Being a mother to a child means so much more than DNA. It transcends the technicalities of genetics and reaches the point of doing whatever it takes to give that child the best chance at success. Unfortunately, not all children come from homes where success is achievable or have mothers with the means to give them what they need. Too many children feel the burden of poverty and the helplessness of watching their parents struggle to get by every single day. Luckily, because of a woman named Catherine Hershey and her husband Milton, you can help give these children a bright future, and it’s as easy as eating chocolate!
100 years ago, Catherine Hershey, the wife of Milton Hershey, founder of The Hershey Company, was unable to have children of her own. Instead of giving up on her dream of becoming a mother, Catherine urged her husband to donate his entire fortune to help give opportunity to children of disadvantaged backgrounds. Together, they set up a trust to ensure that every time you enjoy one of his confections, you are helping transform the lives of children in need through the work of Milton Hershey School. MHS is the nation’s largest, cost-free, private, co-educational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources and social need. Any mother who brings her child to MHS must cope with the pain of leaving her child at the School, for the reward of knowing that she is giving her child an even greater gift.
This Mother’s Day, not only should we honor our mothers, but we should celebrate great women like Catherine Hershey. Although she wasn’t able to give a child her genetics, she did give generations of children opportunities that they never thought possible. Each and every student of MHS for the past 100 years carries with them Milton and Catherine Hershey’s legacy. In turn, Mrs. Hershey is like a mother to them all.
Share a Hershey’s treat with your child so that they too can be a part of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s legacy to help give opportunity to children in need.
To learn more, visit www.thehersheylegacy.com.
