Last weekend, our friends and clients Justin and Kelli Blackburn invited us to attend the formal dinner benefitingSt Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Justin and Kelli are the founders ofTrinity Constructors, a leading commercial construction company with offices in Texas, Tennessee, and Colorado.

For those unfamiliar with St. Jude, the hospital provides world-class care and treatment for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. They also support the emotional and practical needs of both patients and their families during an unimaginably difficult time. That evening, we heard several parents share their experiences—each story echoing the same themes of compassion, medical excellence, and unwavering support. Many children leave St. Jude with full recoveries and their cancer in remission.

Last year, Justin was invited by his banker to tour the St. Jude campus and attend the annual St. Jude Championship PGA tournament. The visit left a profound impression on both Justin and Kelli. In their words,

• “We took a tour of the research hospital and saw firsthand the effect the organization has on children we met there. It was a deeply moving experience. Having become new parents this past year, it was especially meaningful to know that if our child had an issue relating to cancer, there were people willing to help research and study it. Once we left, we knew it was an organization that we wanted to help.

• We were very fortunate that we had a good year and a profitable business. In addition, our Up Capital account returned over 31% so far this year, and as a result, we were able to make a large cash donation to St. Jude's after our team collectively voted to use the proceeds from our investment account to donate to St. Jude’s.”

Justin’s company, Trinity Constructors, was the evening’s largest donor, serving as the event’s Gold Sponsor. Their generosity extended well beyond Justin and Kelli personally. Over dinner, they shared that during a recent staff meeting, they asked their team how they wanted to allocate the company’s 2025 profit-sharing funds. The staff unanimously chose to donate a portion of their profit sharing to St. Jude. In addition to sponsoring the event, Justin and Kelli also made a substantial personal contribution to the hospital.

I share their story as an example of leaders who value the success they’ve earned and choose to respond with genuine generosity.

My wife has been sick with a terrible flu for the past several weeks. My daughter Mari-Christine attended the event in her place. We had a good time together and shared the evening with Justin and Kelli. They had a photographer taking portraits, so we couldn’t help having a little fun.

What Does This Mean to Me?

The holidays are my favorite time of year. A few weeks ago, our family agreed over dinner that Christmas always feels too short, so we decided to start celebrating early. The next day, we pulled out the decorations, dressed up the house, and have been playing Christmas music ever since. It’s been a lot of fun.

This season also prompts us to think about how we can help those who are less fortunate. That’s why I especially appreciate Justin and Kelli and their heart for others. Their compassion is evident not only in their own generosity, but also in the culture they’ve built. Their team chose to reduce their own profit-sharing bonus so they could collectively participate as a company in supporting St. Jude.

This season, I encourage you to look for ways to make a difference in the lives of others. Giving is a gift that brings joy not only to those who receive but also to those who give.