He was an elementary school drop-out that had failed so miserably in two businesses, even his uncle refused to give him a loan. Milton S. Hershey grew up believing he could create a chocolate accessible to the middle class. Up to that point, chocolate was available only to the wealthy, and obtained at great cost from the Swiss, who guarded their milk chocolate recipe. Still, Hershey believed he could and would create candy for the masses.
But more than perfecting chocolate, Hershey created solid security for those on his payroll.
During the Great Depression, he created jobs by having employees literally build their own model town. Company historical records say “Many of the town’s impressive structures were built during the Great Depression, as part of Milton Hershey’s ‘Great Building Campaign,’ to provide jobs.” Hershey Town, came with streets named after sweet candies, a swimming pool, community recreation centers, the Hotel Hershey, a stadium, ballroom, and a theater. Besides providing his employees with work, the town consequentially drew tourism. During the depression he went on record as saying not one of his employees was laid off, but that he added to his payroll.
As a young boy, Hershey’s mother told him “Watch every penny son. God gives us all we have.” It was a lesson he seemingly never forgot.
The Hershey Company reports “He practiced extensive philanthropy. In 1909, he and his wife Catherine established a school for orphan boys that today is known as the Milton S. Hershey School.” In 1918, Hershey endowed the school with his entire Hershey Chocolate Company stock fortune.
It is said throughout his life he took great pride in the growth of the school, the town, and his business. Those that knew him say “For the rest of his life, he always placed the quality of his product and the well-being of his workers ahead of profits.”
Today the Hershey Company manufactures Hershey, Reece’s Pieces, Kit Kat and other chocolates.
P.S. Just between you and me, I like to think a little chocolate helps any situation.
Cindy R. Chamberlin 2010. May be used with the author’s permission .
Sources
Neighborhood Friends, Pacific Press Mountain View, California 1968.
Hershey Foundation, Web Archives, 2010.
I agree that a little chocolate helps any situation. Find yourself some good, healthy, low sugar, dark chocolate and it can cure the winter blaas.
Theobromine which is found in cocoa beans has some good qualities for humans. The two to five grams of theobromine can lower the blood pressure and have a relaxing effect. It has stimulant properties, similar to caffeine. but it does not affect the central nervous system.
The Cocoa bean can have cardiovascular benefits and decrease the liklihood of strokes. According to an Italian study, a small square (20 g) of dark (bittersweet) chocolate every three days is the ideal dose for cardiovascular benefits.
Dark chocolate will also lower blood sugar for a diabetic. My husband has lowered his blood sugar 50-100 points in 30-60 minutes. He eats the dark chocolate bars and he also uses the dark baking cocoa powder, mixes it in hot water and drinks it. I don’t think it tastes very good, but it sure brings his blood sugar down.