Philanthropy is not an innate behavioral trait of human beings. It goes against our basic instincts. Human nature can be altered by personal experiences and influences that a person endures in a lifetime. My need to give back was forged early on by my family and educational influences. My parents were not wealthy, but they gave generously of their time. I attended a missionary seminary that instilled in me that it is much better to give than to receive.

I am blessed that I live in a market system where hard work may lead to the creation of great wealth. After growing my real estate investment, homebuilding, and land development businesses that I started when I was 19, I was fortunate to sell them 22 years later. I have made hundreds of speeches on the importance of philanthropy that include not only the giving of money but also time for the benefit of those less fortunate. I have found that donating my business expertise to non-profit organizations allowing them to grow and thrive is gratifying. Using my skills as a businessman, developer and builder have been useful for the many projects that I personally have taken from start to finish.

My wife and I are blessed with a daughter with special-needs. Morgan means the world to us and is our inspiration for everything we do. The experience of having a child with special-needs provides us with a special and intimate insight into the world of people who struggle with physical and mental impairments and the people that care for them. The cost of caring for a child or adult with special-needs is staggering. This segment of society is largely over-looked, marginalized and has no voice. Our mission in life is to make their world a little easier to navigate and enjoy and to be their advocate. We believe in and advocate for Ultra Accessibility™– the creation of venues that are built for everyone to enjoy but with an emphasis and desire to accept and include, without barriers, those with special needs. A place that ensures 100% of the population is accepted and not just those who are fully able. We have created Morgan’s Wonderland, a first of its kind, Ultra-Accessible™ amusement park; Morgan’s Wonderland Sports, an Ultra-Accessible™ sports field complex for athletes with and without disabilities; Morgan’s Inspiration Island, an Ultra-Accessible™ splash park that is home to the world’s first specially engineered wheel chairs that can be used safely in water and Morgan’s Wonderland Camp, an Ultra-Accessible™ over-night camp facility that has zip lines that proudly accommodates those on oxygen and ventilators, and a challenge course that welcomes people in wheelchairs at heights in excess of 20 feet. We are currently underway in the development of The MAC, a Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland that will provide comprehensive care for those with special needs under one roof. This new care model provides a personal navigation process to ensure efficient and improved outcomes in health, therapy, and social determinants of health for the special needs community and uses a family-centered approach with collaboration from the family, client, and community partners. It is my dream to bring this care model for children and adults with special needs to other cities and countries.

We need to close the gap between the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy and those with and without special needs. The government can play a role in providing a safety net, but the private sector needs to step up more aggressively and address these inequities through better education, health care and better living conditions.

Making the Giving Pledge is the right thing to do.