I would probably never had focused so much of my attention on Giving Back if it weren’t for one man who has played an instrumental role in my life – Len Miller. Len was the founding partner of Miller Wagner & Company, the outstanding local CPA firm I went to work for in 1985. Over 35+ years, he has been a boss, a business partner and a motivating factor. He spent a great deal of his professional career giving back through leading the capital campaign to build the Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale, raising funds for Fiesta Bowl Charities, and giving his heart and energy to other charitable causes to improve our community.
He also passed a life lesson on to members of future generations, including me. I remember well the Wednesday morning in the late 1980s when Len came into the management meeting at his firm. He looked around the room and spoke to every man and woman in attendance. His message was clear – he said, “This firm profits from the community in which we live. Your livelihood depends upon it, and as such, we all have an obligation. Every one of us needs to get involved and give back. Join a Board for a nonprofit organization. I don’t care what cause you are interested in, but go out and do your part to make a difference.”
I’ve carried that message with me throughout my career. My first foray into charitable work was on a board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. I loved assisting the branch managers, and raising money through silent auctions and other activities, all to support the mission of helping underserved kids. I then moved on to Arizona Helping Hands (“AHH”) where I served actively on the Board before assuming the position of President & CEO and shifting my life to helping boys and girls in foster care.
I may never have stepped into any charitable role were it not for that nudge from Len. His message changed my life, and by extension, the lives of thousands of children in foster care who received support from the work I did at AHH.
At this point in my life, I am the one who is doing the nudging. I’ve had the privilege to meet with many groups and share my stories. I have particularly enjoyed partnering with the ladies of the Valley of the Sun Active 20/30 club. Their mission is to provide women, ages 21-39, with opportunities for personal growth, friendships and leadership development, while improving the quality of life for children. These ladies are filled with energy, and when I’ve chatted with them about the importance of giving back, you can see their passion ignited. What happens next is amazing – the dollars raised by their efforts make a huge difference in our community.
Thank you, Len, for teaching me one of the most important lessons of my life, and one that I will continue to pass on as part of your legacy. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a life by what we get, we make a living by what we give.”
We have three gifts to share – our time, talent, and treasure. I encourage everyone to give serious thought to how you are putting those gifts to work to help raise up those in our community who are not as blessed. Think of how much stronger our society would be if we all took Len’s words to heart and got involved! Giving back has become a major part of my life. It’s given me strength and purpose. I encourage you to heed his message.