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When people ask me how many years I’ve been giving to the UAB Benevolent Fund, my answer is pretty simple: I honestly don’t remember. I’ve been giving since the very first time I was asked. It never felt like something I needed to think too hard about or revisit later - it just felt like the right thing to do, so I’ve continued ever since.

My wife and I have always believed that helping those in need isn’t optional; it’s a responsibility. We’ve been fortunate in our lives, and with that good fortune comes a duty to look out for others, especially when they’re facing difficult circumstances. Giving to the UAB Benevolent Fund is one way we try to live out that belief in a practical, meaningful way.

What really stands out to me about the Benevolent Fund is its focus on helping people with sudden, urgent needs. Life can change in an instant - an unexpected illness, an accident, a family emergency - and even the most prepared person can find themselves overwhelmed. We first learned about the Benevolent Fund when we heard about employees who had sudden needs and were receiving help through the program. Hearing those stories made it very real for us. These weren’t abstract situations or distant causes; they were people within the UAB community who were suddenly struggling and needed support right away. Knowing that the Benevolent Fund is there to step in during those moments is incredibly important to me. I hope that my gift, combined with others, helps provide immediate relief when someone is facing a crisis and doesn’t know where else to turn.

One of the things I appreciate most about the Benevolent Fund is that it reflects the best of what a workplace community can be. It’s colleagues helping colleagues, quietly and compassionately. Everyone gives what they can, and together those contributions make a real difference. Even small donations can have a powerful impact when they’re used at exactly the moment they’re needed most.

Over the years, my reasons for giving haven’t changed. I don’t see it as charity in the traditional sense; I see it as people taking care of one another. Hard times can happen to anyone, often without warning. Supporting the Benevolent Fund is a way to help make sure that when those moments arise, someone is there to help soften the blow.

For my wife and me, giving to the UAB Benevolent Fund is simply part of doing what we believe is right. It’s about compassion, responsibility, and looking out for others. As long as there are people facing sudden needs, we’ll continue to give—because that’s what community is all about.