I loved science as a student, even though it wasn’t always my strongest subject. When I struggled, my high school science teacher, Mr. Neugebauer, was always happy to help. If I had a question, he took the time to break the problem down until I truly understood. He went beyond just giving me information — he made a personal connection, and his enthusiasm ignited mine.
I also remember what it felt like as a teenager to get an autograph from Jonathan Sánchez, and how much that small moment meant. He not only signed a ball for me, but he spoke to me like he already knew me. Because of examples like his, when I meet a kid—whether through Make-A-Wish or while signing an autograph at the ballpark—I try to kneel down, look them in the eye, and make a genuine connection. I know those little moments will stay with someone.
On the baseball field, my teammates and I get to know each other as people outside of the game. We have dinner with our families or catch a basketball game. That connection and understanding make us stronger teammates.
As ALL RISE continues to grow, I can see the power of personal connection in our work, too. Our book club doubled in size this summer. At our Pro-Camp, I worked with hundreds of young athletes to sharpen their baseball and softball skills. And when we award Mini-Grants multiple times each year, we don’t just send a check—we build partnerships, helping organizations to expand their networks and strengthen their impact. They become part of the ALL RISE family.
The ALL RISE team believes people will always remember how you made them feel. Take a moment to really listen—to your kids, your coworkers, your neighbors, or even someone you’ve just met. Give them your full attention for #Just5Minutes. I believe you will see just how powerful those small moments of care and connection can be.