By all accounts I have a pretty great job. I get to work with terrific people and have made many strong friendships around the country. I have the opportunity to be creative in this position, and, if I do things right, get to set my own schedule much of the time (as a young manager out of college, I quickly realized that I am better off managing the events of the day rather than having those events manage me). Still, my full-time gig pales in comparison to my other job, which is whatever position I happen to be holding at the time with Kids’ Chance of Florida, Inc. (KCFL).

This year I am president of the organization, but the position itself doesn’t really matter. What really matters is having a chance to be part of something that is making such a difference in the lives of worthy young people. 

Last year I had the pleasure of making what is still the greatest phone call I have ever been a part of. I got to call a young lady who, despite tremendous economic disadvantage, had shown outstanding potential in her young life. I was able to inform her that she was the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship that would pay her entire tuition at the University of Florida for the year, as well as help with her living expenses. She had, up until that point, only received about $500 in assistance from other entities. 

I had to repeat the amount for her three times. Her gratitude was palpable. I can’t speak for her, but I can tell you at least one of us was crying by the end of the call.  

Last year, KCFL awarded 9 scholarships worth $33,000. Yesterday, in a telephonic board meeting, we approved 11 scholarships worth nearly $50,000. One of those students will learn this week that her tuition has already been paid for, thanks to our leveraging of the Florida Pre-Paid Tuition Foundation program. In addition to the scholarships we awarded, the board authorized the purchase of two more pre-paid funds, one for use in 2020 and another for 2021 (last year we bought 2 for 2018 and 2019).  

Did I mention that this is just a killer job?

And the young woman I mentioned earlier? It turns out she is a force to be reckoned with. She had been taking advanced placement and dual enrollment courses in high school, so with her diploma she also received an AA from her local community college. Technically starting college at the Junior level and studying in a pre-med track, she has an excellent GPA and is taking a full course load through the summer sessions. This kids’ going to be an orthopedic surgeon before most of us figure out our next summer vacation. Her motivation for that profession, by the way, comes from her fathers failed back surgeries after a serious workplace injury. 

I had the pleasure of making a second great call this year, telling her she has received another $10,000 scholarship from Kids’ Chance of Florida. 

I’m telling you, there is no better feeling than this. I am working with a group of dedicated professionals who all recognize the power of our mission. The support our young organization has received from the workers’ compensation community has been outstanding – and we are only just getting started.

If you want to participate in and support the work Kids’ Chance of Florida is doing, I encourage you to contact us. Our website is www.kidschancefl.org, and the email address is info@kidschancefl.org. Your donation of money or time would be greatly appreciated.

And the best part is, you would also discover that you, like other Kids’ Chance volunteers, have found the best job in the world as well.