Percy Ross
Encyclopedia
Percy Ross was an American
self-made multi-millionaire
. He arrived in St. Louis Park, Minnesota around 1946-1947. He was associated with Ross and Ross Auctioneers. In 1959 he purchased a company called Poly-Tech, which made polyethylene plastic bags. He died in Edina, Minnesota on November 10, 2001.
Ross was best known for his philanthropy
, particularly through his "Thanks a Million" newspaper column, where he would often grant requests for readers in need. "Thanks a Million" ran in over 800 publications for 17 years. It eventually became a syndicated radio show running on over 400 radio stations. From the column and shows, he gave away an estimated $20 to $30 million USD
over a period of 17 years.
Ross was born and raised in Laurium, Michigan
on the Keewenaw Peninsula of Michigan
's upper peninsula, about 10 miles from Michigan Technological University
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
self-made multi-millionaire
Millionaire
A millionaire is an individual whose net worth or wealth is equal to or exceeds one million units of currency. It can also be a person who owns one million units of currency in a bank account or savings account...
. He arrived in St. Louis Park, Minnesota around 1946-1947. He was associated with Ross and Ross Auctioneers. In 1959 he purchased a company called Poly-Tech, which made polyethylene plastic bags. He died in Edina, Minnesota on November 10, 2001.
Ross was best known for his philanthropy
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, particularly through his "Thanks a Million" newspaper column, where he would often grant requests for readers in need. "Thanks a Million" ran in over 800 publications for 17 years. It eventually became a syndicated radio show running on over 400 radio stations. From the column and shows, he gave away an estimated $20 to $30 million USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
over a period of 17 years.
Ross was born and raised in Laurium, Michigan
Laurium, Michigan
Laurium is a village in Calumet Township, Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan, in the center of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The population was 2,126 at the 2000 census.-History:...
on the Keewenaw Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
's upper peninsula, about 10 miles from Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan, United States. Its main campus sits on on a bluff overlooking Portage Lake...
.