With 2015 on the horizon, many small businesses are struggling to get budgets in order, fine tune marketing efforts, and ensure their businesses will grow and prosper; however, during this time of the year, many are also seeking out ways in which they can give back to their community. According to research through Ernst & Young and the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, “giving back is important to small business” and giving back adds to a company’s long term success.
You might be thinking, “I just don’t have the budget to write a check!”
But, think about it from a different perspective - giving back is not all about the dollar. It’s about being creative and finding ways to make an impact (and making it yours). The Better Business Bureau suggests that can be achieved through volunteering time, donating your services or resources, inviting your customers to help, or collaborating with other small businesses. Yes, you will have to step outside of your box, but the rewards are worth it.
To illustrate, in a recent interview with Deb Lynch Rafferty, the granddaughter of World War II hero, Wild Bill Guarnere, we learned of a very special project in the works and realized we just may be able to help them raise the funds needed to immortalize a hero. Deb shared that her grandfather “came back from the war and continued serving his country by donating to both veterans’ and children's causes.”
She and her family wanted to carry on his legacy of caring and generosity. She pointed out, “He did not have a lot of money, but would give you the shirt off his back or hat off his head.” As she went on to tell her story, she said that, as her family drove in the funeral procession through the streets of Philadelphia, the idea of a monument to honor “Wild Bill” would ensure his spirit of giving would live on and would remind everyone of the sacrifices our men and women in the military make every day.
After some research and a touch of luck, sculptor Chad Fisher contacted Deb’s father and offered to create a bronze statue for just the cost of materials. His generosity touched the family; they could now honor not just their hero, but a national legend.
South Philly’s "Wild Bill” was a member of Easy Company in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. During the Battle of the Bulge, he was wounded while trying to save a friend, Joe Toye. Wild Bill returned home a decorated soldier and became an advocate for wounded soldiers, a supporter of war efforts, and wrote the book, “Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story.”
Bill never spoke to family and friends about the years he spent fighting in Europe and never considered himself a hero. That all changed in 2001 when Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks produced the miniseries Band of Brothers for HBO. Deb says that, even though he still did not want to talk about the war and wasn't trying to be called a hero, his family and friends got a glimpse into the man he truly was and saw a hero even greater than they had imagined.
With the sculpture underway, Deb is now faced with raising $65,000 in order to cover costs. She assures us it will be raised through several fundraisers, the generosity of family and friends, and a lot of prayers.
So what can you do to help?
- Visit the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Statue Fund to make a donation
- Spread the word through social media
- Donate a service, skill, or item to one of the fundraisers
- Attend one of the fundraisers
Deb considers social media “the greatest advertising outlet this generation has seen because it possesses the ability to touch millions instantaneously.” Any mention you can make will help extend our reach.
There is an upcoming winter fundraiser January 16, 2015 at Popi’s Italian Restaurant in Philadelphia to raise money for the Bronze Statue, set to unveil June 6th, 2015 in Philadelphia. There will be a silent auction, raffles, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and lots of great stories about her grandfather. She invites all who are interested to donate auction and raffle items, or time to help organize and run the event.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $50 per person. Checks can be made payable to: Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund and mailed to:
Debi Rafferty PO BOX 156 Broomall PA 19008
There are a limited number of tickets available, so if you’re interested, don’t wait! Call 215-389-3094 for information.
It doesn’t take a lot of money to make a difference - it just takes a commitment.
Deb Lynch Rafferty is committed to honoring her grandfather’s service to our nation and ensuring his legacy remains relevant to future generations. When the story of your business becomes part of history, what do you want your legacy to be?
Don’t let giving back fall to a back burner with the holiday rush, limited time or funds, or lack of preparation! It’s never too late to jump into the giving spirit.
Over the next several months we will be featuring profiles of charitable organizations that make a difference to ParadoxLabs. We invite everyone to join us in an effort to make a difference in our local communities and hometowns.
In mapping out your goals for 2015, we invite you to join us in building better communities by giving back to the causes that mean something to you and your employees. Now, get out there, get involved, and start giving back!