Giving a Gift to Future Generations

(CBS)  We begin at the Hershey Chocolate Factory in Central Pennsylvania, and end in a close-knit neighborhood with Craig Cowan and his nine girls. The sweet story that connects the kids and the candy began 100 years ago when the founder of Hershey chocolate, Milton Hershey, decided to leave his entire $60 million fortune to open a school for underprivileged kids.

"Well, me and my brother come from a home of financial difficulties and living with a single mother can be challenging at times," said Austin Keenan, 16, one student.

Before these kids got here they had anything but a sweet life.

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"My mom she's sick and she wanted us to come here and have a better life," said Ellis Atkins, 12.

But now, as part of an 1,800 strong family, they're learning valuable life lessons inside and out of the classroom.

"Just knowing that you're safe and clothes and food it's very just like comforting," said Hunter Keenan, 13, another student.

Milton Hershey School

Life on this sprawling 2,600-acre campus costs $75,000 dollars per student per year - but the kids pay nothing. It's all paid for by the Hershey Trust - with a portion of each Hershey chocolate bar going to fund this unique institution.

"What's the difference between this school and a boarding school?" asked CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkson.

"This is a home and a school, with an emphasis on home," said Principal Anthony Colistra.

When he says the school is a home that's exactly what he means. Milton Hershey School has 142 of these, not dormitories like you might expect, but homes, where eight to 12 students live, cared for by house parents.

For the past 25 years Dianna and Craig Cowan have worked for the school as house parents. They treat all of the girls like their own.

"Everybody is here for different reasons, different difficult situations, so we help them through that situation," said Craig Cowan.

Here they get all the little comforts of home. It's a place where they can dream big.

"I've always wanted to be a pediatric cardiologist," said Katie Muir, 9.

"I'm thinking about going to MIT Tech," Hunter said.

For thousands of kids like Hunter and Katie, Milton Hershey continues to make their lives a whole lot richer.

[doehawk_29]

I just came across this news story and am slightly disappointed on how they portray the kids at Milton Hershey coming from poor backgrounds and hard family lives. My son is a fifth grader attending no we didn't have a lot of money and my two children didn't get a lot of extras they had what they needed, food in their belly, clothes, a warm safe place to sleep and most of all love.Please don't portray the parents of these children as people who could not provide instead you need to show them as people who want better for their children and who are sacrificing a part of them selves to make the future a better place for all of us. Because I gave my son over to a better education he is replacing 10 of the drug dealers and thieves out here who never finished school or who's parents had tons of money and gave them all they wanted and let them do what they wanted.

[rational_1]

Nice story. For a second I thought it would be about the gift that the Democrats (and Repubs also) are giving to future generations - crippling debt.

[Justme8811]

I was in love with a very rich person, who's family may do wonderful things to help people, but I was never worth a plane ticket to be in her arms (met online). I will never understand that as I considered her my wife now and forever. I would have married her anywhere, anytime(wanted to marry her in all 50 states). And no I don't care about money. My favorite show is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. More than anything I would love to experience that over and over!

[BillFHM3C]

It nice to see there are some truly generous and caring titans of industry. Wish Milton was still around. Also, I went to Hershey Park back in the late 60's or early 70's. It was the closest thing to being a kid in a candy story that you can get. It was great!

[mnbrant]

I have been to Hershy park. Thought it was pretty cool. Is it still around? The whole area is very cool with the Amish peoples and all that.

[ChessLady]

Dear Katie,
I am a lifetime member of the MHSAA (Milton Hershey School Alumni Association). I am very proud of the newscasting that you have done for several years! As to MHS graduates, there are many with accomplishments, i.e., many doctors, professors, lawyers, teachers, business leaders, administrators, military service and much more. Some have gone back to MHS as houseparents, teachers and administrators. I myself have won 2 different State Chess Championships, taught & coached 2 state chess championship teams at 2 different schools; as well as, taught chess on a volunteer basis, at a local library and at a local senior center. If you want to know more about the numerous accomplishments of MHS graduates I would suggest contacting Ms. Jill Grimes at the MHSAA in Hershey, PA. MHS has given the students a large helping hand up to achieve a wide variety of accomplishments to be a very positive contribution to society !!
There are several other schools around the country & the world that have given students a definite helping hand up ! Do you know who & where they are ... ??

[ckavolus]

Hi Katie---I am a big fan of the Hershey School Foundation. It has been around for years. Wouldn't it be interesting to know if the $75,000 per year per child has benefited society. How about a review of the graduates and their productivity/contributions???
Chris K

[mhs62]

I have been told that former NFL football player and Milton Hershey School graduate Joe Senser, followed Milton Hershey's example and founded his own school for poor children in Peru. The 2009 alumna of the year is a distinguished doctor in Jacksonville, FL and mentors young women who want to be doctors. She follows a tradition of many who have had distinguished careers and even more who, inspired by Hershey, have done much to contribute to their communities.