What does it feel like to not have your most basic needs – physical or emotional met?
What does it feel like to be alone?
Most of us take for granted the blessings and good fortune we have. I have been involved with the Mission Valley Y for 22 years. My first introduction to the Y was in 1988 when we were asked to partner with GE Plastics on “SHARE TO GAIN” - one of the most ambitious corporate/community service projects ever. It was decided that between January and April of 1989, GE Plastics employees would renovate five nonprofit facilities--one by each of the four main divisions that would meet in San Diego, and one by another sales group that would be attending. Building renovations would be a particularly apt team-building project because participants could use many of the company's own products.
After considering twenty different possibilities, the planning committee chose five: the Copley Family YMCA near downtown San Diego; the Armed Forces YMCA, an antiquated facility catering to young enlisted personnel; the YMCA Surf Camp, an overnight beach site for YMCA's youth groups; the St. Vincent de Paul/Joan Kroc Homeless Shelter, a facility providing shelter for over 400 homeless people; and, finally, the William J. Oakes Boys' & Girls' Club, a safe haven for children of a dangerous San Diego neighborhood.
During the course of their five meetings in San Diego – with counts ranging from 100 to 700 people, our job was to identify and help coordinate local projects that would remain long after GE left. Ultimately, this incredible company sponsored more than $1 million in supplies and the combined efforts of a work force of 1500 +. It was the first example of “Extreme Makeover” – what a difference a day made.
Their teamwork – their common focus provided them an inarguable platform for shared goals. It was good for the community – it was good for the company and its employees.
Since that project, I have always enjoyed finding ways to tie destination management to giving. First, we designed our Bike Building event that has become an industry standard. Then, over the years, we worked with the military to identify projects that we could promote and support. This included MOM (Military Outreach Ministry), Wounded Warriors and other initiatives (With San Diego housing the largest Marine base in the country – there was always great need and appreciation. Our many private corporate events hosted at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station Miramar) benefitted MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) who help the families of the military personnel.
On a worldwide level, I have had the honor of working with Project Concern International – an amazing organization based here in San Diego . This year, we supported the celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Using our company American Express points, we sponsored the airfare for a young man named Tobias Tembo to travel to San Diego from Zambia. He is one of the lucky ones – an orphan child who was saved and who is now working to save others. He was asked to present the Humanitarian Award to Dr. James Turpin – the man who founded this heroic organization 50 years ago when he first opened an orphanage in Tijuana. And, just last week, while the Board of Managers for the DMC Network was in San Diego for our annual Strategic Planning Retreat, we prepared meals at our local Dream Dinners and delivered meals to Ronald McDonald House families to enjoy.
This is what I know to be true – we can make a difference. As an individual, a family, a company – there are things we can do to make a difference. Look around and consider the possibilities – what is it that you can do?
