This week, I gave my Living Rich speech for Fogelman Properties, one of the top 100 privately held companies in Memphis. I really loved the energy of this company run by two bright young brothers, Mark and Rick Fogelman. They run the company their father ran before them and they continue the legacy of giving he taught them. Though I have never met him, Avron Fogelman is a difference maker and the ripple he has created in his giving is being continued both by the generosity of his sons and the employees of Fogelman Properties. Though they give in many ways in the communities where the have a presence, I experienced a special treat on Thursday after my keynote speech. The standing ovation I received was a nice treat but not nearly as nice as what happened after it. Fogelman has a campaign the started last year called Fogelman Cares. In the inagural year, their associates supported the Ronald McDonald House. This year, they decided to support the Make a Wish Foundation and granted a wish to two young teenagers sisters who have Cystic Fibrosis. Associates at each of their properities raised money in a different way totaling twice the minimum amount Make a Wish requires. If that were the end of the story, it would be a cool story. But Fogelman associations are way cool. They planned an elaborate celebration for the girls by having them come to the Peabody Hotel where they THOUGHT they were going out to dinner. Instead, they were excorted to the top floor of the Peabody, persumeable to see the famous Peabody Ducks retire to their quarters. What they didn’t know was that there was a room full of Fogelman Associations (some dressed as “models” ) waiting for them. As the young sisters were excorted in, high energy music played and a video monitor revealed actual New York models. Then the girls were given gift after gift to fulfill their dream os shopping press in New York City. It was an emotional celebration enjoyed but by the Fogelman associates and two surprised girls and their mother. I wish EVERY speaking engagement could end this way. I’d be the most motivated motivational speaker on the planet. So…start spreading the news!

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.