My mom always taught us to “never resist a generous impulse.”
And I have always tried to live up to her expectations. After I started going on medical missions and traveling to the poorest countries in the world, I saw how surgeries could save lives. It really motivated me to not just raise as much money as I could to help finance these surgeries, but to donate as much as I could.
While I was a board member of Operation Smile, from 1992 – 1998, I donated to Op Smile, $100,000+ in cash and a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of office furniture. I also helped raise $12+ million.
Over the 10 years I worked at Smile Train, I helped raise around $700 million and also gave back to Smile Train, $1.5+ million of my pay.
Over the 7 years I worked at WonderWork, I helped raise $55+ million dollars and also gave back to WonderWork $1.2+ million of my pay.
In addition, I have donated $1+ million dollars to many other good causes and charities, schools, hospitals, etc. including large personal donations to Smile Train and WonderWork partner hospitals.