‘It Feels Good to Give’

At the grand opening ceremony for the Michael G. DeGroote Senior School on September 28, 2012, one of the highlights was a brief speech by DeGroote himself. Here is part of what he said:

“I want to impart a small piece of wisdom, garnered over many years of learning and living. And it is this: when I look back—and as I contemplate the future—it is moments like this that give life its deepest meaning. Of course there are all of life’s many milestones—the birth of my children and grandchildren; weddings and graduations—but the ability to truly make a difference—to act selflessly; to give freely; to ensure, through philanthropy, that the values that matter to us are strengthened and maintained and supported beyond our individual ability—that’s what really matters.

“Today, I stand before you so very proud and humbled to be a part of HSC’s tradition of excellence and absolutely thrilled to be able to lend my name to this state-of-the-art high school. However, I would be remiss if I did not tell you this: it feels good to give. It feels wonderful to know that my family has been part of building the legacy of this great school. I thank all of you who have risen to the occasion and demonstrated such generosity…. I hope that each and every one of you will stretch further than you ever imagined you would—and make HSC one of your most significant philanthropic priorities.”