One ordinary person can make a difference and demonstrate an extraordinary commitment in changing people's lives. At the 2007 Annual Meeting, it was my honor to recognize three people for doing just that. Jerry Sletten, a 17-year MDRT member from Rockford, Ill., asked the Foundation to become involved with the Kids Around the World Playground Build Charity. For eight years, we’ve helped build playgrounds in some of the poorest neighborhoods of major cities, and other places devastated by hurricanes, including the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago. Due to his efforts in providing an opportunity for kids to play, Sletten was presented with the Top Quality of Life Award from the MDRT Foundation for $25,000. I was also very pleased to honor 47-year MDRT member John Allen, the founder of our Excalibur Society, which recognizes our largest donors of $50,000 or more in unrestricted donations to the Foundation. To date, we’ve had over three dozen members join John in this elite group. These supremely generous individuals and thousands of others enabled us to grant a record $2.8 million in 2007. I was especially honored to award Ardena Gojani, representing the International Book Project, a check for $50,000, for the extraordinary work both she and this organization accomplishes – around the world. Ardena, Jerry and John clearly illustrate “That Power” of what one person can do.
You too can make a difference and change the lives of others around the world. We created the Global Gift Fund, the donor-advised service of the MDRT Foundation, which allows your clients to establish a family foundation while you manage the investments. This will give you the opportunity to enhance your practice and help fulfill the needs of the Baby Boomer market. We also established the Legacy Fund, where significant unrestricted donations enable you to participate in funding and identifying grants in your own areas of interest. In addition, you can become an ambassador for the MRDT Foundation and spread the word about our good deeds. Becoming involved is the MDRT way.
MDRT is all about Making Differences ….Replenishing Tomorrows. Through your MDRT Foundation, it is possible to make it Forever.
