My Hero

My current hero is a man called Chuck Feeney. Who is Chuck Feeney? Well last year the foundation Mr. Feeney created, the Atlantic Philanthropies, gave $458 million in grants around the world, more than any United States charity except two, the Ford and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations. Atlantic, and small predecessors also started by Mr. Feeney, have given $4 billion since 1982; the plan is to give away the remaining assets — now $4 billion, but growing every day — by 2017. It was set up in 1987 when he turned over virtually all his holdings to the foundation, winding up with a personal net worth of less than $5 million. In addition, Mr. Feeney buys clothes off the rack. He owns no homes, but stays in apartments around the world rented by the foundation. He flies coach. He rides the subway or takes cabs. His five children — four daughters, one son — worked summers as waiters, hotel maids, cashiers. When I read about the antics of typical wealthy people and their children, like Paris Hilton, it infuriates me that so many of them fail to follow Chuck Feeney's example. Read more about him here.

For a fictional hero I must remember to watch tonight's episode of "Without a Trace" featuring James Marsters who's also said to be returning to "Smallville" (as Brainiac/Dr Milton Fine?) which could result in a double dose of him some Thursday night - yay!