TEAM REPORT Time to Celebrate Students

As the clock ticks and time moves on, I re ect on the daily phone calls and visits with my mother and father. Often my mother would tell me to sit a bit and visit. We would share a giggle along with a story, catch up on the happenings of the day, and check in on family matters. These visits became more special during the last few years of their lives. I must confess that my life’s busyness easily got in the way of our quality time together and it took effort to handle my family, home, activities and schedules, career, and personal obligations. Watching the clock also reminds me of the times my parents made a commitment to instill in my brothers and sister the basic, yet easily forgotten responsibility to spend time with family and friends. Our faithful road trips to visit family in Wisconsin, Georgia, & Illinois; the barbecues to celebrate family, friends, birthdays, weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, housewarmings, harvests, holidays, and just because events; church events; supporting family and friends during dif cult and happy times; were strategic maneuvers to drive home the importance of living a Christ centered life and a sense of responsibility for family and friends. Over eighty years, this loving gift of time has in uenced family and friends.

Spring and summer have always been a time for us to celebrate our children’s academic accomplishments and the ALL RISE Foundation is no different. This issue is full of pictures that capture smiles and recent accomplishments in our three regions: Bronx

& Community

Educational All-Star Day, Aspiring Leaders CADA Leadership Conference, Aaron’s hometown Cherry Festival and high school scholarship award. It does not stop there. Our webstore was launched on May 22nd to develop our following. Our Foundation tee shirt will create a time for community members to talk about Aaron’s Foundation and help people understand that our programs and mission are focused on citizenship and leadership development for children and youth. On Father’s Day, we launched the #Just5Minutes campaign to encourage others to participate in making an impact on our youth. It only takes 5 minutes, a small amount of time, to create a meaningful experience, whether it is bike riding, playing catch, reading a book together, or simply being friendly. Aaron says he “believes a connected child will have a better chance to be happy and successful.” Right before our eyes, we see children becoming con dent leaders and role models with a strong sense of community. Spending time with our children is a game changer, something I experienced rst hand with my parents. Won’t you join our mission to make an impact on our children? I bet you won’t regret using your time as a gift to others. Here is