<div><p>When Russ Gremel bought stock in a local <a href="https://www.shared.com/13-great-stores-that-are-closed-for-good-2226030948/">drug store</a> 70 years ago, it seemed like a very reasonable and careful investment. The Chicago store sold makeup and medicine, and Gremel realized there would always be a market for both of those. Years later, Gremel's small investment paid off big time, because that local drug store was Walgreens - which grew to be the nation-wide chain we all know. </p><p>Gremel's original $1,000 investment grew and grew, reaching a value of over <strong>$2 million</strong> by the time he was in his late 90s.</p><p>But it might surprise you to learn that Gremel is giving his fortune away.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-walgreens-2-million-stock-donation-0604-biz-20170602-story.html" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/Russ3.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/Russ3_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-walgreens-2-million-stock-donation-0604-biz-20170602-story.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>Unlike most millionaires, Gremel lives a very simple life. He's lived in the same Chicago home for the past 95 years - long enough to remember when there were gas lamps and horse-drawn carriages on his street.</p><p>Gremel's wife has passed away, and they never had any children. Plus, he says he's not interested in fast cars or fancy food. </p><p>Instead, he's donating the entire value of his Walgreens stocks to the Illinois Audubon Society. The foundation says it will use the donation to buy a 400 acre nature preserve in Gremel's name.</p><div><amp-twitter height="472" width="375" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="871523665577259008"></amp-twitter></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>The nature preserve is the perfect way to remember Gremel, who has spent the last 60 years as a <a href="https://www.shared.com/this-1995296089/" target="_blank">scoutmaster</a>, teaching children to enjoy nature.</p><p>More than 400 plant species and 200 bird species will live in the preserve, and that's all Gremel could ask for.</p><p>"You have to do some good in this world," Gremel said. "That's what money is for."</p><p><strong>Share this uplifting story with someone you know!</strong></p><p>[HT: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-walgreens-2-million-stock-donation-0604-biz-20170602-story.html">Chicago Tribune</a>]</p></div>