Help build a strong foundation

by Larry Meyer
MRA Chairman and CEO

It’s that time of year again, and those end-of-year solicitations are beginning to pile up—all of them for worthy causes. However, there is a new one this year, and I urge you to not let it get lost in the pile.

I am speaking of the newly launched “Links to a Legacy” campaign. Michigan Retailers Foundation is looking to increase assets to $1 million, more than double its current holdings, in order to provide a major boost to the strength and scope of the MRA college scholarship program.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to take an active role in making MRA membership even more valuable. This scholarship fund aids students who are eligible based on their own or their parents’ employment with firms that are MRA members—truly, retailers helping retailers.

When you give to this campaign you’ll set several positive things in motion. First, a deserving young person is going to be getting help with the financial burdens of a college education. Second, you will have an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for your business because of the recognition you’ll receive for your lifetime contributions.

I join D. Larry Sherman, MRA board member and chair of the fundraising campaign, in challenging all of you to help the young people of the retail community. Through a one-time gift, installments or by planned giving, you are providing young adults a chance to better themselves through education. What better way is there to positively affect your community?

The benefits of this program are far-reaching. When you give you have the good feeling of knowing you are doing your part to support the education and training of the young members of the retail community. You could also potentially benefit from these scholarships when your son, daughter or grandchild is recognized in future years. In addition, a larger scholarship program can become an important employee benefit that will help you retain valuable employees.

But the program will not grow and continue to succeed without solid support from members.

Because MRA is nearly 6,000 members strong, we should be able to offer even more scholarships to a greater number of hopeful students then we do now. It’s difficult for the members of the selection committee when they see hundreds of worthy applications, and know only a small fraction of those can be awarded these much-needed funds.

Help open the door to these young people’s future. Rise to the challenge and build your legacy!