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Giving Back with Gratitude this Thanksgiving Season ever dream about. As a young man, who barely spoke English, I arrived in Florida with the dream to build a town and find success as an entrepreneur. I was welcomed with open arms to this community, as a human being, and as a businessman. As we kick off a month that is well-known for gratitude, I would like to start by thanking my wife Jill and my entire family. It is not always easy to understand the intense requirements of business. Its a packed travel schedule, long workdays and working on the weekends. For almost 25 years, Jill has supported me and Avalon Park Group. I am very thankful and do not take this for granted. I would also like to thank all the team members, which I consider close friends and family, from Avalon Park Group for their passionate, dedication, and hard work for our many enterprises around the globe. Additionally, I would be remised if I did not recognize my appreciation for Avalon Park Groups’ business friends, partners, clients, vendors, bankers, and government entities we work with every day. Thanksgiving is the time to look back and while doing so, I am deeply thankful for the United States of America. As an immigrant from Switzerland, this country has offered me everything I could
As a businessman, I learned in order to earn you have to invest. Many years ago I heard a speech from the late Richard DeVos, the owner of the Magic basketball team
law you can reach all your dreams. It is not only an honor to be able to give back in thankfulness to the community which allowed me and many other entrepreneurs to be successful, but I see it as an obligation and honor to give back to the community and less fortunate. Giving for Avalon Park Group often means identifying a need and filling it. Almost 20 years ago, Avalon Park Group donated school sites for Avalon Park Elementary school, funded the Timber Creek
SOMETIMES PEOPLE BELIEVE GIVING IS JUST MONEY. I STRONGLY DISAGREE, THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS OF GIVING BACK, AS IN TIME AND TALENTS. and billionaire entrepreneur. He told his fellow church friends in Fort Lauderdale that he experienced something interesting. He would start to give 10% of his income to the Church as required by the Bible. However, he then decided to give more of his income, and at times to give more than he earned in a given year. Rich DeVos said, “The more I donated, the more my fortune grew.” I am fortunate and deeply thankful to be in this country where you can pursue your dream and by working hard, being honest and obeying the
would not have what we have today, a wonderful town, where people can live, learn, work, and play. A town where people can find a strong sense of belonging and safety. Hence giving back starts early and should never end. We are also replicating this giving model in our Avalon Park Daytona Beach community. We have been blessed to truly start community partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club of Volusia and Flagler County and the Ormond Beach Youth Football and Cheer Association. From supporting youth sports and community events, we are looking forward to continuing to give back in this community!
Sometimes people believe giving is just money. I strongly disagree, there are so many ways of givhigh school football stadi- ing back, as in time and um, and built the Timber talents. I am thankful that Creek Bands marching the Avalon Park commufield. A high ranking nity is among the best I Orange County Public have experienced when Schools school official it comes to giving time asked me, “How can you as volunteers in schools, afford to do all those dowith local seniors and nations, Avalon Park has with community service barely started, and with clubs. I admire anybody just few homes cannot spending time to give possibly be making you back, sometimes it is easy money.” By the way, my just to send a check, and CFO also wondered what much harder to invest I was doing when “giving time and passion when away with both hands.” giving back. So, in the spirit of the season, as I I am thankful and glad look to new and familthat Avalon Park Orlaniar ways to give back, I do started with giving. It encourage you to do the was the strong foundation same! for a great community. Without those gifts we Happy Thanksgiving!
