Research shows what we all inherently learned as young children: Saying “thank you” is the right thing to do.
It’s a powerful gesture. “Saying thanks can improve somebody’s own happiness, and it can improve the well-being of another person as well — even more than we anticipate, in fact,” says research study co-author Amit Kumar, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. “If both parties are benefiting from this, I think that’s the type of action we should be pursuing more often in our everyday lives.”
In a typical year, Lakeshore Excellence Foundation has two major fundraising events: The Lakeshore Golf Scramble in June and our Online Auction in February.
Our board members would normally reach out to businesses and individuals within the community to ask for donations. But this year was unlike any other we’ve experienced. Our business supporters have been struggling to stay afloat as COVID restrictions have changed the way they are able to work. As we approached the time to plan for our February Online Auction we just didn’t feel right about going out into the community. It was unanimously agreed by our board that there was no way we could ask for donations for the Online Auction.
Out of that conversation grew an idea that also generated unanimous support. Rather than ask, why don’t we take this time to show our gratitude and appreciation?
Each board member took the time to hand-write thank you cards that were sent to those businesses and individuals who have supported our foundation’s efforts. Writing a thank you note is such a simple and easy gesture. It doesn’t feel as if it compares to the generosity that we experience on a regular basis, but Lakeshore Excellence Foundation is sincerely grateful for the kindness of those who support our organization’s efforts.
It is through these donations that we are able to positively impact the educational experiences of our students and staff, making our community a better place to live and work.
Thank you!