Giving is Gratitude in Action
Why Fern and I see every gift — large or small — as a way to say thank you to a world that has given us so much.
Every act of giving is, at its core, an expression of gratitude. For Fern and me, this truth has become the guiding principle of our philanthropic journey. We have been blessed with family, health, and the means to help others — and we believe deeply in the obligation to give back.
Whether it is a transformational gift to build a life-saving cardiovascular lab or a smaller contribution to a local charity, each gift carries the same intention: to say thank you. Thank you to the doctors who saved my life. Thank you to the communities that shaped us. Thank you to a world that continues to give us purpose.
We have always believed that philanthropy is not measured by the size of the check, but by the sincerity of the intention. A seed planted today can grow into something extraordinary tomorrow. And so we give — generously, thoughtfully, and always with gratitude in our hearts.
Our hope is that our children and grandchildren will carry this value forward. Not because we told them to, but because they see it lived every day. Gratitude is contagious. And giving is simply gratitude in action.
Larry Bensignor reflects on the connection between gratitude and philanthropy — and why every gift, no matter the size, matters.