Team,
I’m continually astounded by the acts of generosity, big and small, by individuals in the OneDigital family. At this time of year it’s particularly important to remember how blessed we are to have so much. I’m incredibly proud of the charitable work we engage in together as a OneDigital family including the Digital Dash and many other local organizations across the country. While these activities are special in so many ways, I recognize that there are equally important causes in your own communities that you support personally. Two years ago, we surveyed all of you to find out where you had the greatest interest in giving your money and/or your time. The intent was to start a matching gifts program that would focus on one or two areas where most of us had an interest. What we found was not surprising… your charitable interests were as varied and unique as each of you! So, we began the OneDigital G.I.V.E program that matches your financial donation to any registered, non-profit 501(c)3 organization from $50 to $500 each year. This year, we’ve matched over 50 donations for a total of nearly $12,000. If you are interested, visit our GIVE page on DISH to learn more and download the appropriate forms.
I’d like to share a quick personal story that has had a profound impact on my life. My college roommate, Brian Silber, was one of the smartest and warmest guys I’ve ever met. We became great friends at the end of my freshman year and lived together for the next three years until we graduated college. Ironically, Brian and I landed the exact same job in a training program for a large insurance company right out of school. Shortly after our training, he was transferred to Atlanta, and I was transferred to Dallas as we both began our careers in the health insurance industry. I often think about how successful Brian would have been today in this industry and how fun it would be if he was still in Atlanta when we launched Digital. Unfortunately, Brian passed away at the age of 28 from a very rare tumor that formed on his spinal cord, just a few months after standing next to me at my wedding. I share this background not to dampen the mood but rather to share some background on what charitable giving has meant in my life. In the year following Brian’s passing we started a memorial fund to raise funds in support of spinal cord tumor research. Over the past 20 years, we have raised over $2 million for Massachusetts General Hospital’s spinal tumor clinic, and the advancements from this research have been significant. Every year I travel to Boston to support this charity, meet with Brian’s family and his former physicians to hear about the amazing progress in treatment for this disease that took Brian’s life. I’m grateful for the incredible work being done through this research and the many lives that have been saved in Brian’s memory.
That’s just one story about the impact of generous giving that’s near and dear to my heart. I know there are many more impactful stories and important charities that are near and dear to all of you, and OneDigital wants to support them all.
So, let’s end this year by being GENEROUS and giving back to others.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill
Happy holidays!
Adam
