FTWM Charitable Giving

I’ve mentioned before how I like to spend a bit of time sitting in a tree stand as I reflect on the past year and start planning for the new one.  Fortunately, this is not the only place I do some thinking about my firm.  I spent a bit of time over the holidays appreciating how fortunate I am.  Between my family, friends, and clients I realize I am a very lucky person.  It dawned on me I need to do a bit more to show my gratitude for all I have and to also give back more.  So, what am I planning on doing?  Read on.

As some background, I was raised by parents who ingrained in me the approach to help others when and where I can.  This can range from financial assistance to giving time and talents.  I do quite a bit of this personally, however, I have decided I am extending this to my professional life as well. 

First, I will be spending a few hours on Friday mornings volunteering at the local foodbank.  In my case, it is the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank.  I’ve volunteered there in the past filling boxes.  This time I will be getting on the road.  They have need for volunteers to drive their delivery trucks and I believe I am qualified.  Listen, I have driven a steam locomotive (Cedar Point), so how hard can a 14-foot truck be?  Actually, I spent over two years delivering furniture in undergrad (The Wicker Company) and only took out one mailbox.  The other part is they need volunteers who can lift 50 pound containers.Fortunately, I am in decent enough shape I can handle that.

Next, I have decided I will be donating 5% of my firm’s gross revenue to charities.  The plan is to split it between two charities.  The recipients will most likely change annually, however, for 2019 the two charities I have selected will be The Akron Canton Regional Foodbank and The Marine Corps Toys for Tots.  These are a couple of charities that are important to me and are also highly rated. 

This update isn’t to toot my own horn.  Instead, I thought it was important to show that even small companies can and should do charitable giving.  Also, just in case you try and reach me on a Friday morning and wonder why I am not immediately responding to an email or picking up the phone I am just driving around the greater Akron area for the foodbank. 

And, with yesterday being Martin Luther King Jr Day I thought one of my favorite quotes from him was very timely – “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”