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Giving Back with Gratitude this Thanksgiving Season
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 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 a businessman, I learned in order to earn you have to invest. Many years ago I heard a
your dream and by working hard, being honest and obeying the 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
SOMETIMES PEOPLE BELIEVE GIVING IS JUST MONEY. I STRONGLY DISAGREE, THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS OF GIVING BACK, AS IN TIME AND TALENTS.
the strong foundation for a great community. Without those gifts we 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 Tavares community. Pinecrest Academy Tavares is one of the first major features of the community, which we have been blessed to truly start a community partnership. From sponsoring teacher’s breakfasts to 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 donated school sites for speech from the late Richare so many ways of givAvalon Park Elementary ard DeVos, the owner of school, funded the Timber ing back, as in time and the Magic basketball team talents. I am thankful that Creek high school footand billionaire entreprethe Avalon Park commuball stadium, and built neur. He told his fellow nity is among the best I the Timber Creek Bands church friends in Fort have experienced when Lauderdale that he experi- marching field. A high it comes to giving time ranking Orange County enced something interestas volunteers in schools, ing. He would start to give Public Schools school offiwith local seniors and with cial asked me, “How can 10% of his income to the community service clubs. I you afford to do all those Church as required by the admire anybody spending donations, Avalon Park Bible. However, he then time to give back, somehas barely started, and decided to give more of his income, and at times to with just few homes cannot times it is easy just to send a check, and much harder possibly be making you give more than he earned to invest time and passion in a given year. Rich DeVos money.” By the way, my when giving back. So, in CFO also wondered what said, “The more I donatthe spirit of the season, as I was doing when “giving ed, the more my fortune I look to new and familaway with both hands.” grew.” iar ways to give back, I encourage you to do the I am thankful and glad I am fortunate and deeply same! thankful to be in this coun- that Avalon Park Orlando started with giving. It was Happy Thanksgiving! try where you can pursue
