Shoeshiner Donates Tips, Raises Funds and Writes Book about Experiences at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
WHO: Albert Lexie, of Monessen, a longtime shoeshiner and volunteer at
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
WHAT: Children’s Hospital is holding a book-signing event to promote a new book about Mr. Lexie’s efforts over three decades to support the hospital’s
Free Care Fund. He will be on hand to personalize and sign copies of the book for a $20 or more donation to the fund.
The book, Albert’s Kids, The Heroic Work of Shining Shoes for Sick Children, is about the significant impact one person can have in the lives of so many. The book was the idea of one of Mr. Lexie’s longtime customers and friends at the hospital,
Joseph Carcillo, M.D., a pediatric critical care medicine physician.
Mr. Lexie has committed his life to raising money for Children’s Hospital’s Free Care Fund by donating all the tips he earns from his one-man shoeshine business to help ensure no children from the region go without the care they need. Since he started in 1982, Albert has raised approximately $175,000 for the Free Care Fund, which ensures that all children from this region receive care at Children’s, regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status.
Albert has received several awards over the years for his years of charity work, including being honored as one of 30 “All Stars Among Us” at the 2010 Major League Baseball Game in People magazine, which recognizes individuals who are serving the community in extraordinary ways. He also has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Jane Pauley Show,” and the “CBS Evening News.”
WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 26
WHERE: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC; Main Lobby; One Children’s Hospital Drive; 4401 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville
Note to Media: Media interested in covering the event should park in the hospital’s main driveway and meet Andrea Kunicky in the lobby to be escorted to the event.