Get Sucked In, Be Moved… Make a Difference.
My Quicken Loans corporate email greeted me with an invitation to an event – the annual Keith
Hamm Foundation fund raiser. Do you know Keith Hamm? I don’t. But, I know Mark Miller, the person who sent the email, and so I read on.
It’s so easy at this point, when reading any email, work or home, to simply delete it and move on. But, I’d like to challenge you to ask a few questions: Who is Keith Hamm? Why is he important? Who is Mark Miller? Why is he doing this? If you take the time to get the story, you just might find a connection. And that connection may surprise you!
Last year, this same kind of email came out to Quicken Loans, Title Source, Rock Financial, and other “Dan Gilbert” companies. Last year, it was Clayton asking the questions. He wrote about Keith and Mark on What’s the DIFF. Clayton was touched by the way Mark handled his grief over losing his partner, Keith. Now, Clayton is a fan of the Keith Hamm Foundation, and he’s going to the fund raiser this year.
So many people fear asking these questions because they feel like they might get “sucked in” by yet another charity. Sure, if you give without thinking. But, if you ask the questions, listen to the story, you’ll be moved when you’re supposed to be moved. Not every story will touch you, and that’s okay.
For a growing group of us here, we’re touched by Mark and how he’s helping other people by raising money to fund research so that someone else doesn’t have to endure losing someone who is dearly close. Check out the story. See if you’re moved. If you are, please don’t feel suckered. Do your research on the foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Know where your money is going.
I asked Mark why he continues to do this fundraiser and stay involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Here’s what he had to say:
I cannot count the number of people that have told me their story of how this disease has touched their life. It is as if people felt relieved to have someone to share with, that understand what they were or currently are going through. It made me realize that way too many people suffer from this disease. Not only those that are diagnosed, but every person that loves them. If there is a small action that I can take to relieve or hopefully in time eliminate that pain, then everything we are doing with the foundation will be worth it.
Please, don’t simply delete these emails. Check them out. Someone who cares about you wants to share something with you.
If you do want to check out the Keith Hamm Foundation or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, here are a few links to get you started:
- Purchase tickets to the event or donate: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/100583849
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
- Mark Miller and the “Man of the Year” award: http://www.whatsthediff.com/2007/06/the_leukemia_an.html
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