For most of his life, Thomas Cannon worked as a postal clerk sorting mail in a Richmond, Virginia Post Office. During his break, it was his habit to read discarded newspapers that were undeliverable because the label had fallen off or because a forward had expired. In these papers. From all across America, he learned of individuals who were struggling and decided to do what he could to help. He started giving away money in $1,000 increments and to give, in his own words, "until it hurts." He have to a woman who was battling a brain tumor, to a woman's club that had adopted an elementary school, to a child from a poor family that returned a wallet with $40 in it that he had found in the street. With every gift, this poor man's philanthropist not only helped others but provided a role model that has inspired millions of others. "Through this modest philanthropy, I'm trying to convey a message to the world about caring and the brotherhood of man,"he says. To date, Cannon has given away some $105,000. He continues his giving even though he lives on a small pension and is busy providing loving care for his wife, a blind diabetic who has suffered several strokes.
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