The culture of FortuneBuilders is, well, different. And, man, do we love it. We get excited to get up and go to work every day. We are privileged to work with our best friends, people who motivate and inspire us to be better. Our team is comprised of local San Diegans kickin’ butt at FortuneBuilders Headquarters and dozens of “Road Warriors” CRUSHING IT across the country. “Attack 8 days a week” is our team motto, and, boy, is the energy contagious. More than that, our company has a heart, and a big one at that; it’s what makes us not just a team, but a family.

One thing every FortuneBuilder shares is the commitment to positively changing things, to use our resources for the greater good, and to help improve the lives of others. We fully embrace the “pay it forward” mentality.

My fellow FortuneBuilders came together this month, to accomplish a goal that has made my heart overwhelmingly full. I’m grateful to share this story with you.

Earlier this month, I set a goal to adopt 100 Angels as part of Salvation Army’s “Adopt An Angel”. What that means is that 100 kids would be able to have a holiday this season they wouldn’t have otherwise had one.

When you Adopt An Angel from the Salvation Army Giving Tree, you receive the child’s age, sex, sizes, and their holiday “wish list.” You go shopping for your Angel, and send the gifts to Salvation Army, who then sends the gifts directly to the child. It’s an awesome way to pay it forward. And for me, it’s a way to pay it back…

Back when I was 12 years old I was one of those Angels.

During a really financially tough time for my parents, when I was in middle school, we didn’t expect much of a Christmas. Unbeknownst to us, someone close to our family had submitted my sister and I to the Salvation Army “Angels” Tree.

I got home from school one day before Christmas to find a big box waiting for my sister and I FULL of gifts from complete strangers. I remember opening that box completely taken back. Inside was a note from the “Adopters” wishing us a merry Christmas, and letting us know we were loved.

I can remember down to the smallest detail everything that was in that box, my favorite being a pair of Garfield Pajamas and the Lion King DVD. I couldn’t believe that someone who didn’t even know us, and would never receive a thank you, had gone to the trouble to pick out and purchase presents with their hard earned money for me, to make sure I had a Christmas; one that my parents would never have been able to provide that year.

I will never forget that Christmas. In fact, it’s the only Christmas I remember exactly what I got.

Luckily, I also had parents that believe in community, who weren’t too proud to accept help during a tough time. I was taught if you do good for other people when you can, people will do good for you when you need it. To me that is what paying it forward is all about.

It is no secret our country is going through some difficult times right now. As I reflected back on that Christmas from my childhood, I knew there were going to be a lot of American children in similar situations this year. I knew we at FortuneBuilders could help.

With that in mind, I set a lofty goal (in true FortuneBuilders fashion) of Adopting 100 Angels. I sent one email to our team, asking for their help. Within 4 days the support came flooding in. Many of our team members adopt 2, 3 and some even 6 Angels. Not one of them knowing my story of being an Angel myself, or how close this cause is to me personally. Within 5 days we met our 100 Angel goal, the Angel count hit 116. That’s 116 children who will have a Christmas this year, and 116 parents/guardians who will know their community is supporting them in times of need.

So, to all of you FortuneBuilders who Adopted an Angel this year, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The 12 year old in me wants to give each one of you a giant hug. Who am I kidding, 30 year old me does too.

To all of the families out there going through tough times this holiday season, have faith and don’t be afraid to reach out to your community for help. Take good care of yourself, lean on others, and one day soon you will be in a better place, and be able to help someone else who needs it.

You are loved.

Happy Holidays from our family to each and every one of yours,

Kristi Lyn Miller