How Giving is #Alligabler?

 
"It's Greg's birthday! Everybody give Greg a hug!" Gabler shouted out for the 4th time that night. Everybody hugged Greg, the author of this blog. But it was not Greg's birthday. This is just the Gabler way. He tells stories that have a basis in truth, but are mostly not. But man are they entertaining. Gabler is crazy and funny and smart and always in for a fun time. He exudes joy when in his element with friends and other loved ones.

Mike, Gabe, Yahoo and now #Alligabler ... however you know him, he's a special guy. Even his parents call him "Gabler", his last name. And Gabler has always been a giver.

So when he announced during the afterglow of winning #Survivor43 that he was giving the entire $1 million in winnings, while it may have shocked most, it did not fully surprise those who know him well. Mike Gabler is generous. He's generous with his time. He's generous with his talent. And - now the world knows - he is generous with his treasure. 

He did not have to give it all to VeteransInNeed (veteransinneedfoundation.org). He did not have to give even a portion of it. But he did. It was rightfully his. Does he have a daughter in college and another daughter who'll head to college soon? Yes. Could he have used that $1 million for a long list of things that his family and friends might need (or at least want)? Yes.

But Mike Gabler saw outside of himself. He saw Veterans, 44 of whom commit suicide every day. Every. Day. Veterans suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), face financial hardship and homelessness, are disabled, and the list goes on. They've served us, and Mike saw the tremendous need.

Serving those who have put their lives on the line for our country, and in doing so have provided the very freedoms we often overlook, they deserve our attention and care. "Regardless of whether the situation is dire (such as requiring food or shelter) or the person just needs a helping hand (for example, a single mother trying to purchase a Christmas gift for her child when she is just trying to get by), [Veterans In Need Foundation does] everything in [their] power within reason to assist with these requests. Although a large bulk of what [VINF does] is oriented toward helping homeless and disabled Veterans, [they] do not believe that you need to be homeless in order to receive financial support. The Veterans in Need Foundation (VINF) is focused on the assistance AND prevention of Veteran homelessness in America."