I have been thinking a lot about what it means to give back without making it about yourself.

One of the things I have always admired about the ideals of our founding fathers is the belief that citizenship carries responsibility. You contribute. You serve. You try to leave your community a little better than you found it.

That is something I want reflected in my little company as well.

I am fortunate that the business has created some profit, and rather than simply talking about community, veterans, service, or helping others, I decided I wanted to actually do something with a portion of it.

I selected a local nonprofit, Miles to Go, that helps people experiencing homelessness in the Orlando community. Homelessness is difficult enough under any circumstance, but homeless veterans in particular are something I have always cared about.

At the same time, health and fitness have long been an important part of my life. So when I saw an opportunity to support a 5K that benefits Miles to Go, it felt like a natural fit.

I anonymously paid for several people to participate.

I am not sharing that because I think it is some grand gesture. It is not. I am sharing it because I think businesses, even very small ones, have an opportunity to decide what they stand for through their actions.

We hear people say all the time that we should help veterans, support our communities, care for people in need, and improve our health. Those are good words. But somewhere along the way, the words have to become actions.

As the old saying goes, put your money where your mouth is.

For me, this is also about honoring the people and experiences that have shaped my life. It is about my late wife, my family, my military service, the people who have supported me, and the values I continue to hold dear.

Service does not always have to be large, public, or complicated.

Sometimes it is simply deciding that when you have a little extra, you share a little of it.

My company is small. Its contribution is small.

But if that contribution helps someone take another step forward, then it mattered.

And for me, that is enough.