Guest Column: My grandfather taught me to give because he struggled before succeeding
My grandfather William “Bill” J. Pulte was born in 1932 during the Great Depression as one of five kids. While growing up, money was tight in his household, and my grandfather used to tell us stories about walking the two miles to school each way unless it was snowing too badly, because they were unable to afford the three cents the bus cost for him and his sister.
As my grandfather started to make his own money, he wanted to give back to others. When he was just 19-years-old he gifted his mother with a dishwasher. That was the day he said he became a grownup. He realized at that moment how much joy there is in giving to others and he decided right then he was going to continue to give.
He knew what it was like to struggle and he felt it was his duty to help those less fortunate.
My grandfather's passion was helping the poorest of the poor. He wanted to especially help those in undeveloped countries gain access to basic human needs: shelter and clean water. His philanthropic efforts were not just completed overseas as my grandfather donated and helped in numerous organizations to help at-risk youth and those turning their life around after suffering from addiction.
My grandfather also made sure to raise his children and grandchildren with a servant's heart and stressed the importance of giving back and helping those in need. My grandfather's lessons are what inspired me to give back as well. I have given back to those in need for years, but I wanted to make more of an impact like my grandfather did and would have wanted me to do.
One day I got on Twitter and decided it was the perfect platform to use to reach people in need across the world. Social media has a lot of hate but is very powerful and wide-reaching. I thought if I could channel the power of social media to reach those in need, then this platform could be used for good.
In one tweet offering to give away $10,000, the Twitter Philanthropy movement was born. In the last two years, I have given away more than 1 million dollars and three cars, two of which were Teslas, to people on Twitter. I give away money in many ways, from $25,000 random giveaways to $50 for Thanksgiving meals. I have found that the amount of money given to one individual does not have to be a large amount to make a difference in their lives.
Two hundred dollars to a family that fell on hard times and just needs to get groceries this month is life-changing. Twenty dollars for dinner to someone who tweeted to me about having a bad day, while it may not change their life, that twenty dollars made it easier for that night and boosted their spirits. I help everyone and anyone from cancer patients to single moms, US citizens, and people internationally.
Not only have I given away my own money, but I have created a community of givers, just like my grandfather did with our family. I call all of my followers teammates because to me we are all one team. I am just one millionaire and I can only help so many people but if we all come together as a community and help each other then we will be much more powerful.
I post nonprofit campaigns for cancer patients and gofundme campaigns for people who have been in unfortunate accidents or situations. We have raised money for funerals, handicap-accessible vans, insulin pumps, and much more. I hope to see Twitter Philanthropy continue to impact lives for generations to come. You can join the team by following @Pulte on Twitter.
Bill Pulte is CEO of Pulte Capital Partners, a private equity firm and Twitter Philanthropist. His grandfather, William ‘Bill’ Pulte, founded Pulte Homes in 1956 in Detroit Michigan, and expanded across the country including Jacksonville where they still operate today.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: My grandfather taught me to give because he struggled before succeeding
