I just read a short story around the idea that if something needs to be done, perhaps you should do something. In part it said: “If you see a need, don’t ask ‘Why doesn’t somebody do something?’ Ask instead ‘Why don’t I do something?’

One day, entering into my office I said it was a shame that according to the newspaper this morning, there are many ‘white sales’, automobile sales, and furniture sales in honor of George Washington’s birthday, but there is no George Washington Birthday Celebration.

My assistant said: “Well, what are you going to do?” Yes, you should do something.

So I did. After talking to the building owner about closing the whole office complex down in celebration of George Washington’s Birthday, I then called other acquaintances, friends, and clients. Before the day was done I had organized the single largest George Washington Birthday Celebration in the State of Arizona for four years running.

It was great, but also great cost and hard work. We had the Mesa Mayor, City Council, Mesa School Board (who later volunteered the use of any of the Schools close by to continue to hold the event), District U.S. Congressman, Fire Trucks, Ice Cream Companies, Banks, Bakeries (with one huge birthday cake with appropriate number of candles), Boy Scouts working on merit badges, and ultimately more than 2,500 people attending our celebration held in our buildings parking lot!

George and Martha appeared, along with Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and a corps of Sons of the American Revolution all dressed in their fine regalia. We had food, speeches, singing by choirs and artists, and games and rides for the kids. And the weather in February in Arizona is always perfect. It was so wonderful to see what one man could do!