Dear Friend,

Happy December!

At the end of the year, it's time to think about how we have given back to those in need during the year. In the second half of our lives, most of us have more capacity to make donations, spend time with important causes, and be of service to others.

In my family, we were always taught that we had to commit to others to become whole human beings. From an early age, I was involved in raising money for charities, and as an adult, fundraising continues to take up a significant portion of my time. I've served on multiple nonprofit boards, including chair roles and leadership positions. I'm currently on three nonprofit boards in education and the arts.

Some friends and I started a foundation called Circle of Generosity. Our mission is to give random acts of (financial) kindness to individuals and families in need. You can learn more about us on our website, and below are some photos from our annual fundraiser earlier this month.

As a committed lifelong learner, I returned to school to earn a master's degree from Columbia University in nonprofit management. I think you get the picture of the passion that I have for giving back.

Whatever your interest, I hope you will consider your commitments to others in 2024.

This time of year is also when we all want to spend quality time with those we love. Community, relationships, and connections are vital for our well-being, especially as we continue to live longer. Loneliness can be as damaging as physical sickness. Reach out to those who are important to you.

Here I am with my soon-to-be 91-year-old Dad. I just visited him and his wife, Kathleen. I know that genetics have less than a 20% impact on our longevity, but I'm hoping that I'm just like Dad, as he is on his game with books, current events, and more. I'm convinced he will get to 100 and is a card-carrying member of what the New Longevity looks like!

This month, we have some wonderful voices around the magic of midlife and how you can boldly embrace this chapter and ROAR forward with purpose and passion. We also have two Re-Imagineers who will share their personal journeys of reinvention. (See all of our Re-Imagineers at ROARforward.com.)

At ROAR, we want to help you identify your future path and develop your next life layer. Earlier this month, you received an email probing you on some ideas to help us shape our offering. Thank you for the feedback. As members of the ROAR community, you believe in constantly reimagining your life in every way. 2024 is your year to step out and realize your favorite future. Have a wonderful holiday season and get ready to ROAR forward into the new year!