The founder of the Family Dollar retail chain, Leon Levine, passed yesterday at the age of 85. The first Family Dollar store was established by Levine in 1959, and it eventually expanded to more than 8,000 sites across the nation.
But his greatest contributions to Charlotte’s generosity and medical progress will always be cherished.
Levine started his financial support to the Children’s Medical Network in 1987 and was a sizable donor to the Atrium Health Foundation.
As part of his continued dedication to promoting children’s health, he donated $10 million in 2003 to establish the Levine Children’s Hospital. He supported his efforts to construct it by giving $20 million to the Levine Cancer Institute in 2010.
He helped establish the Mindy Ellen Levine Behavioral Health Center in Davidson in 2014.
The Leon Levine Foundation gave a $25 million grant to the Carolinas HealthCare System in 2016, which was used to expand the Levine Cancer Institute. Levine claimed, “I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it if it weren’t for my job at Family Dollar.
I’m appreciative of the chance to take part. I genuinely enjoy my two jobs. With a $1.2 million contribution from the Leon Levine Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont created the 160,000-square-foot facility bearing Levine’s name, the Leon Levine Opportunity Center, in 2015. The name Levine is well-known in Charlotte.
Leon Levine siblings: Who is Sherman Levine?
One of Leon Levine’s siblings, Sherman Levine, is referenced. Sherman Levine’s identity and line of work are not, however, further described.