What you REALLY Deliver this Year End

Only Wisconsin has fall days like October 14. But even more brilliant was the joy of the family and friends of the late Dr. Owen Fennema, gathered at the Owen R. Fennema Professorship in Food Chemistry celebration. Elizabeth Fennema, with me here, was radiant. 

“We teach the future.”

Professor Fennema said this often during his life-long service to Food Science students. His textbook is used around the world and will be continually updated as new knowledge enhances past facts. Two of his students, Dr. James Behnke and Professor Daryl Lund co-chaired the fundraising effort. Dr. Behnke, a former Pillsbury executive, humbly credited this man as a life-changer. Professor Lund, former Department Chair, detailed the scores of students lifted up to Dr. Fennema’s level of excellence. The development director, Barb McCarthy, shared the wide-ranging support received and the capstone match from John and Tashia Morgridge, Cisco Foods, to meet the goal.

So many conversations, so many stories, so many lives shaped, so many inspired.

Indeed these successes certainly get us well along to our bottom-line. But never forget what you REALLY DELIVER as you slog through the intense final weeks of the year.

You deliver hope.

Not the timid, “Gee I hope it won’t rain” variety. No, HOPE…

For the cure,

For the warm bed,

For the theater production,

For the math tutor,

For clean drinking water,

For a death with dignity,

For a vibrant Jewish community,

For an education, 

For an end to the beatings,

For lush forests,

For the church addition,

For the art collection,

For the brain surgery,

For a chance, maybe even another chance.

Let me give you some encouragement as you push even a bit harder these last nine weeks of 2016. I believe we have the most incredible work on the planet. Take in, really embrace, the power and influence you have to help somebody. Appreciate that for many, their emotional bank accounts are depleted and through your opportunity to give,

….you deliver hope.

Now, redefine hope as HOPE – Harness Our Positive Energy!

On the other side of your fear is your success! Feel the fear and do it anyway. Take a step. Try…again. Even a fake smile can change the world. Plaster one on, if need be, and discover it begins to feel real.

Dig a bit deeper and reach out authentically to offer your prospective givers this chance to do something of significance, before the end of the year. I believe in you and your ability to deliver hope. Go shine!