Tag Archives: giving

Generosity, a la Subban & Myers

giving, generosity, donation

Picasso had the right idea.

I want to take a short while here and break from my usual talk about words and how to use them. I turn instead to the notion of generosity and the reasons I’m contemplating it.

Recently, a Facebook friend posted an article about a grandiose donation made by Montreal Canadiens hockey player P.K. Subban. He gave 10 million dollars to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

When you consider that P.K.’s seven million dollar US annual salary, his long term contract and all the extra money he earns from endorsements, this may not seem like a huge deal. Certainly it’s not as stunning as a retired plumber giving 25 million dollars to Vancouver’s Lions Gate Hospital. Continue reading

Those Benevolent Business Owners

Benevolent business owners, giving, charitable, merchants, shops, boutiques

Small business owners give what they can, in different ways.

They are connected, committed, customer-driven, compassionate and community-oriented.

Having interviewed dozens of business owners in my community and in the community where I grew up, I can honestly say there are many small business owners out there conducting themselves admirably. They are, in fact, benevolent business owners.

In the last few weeks, I have spoken with numerous merchants and have found them all to have the “5 Cs” that I’ve listed above.

They seem eager and happy to give back to their community. Some are actively doing it in large and public ways, while others are doing what they can to contribute.

The owner of a successful clothing store is spearheading efforts to raise funds for a new digital mammogram machine for the local hospital. Most of her staff have been with her for years because they are happy to be there and love making people feel good about the clothes they wear. They could choose to work elsewhere but they stay. I felt their positive energy as I spoke with them. I can’t help but believe they like being part of a charitable business. Continue reading