As part of a monthly series, read a Giving Sum member's thoughts as to why they give.

This month's reflection by David Roth; member since 2012

As my girlfriend Michele and my children were walking back from an afternoon and evening in the Super Bowl village on Wednesday February 1st I was thinking about why I give?

While feeling perhaps a bit guilty that I had kept the kids up too late on a school night, I knew that they would see, as best they could at 7, 9, and 11, what we saw.  More than dinner out, an Eli Manning Jersey, a balloon twisted in the shape of a monkey on a tree, donuts at 9pm and a Coca-Cola when they are used to milk and water…that they would see and remember a safe and fun-filled event spent with their family and their community in their City that they would never forget.  We had just celebrated with tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people in downtown Indianapolis enjoying beautiful weather, a lively atmosphere and a street party that had something for everyone.  We witnessed friendly faces smiling and offering advice and assistance to visitors from out of town, talked with a friend who is a local police  officer about the energy and positive vibe in our City, and waved at Mayor Ballard taking it all in from his vantage point above Georgia Street and thought, “WOW, I love this City!”

I loved Indianapolis when it was planning and subsequently hosting the Pan Am Games, when the new Zoo was built, when it planned and developed it’s greenways, when White River State Park was completed, the downtown Mall was finished, the Cultural Trail developed,  and now as it hosts a Super Bowl!  I love it because the City has always thought about, “What’s Next?   – redevelopment of the GM site, cleaning up the White River, realizing transit, strengthening our neighborhoods, and many other initiatives to keep our neighborhoods thriving.

I give because I believe and am passionate about this city, I am passionate about its people, about you.

Why do I give?  I guess it’s because of you.