SAGE elevates the wisdom of this Greek Proverb - A society grows great when its elders plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. The people involved in SAGE are great tree planters! They volunteer their time and talent for nonprofits. They donate money and advocate for causes they care about. They know that giving as little as a few hours or a few dollars every month can help a young person learn to read, develop a love for nature, or secure their first job.
See our StoryTree below for great examples for how people are making a difference by planting trees of opportunity for the future.
You can also view more great examples through our Annual Reports, Legacy Fellow Summaries, Social Media, and sign-up for our newsletter.
Through the power of story, we inspire and support people to find their own pathway to volunteer engagement.
If you’re not sure where to get involved, talk to a SAGE Connector. We provide personalized support and make valuable connections.
Jeanne Magmer
She's giving forward by helping students with scholarships, grants, and backpacks to get the right start for school.
"I wanted to make a difference for kids by leaving my corner of the world a little bit better for the next generation. Investing in our kids is what really counts."
Bruce Watts
He's giving forward by teaching young adults accountability, respect, and integrity.
"When you are establishing trust with a mentee, It can take a lot of time, but the payoff is always worth the investment in the end."
Steve Griffith
He's giving forward by investing in young leaders and their education.
"We expect young people to listen to us and take our suggestions. Why should we not, in turn, listen to them about how they view the world?"
Mohammad Rahman
He's giving forward by investing in children's education around the world.
"Elders have an opportunity to leverage their own gifts from life in order to open doors and create opportunities for children."
Susan Hammer
She's giving forward through board service and community leadership.
"When you have more, you have more to give, and that giving brings joy to your life."
Trisha Schultz
She's giving forward by supporting a community garden on the roof of an apartment building.
"The community garden was a way to... reduce food scarcity, but also to grow the community and I think we've reached both of those goals."
Lori Davidson
She's giving forward by sharing her skills with Millennials to help them achieve their potential.
"Working side-by-side with young professionals is more fun than you can imagine - I've had some eye-opening conversations with a very diverse group of people - outside of my usual social circles. I'm a better person for it."
Walt Mintkeski
His professional and volunteer efforts have helped to preserve water quality and improve energy efficiency for future generations.
"Recreation re-creates my spirit."
Roberta Schwartz
She's giving forward by building a park in her home town.
"Make the best of every day."