Posted on Nov 21, 2012

A Legacy of Giving

In the News: 2012 Philanthropists of the Year

Source: Bethesda Magazine

Bethesda Magazine highlights a unique couple, Patrice & Scott Brickman, who have won the 2012 Montgomery County Philanthropists of the Year award.

Scott is chairman of the Brickman Group, a landscaping company founded by his grandfather that now has more than 106 branches in 29 states. I remember seeing their trucks outside my old office building. Now I have a whole new respect for the company name.

In Montgomery County, award-winners are successful businesspeople who “give where they love.” In the past six years that they have offered this award, this is the first time an award goes to a couple.

A longtime friend commented that the Brickmans have the perfect partnership: “Patrice is outgoing and well-connected throughout the community. And Scott is one hell of an entrepreneur… to the benefit of every organization he’s worked with.”

Together, Scott and Patrice are a normal couple doing extraordinary things by being an example of giving.

Examples of Giving

Here are a few examples highlighting the giving nature of the Brickmans:

After Hurricane Katrina, they rented a truck and drove the 1,000 miles to New Orleans, to deliver donations and supplies from friends and family.
Where Scott grew up, near Chicago, he donated his time to landscaping projects for nonprofits and community groups. Now as Chairman of his company, he implemented Founders Day where employees spend the day working on a community service project.
In recent years, Scott decided to lend his leadership skills to a local shelter (called Stepping Stones), helping with financial management and the leadership structure.
For Patrice, volunteering was a normal part of her growing up. She remembers helping her grandmother lead tours of the family farm for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H clubs.
When Patrice chose to stay home with her young kids, she was encouraged by Scott to volunteer. So she went to a local Children’s Center and helped rebuild an outdated playground. In addition, she made a substantial donation. She went on to raise $25,000 for the playground, organize classes for the kids, and chair a capital campaign to raise $15 million for a new facility.

An important quote regarding Patrice, from the volunteer coordinator of the Children’s Center: “I had no idea what she was capable of.” That’s the secret power of the value of giving.

The Value of Giving

As a differentiating value, Giving means voluntary transfer of a possession without receiving value in return. Giving is a choice.

However, giving isn’t something that is always planned.

When Patrice and Scott got married, they didn’t discuss how they would give back as a couple. They just knew it would be a part of their life together. It was encouraged within both of them growing up.

Now they are passing this value along to their 4 kids:
“Like their parents, the Brickman children have grown up with the view that volunteering is a natural and necessary part of their lives. Anna, a junior at Holy Child, delivers meals with McKenna’s Wagon, a mobile soup kitchen that circulates in Washington, D.C. And all four kids look forward to the family’s annual service projects, such as wrapping presents at NCCF during the holidays. They often remind their parents of upcoming events, rather than vice versa.”

Unlike many other values, giving has a multiplier effect.

While giving clearly adds value to the recipient and provides a sense of value to the giver, it passes along even greater value to those who observe, learn, and model after the giver. And that’s a great legacy to leave.