Coach Jake Diebler kicked off the luncheon with his three keys for basketball or business success. Value. Serve. Lift. Value what others contribute; never take them or their efforts for granted. With an attitude of gratitude, place a premium on what it means to serve others. And for the lift, this comes down to the art of encouragement. Yes, inspirational words—with a heartfelt conviction—matter. A great deal! His motivational speech challenged listeners to rise to new heights, partnering with LFYO to make a lasting difference. Karla Jones, a single-parent mom of a two-year old girl, discussed LFYO’s investment in her financial wellbeing. Jones’s heartwarming speech produced a few tearjerker moments. Cecil Gouke, a childhood friend of mine, LFYO supporter, and classroom volunteer stressed the importance of donating time and treasures to the cause. He emphasized, “By going inside the classroom and meeting a group of fifth-grade students at Easthaven Elementary School, I learned just as much from them as they did from me.”

Over the next several weeks, I’ll provide readers with an up-close and personal look at our Stronger Together: Targeted Investment Campaigns. Stay tuned for the first weekly article, Mr. Fundy’s Level Up Initiative for Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Students. In the meantime, click on the link below to watch a short video recap and view pictures from the 2026 LFYO Fundraising Luncheon.