An upLIFTing Investment
Caroline Degenaars has a message for individuals considering
supporting LIFT.
When I was introduced to LIFT (then National
Student Partnerships) in 1999 by Brian Kreiter and
Kirsten Lodal, I knew they were on to something.
Of those early encounters, I remember being
impressed by these emerging social entrepreneurs.
It was not long before I realized I had to stay
connected.
Over the years, I’ve been on a variety of host
committees and advisory boards and today I am
humbled to be serving on the Local Board as well as
Co-Chairing LIFT-Chicago’s annual benefit.
I was recently asked why I’ve not only given
financially, but also of my time. As I reflected on
that, I’ve realized that for me this is not work or a
favor, this is an opportunity to share with my like
minded friends an organization that I believe is
extraordinary in its mission and tireless in its quest.
Supporting LIFT just makes sense. It’s a good
investment. Your dollars go a long, long way not
only in helping our most vulnerable neighbors
CAROLINE
DEGENAARS
LIFT-CHICAGO
access much desired support, but also to cultivate
a generation of future leaders in the fight against
poverty. By supporting LIFT, you are investing in
men and women that go on to make their LIFT
experience the foundation for their lifework.
I’ve never seen an organization more fiscally
responsible, or one that works harder to earn
the trust of their donors. The effusive gratitude
expressed on a daily basis for helping LIFT to help
others is endless. It’s beyond a pleasure to support
their efforts and to see--truly see--my donation at
work. I’m not only happy to donate, I’m proud to be
called a LIFTer.
As a mother of three, I connect my relationship with
LIFT to watching my boys grow. I’ve watched this
baby develop from an infant, to the shaky stages
of toddlerhood, to ready-to-launch maturity with
endless hope and possibility. It’s exciting to be a
part of that. To experience the successes and to
witness the work-through of setbacks is in some
ways similar to parenting. You come to love and
invest in ways that you can’t just turn off. I am a
better person for having had that opportunity.
“I LIFT for the men and
women who courageously
get up every morning
and face each day not
knowing if they’ll make
it to the next. I LIFT for
the young students who
rather than socializing
and making light of their
collegiate experiences,
devote countless hours
to the betterment of
discouraged lives.”
I en