If you’ve ever heard our dear friend and partner Blessing Munyenyiwa speak, you know he often ends with this quote by Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
It’s fitting that Blessing loves this quote. His entire life is built on a foundation of giving to others. But he’s not alone. What we affectionately refer to as “MATTERnation” – our amazing group of partners, donors, supporters and volunteers – is full of people like Blessing whose incredible generosity is helping to make this world a better place.
Two such individuals are George Weinman and Richard Brown. Though they contribute to MATTER’s mission in different ways, they share the same desire to give what they can to help others and improve communities by living generously.
Retired pastor, George Weinman, is a fixture here at MATTER. For more than ten years, George has been coming in weekly to volunteer. Whether he is helping our MATTERbox team assemble Volunteer Kits or helping MATTER 360 sort medical supplies, George works diligently behind the scenes to ensure that MATTER’s projects can move forward.
“I do a lot of the boring stuff that helps this organization work,” George says with a smile.
For George and his wife Connie, being generous with their time and resources has been a way of life over the course of their 60 years of marriage. Even in retirement, when many choose to spend their days in leisure, this exceptional couple continues to live life for others. In fact, George volunteers up to four and five days a week at several nonprofits, including MATTER.
“It occupies my time, uses my energy, helps me be of service and gives me a sense of self-worth. It’s important to know that I’m still able to contribute and help others. I think that’s healthy.”
And what kind of impact does he hope their life of generosity has made? “I think we’ve made life better for others,” the 82-year-old reflects. “We’ve been very blessed. And there’s a lot of satisfaction that comes from helping others. I know the time will come when I can’t do this anymore so I want to make the most of the time I have left.”
Unlike George, Richard Brown is still in the midst of a flourishing career. As chairman and CEO of JNBA Financial Advisors, life is busy and time is at a premium. But that hasn’t stopped Richard and his wife, Kim, from living generously.
It was in his role as president and chair of the board of directors for the Starkey Hearing Foundation, that Richard was first introduced to MATTER. Collaborating together on a project in Senegal, Richard saw the potential for a future relationship with MATTER, “I saw a lot of synergy with not only the Starkey Hearing Foundation, but also my personal philanthropic efforts.”
That was over ten years ago. Since then, Richard has been an enthusiastic and generous supporter of various MATTER projects and has participated in several Insight Trips, sponsored MATTER’s un-galas, and even sourced photos of boxers from around the world for the children’s home currently being built in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
“My wife Kim and I are very passionate and committed to giving back, and MATTER has helped us evaluate projects in which we can get involved that are important to us. Basically, it’s their ability to enable us to spread our philanthropic efforts in parts of the world we may not have had an opportunity to before. They have helped us see the possibilities in our vision – and helped it become a reality.”
The Browns hope that their spirit of generosity and their commitment to philanthropy set an example for others to follow.
“There is a need — now more than ever — to help other people by caring and sharing. Kim and I have always believed in giving a hand up and not a handout. We try to show respect to others and hope that respect and help will create a butterfly effect so that more people reach out to help others.”
We here at MATTER are so inspired by the generosity of Richard, George, Blessing and everyone who is part of MATTERnation. Whether they give of their time or financial resources, they are part of a movement that is making this world a better place. Thank you, MATTERnation. You all matter!
You can join MATTERnation by giving generously this holiday season. MATTER’s 2023 Giving Catalog offers unique gifts of time, impact and purpose that will elevate your giving by helping to improve communities here at home and around the world. Shop now!
