With everyone at YAS gearing up for our 2nd Annual YAS-A-THON for ThinkCure, the subject of giving back—to the local community, to other important causes—is top of mind for me. ThinkCure supports crucial cancer research done here in L.A. As a cancer survivor, it’s especially meaningful to watch YAS staff, students and teachers putting their hearts and souls into fund raising for this cause.

And I’ve got to say, they’re good at it: Last year YAS raised nearly $140,000 and was ThinkCure’s leading fundraiser! It doesn’t surprise me, we have such an amazing YAS family. Americans are good at giving back and it’s something business owners should be good at too. After all, it’s a win-win proposition for causes that are important to your community and for your business.

By helping others, your business helps strengthen and support your community. And the stronger your community, the stronger your business. Giving back is critical to those you’re helping. It also generates good will for your business. At YAS, fund raisers like YAS-A-THON for ThinkCure are a powerful way for people to come together for a common cause and to create new and deeper friendships and bonds. And giving back just feels good. It’s good for moral at your business and in your community. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Our YAS Gives Back philanthropic effort has been going strong for a decade, providing donations for virtually all local school fund raisers while fund raising for neighboring schools, kid’s athletic programs, flood relief (for Katrina victims) and other causes. Every time we give back, we strengthen our YAS family and our local communities.

I’m beyond grateful for all the efforts everyone has put in over the years to help YAS raise funds and awareness for great causes. I’m especially excited by the amazing outpouring for our 2nd Annual YAS-A-THON and Silent Auction for ThinkCure, coming up Saturday and Sunday, June 11th and 12th. And I’m excited for the event. Check out the video (below) for last year’s YAS-A-THON to see why.

To find out how you can support this year’s YAS-A-THON for Think Cure and help us break last year’s fund raising record, go to YAS-A-THON First Giving page.