First Premier Bank and First Premier credit cards.
In his quest to die broke, philanthropist Sanford has given
millions of dollars to children’s hospitals, colleges, and to
the Children’s Home Society, which helps children with
their emotional problems. Even before the $400 million
gift, Sanford was listed by BusinessWeek magazine as
one of the top 50 generous givers in the nation.
His goal is to “truly make a difference in people’s lives. I’m
at a time in my life where I want to do something significant.”
This hospital used to be
named Sioux Valley,
but now it’s called Sanford Health
after
T. Denny Sanford who donated millions to it.
Let’s talk
•What did Sanford do that was significant?
•What do most people try to do with their money?
•What can you do that is significant and will make
a difference in someone’s life?
Hey, try this!
Think of ways to spend $1 million, and make a poster with
ad clippings of houses, cars, big-screen TVs, etc. Now make
another poster with photos or drawings of people being
helped. Write down how much you would give to each
charity. What would you rather do with your money -
spend it on yourself or on others?
For charities, see: www.rnrk.com/weblinks.html
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